RAYNE ARE THE EARLY LEADERS

Rayne A are the early leaders in the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League first division after beating OCs A 4-1 and Ramsden Raiders 5-0. Their 5-0 victory over Raiders was the superior performance and in a hard fought match where no single game was decided three-straight Rayne's Steve Pennell and Ian Whiteside excelled by winning all five games. Pennell used his all-court game to power his way to a convincing 10-12, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1 victory over John Gagg whilst the evergreen Whiteside also showed up well and he came back from trailing 1-2 to defeat John Parodi 11-8, 10-12, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3. The rather unflatteringly named Hullbrdge Fatboys are in second position, after beating Danbury B 4-1 and SELAX Sabres 3-2. Gary Baker was undefeated in the win against Danbury whilst Glenn Johnson won his two singles in the success against SELAX. Danbury A have also made an impressive start to their Season and they did well to beat SELAX 3-2. The hard-hitting Dave Caleja had a mixed night scoring an excellent 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7 victory over Gary Ward but in turn missing out 4-11, 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 6-11 against left-handed Trevor Collin.

Chelmsford A (Mike Johnston and David Parker) have made a flying start in division two, beating Elmtree Graphics 4-1 and ECC B 5-0. Johnston and Parker won all eight singles in what looks to have been two excellent performances. Ramsden Rovers also made a promising start and Gareth Davies stayed undefeated as they beat ECC B 4-1. John Wickens scored ECC's success, an excellent 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 victory over Neil Freeman. ECC A had the luxury of fielding the formidable Bradley Hudgell against Excalibur Musketeers and OCs B and the Essex County Junior star stayed undefeated in both of these games although it wasn't quite enough to steer his side to victory. Hudgell did not have matters all his own way and he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Excalibur's Lin Attridge 11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 14-12, 11-9.

In the third division a strong Chelmsford B side of Robin Armstrong and Barry Pritchard made short work of Excalibur International and they ran out excellent 5-0 winners. Barry Pritchard came through the week's closest encounter, a really hard-fought 11-7, 15-13, 17-19, 8-11, 13-11 victory against Mike Rostoft whilst the improving Robin Armstrong made lighter work of Rostoft winning impressively 12-10, 11-3, 11-8. Fambridge also started their campaign with a victory and Steve Buer remained undefeated as they beat Hylands Flingers 4-1. Included in Steve Buer's two victories was a hard-fought 14-12, 11-9, 12-10 win over Brandon Crouchman.

Danbury D are the early leaders in division four, and Brian Ellis won both of his singles as they beat OCs D 4-1. A hard-fought Doubles win for Ellis and Dave Goody over David Porter and Mick Parkhurst by a 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 2-11, 11-9 scoreline wrapped up an excellent evening's work for the Danbury side.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League