SELAX WIN MARATHON ENCOUNTER 5-0

What was almost certainly the best match of the Central Essex Summer League First Division Season produced a most unlikely 5-0 victory for Selax. Selax were successful in all five encounters beating OCs A in a match where all five games were decided in the fifth end with scorelines of 11-8 or closer. Keith Spicer's 11-6, 11-5, 6-11, 9-11, 17-15 victory over Robbie Burton was the closest game of the night and the Selax lads - Spicer and Gary Ward ensured they took all five points by sealing the Final Doubles by getting the better of Robbie Burton and Steve Northcott 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11. Some match !. 

Hullbridge Fat Boys also did well to notch up a decisive win - a 4-1 success against Ramsden Raiders, a result that sees them jump into second place. Nigel Lamb and Richard Brown won all four singles with Richard Brown hitting top form as he powered his way past John Gagg 13-11, 11-3, 11-8.

Division two leaders Excalibur Musketeers scored their third 4-1 victory to remain undefeated as they beat Ramsden Raiders in a hard-fought match which lasted over two hours. Richard Hiskey won both of his singles whilst Bill Smith played his part by beating Gareth Davies in five ends. Smith just missed out 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 10-12 against Neil Freeman as Excalibur came very close to picking up all five games. Elmtree Graphics A were without their leading player - Ev Lucas against OCs B and they lost 4-1. An inform Nat Ravlic was again unbeaten for OCs and this included recording a hard-fought 10-12, 12-10, 11-3, 7-11, 11-3 victory against Rod Maclennan.

The ever-improving Hylands Flingers side did well to beat Elmtree Graphics B 3-2 in Division three. Brandon Crouchman avenged a last gasp defeat against Phil Smith in the Chelmsford Closed Tournament by getting the better of his experienced Clacton rival 11-13, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 whilst Scott Dowsett played his part by fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Nicola Pippen 5-11, 9-11, 23-21, 11-4, 11-6. Quite a third game !.

Division four looks like being a two-horse race between Danbury D and ECC C and both sides scored convincing wins this week. Danbury scored an excellent 5-0 victory against Chelmsford C with Brian Ellis and Dave Goody taking all five games whilst ECC C (Colin Barham and Richard Storey) overpowered Chelmsford D 5-0. Matt Skeoch put up a real fight against Richard Storey before losing 12-14, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 8-11.

Steve Kerns - Press Officer

Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League