DUNCAN TAYLOR ON IMPRESSIVE FORM FOR RAWRETH

Old Chelmsfordians A have made a bright start to the Season in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, and they had fortune on their side as well when they played Rawreth A. None of their players were able to beat the inform Duncan Taylor but Rawreth's Kevin Read who won twice had not been registered on time and their 6-4 victory became a 7-3 victory to OCs. Taylor’s hat-trick included a fine 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 win over Paul Davison. The "Old Boys" were also successful against Writtle A, running out 6-4 winners in a match dominated by Paul Davison, a comfortable winner of his three singles. Nikki Kennard won twice which included a fine 11-13, 13-11, 6-11, 11- 8, 12-10 victory over Gary Ward. Rawreth in turn fared better against Excalibur A and were convincing 9-1 winners. Duncan Taylor and Charles Sweeney were both undefeated, whilst Gary Baker with a 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 victory over John Poysden was Excalibur’s sole winner.

No less than three Chelmsford Mens Singles Champions - Elmtree’s Reagan Nettleingham and Bocking’s Dave Cole and Rik James were in action in the match between Elmtree Graphics A and Bocking A, and it was Dave Cole, the most recent Winner of this title who came out on top in this clash. He won his three singles which included a last gasp 14-12, 11-6, 4-11, 1-11, 11-9 victory against Reagan. Elmtree‘s John Holland made his mark and he recorded an excellent 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 victory over Rik James. Bocking ran out fairly convincing 8-2 winners.

Chelmsford A gave another demonstration that they will be the team to beat in division two as they won 7-3 against Hatfield Peverel B. However, the form of Peverel’s Greg Green was outstanding and he scored a superb hat-trick of wins over Waseem Qureshi, Peter Barrett and Bradley Hudgell. OCs A edged out Excalibur B 6-4, with no player staying undefeated. Nat Ravlic and Adrian North won twice for OCs whilst George Pavitt won twice for Excalibur. With seven games going to a deciding set Excalibur may well have felt they deserved to get a draw from this match.

Excalibur C scored their first win in the third division, a 7-3 success against OCs C. Mike Rostoft won his three singles and he completed his hat- trick with a 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 win over Mark Bohan. ECC E were also 7-3 winners and they had Bryn Thomas in unbeaten form as they beat Kings Road 7-3.

Leaders Hylands School A produced the most eye-catching result in division four, a superb 10-0 slaying of Rawreth B. Terry Dowsett, Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett carried all before them with Scott’s 11-5, 11-2, 9-11, 12-14, 16-14 victory over former Southend League Premier Division player Stan Owen being the pick of the action. OCs D are currently in second place but a 6-4 defeat against Chelmsford D suggests that they will have to work hard to stay there.

Sam Pitt and Bob Francis both won twice for Chelmsford whilst Dave Porter who also picked up two singles was OCs’s best player. Bocking B are another team to watch in this division and it was no surprise that their squad of Braintree League first division players beat Danbury F 8-2. Richard Jennings and David Edwards who both stayed undefeated dominated the action.

Chelmsford E, the early leaders in division five were held to a draw by fifth placed Danbury K which suggests this division will probably be fiercely contested. No single player remained undefeated, with Adam Pitt and Richard Upson (Chelmsford E) and Trevor Palmer and Richard Allen (Danbury K) all winning twice. Hatfield Peverel E moved into second place by beating Danbury J 6-4 with Mike Bard staying undefeated. In the meeting of the two unbeaten no. ones Bard completed his hat-trick by getting the better of Roger Tiffin 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.

Exclaibur D with 26 points out of a possible 30 are runaway leaders of division six and this week they made short work of beating Chelmsford H 9-1.

Steve Cheeseman and Keith Fitzjohn were both undefeated. Danbury L moved into second place by beating Excalibur E 8-2 in a match where Chris Hancox and Lee McHugh both remained unbeaten. Great Baddow follow next and they were 6-4 winners over Danbury L. Another former Southend League Premier Division player - Gary McCarthy took his three singles. Team-work was the order of the day as Chelmsford H came out on top against OCs E (7-3) with all three Chelmsford players - Mike Pitt, Jacqueline Smith and Eric Clift winning twice. Jacqueline Smith came closest to taking a hat-trick just falling short against Rich Newton 5-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9, 10-12.

Hylands School B made a successful start in the CLICK League, running out impressive 5-0 winners against Chelmsford O. Phil Bigland and Jamie Dowsett were both undefeated. A battling Chris Denyer came closest to troubling the Hylands players, pushing Jamie Dowsett before succumbing 4-11, 12-10, 8-11, 8-11.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League