As in many local Leagues there is a big difference between the top division and the next one down and that certainly appears to be the case in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this year. Writtle A and Danbury A, the two promoted teams are both finding the going much tougher, and both teams will be pleased if they can avoid relegation. Writtle B gave a very creditable performance against Maldon B, only losing 6-4, after Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Neil Charles had predictably won his three singles for Maldon. Writtle’s Gary Ward and Kevin Worthington both recorded excellent wins against John Cleasby and Dave Bassett. Danbury A fared worse, and they lost 7-3 to Rawreth A, as Duncan Taylor and Charles Sweeney both stayed undefeated. Maldon A are having trouble fielding a full team every week and as a result the good form of Paul Sayer is going largely unnoticed. This week Paul excelled by beating all three Elmtree Graphics players in his side’s 6-4 defeat.

Hatfield Peverel A produced another strong performance in division two, beating OCs B 8-2. Peter Brownlow and John Parodi were both undefeated whilst John Webber won twice. Excalibur B produced an excellent performance as they beat Danbury B 7-3. George Pavitt won his three singles and this included a fine opening game win over Dave Richardson (11-5, 11-7, 14-12).

Danbury D were the week’s big winners in division three, and they had Tim Pulham on top form as they beat Kings Road 8-2. It was Martin Eyles who was responsible for the two Kings Road victories and he beat both Glen Laing and Neil Want. Alison Gurner recorded a rare blank night although she certainly went down fighting against Neil Want, eventually succumbing 11-3, 6-11, 21-23, 11-13. Hatfield Peverel C also fared well, and they had Clive Allenby and Chris Buer turning in unbeaten performances as they beat ECC E 7-3. The match between Danbury C and Writtle B finished all square, after Herbie Smith had won his three singles for Danbury and Matthew Brown and Hector Rogers had both won twice for Writtle. It was honours even in the clash between Excalibur C and Danbury C as well, although in this match no single player remained undefeated. Excalibur’s Michael Rostoft and Steve Mundy and Danbury’s Herbie Smith and Nicky Reece-Ford all won twice.

There appears to be no stopping Hylands School A in division four and this week they scored a very impressive 8-2 win over OCs D. Terry Dowsett retained his unbeaten record, and Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett both won twice. It was Roy Moore who picked up the two games that escaped the Hylands team’s grasp. Bocking B had their leading player - Richard Jennings to thank as they beat Elmtree Graphics B 6-4 whilst for Danbury E team-work was the buzz-word when they won 6-4 against Chelmsford D. Brian Ellis, Dave Goody and Dave Powell all won twice.

EPHQ’s 7-3 win against Danbury J in division five hides the fact that seven games were decided in the fifth end. In what was clearly a very well contested match it was Ian Hockley’s "maximum" that was the difference between the two sides. Calvin Wright certainly had a full night’s play, going to three ends in all three singles and wining twice. Wright did well to retrieve a 2-1 deficit to beat Alan Dadswell 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10. ECC F had to work hard to beat Hatfield Peverel E 6-4. Richard Storey sealed victory for the County Council team by downing the previously undefeated Keith Cullen 11-6, 10-12, 11- 9, 13-11 in a well contested final game. 6-4 was also the outcome of the match between Chelmsford E and Chelmsford F with the F team shading the match. Tom Lee won his three singles for the F side, whilst Bob Francis won twice for the E team.

In division six, Excalibur D appear to be that little bit too strong for their rivals and this week their regular side of Craig Mcgarrigle, Steve Chesman and Keith Fitzjohn were comfortable 10-0 winners against OCs E. Chelmsford J led by Patrick Whelpdale (three wins) and Michael Whelpdale (two wins) were also on good form as they beat Writtle D 7-3. The game between Daniel Meah and Michael Whelpdale was the closest of the night, with Michael clinching victory 11-4, 5- 11, 11-4, 9-11, 13-11. However, the game between Michael Meah and Alex Beaumont is also worthy of note, with Alex finally coming out on top 8-11, 11-8, 3-11, 25-23, 11-7. The 25-23 scoreline represents the closest fought game in Chelmsford League competition this Season.

All three Click League matches produced 4-1 scorelines with Chelmsford O, Hylands School B and OCs D all coming out on top. Chris Denyer (Chelmsford) and Phil Bigland (Hylands School) impressed for their respective teams.