MAGNIFICENT HAT-TRICK FOR GOWLETT

Bocking A showed that they have every intention of retaining their title in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division as they scored a superb 9-1 victory over Maldon A. This match saw Bocking no. three Kevin Gowlett hit the heights and he recorded three great wins over Paul Stephens, Paul Sayer and Keiran Lally. Rik James also stayed unbeaten for Bocking and all Maldon had to show for their efforts was a last gasp win for Keiran Lally over David Cole (11-7, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9). Bocking added another eight points to their tally by beating second-placed Rawreth & Hullbridge I 8-2 and Rik James again stayed undefeated. Duncan Taylor was the best of the Rawreth players and he beat both Kevin Gowlett and David Cole. Further down the table Danbury A scored a fine 6-4 win over Writtle A. Eric Green was their match- winner with three hard-fought victories, and he sealed the Danbury win by beating Kevin Worthington 13-11, 12-10, 11-8 in the last game.

Second division leaders Chelmsford A were tested by OCs B and even though this was not one of their more convincing performances they still won 6-4. Peter Barrett won his three singles to ensure that the Chelmsford retained their unbeaten record.

Excalibur C impressed in division three and a Graham Mortimer hat-trick enabled them to beat ECC C 7-3. Neil Thompson was the best of the ECC players and he beat both Michael Rostoft and Dave Moles. The two other matches in this division reflect the even nature of the competition with OCs C drawing against Kings Road A and Danbury C. The Old Chelmsfordians team of Mark Bohan, Adrian North and David Porter had to rely on team-work on both occasions. None of their players were able to get the better of Kings Road’s Martin Eyles and in the match with Danbury no single player stayed undefeated. Norman Smith picked up two wins for Danbury and Mark Bohan and Adrian North both won twice for Old Chelmsfordians.

Hylands School A are the team to beat in division four although the injury to Scott Dowsett means they are going to drop points. Fortunately, Terry Dowsett and Brandon Crouchman were both on top form as they beat Hatfield Peverel D (7-3) and Danbury F (again 7-3). Bocking B are the one team who could challenge them (particularly if Hylands School are without their regular third player) and Bocking picked up eight points by beating Danbury H 8-2. David Edwards and Richard Jennings were both unbeaten. A very strong Elmtree Graphics B side of Ev Lucas, Nicola Pippen and Tony Vassallo had too much fire power for Chelmsford D who did well to restrict the margin of victory to 8-2. Gordon Fairchild and Dave Parker both beat Nicola Pippen. Elmtree also turned out a strong side of Phil Smith, Melanie Bonnett and Tony Vassallo against Danbury H and this time they won 7-3. Kevin Willis, Peter Sun and Mick Robinson all did well to beat Melanie Bonnett.

Division five leaders ECC F made no mistake as they beat Chelmsford E 8-2. Malcolm Storey and Richard Storey both scored hat-tricks and Mick Storey picked up a single victory. Richard Upson had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Mick Storey 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 3-11, 13-11 and he also gave a good account of himself against Malcolm Storey before succumbing 4-11, 11-9, 11-8, 7- 11, 7-11. Danbury J just had enough in hand to beat Club-mates Danbury K 6-4. Roger Tiffin was the difference between the two sides. His opening victory where he had to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Trevor Palmer 9-11, 7-11, 12- 10, 11-3, 11-4 went a long way to deciding the outcome of the match.

Team-work was the order of the day as Chelmsford H (Mike Pitt, Jacqueline Smith and Eric Clift) all won twice in their team’s 6-4 victory over Chelmsford K in division six. Elsewhere, Hill Dowsett’s three wins ensured that Excalibur E beat Chelmsford J 6-4 and Jim McCarthy’s hat-trick shaped Great Baddow’s 6-4 victory over Chelmsford J. The game between Chelmsford’s Robert Shrimpton and Baddow’s Tony Hallett was the closest of the night with Hallett shading it 11- 6, 15-17, 11-8, 12-10.

Hylands B took all five games in their CLICK Victory over Chelmsford M. Phil Bigland and Jamie Dowsett were both undefeated with Jamie coming up trumps in the closest game of the evening. Jamie came though in five ends against Daniel Thomas (11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8).

All players are reminded that the Closing Date for entering the Chelmsford closed Tournament is Monday 08 December 2008. This event takes place over the weekend of 30 January 209 to 01 February 2009 at Anglia Ruskin University, Bishops Hall Lane, Rivermead Campus, Chelmsford. Entry forms are contained in the League Handbook and should be sent to the Tournament Organiser - Arthur Clark, 2 Top Road, Woodham Walter, CM9 6RQ.