Results went against the form book this week in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Chelmsford A, the runaway leaders, lost their 100 % record, when they were held to a draw by seventh placed Hatfield Peverel B. Chelmsford’s Peter Barrett was the outstanding player and he remained undefeated whilst Father and son duo - Martyn and Greg Green both won twice for Hatfield Peverel. Both players beat Waseem Qureshi who went on to clinch victory in the Two-Down Singles in the M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Tournament ten days later. Martyn’s victory was a really hard-fought one as the scores show : 8-11, 12-14, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8. Revenge will have been sweet for Waseem as it was Greg he beat in a thrilling four-game Two-Down Final encounter. There was a shock for second placed Chelmsford B as well, as they were well and truly outplayed 9-1, by Hatfield Peverel A. Peter Brownlow and John Webber were both undefeated whilst John Gagg won twice. Only Julie Vansertima with a five game win over John Gagg picked up a singles for the Chelmsford side. And third placed ECC B also found themselves victims of a heavy defeat, as they were beaten 8-2 by a strong Liberals side. Steve Elmes won his three singles and Dean Andrews and Barry Pritchard both won twice. The OCs B versus Excalibur B clash did go pretty much with the form book with OCs prevailing 7-3. Defender Robert Burton scored three excellent victories for the Old Chelmsfordians side.

There was a big upset in the first division as well. Maldon B’s Neil Charles’ outstanding two Season unbeaten run came to an end against Maldon A. Having beaten Peter Ballard and Paul Sayer few people would have foreseen Neil struggling against Lee Prentice who had lost his first singles to John Cleasby. But, in what was must go down as one of the shocks of the Season Lee clinched a thrilling 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 13-11, 12-10 victory which gave Maldon A a 6-4 win. Bocking lead the table by a massive 22 points margin and this week they produced a workmanlike performance to beat Elmtree Graphics A 8-2. Elmtree’s top player Reagan Nettleingham impressed by beating both David Cole and Bocking ‘s new signing - leading Colchester player Mike Andrews. However, Rik James stayed undefeated downing the challenge of Reagan 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 in the process. Another new signing, hard-hitting Romford League stalwart Paul Whatton dominated the action as second-placed Rawreth beat Excalibur A 6-4. Elsewhere, ECC A (Steve Kerns, Lucy Wang and Peter Lau) consolidated third position by beating Danbury A 7-3 despite trailing 3-1after the early encounters. Danbury’s Babul McLeod impressed by beating Lucy Wang 3-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6.

Team-work ruled the day as second-placed Writtle B beat ECC D 7-3 in division three. Matthew Brown, Hector Rogers and Brian Cook all won twice whilst Trevor Roberts won twice for ECC D which included an opening game 14-12, 12-10, 12- 10 victory over Rogers. Bottom side Kings Road gave themselves fresh hope of avoiding relegation as they beat Hatfield Peverel C 6-4. Alison Gurner warmed up for her exploits in the Chelmsford Tournament by winning her three singles. Steve Buer won twice for Hatfield Peverel C and this included a monumental 11- 4, 20-18, 6-11, 10-12, 13-11 struggle against Martin Eyles. Danbury D stay top after beating Danbury C 8-2. Tim Pulham and Neil Want were both undefeated.

Hylands School A took a step closer to the division four title by beating Rawreth B 9-1. Father and son duo Terry and Scott Dowsett were both undefeated for Hylands and it was Paul Churn who picked up Rawreth’s sole win, a good one against 2009 Chelmsford Junior Champion Brandon Crouchman. Rawreth fared better against third-placed Elmtree Graphics B, winning 8-2. Mike Worship stayed undefeated and his three wins included a notable 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 victory over 2009 Four-Down Singles Champion Phil Smith. Hatfield Peverel D did well to beat Danbury E 8-2, with an undefeated Neil Freeman wining his three singles but they found Danbury H a tougher proposition, drawing 5-5. Neil Freeman was also undefeated in this encounter. OCs D did well to beat Chelmsford D 6-4 with League Stalwart Roy Moore winning his three singles.

ECC F look well on course to win division five and their 8-2 victory over Writtle C, their eleventh victory of the Season gives them a massive 20 point advantage over EPHQ. Richard Storey stayed undefeated whilst Malcolm Storey and Mick Storey both won twice. Chelmsford F were another side to impress and they beat Hatfield Peverel E convincingly 9-1, a good win as this included no less than five fifth game victories. 2009 Chelmsford Junior Girls Singles Champion Stevie Pell warmed up for her success in the Closed Tournament by winning her three games. Danbury K led by Trevor Palmer were also winners, and they got the better of Chelmsford K. Palmer’s toughest clash came against Matt Skelton where he needed five games to pull through 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7.

Excalibur D look to be in a class of their own in division six and they retained their 100 % record by beating Chelmsford H 9-1. Craig McGarrigle and Steve Cheesman both stayed unbeaten. OCs F did well to beat their colleague in the E side 7-3. Charles Eaton won his three singles, and this included a hard- fought 6-11, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6 success against Jack Preston in the last game of the night.

Leaders Chelmsford M were pushed hard in the CLICK League by Chelmsford O before winning 3-2. Fast-improving Chelmsford O’s Oliver Hicks scored a last- gasp 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10 victory over Seb Lerwill and Ryan Gooday also came good in a close encounter, beating Bradley Sullivan 8-11, 11-7, 11- 6, 7-11, 11-7. Chelmsford N ran out as 4-1 winners against Chelmsford L. Callum Webster won both of his singles and he received excellent support from Emily Knight, a narrow 14-12, 6-11, 11-4, 6-11, 13-11 winner against Jamie Lawrence.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League