STORMING PERFORMANCE FROM ROB BURTON

Robert Burton turned in storming performance for OCs B in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this week, taking all three singles against Hatfield Peverel A and leading his side to a 7-3 win. Burton completed his hat-trick with a hard-fought 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8 victory over John Parodi. Burton also scored a surprisingly straight-forward 11-4, 11-7, 11-5 win over fellow defender Ray Eldridge. Chelmsford B stayed on target to finish second by beating Danbury B 8-2 as Adrian Pitt and Alastair Piper both won their three singles. Pip French was the only Danbury player to pick up a singles win and he downed the challenge of former EEV team-mate Julie Vansertima 11-7, 11-2, 3-11, 11-7.

Bocking have slipped back badly in division four and they look like missing out on second place to Elmtree Graphics B. They could only field two players against Danbury G and in the event they did well to secure a draw. David Edwards and Garry Fryatt both won twice. Danbury G fared better against Danbury H winning 6-4. Danbury’s Richard Allen came through the closest game of the night beating Kevin Willis 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 16-14.

Writtle C reaffirmed their credentials to finish second in division five as they hammered Chelmsford G 10-0. Frank Neill, Andy Fox and Tony Lambert all stayed undefeated. In the same week EPHQ fell back as they missed out 6-4 against Danbury K. Ian Hockley was the outstanding player winning his three singles but the other EPHQ players found it tough going and Danbury’s John Knights (one win), Trevor Palmer (two wins) and Martin Knights (two wins) did enough to secure victory. Danbury K in turn came out on top 9-1 against Hatfield Peverel A, after Peverel’s new signing - Justin Sander was not eligible for their match and Danbury K also beat ECC G 7-3. Both Trevor Palmer and John Knights were undefeated.

Excalibur D, the Champions-elect in division six were given a tough work-out by OCs F. Mick Parkhurst beat both Craig McGarrigle and Hill Dowsett and Charles Eaton beat Dowsett. Keith Fitzjohn ensured that Excalibur came out on top by staying unbeaten but he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Eaton 6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-13, 11-8. Great Baddow moved into third place by beating Writtle D 8-2 and there was little surprise that their two top players - Gary McCarthy and Tony Hallett both remained undefeated. Without Gary McCarthy in their line-up Great Baddow weren’t quite the same force but they still edged out Excalibur E 6-4. Excalibur’s Keith Pallett won his three singles which included a 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 success against his near name-sake - Tony Hallett. Danbury L stayed on course to finish second although they had to fight hard to beat Excalibur E 6-4. Graham Briggs won his three singles which included an excellent 11-7, 4-11, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10 victory over Steve Cheesman.

CLICK League leaders Hyland School B (Philip Bigland, Jamie Dowsett and Thomas Barker) retained their ascendancy by beating Chelmsford O 5-0.Thomas Barker was involved in the closest game of the night and he prevailed, just, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 against Ryan Gooday.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League