WRITTLE EXCEL IN HANDICAP KNOCK-OUT CUP

First division Writtle A (Paul Cuming, Gary Ward and Kevin Worthington) proved to be the masters of the close finish as they won the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Handicap Knock-Out Cup. They trailed Hatfield Peverel 2-1 in the Semi-Final but three quick-fire wins gave them a 4-2 lead. John Parodi (playing off a Handicap of 67) gave Hatfield Peverel a reprieve with a 19-21, 21-18, 21-5 win over Gary Ward (70) but Paul Cuming (71) sealed matters for Writtle with his second win of the evening, by getting the better of Dave Carter (66) 21-17, 21-19. Kevin Worthington (70)’s 21-18, 21-17 victory over John Parodi also played a vital role in Writtle’s success. Peverel’s Final opponents were ECC D, who beat Danbury D 5-0 in their Semi-Final. The score may have flattered ECC slightly as three games were decided in the third end but it was Colin Barham (51), Richard Storey (56) and Malcolm Storey (55) who secured their Final place.

It was Paul Cuming who made the difference in the Final. The inform runner-up in the Mens Singles at the recent Brentwood Closed Tournament not only won his three singles, but, he survived the pressure of the last game to beat Malcolm Storey 21-15, 21-19 to secure his side’s victory and give them their 5-4 success. Paul had also come through a vital encounter by beating Mick Storey 21- 16, 21-14 to level the scores at 3-3. Mick Storey had also been involved in an epic encounter against the hard-hitting Gary Ward and he looked to be on target as he led in the decider 15-5. However, Ward hit a purple patch and he took the next 15 points as he ran out a 21-19, 18-21, 21-17 winner.

ECC retained the Open Knock-Out Cup for the sixth year, making it fourteen titles in fifteen years. Only the Marconi team led by the legendary Charlie Wheeler who won the trophy on fifteen successive occasions between 1945 and 1960 have been more dominant. This year’s Final against runaway second division Champions Chelmsford A was "no walk in the park", and ECC came under intense pressure on two occasions. In the second match Bradley Hudgell led Steve Kerns 2-1 and held match points in the fourth game. A win here would have made it really difficult for ECC, but, Steve kept his composure and using his greater experience he eventually pulled through to win 11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 14-12, 11-2.

The equally experienced Lucy Wang also looked in trouble against Two-Down Singles Champion Waseem Qureshi as she lost the first game heavily 11-4, but, a change of tactics paid dividends and she pulled through to win 4-11, 12-10, 15- 13, 11-2 to give ECC a 4-3 lead. Steve Kerns, despite trailing in both of the first two ends pulled level at just the right time to clinch ECC’s 5-3 victory, by getting the better of Peter Barrett 11-9, 11-9, 11-5. ECC number three Keith Spicer was not able to register a win on this occasion, but, he was involved in the most dramatic match of the night. He matched the impressive forehand of Bradley Hudgell point-for-point before missing out 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 12-10, 9- 11.

Danbury (Rob Kneale, Ken Sheard and Paul Durrands) became the Four-Down Cup Champions by beating Hatfield Peverel 5-4 in another very well-fought Final. Rob Kneale with singles wins over Gareth Davies (11-8, 11-2, 11-9) and Neil Freeman (11-1, 6-11, 11-1, 11-8) was their match-winner and he teamed up with Paul Durrands to get the better of Davies and Jon Fieldsend 5-11, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7 in a fluctuating final doubles encounter. Jon Fieldsend was unlucky to be on the losing side as he played well to win both of his singles. He beat Paul Durrands 12-10, 12-10, 12-10 as well as Ken Sheard 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11- 7.

Chelmsford A (Tom Lee, Matt Skeoch and Matthew Davis) are this year’s Junior Knock-Out Cup Champions after beating OCs (Tom Lee, Matt Newton and Jack Preston) 5-1. They were never under real threat against less experienced opponents although Matt Adam excelled by getting the better of Matt Skeoch over five games : 12-10, 3-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6. Matt Newton also gave a good account of himself against Tom Lee but he ran out of steam, eventually losing 9- 11, 9-11, 4-11.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League