Last year’s Central Essex Summer League First Division Champions Rayne have made a successful start, and they look favourites to retain their title. Writtle A will feel hard done by to have lost 5-0 but it was Rayne’s Jon Hill who came out on top in the closest game of the night. Hill prevailed 8-11, 11- 4, 13-11, 17-19, 11-8 against Kevin Worthington. Hill also did well to beat Paul Cuming 11-9, 12-10, 11-8. Rayne did well to dispose of Hullbridge A 4-1 in their next game. Ace defender Ian Whiteside replaced Jon Hill for this match and he came out on top in the closest game of the evening gradually wearing Richard Brown down to win 12-14, 12-14, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6. Ramsden Raiders were another side to make a successful start and they did well to beat Hullbridge B 5-0. Dave Carter and John Parodi were both undefeated with Carter in particular having to fight hard to beat Peter Saunders 11-9, 7- 11, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11 as well as George Pavitt 5-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. Hullbridge fared better against Excalibur A, winning 4-1 with George Pavitt winning both of his singles. Pavitt impressed by beating Richard Hiskey 3-0 : 12-10, 11-9, 11-7. A battling ECC A scraped home 3-2 against Excalibur A courtesy of winning the three games that were decided in the third end. An undefeated James Hicks pipped Richard Hiskey 6-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 14-12 in the best game of the night.

Liberal Club and Writtle B both made winning starts in Division two. Counter- hitter Barry Pritchard was undefeated as Liberal beat Ramsden Rovers 4-1 whilst Matthew Brown dominated the action as Writtle B emerged as 4-1 winners against OCs A.

Fambridge have won their first two matches in Division three. Peter Mynard won both of his singles as they beat Chelmsford B 4-1. Dave Parker proved to be a "difficult nut to crack" and Mynard had to fight his way back from 2-0 down to eventually win 10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-2. Fambridge also beat Elmtree Graphics B 3-2, good going as the Elmtree side included the formidable Ev Lucas in their line-up. Lucas showed his class as he beat Steve Buer 11-8, 11-6, 9- 11, 11-4 and Peter Mynard 11-6, 11-5, 12-10. West Maldon have also made a winning start, disposing of Danbury B 5-0 and Elmtree Graphics B 4-1. Glen Laing and Neil Want were both undefeated against Danbury B. Tim Huxtable replaced Want in the match against Elmtree Graphics B and it was Glen Laing who was again undefeated. Huxtable missed out 12-14, 11- 9, 11-13, 4-11 against Rod Maclennan. Huxtable/Laing came through a real humdinger in the Doubles as they finally got the better of Maclennan/Nicola Pippen 8-11, 11-3, 11-13, 18-16, 11-9.

OCs B (David Porter and Matthew Porter) look the team to watch in Divison Four. They had matters pretty much their won way as they beat Chelmsford E 5- 0 and they also did well to beat Excalibur C 3-2. David Porter made his mark here with an excellent 11-3, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6 win over Steve Cheesman.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League