WRITTLE MOVE UP THE TABLE

Writtle A who lost their first match of the Season are back on the winning trail. They did well to beat Ramsden Raiders 3-2 in the first division of the Central Essex Summer League. Paul Cuming was responsible for all three Writtle wins and this included an impressive 11-9, 11-2, 11-8 success against John Gagg. Writtle also came out on top 3-2 against Hullbridge A. This time Kevin Worthington won both of his singles which included a 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3 victory against Nigel Lamb and a 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 success against Richard Brown. Hullbridge B were also successful against ECC A and they had an undefeated Peter Saunders on top form as they won 4-1. James Hicks picked up the County Council side’s win beating George Pavitt 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10. Leaders Rayne A recorded their third win of the Season as they beat Ramsden Raiders 5-0. John Parodi was very much in the mix as he pushed both Ian Whiteside and Steve Kerns but he eventually missed out 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 4-11,9-11 against Ian and 5-11, 10-12, 11-5, 9-11 against Steve.

Liberal turned in two impressive performances in division two. Barry Pritchard and Dean Andrews did well to beat Chelmsford A 3-2 as Adrian Pitt stayed undefeated for Chelmsford. They added to this by defeating ECC B 4-1, with Pritchard staying undefeated this time. Richard Storey shone for ECC by beating Robin Armstrong 13-11, 11-9, 11-7. ECC B also picked up a win as they beat Danbury A 3-2. Danbury led 2-0 but ECC hit back well with Peter Layzell getting the better of Herby Smith 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 and Colin Barham scoring an excellent 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2 success against Norman Smith. Colin and Peter completed the ultimate fight-back by getting the better of Norman and Herby 11- 7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9. Ramsden Rovers also came up trumps, beating Danbury A 4- 1.  Neil Freeman won both of his singles for the Rovers with Herby Smith picking up the Danbury success, a hard-fought 22-20, 11-9, 11-4 victory over Justin Sander.

Elmtree Graphics B featured in two matches in division three. Represented by Ev Lucas and Rod Maclennan they beat Chelmsford B 4-1 with Ev Lucas remaining undefeated. They fielded Phil and Mark Smith against Excalibur B and although Phil Smith beat both Michael Rostoft and Steve Mundy they missed out 3-2.

The division four clash between Excalibur C and South Woodham produced the closest fought match in this division to date with Excalibur shading the fixture 3-2. Excalibur’s Craig McGarrigle had to pull out all the stops to beat Lee McHugh 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10 to give Excalibur a 2-1 lead, but Graham Briggs hit back by picking up his second singles, an equally hard-fought 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 14-12 victory against Steve Cheesman. In a suitably well contested deciding doubles McGarrigle and Cheesman just prevailed by fighting back from 2-0 down to win 6-11, 12-14, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9.

Dave Moles (Excalibur), the League’s General Secretary is this year’s Winner of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Rosebery/Pope & Smith Award, the League’s Award for outstanding service to the Sport. Dave is about to start his fourth year in the General Secretary role and his 40th year as a player in the Chelmsford League. He started playing for YMCA, and then had stints at Rosebery, Marconi and Moulsham Lodge, and jokes that perhaps he was jinxed as the YMCA, Rosebery, Marconi and Moulsham Lodge Clubs (all once famous Clubs within the Chelmsford League) have folded. Fortunately, his current Club - Excalibur are still going strong. It was the Rosebery Club who presented the League with the Rosebery/Pope & Smith Award back in 1975. Dave has also played in the Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Burnham, Colchester and London Banks & Civil Service Leagues over the years. His other love is Long-distance running and in 2003 he became a member of the 100 Marathon Club (for those Competitors who have completed 100 Marathons). Earlier this year Dave completed a remarkable 300th Marathon. As far as is widely known there is no Club to denote such an achievement !.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League