PITT LEADS CHELMSFORD B TO VICTORY

Chelmsford B jumped into the lead in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating Liberals 6-4. This was a hard-fought match in which Liberals in fact came off best 3-2 in the five games decided in a fifth end. Chelmsford’s Adrian Pitt was the top player winning his three singles with excellent victories over Barry Pritchard, Steve Pennell and Robin Armstrong.

ECC A (Lucy Wang, David Evans and Steve Kerns) were the week’s big winners in the first division, and they excelled by beating Maldon B 9-1. David and Steve were both undefeated whilst Hamish Innes picked up Maldon’s sole success with an 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 win over Lucy Wang. Bocking A, last year’s Champions returned to top spot by beating Elmtree Graphics A 7-3, a result that will certainly give their challenge fresh vigour with 2009 Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion David Cole making his first appearance of the Season. There were several stand-out performances with Essex Junior first team star Matt Mulley scoring a fine 8-11,8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 15-13 victory over Cole but being defeated all ends up 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 by Kevin Gowlett. An inform Rik James stayed undefeated for Bocking. Promoted Chelmsford A impressed by beating Excalibur A 7-3. Team-effort was very much the winner here with Greg Green, Waseem Qureshi and Bradley Hudgell all winning twice. Hudgell’s 11-7, 3-11, 11- 6, 8-11, 11-8 victory over Gary Young was the stand-out performance of the night.

Hylands School A turned in a very impressive performance in division three, beating ECC E 8-2. Terry Dowsett won his three singles for the School team and his young charges also impressed with Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett both picking up two wins. Scott excelled by getting the better of Bryn Thomas 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 whilst Bryn hit back and saw off Brandon Crouchman 11-7, 11-4, 5- 11, 5-11, 11-7 in the final game of the evening. A strong Excalibur B side of Lin Atridge, Nigel Lamb and Bill Smith did well to beat ECC C 7-3. Bill Smith led the way with three excellent wins over James Hicks, Neil Thompson and Russell Forde. A week later and a different Excalibur side of George Pavitt, Richard Hiskey and Nigel Lamb won again, beating Writtle B 6-4. Lamb won his three singles whilst Writtle‘s Matthew Brown made his mark by defeating both George Pavitt and Richard Hiskey. ECC E returned to winning ways against OCs C winning 6-4. Bryn Thomas picked up his three singles which included a hard- fought match-clinching 12-10, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9 victory over Adrian North in the last game. Danbury C made Bocking B pay for being a player short, and Pip French, Dave Richardson and Ivan Chaplin all beat David Edwards, although none of their players were able to get the better of Richard Jennings.

Elmtree Graphics B (Ev Lucas, Phil Smith and Tony Vassallo) were at full- strength against Rawreth in division four and ran out convincing 8-2 winners. Lucas and Vassallo both won their three singles although Paul Churn and Mike Worship both made their mark by getting the better of 2008 and 2009 Four Down Singles Champion Phil Smith. Richard Hiskey dominated as Excalibur C edged out OCs D 7-3. David Porter was unable to match Hiskey but he also impressed and scored excellent wins over both Steve Munday and Kevin Smart. ECC F made their extra player’s advantage count as they beat a two-man Rawreth 6-4. Richard Storey, Colin Barham and Malcolm Storey all contributed, whilst Mike Worship was the most successful of the Rawreth players.

Hatfield Peverel D had Keith Cullen to thank as they beat Danbury G 6-4 in division five. Keith won his three singles and this included a hard-fought 6- 11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 success against Craig Foseter in the last game of the night, the game that sealed his team’s victory.

In division six, Chelmsford H prevailed 6-4 against OCs G, after Paul Nicol had won his three singles to counter the two wins that Tom Adam and Farooq Ahmed both picked up for the Old Chelmsfordians team. Chelmsford J made no mistake against Hylands School B winning 9-1. Robert Shrimpton (three wins), Jackie Smith (two wins) and Sarah Austin (three wins) dominated the action. Bradley Sheridan was Hylands’ only winner, beating Jackie Smith by a last gasp 9-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 margin.

Black Notley (Warren Baines and Matthew Wallace) made no mistake in the CLICK League as they beat Chelmsford K 5-0 whilst Chelmsford L were also on target. Oliver Hicks and Emily Knight picked up all four singles as Black Notley also tasted defeat 4-1.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League