Impressive display by the “three Johns”

An impressive win for Hatfield Peverel A in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League over ECC B has reinforced their second position in this division. Their team - the “three Johns“ aka Messrs. Webber, Gagg and Parodi did well to win 7-3, with Gagg and Webber both staying undefeated. John Webber completed his hat-trick with a fluctuating 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 win over Gary Brignall. Bottom-placed OCs B did well to beat Hatfield Peverel C 6-4. Robert Burton was their match-winner and he completed his third win of the evening with a last-gasp 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 14-12 victory over Clive Allenby. Hatfield Peverel C fared even worse against Danbury B, and they lost 8- 2. Danbury’s Glen Laing and Neil Want dominated the action. Elsewhere, Chelmsford B scored their sixth win of the Season, a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Chelmsford C. Adrian Pitt led the way with three wins and Julie Vansertima won twice. Adrian Pitt had to pull out all stops in his first singles against newcomer Sam Clarke. He edged home 6-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9.

Danbury A, in bottom-place in division one showed they are determined to retain their status, and failing that, to go down fighting. They did well to hold third-placed Rawreth A to a draw. Anthony Greenwood made his mark with excellent wins over Rawreth’s Kevin Read and Charles Sweeney although he missed out 9-11, 8-11, 9-11 against yet another Rawreth newcomer - Colin Chatfield.
The match between fourth-placed ECC A and fifth-placed Elmtree Graphics A fittingly ended in a draw. In the best game of the evening ECC newcomer Michael Copleston (from Romford) matched Essex Junior first team star Matthew Mulley for four ends before Matthew pulled clear in the decider. Matthew won a very good encounter 11-13, 12-10, 15-13, 10-12, 11-6.

Second-placed Hylands School A’s 7-3 win over ECC D in division three was significant in that it was achieved without their top player - Terry Dowsett. Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett were both undefeated with both players excelling to get the better of Simon Webber in five ends. Scott fought back from two games down to record an excellent 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 success. Danbury C who have shown something of a revival in recent weeks were well beaten 7-3 by ECC C. However, this match illustrated the fact that former first division player Dave Richardson is more than a match for most players at this level. Richardson won his three singles which included a very tight 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11 win over Gus Heath. The mid-table battle between Danbury D and ECC D fittingly ended all square. Colin Blore scored an outstanding hat- trick for the County Council side, picking up three excellent wins over Peter Hance, Norman Smith and Herbie Smith.

Elmtree Graphics B look to be the team to beat in division four and they cemented their position with a top-class 8-2 victory over third-placed ECC F. Phil Smith and Tony Vassallo both stayed undefeated and Rod Maclennan won once, a very hard-fought 14-16, 15-17, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 success against Alan Thompson. Elmtree Graphic B also beat Chelmsford E 7-3. This time father and son duo Phil and Mark Smith remained undefeated. Second-placed Excalibur C made lighter work of Chelmsford E, running out convincing 9-1 winners with Richard Hiskey (three wins), Steve Mundy (two wins) and Steve Cheesman (three wins) all hitting top form. Chelmsford D’s 9-1 victory over OCs D was perhaps a bigger surprise, as the two teams are only separated by a point. However, Chelmsford D had things pretty much all their own way. Gordon Fairchild and Tom Lee both stayed undefeated and Dave Parker won twice.

Division five leaders Danbury K faltered, losing 6-4 to Excalibur D. Danbury’s Graham Briggs could not be faulted as he won his three singles but his team- mates found it harder going. Steve Cheesman and Tony Hallett both won twice for Excalibur. Briggs looked to be in deep trouble against Hallett but he fought back strongly from 2-0 down to win 8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3. Danbury K returned to winning ways against Hatfield Peverel D, winning 7-3. Another Graham Briggs full-house turned out to be the difference between the two sides. Danbury G jumped into second place by beating ECC G 9-1 - Brian Ellis and Dave Goody both won their three singles whilst Dave Powell picked up two wins.

Second-placed Chelmsford J were the week’s big winners in division six, dominating their clash with Chelmsford H. Robert Shrimpton (three wins), Ian Austin (three wins) and Jacquie Smith (two wins) gave little away on this occasion. OCs E also ran out as comfortable winners, beating Chelmsford G 8-2. Tony Cohen and Matthew Porter both stayed undefeated whilst Tatiana Golikova won once. Chelmsford G fared better against Hylands School B, although victory eluded them. Hylands’ Tom Barker won his three singles although he saw his side succumb 6-4. Barker completed his hat-trick with a well-executed 11-6, 11- 7, 9-11, 11-5 win over Daniel Thomas, who won twice for Chelmsford. Hatfield Peverel A have slipped back although in Dave Carter they have the outstanding player in this division. Dave won his three singles as his team beat Hylands School B 7-3.

CLICK League leaders Chelmsford L were hard pushed to beat Chelmsford K 3-2. Oliver Hicks was the difference between the two teams and his double included a vastly fluctuating 11-4, 11-13, 13-11, 9-11, 11-0 victory over Ryan Gooday. OCs H (Fred Mastin, George Mastin and Hassam Ahmed) ran out 4-1 winners against Chelmsford M. Joe Land was Chelmsford’s sole winner, and he scored an excellent 11-2, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9 victory over Fred Mastin.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League