DANBURY A MASTER-CLASS

There is unlikely to be a better performance all Season. Bottom-placed Danbury A produced a superb display to beat Maldon B 8-2 in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. On paper the two teams appeared evenly matched but Danbury - Anthony Greenwood, Ian Whiteside and Eric Green had other ideas and al the Maldon trio of Peter Ballard, Hamish Innes and Lee Prentice could muster in terms of singles successes was a victory for Innes over Green. Danbury’s hopes of avoiding relegation have been bolstered substantially by the signing of Anthony Greenwood and they will entertain real hopes of retaining their status now. Maldon B fared better against Excalibur, drawing 5-5. No single player remained undefeated and Excalibur’s Gary Young and Maldon’s Lee Prentice and Peter Ballard all won twice. Maldon A kept up their challenge for honours by beating Elmtree Graphics A 8-2. Neil Charles won his three singles for Maldon whilst Matt Mulley replied with two wins for Elmtree.

Runaway second division leaders Writtle A extended their lead by beating Danbury B 9-1 and OCs B 7-3. Bottom-placed OCs put up a good performance, none more so than canny defender Robbie Burton who scored two superb wins, beating both Gary Ward (11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8) and Paul Cuming (11-9, 11-3, 5- 11, 13-11). In most weeks Burton’s performance would have been headline-making.

The four scorecards for division three illustrated just how evenly matched this division is. Only one match resulted in an outright victory - the other three were drawn. OCs C shaded it 6-4 against Excalibur B. Adrian North and Nat Ravlic countered Nigel Lamb’s three victories by both winning twice. Danbury C did well to hold leaders Writtle B to a draw. Dave Richardson and Pip French both won twice for Danbury whilst Matthew Brown and Hector Rogers each picked up two singles for Writtle. Gus Heath produced an undefeated performance which enabled ECC C to share the points against Danbury D whilst ECC E and Bocking B’s match also finished level after five games had been decided in a fifth end. ECC’s Colin Blore’s impressive run of form continued and this week he beat Richard Jennings 11-13, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 as he picked up two singles wins.

Excalibur C and Danbury F were both big winners in division four. Excalibur‘s Richard Hiskey and Dave Moles were both undefeated as they beat Chelmsford D 9- 1. Danbury F went one better and Dave Marsh, Dave Hancox and John Robinson picked up all ten games as bottom-placed Writtle C were despatched 10-0. ECC F’s Richard Storey took his three singles as the County Council side beat OCs D 6-4 whilst the experienced Rawreth side beat Chelmsford E 8-2. Mike Worship and Paul Churn both picked up their three singles.

Danbury G’s Peter Sun won his three singles but it wasn’t enough to prevent his side missing out 7-3 against club-mates Danbury H in division five. Norman Hayes, Roger Tiffin and Graham Pryke all won twice for Danbury H. Elsewhere, Danbury J edged home 6-4 against Hatfield Peverel D. Danbury’s John Knights and Trevor Palmer and Peverel’s Mike Bard and Keith Cullen all won twice.

Division six leaders OCs F had too much “know-how” for Writtle D and Charles Eaton, Dave Newman and Dave Burke ran out resounding 10-0 winners. Third-placed Hatfield Peverel E fielded both of their “big-guns” against OCs E and consequently won 8-2. Father/son duo Dave and Adam Carter both remained undefeated. In the mid-table clash Chelmsford H impressed as they beat Excalibur E 8-2. Paul Nicol won his three singles and this included a very hard- fought 12-10, 4-11, 11-9, 13-15, 12-10 victory over Keith Pallett. Second- placed Chelmsford J kept the pressure up on the pace-setters by beating Chelmsford G 8-2. Robert Shrimpton won his three singles and Jacqui Smith and Sarah Austin both won twice.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League