Seventeenth Ladies Singles title for Julie Vansertima

Essex County Veteran first team player Julie Vansertima (Chelmsford Table Tennis Club) won an incredible seventeenth Ladies Singles title played in front of a capacity audience at Old Chelmsfordians Association in the M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Finals Night on Monday 15 February 2010. Her five game win over newcomer Debby Auvache (Writtle) who also plays for the Essex County Veterans sides produced countless fast and at times furious topspin rallies and it was only in the fifth game that Julie finally got her nose in front. Played in good spirit throughout and trailing 2-0 in the fifth game Julie rather unexpectedly pulled away with a run of ten successive points and she was eventually crowned Champion 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5.

Maldon’s Neil Charles (a Middlesex County first team player), and Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion in 2008 regained his Mens Singles title with a 3-0 Final success over last year’s Champion David Cole. The first game saw Neil dominate as he raced home 11-2, but thereafter there was nothing to choose between the two players. Neil’s serves are possibly the most deadly ever to grace a Chelmsford League Finals Night and at times you had to feel some sympathy for Cole as he fought valiantly to stay in the game. Cole fought back strongly as he always does and was unlucky to miss out 15-13 in a very close second game.
However, Neil had the advantage and he held onto take a second title 11-9 in the third game.

The evening began with the two Mens Singles Semi-Finals. Newcomer Mindaugas Sinkus (Maldon) gave an excellent account of himself against David Cole and there was nothing in it in the first two games, in which Cole using his massive Finals Night experience shaded 18-16 and 11-9. In the third game Cole produced his best sustained play of the night trailing 4-0 but finishing strongly to win 11-6.

In the second Mens Singles Semi-Final Keiran Lally (Maldon), the 2003 Chelmsford Champion gave a great account of himself against Neil Charles. He hit some superb “off the bounce” forehand winners and for the first two games he contained his opponent as well. It was in the third game that Neil’s greater variety of shot began to take effect and Neil eventually won 11-9, 10-12, 11- 6, 11-6.

Chelmsford’s Greg Green, the 2009 Colchester Mens Singles Champion made it third time lucky when he became Chelmsford Under 21 Singles Champion. His opponent in the Final was again Bradley Hudgell (Chelmsford) as it had been the previous two years, but this time Greg came out on top after three hard- fought games. The second end proved crucial with Bradley fighting back bravely from 0-5 down to level. However, victory eluded him and the impetus was therefore with Greg who won 11-7, 14-12, 12-10.

Top seeds David Cole and Julie Vansertima were heavy favourites to take the Mixed Doubles title, and they held all the answers as they controlled the first two ends against twice Runners-Up Melanie Bonnett (Elmtree Graphics) and Steve Kerns (ECC). Although Steve and Melanie played better in the third end they were always behind and David and Julie ran out comfortable 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 winners.

Losing Mens Singles Semi-Finalists Keiran Lally and Mindaugas Sinkus were able to put their Singles disappointment behind them with a superbly executed Mens Doubles victory. Their match against the top seeds Dave Cole and Antony Greenwood (Danbury) was expected to be too close to call. However, Lally and Sinkus had other ideas and in all three games they edged ahead on the crucial points. Keiran and Minda won 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 to become Champions for the first time.

Rik James (Bocking) won his third Veteran Singles title, having previously been Champion in 2006 and 2008 and Steve Kerns again had to settle for the Runners-up spot. In all three games the scores were tied at 5-5 but each time it was Rik - attacking from deep in his usual flamboyant style who finished the stronger. There was no stopping Rik when he got ahead and he won 11-5, 11-7,11-9.

 

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League