SLADDEN AND CHARLES DOUBLE ACT TOO GOOD FOR BOCKING

Maldon A took a giant stride in their bid to win the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division title by beating closest challengers Bocking A 9-1. The inclusion of Cris Sladden tipped the game in Maldon’s favour and Sladden and Neil Charles both stayed undefeated as Maldon dominated affairs. All that Bocking had to show for their efforts was an opening game success for Rik James over Minda Sinkus. Cris Sladden showed his class in his third singles
- powering his way past 2010 Chelmsford Veterans Singles Champion Rik James 11- 8, 11-6, 11-3. However, by losing 6-4 to Rawreth & Hulbridge, Maldon failed to press home their advantage. 2008 and 2010 Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Neil Charles was again undefeated but Duncan Taylor hit back for Rawreth by scoring a fine 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 victory over Minda Sinkus.

Further down the table Danbury A lost 7-3 to Excalibur A, a result that leaves them in bottom place although they have 43 points and find themselves only four points adrift of the team three places above them. Gary Young was undefeated for Excalibur and his hat-trick included a fine 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 7-11, 11-9 win over Antony Greenwood - Danbury‘s best player. ECC A consolidated fifth place by beating third-placed Rawreth & Hullbridge 6-4. Newcomer Evangeline Collier made her mark for ECC by getting the better of Charles Sweeney 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9 and the ECC doubles pairing of Lucy Wang and Steve Kerns edged out Kevin Read and Sweeney 11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9 in the closest game of the night.

No single player was able to stay undefeated as Hatfield Peverel B beat Hatfield Peverel C 6-4 in division two. Martyn Green just prevailed 13-11, 13- 15, 7-11, 11-1, 11-9 after a hard-fought battle against Steve Buer whilst Guy McKenzie also did well to beat Buer, triumphing 12-10, 12-10, 11-8. Hatfield Peverel C also lost 6-4 against ECC B in a match in which ECC’s Gary Brignall played the starring role. Brignall completed his hat-trick of victories by getting the better of Peter Mynard 2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in the last game of the night.

Hylands A trail Writtle B by 10 points in division three, but with three games in hand they remain outstanding favourites to take the title. This week they illustrated just how difficult they are to beat as they hammered fifth-placed ECC E 10-0. Terry Dowsett, Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett were all undefeated in what was a very impressive performance. ECC C had an undefeated Gus Heath to thank as they beat ECC D 6-4. Neil Thompson also won twice, and this included a hard-fought 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 13-11 success against Trevor Roberts. ECC C were even more 9-1 emphatic winners against Excalibur B.
James Hicks and Neil Thompson were both undefeated whilst Andy Hanlon won twice. Danbury D shaded their match against Danbury C 6-4. Herbie Smith and Nicky Reece-Ford both won twice but neither of them could beat an undefeated Dave Richardson. Ivan Chaplin got the better of Norman Smith 9-11, 11-6, 5- 11,11-8, 11-8 in the closest game of the night. ECC E impressed by beating the team immediately below them - Excalibur B 7-3. Bryn Thomas won his three singles and this included an excellent 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10 victory over Nigel Lamb.

Chelmsford D were the week’s big winners in division four, hammering bottom- placed Writtle C 10-0. John Barrett, Gordon Fairchild and David Parker all played their part in what was an excellent team performance. Excalibur C top the division by 10 points but having played two games more than nearest rivals Elmtree Graphics B the division is still pretty evenly balanced. The two leading teams met this week and it resulted in a narrow 6-4 win to Excalibur C. Elmtree Graphic’s Phil Smith won his three singles which included an impressive quick-fire 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 victory over Richard Hiskey. Elmtree Graphics B also beat OCs D 6-4 with Tony Vassallo replacing Phil Smith and staying undefeated. Further down the table Chelmsford E who are second to bottom did well to hold Danbury F to a draw despite only having two players. The improving James Austin won his three singles. Rawreth B have been improving in recentl weeks and are now in third place. They virtually ensured that they will finish no worse than third by beating fourth-placed ECC F 7-3. Paul Churn stayed undefeated and Mike Worship won twice.

Division five leaders Danbury G made no mistake against bottom side Chelmsford F winning 10-0 - as Dave Goody, Brian Ellis and Dave Powell all stayed undefeated. Chelmsford will feel hard done by losing all four games that were decided in the fifth end. Brian Ellis was responsible for the two closest games and he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Eleni Manolitsaki (11- 9, 10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 14-12) as well as Matt Davis (5-11, 11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 14- 12). Second placed EPHQ lost ground as they could only beat Chelmsford F 7-3.
Calvin Wright and Ian Hockley both won their three singles for EPHQ.

The rather unique father, son and grand-son trio - Dave, Adam and Ryan Carter scored two convincing wins in division six beating Excalibur E 9-1 and Chelmsford J 8-2 to stay in second place. Dave and Adam were both undefeated although former first division player Dave had to pull out all the stops against the vastly improved Robert Shrimpton (Chelmsford J). Dave just edged home 12-10, 11-2, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9 to retain his 100 % record. Another hugely improved player this Season - Chelmsford J’s Jacqui Smith also made her mark and she gave a great display as she beat Ryan Carter decisively 11-3, 11-7, 11- 7. Chelmsford H had Paul Nicol to thank as they beat OCs G 6-4. Nicol won his three singles and team-mate Michael Wheldale played his part by beating Matt Newton 11-5, 11-13, 11-4, 9-11, 13-11.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League