EXCELLENT HAT-TRICK FOR PAUL SAYER

The two big matches this week in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League resulted in 5-5 draws. Second-placed Bocking A lost ground on leaders Maldon A after Elmtree Graphics A’s Paul Sayer won his three singles. Two of these wins were by the closest possible margin. Sayer beat Dave Cole 12-10, 10-12, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10 and Peter Hayden by an even tighter scoreline : 8-11, 11-3, 12-10, 9-11, 16-14.Further down the table Danbury A had Antony Greenwood to thank as he won his three singles in their clash with Chelmsford A. ECC A paid the price for being a player short against Maldon B, and Hamish Innes and Jon Stokes both stayed undefeated as Maldon B ran out 7-3 winners. Third-placed Rawreth & Hullbridge produced a strong performance to beat Elmtree Graphics A 7-3. Rawreth’s Kevin Caldon won his three singles whilst Paul Sayer won twice for Elmtree Graphics and Ev Lucas added a solitary win, a fine 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5 success against John Poysden.

Writtle A lead division two by a massive 36 points, almost certainly one of the largest leads a team has ever accumulated. Kevin Worthington and Paul Cuming were both undefeated as they hammered ECC B 9-1 although Trevor Collin made his mark with an excellent five-game win over Gary Ward. Writtle also beat Hatfield Peverel B 8-2 with Debbie Auvache replacing Cuming in this match. Sam Clarke starred for Chelmsford C as they beat Danbury B 6-4. He completed his hat-trick with a 2-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5,11-7 victory over Dave Calleja. Hatfield Peverel A stay second and they beat Chelmsford B 7-3 this week. Chelmsford B’s Alastair Piper scored two excellent wins over John Parodi and Peter Brownlow. Liberal consolidated third place by beating Chelmsford B 7-3 although none of their players were able to get the better of the clearly inform Alistair Piper.

Hylands A closed to within a point of Writtle B in division three and still have two matches in hand. Terry Dowsett and Brandon Crouchman were both undefeated as they beat Bocking B 9-1. Writtle B remain on course to finish second, and they had Matthew Brown to thank as they beat bottom-placed ECC D 7-3. ECC D fared even worse against Danbury C, losing 8-2. Dave Richardson (three wins), Pip French (three wins) and Mo Hardy (two wins) dominated this match.

Excalibur C hold a narrow three point lead in division four although they have played a match more than second-placed Elmtree Graphics B. Richard Hiskey dominated proceedings as Excalibur beat OCs D 6-4. Mick Hayes fared best of the Old Chelmsfordians players and he did well to beat Steve Mundy 7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8. Chelmsford D did well to beat the higher-placed Danbury F 6-4. Tom Lee stayed undefeated for Chelmsford.

Second-placed EPHQ were held to two draws in division five. Fourth placed Excalibur D had Steve Cheesman on good form as he won his singles with a trio of wins over Calvin Wright, Ian Hockley and Francis Whitbread whereas Hatfield Peverel D also provided the most successful player as Keith Cullen remained undefeated. Cullen made his mark in the opening game of the evening by defeating Ian Hockley 11-9, 13-11, 16-18, 11-5. Cheesman was again the leading performer when Excalibur D beat ECC G 7-3. He beat all three ECC players – Peter Sun, David Gatherall and Mohammed Mohseni.

Division six leaders OCs F didn’t have it all their own way as they beat Chelmsford H 8-2. Dave Newman won his three singles but three of his side’s wins were achieved in the fifth end. Charles Eaton beat Jack Osbourne 5-11, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the night. Hylands School B did well to beat Excalibur E 7-3. Jack Crook and Thomas Barker were undefeated for the School team. Crook overcame the experienced Keith Pallett 14-12, 12-10, 10-12, 11-8 in a really tightly contested game. Chelmsford J in turn ran out convincing 9-1 winners against Hylands School B. Robert Shrimpton and Ian Austin were both undefeated and Sarah Austin won twice. Further down the table Chelmsford G scored their second win of the Season. Chris Denyer and Daniel Thomas both picked up two wins as they beat Writtle D 7-3. Writtle’s Dan Meah had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Seb Larwill 11-7, 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the evening.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League