Paul Mulley thwarts Danbury’s bid to avoid relegation

Danbury A’s determined attempt to avoid relegation from the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League took a turn in the wrong direction when they lost 6-4 to a two-man Elmtree Graphics A. Not unsurprisingly Elmtree‘s Paul Sayer won his three singles but the big shock here were the two excellent wins recorded by Paul Mulley. He beat both Eric Green (12-10, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8) and Tony Forster (12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9). Danbury A also missed out against second-placed Bocking A 8-2. Bocking’s Rik James stayed undefeated whilst Danbury’s Antony Greenwood scored two fine wins.
He beat both Kevin Gowlett and Peter Hayden. Third-placed Rawreth & Hullbridge turned in one of their better performances, hammering Maldon B 9-1. Duncan Taylor and Adam Brewer both remained undefeated whilst Hanish Innes was Maldon’s sole winner, when he beat John Poysden over four ends.

Division two Champions Writtle A (Kevin Worthington, Gary Ward and Debby
Auvache) had little trouble beating Hatfield Peverel C 10-0 and they have won this division by an amazing 37 points from Hatfield Peverel A. Runners-Up Hatfield Peverel A have finished strongly beating Danbury B 7-3 and OCs A 6-4. An undefeated Peter Brownlow starred in the win over Danbury whilst John Parodi and Ray Eldridge both picked up two singles in the success against OCs. M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Two Down Singles Champion Robert Burton was on good form and he won his three singles. Impressive newcomer Sam Clarke scored three excellent wins for Chelmsford C as they beat Liberal 6-4. Clarke completed his hat-trick by beating Barry Pritchard 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-13, 11- 5. Liberal’s Robin Armstrong was the best of his side’s players and he scored two superb wins over Mike Johnston and Ryan Pitt. ECC B beat Hatfield Peverel B 7-3, helped in no small measure by newcomer Evangeline Collier. “Evie”, a member of the Essex Junior first team who were such impressive runners-up in the Junior Premier Division of the County Championships (along with Elmtree Graphics’ Matthew Mulley) turned in a five star performance by winning her three singles and the doubles with Colin Blore. She had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Martyn Green 11-3, 4-11,11-9, 10-12, 11-9.

Danbury D (Herbie Smith, Peter Hance and Norman Smith) completed their division three programme in style, by hammering OCs C 10-0. It just wasn’t OC’s night and Danbury won seven of the ten games 3-0. Excalibur B also finished their Season with a flourish, beating ECC D 9-1. Bill Smith and Alan Tideswell were both undefeated whilst Lin Attridge won twice. Trevor Roberts was ECC’s sole scorer. Writtle B (112 points) have finished a clear second and they completed their campaign by drawing 5-5 against ECC C. 2010 Braintree League Over 50s Singles Champion Trevor Carter won twice although he was well beaten 3- 0 by Gus Heath. In the closest game of the night Heath just prevailed 12-10, 11- 7, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10 against the vastly improved Hector Rogers.

Excalibur C, runners-up in division four produced a work-manlike performance to beat Danbury F 8-2. Richard Hiskey (three wins), Dave Moles (two wins) and Steve Mundy (two wins) all played their part in this success. Relegated Writtle C played superbly to draw against Rawreth. Paul Churn won his three singles for the Southend-League domiciled Club but Frank Neill and Colin Griffiths both picked up two wins for Writtle. Frank Neill excelled by getting the better of Stan Owen 11-5, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9 in the hardest fought game of the evening.

Division five leaders Danbury K didn’t have it all their own way as they beat Chelmsford F 6-4. Danbury‘s Peter Orriss won his three singles but Richard Upson and Patrick Whelpdale hit back for Chelmsford as they both beat Lee McHugh and Graham Briggs. In a fiercely contested match the first five games all went to five ends with Patrick Whelpdale scoring two excellent victories. Patrick beat Graham Briggs 8-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10 and Lee McHugh 8-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8. Excalibur D had few problems beating Hatfield Peverel D 10-0 as Steve Cheesman. John Marshall and Tony Hallett raced through their games. ECC G scored their fourth win of the Season as they beat a two-man EPHQ 6-4. Peter Sun was their match-winner defeating both Francis Whitbread and Ian Hockley.

Hatfield Peverel E took a step closer to the division six title by beating Chelmsford G 8-2. Dave Carter and Adam Carter were both undefeated whilst Chelmsford’s Seb Larwill and Chris Denyer both picked up wins over Ryan Carter. Third-placed Chelmsford J look like missing out on honours. They beat OCs G 6-4 but it wasn‘t enough at this vital stage of the Season. Their top player, Robert Shrimpton again won his three singles which included an impressive 11-8, 11-5, 11-9 victory over Farooq Ahmed, who won twice for the Old Chelmsfordians side. Bottom side Writtle D finished their Season with a flourish, beating Excalibur E 6-4. Dan Meah was their match-winner with three wins which included a hard-fought 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 success against Craig Hiskey. Chelmsford H did just enough to beat Hylands School B 6-4. Paul Nicol set them on their way by beating Jack Crook 6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9 in his opening game and he went to complete his hat-trick.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League