Rayne retain their Central Essex Summer League first division title

Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League first division leaders Rayne retained their title comfortably after notching up their fourth win of the season beating Liberals 5-0. Liberals battled away bravely and Barry Pritchard fully extended Kevin Gowlett before succumbing 10-12, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 7-11. Pritchard and Robin Armstrong came even closer to winning in the doubles before missing out 11-6, 11-13, 8-11, 15-13, 9-11 to Gowlett and Ian Whiteside after an action packed encounter.

In division two West Maldon had to fight hard to get the better of Danbury B 3- 2. Glen Laing and Tim Huxtable both won once to counter Graham Brigg’s two victories. Briggs had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Glen Laing 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7. Ramsden Renegades (Chris and Steve Buer) moved into the lead by defeating ECC A 5-0. Richard Storey came very close to defeating Chris Buer before missing out 11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-13. Danbury A (Herby and Norman Smith) notched up their second win of the Season, beating Cold Norton 4-1. Terry Hyland was involved in two very tight five-enders. He missed out 11-7, 11-13, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12 to Norman Smith but redeemed himself by beating Herby Smith 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9.

Writtle B produced the shock result in division three, beating Elmtree/Excalibur B 4-1. Dave Moles produced his best display of the Summer, beating both Richard Hiskey and Rod Maclennan. He fought back from 2-0 down to beat Hiskey 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9. Hylands School (Rykki Vansertima and Brandon Crouchman) overcame OCs A 5-0 but OCs went down fighting, particularly David Porter who fully extended Chelmsford Junior Champion Crouchman before succumbing 3-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11. Chelmsford A (Dave Parker and Gordon Fairchild) won all four singles as they beat Cold Norton B 4-1, but, they inexplicably fell short in the doubles losing 3-0 to Dave Hancox and Roy Gandy.

Division four is closely fought with as many as five sides still in contention. Mountnessing are top of the pile and they beat Excalibur D 3-2 although neither Suzanne Shaw or John Newman were able to get the better of Steve Cheesman. Mountnessing in turn missed out 3-2 against Danbury C. Bruno Handel won his two singles although Dave Powell and Brian Ellis both saw off John Newman. Newcomers Chignall are yet to record a victory but they gave a strong account of themselves against Chelmsford B before missing out 3-2. Terry Fieldson beat both Martin Hiskey and Wiktor Delimot. Chelmsford B didn’t fare so well against Club colleagues Chelmsford C, missing out heavily 5-0. Chris Denyer and Jacqui Smith carried all before them. Chris Denyer’s 8-11, 6- 11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-3 win over Daniel Thomas epitomises the determined display that Chelmsford C produced.



Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League