Improved players Young and Cuming impress

Gary Young, one of the most improved players in Essex turned in a top-class display to lead Elmtree Excalibur to a 6-4 win over Danbury A in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. In the closest game of the night Young just prevailed against Anthony Greenwood 14-16, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8. Danbury A became the first team to prevent the leaders Bocking A from winning, holding the Champions-elect to a draw. Anthony Greenwood was involved in two close games. He beat David Cole 11-5, 5-11, 13-11, 15-13 but he missed out against Peter Hayden 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 9-11. Michael Andrews made his mark by beating Peter Hayden 9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 14-12, 11-5. Writtle A scored their first win of the Season, and it was a good one as well. Essex Veterans County player Paul Cuming (another greatly improved player this Season) and Gary Ward were both undefeated as they took Hatfield Peverel A “to the cleaners” by a 9-1 margin. Greg Green with a 3-1 win over Kevin Worthington was Peverel’s only winner. ECC A retained third place by beating Maldon A 7-3. Lucy Wang scored two excellent wins for ECC, beating Alex Abbott (11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11) and Hamish Innes (11-7, 15-13, 9-11, 11-2).

Division two leaders Chelmsford A look to have something in hand. They only turned out two players against Writtle B but Peter Barrett and Waseem Qureshi were both unbeaten as they ran out 7-3 winners. Matthew Brown will feel hard done by - to have gone home empty-handed. He lost to Waseem Qureshi 7-11,12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 10-12 and to Peter Barrett 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 13-11, 8-11. Chelmsford B turned in their best display of the Season, overpowering ECC B 9- 1. Adrian Pitt and Julie Vansertima were both undefeated and Alistair Piper won twice. Brandon Crouchman who looks ready for the challenge of the first division gave another accomplished performance as Hylands School A beat Liberals 6-4. Brandon beat all three Liberal players - Robin Armstrong, Steve Pennell and Barry Pritchard 3-0. Scott Dowsett also impressed, by defeating both Pennell and Armstrong.

In division three Danbury D did well to hold Elmtree Excalibur B to a draw. Peter Hance won his three singles for Danbury, an excellent hat-trick of victories against George Pavitt, Richard Hiskey and Linda Attridge.


Danbury E and Chelmsford D were the big winners in division four, both winning 9-1. Danbury E beat their H side. Gordon Gatherall (three wins), Ken Sheard (three wins) and Dave Hancock (two wins) were very much in charge on this occasion although Sheard and Hancok both survived scares against Dave Powell. Sheard had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Powell 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10 whilst Hancock fought back bravely against the luckless Powell before winning 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 12-10. Chelmsford D’s 9-1 success came about via unbeaten returns from Gordon Fairchild and Dave Parker and two successes for John Barrett. Andy Fox picked up Writtle’s win, in what was the closest fought game of the night with Fox beating John Barrett 10-12, 11-8, 13-
15, 17-15, 11-6. Honours were shared when Danbury G played Elmtree Excalibur D. Richard Hiskey was unbeaten for Elmtree Excalibur D.

Leaders Elmtree Excalibur E Turned in a top class performance in division five. Steve Cheesman, Andy Seaman and Tony Hallett beat EPHQ 10-0 with a very dominant display - no games required a deciding fifth end. EPHQ in turn did better against Hatfield Peverel D, winning 7-3. Ian Hockley was undefeated for
EPHQ and Francis Whitbread won twice.

Writtle D’s greater experience counted for a lot in division six, as they beat Chelmsford G 10-0. Ann Lockhart, Kevin Barber and Martin Goddard all enjoyed unbeaten returns against Emily Knight, Daniel Thomas and Rebecca Denyer.


OCs G remain on target to win the CLICK League. Fred Mastin and George Mastin beat third-placed OCs H 4-1. George Mastin was undefeated whilst Daniel Berry was on target for OCs H. He beat Fred Mastin 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8. OCs G added four more points to their tally by beating second-placed Writtle E 4-1. George Mastin was again undefeated with two 3-0 wins over David Meah and Peter Windley. OCs H added five points to their total by beating Chelmsford M 5-0. Charlie Mariner and Daniel Berry were both undefeated although Charlie Mariner
had to pull out all the stops to get the better of James Brand 3-11, 11-8, 15-17, 11-8, 11-8. Bottom side OCs J scored their first win of the Season with a fine 4-1 success against Chelmsford L. Harvey Russell won twice beating Calum Day 11-8, 11-6, 11-1 and James Moore 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 4-11, 11-8.

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