Sunday 4 October 2009

A new look ECC A side did well to beat OCs A 6-4 in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and it was new signing Michael Copleston from Romford who held the key to their success. He won all three singles which included an excellent 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 win over Braintree League Mens Singles Champion Paul Davison. Another new ECC signing David Evans (Harlow) made his mark by beating Stephen Northcott. A two-man OCs side fared even worse the next week, and they crashed 10-0 to early leaders Maldon A. The big shock here was the outstanding form of Dave Bassett who beat both Steve Northcott and Paul Davison. Maldon’s newcomer Minda Sinkus showed that he is certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with this year and he made no mistake against Paul Davison, winning 11-7, 11-7, 11-9. Maldon B’s Lee Prentice scored three fine wins as his side beat Excalibur A 7-3. He completed his hat- trick with an excellent 11-4, 9-11, 10-12, 11-7, 13-11 victory over Gary Young.

In division two a very strong Writtle A side showed that they have every intention of making a quick return to the first division. Kevin Worthington and Paul Cuming were both undefeated as they beat Danbury B 9-1. Danbury’s Glen Laing made his mark with an excellent 10-12, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 win over Gary Ward. Liberals who were in contention for promotion much of last year, showed that they too aim to be challenging this Season. Dean Andrews, Steve Pennell and Barry Pritchard had it all their own way as they beat Hatfield Peverel B 10-0. Chelmsford B also looked in good form as they beat ECC B 8-2, after Adrian Pitt and Alistair Piper had both stayed undefeated. Piper’s victory over Keith Spicer by a 10-12, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 margin was the most compelling of the night. However, Chelmsford B struggled against Chelmsford C and lost 6-4. Newcomer Sam Clark showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with as he beat Adrian Pitt, the best of the Chelmsford B players, in five ends, by a 8-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-1 scoreline. ECC B did better against Hatfield Peverel A, winning 6-4. Gary Brignall and Ken James were both unbeaten in this match. Hatfield Peverel A also tasted success in their second game, beating Hatfield Peverel B 8-2. John Gagg and Peter Brownlow both won their three singles.

ECC C made an impressive start in division three, hammering Danbury D 9-1. James Hicks and Gus Heath were both undefeated. OCs C also did well, and they excelled to hold Excalibur B to a draw, good going as the Excalibur side included three players with experience at a higher level - Bill Smith, Nigel Lamb and George Pavitt. No single player stayed undefeated, and Mark Bohan and Nat Ravlic (Old Chelmfordians) and Bill Smith and Nigel Lamb (Excalibur) all won twice. Ravlic turned in another five star performance as OCs beat ECC D 7- 3, by taking his three singles, and he received excellent support from Adrian North who won twice.

Excalibur C had Richard Hiskey to thank as they beat Chelmsford D 6-4 in division four. Excalibur raced into a 4-0 lead before a battling Gordon Fairchild hit back by beating Steve Munday 5-11, 14-12, 11-9, 14-12 and Fairchild added a second win with an equally impressive 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 victory over Dave Moles. Chelmsford E did well to hold Rawreth B to a draw. Paul Churn won his three singles for the Southend side and James Austin scored twice for the Melbourne Athletics Centre based Club. He beat both Gordon Swan and Stan Owen. Danbury E stayed in charge against Writtle C, winning 8-2. Trevor Palmer won his three singles and Gordon Gatherall and Jean Chasmer both won twice. In a more evenly contested game Elmtree Graphics did well to beat ECC F 6-4, which looks to have been unlikely at one stage when they trailed 4- 1. Predictably it was their top player Phil Smith who held his team together although he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Alan Thompson 7- 11, 11-9,11-4, 11-13, 14-12.

EPHQ were the week’s big winners in division five, and they had Ian Hockley and Francis Whitbread undefeated as they beat Danbury G 9-1. EPHQ were in action a week later as well, and Calvin Wright turned in undefeated performance as they drew with Danbury H. Norman Hayes and Roger Tiffin both won twice for the Danbury team. Excalibur D just shaded it 6-4 against Danbury J. Steve Cheesman and Craig McGarrigle both won their three singles. A two-man Danbury K side did well to beat Excalibur D 6-4. Graham Briggs won his three singles for Danbury. In another closely fought game ECC E drew against Chelmsford F. Matt Davis was undefeated for Chelmsford whilst Mohammed Mohseni and Peter Sun kept ECC in the match as they both won twice.
Chelmsford H impressed in division six, beating Excalibur E 8-2. Michael Whelpdale and Patrick Whelpdale both stayed undefeated. Excalibur will feel hard done by, losing four of the five games that were decided in the fifth end. The match between OCs E and Hatfield Peverel E was a little unusual. It finished as a 5-5 draw although only one game was not decided three-straight. Dave Carter, as you would expect was unbeaten for the Village side whilst Tony Cohen won twice for Old Chelmsfordians. OCs (George Mastin, Fred Mastin and Hassam Ahmed) are the early leaders in the CLICK League. They beat Chelmsford N 5-0 although Hassam Ahmed had to pull out all the stops to win his singles. He eventually prevailed 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 11- 7, 11-7 against Wiktor Delimat. Chelmsford K (Ryan Gooday and Callum Webster) also made a good start, beating Chelmsford M 4-1. Jamie Lawrence was on target for Chelmsford M and he beat Callum Webster 11-3, 11-8, 5-11, 11-3. Gooday was again on form as Chelmsford K beat Chelmsford N 3-2. Gooday beat both Josh Watts and Wiktor Delimat.

Report written by Steve Kerns
Press Officer for Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League