Sunday 16 May 2010

ECC have been successful in four Knock-Out Cup Finals and their 5-0 win in the Open KO Cup against Danbury means that taking into account the years when this Competition was played as the Mens KO Cup they have won this event an amazing 17 times in the last 18 years. Lucy Wang was the star of this year’s Final beating Danbury no. one Antony Greenwood after trailing 2-0. Lucy fought back with some superb back-hand counter-hitting to win 8-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11. David Evans played his part by beating Tony Forster, after again trailing 2-0. David triumphed 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5. Steve Kerns gave little away with a 3-0 win over Eric Green.

ECC were pushed hard by Chelmsford A in the Mixed Cup Final and Greg Green and Julie Vansertima both beat David Evans. Lucy Wang was hard pushed in both of her singles but her wins over Julie Vansertima (10-12, 11-1, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8) and Waseem Qureshi (4-11, 12-10, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5) eventually proved decisive. Steve Kerns played his part with a four game win over Waseem Qureshi as ECC eventually won 5-2.

Lucy Wang also dominated the action in the Veterans Cup Final, when ECC faced Excalibur. Lucy’s excellent win over Gary Baker (12-10, 8-11, 12-10, 11-2) left Excalibur “with a mountain to climb” and they were unable to get back on even terms. ECC reserve Bryn Thomas played his part with a 3-0 win over Excalibur reserve Linda Attridge and Steve Kerns made his mark with a 3-0 success against Tim Pang, as ECC won 5-0.

There was further success for ECC when the ECC C side captured the Handicap Cup by beating Danbury D 5-4. ECC (Neil Thompson, Andy Hanlon and James Hicks) surged into a 4-1 lead. Andy Hanlon played his part when he came through a really tough examination against Dave Marsh 21-9, 25-27, 21-17. However, the final game proved elusive and Danbury levelled at 4-4. It was James Hicks who held his nerve best in the all-important ninth game. He beat Dave Powell 21-16, 21-17 to seal the ECC victory.

Hatfield Peverel E (Dave, Adam and Ryan Carter) became double Champions when they beat Chelmsford C 5-1 in the 6-Down Cup Final to add to their League success. Adam Carter’s 3-0 victory over Chelmsford no. one Robert Shrimpton left Chelmsford with too much to do and Sarah Austin was her side’s only winner. She beat Ryan Carter 11-6, 11-6, 11-9.

Chelmsford B (Josh Watts and Wiktor Delimat) have won the CLICK Knock-Out Cup Final, by beating Chelmsford C (Ryan Gooday and Callum Webster) 3-2. Josh Watts won both of his games, beating Callum Webster 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 and in what proved to be the title clinching victory, he beat Ryan Gooday by a tantalising 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 12-10 margin.

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