Sunday 20 June 2010

Chelmsford’s Junior team were convincing winners of the Essex Junior Inter- League competition played at BATTS, Harlow scoring comfortable victories over Clacton (9-1), Southend (7-3) and Colchester (10-0). Scott Dowsett and Robert Shrimpton both picked up six wins out of six singles whilst James Austin and Chris Denyer won four times from their six games. There was a further honour for Robert Shrimpton to come when he was presented with the Charlie Wheeler Memorial Award at the League’s Annual General Meeting, the Award for the "best" performance by a Junior player at the League’s Annual Closed Tournament.

Chelmsford Junior Champion Brandon Crouchman, already an established County Junior player was this year’s recipient of the Hill Dowsett Junior Award, the Award for the Junior player with the best return in League play over the course of the Season. This is the third time that Brandon has picked up this honour, testimony to the consistent progress he has made since taking up the Sport.

Writtle A made an impressive start to their 2010 Central Essex Summer League programme by beating both Ramsden Raiders (3-2) and most impressively Liberals (4-1) in their first division clashes. Matthew Brown was undefeated in both matches and he picked up four excellent wins, defeating the Ramsden duo of Dave Carter and John Gagg as well as the Liberal pairing of Steve Pennell and Barry Pritchard. The win over former Braintree League Mens Singles Champion Pennell went all the way “to the wire” with Brown triumphing 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11- 9. Last year’s Champions Rayne also made a successful start, seeing off Hullbridge Fat Boys 5-0 Chelmsford first division players Kevin Gowlett and Steve Kerns were both unbeaten.

Ramsden Renegades did well to beat West Maldon 3-2 in division two. Glen Laing won both of his singles and he paired up with Chris Ciniglio to record a match winning doubles win over Chris and Steve Buer 11-3, 2-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8. Danbury A were also “swiftly out of the blocks”. They beat ECC 4-1. Herby Smith was undefeated for Danbury whilst Richard Storey picked up a fine win for ECC. He beat Norman Smith 3-1.

Division three looks to be of a high standard if the initial results are anything to go by. Elmtree/Excalibur B (Ev Lucas and Rod Maclennan) were convincing 5-0 winners over Cold Norton B whilst Chelmsford A beat Hylands School 3-2. Neither Dave Parker or Gordon Fairchild could match Brandon Crouchman in their singles but they did well to take the match by edging out Brandon and Rykki Vansertima 14-12, 12-10, 6-11, 12-14, 11-8 in a well contested deciding doubles. Excalibur/Elmtree C also made a winning start, beating Cold Norton B 4-1. Peter Mynard won his two singles 3-0.

Mountnessing and Elmtree/Excalibur D are the early leaders in division four. Bruno Handel and Paul Singleton gave nothing away as Mountnessing beat Chignal 5-0 whilst Elmtree/Excalibur D were equally dominant against Chelmsford B. John Marshall and Steve Cheesman raced through their games as they also won 5-0.

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