Essex Press Office

Reported by Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Essex County Table Tennis Association

John Andrews reports on recent the conclusion to the Essex Inter-League season.

The final matches were played today in the Essex Inter-League when the Senior Division played out their matches at Rowhedge Table Tennis club near Colchester. After the first round of matches on the 11th April Ilford put themselves firmly in the driving seat winning their two matches against Clacton and Braintree withou dropping a set. It therefore came as a real surprise for the teams to hear for the second and final round of matches that Ilford were unable to field a side. So with the Ilford results removed Southend became favourites as the only unbeaten side from the first weekend and some 8 points clear of second placed Colchester.

Southend were not due to play in the first session which saw Colchester beat Harlow 8-2 with maximums for Mike Shore and Mark Mulley. Braintree dispatched Clacton by the same margin with Kevin Gowlett taking a max for Braintree. Clacton's two wins coming from Gary Young which included an impressive 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 against Steve Kerns. Round and Southend kept up their winning ways with a 7-3 win against Clacton, Charles Sweeney taking a maximum for Southend. Braintree kept the pressure on Southend with an 8-2 win against Harlow. Once again Kevin Gowlett unbeaten for Braintree. So the scene was set the final round pitting Southend against Braintree. 6-4 or better would see Southend emerge as champions. Bt the end of the sixth match it was all square 3-3. Then Braintree upped their game winning the next three matches to take a 6-3 lead with just the doubles to come. Braintree had yet to lose a doubles whereas Southend had lost to Clacton in their only doubles of the day. Southend won the first two games 11-7, 11-6 but Braintree fought back to take the third game 13-11 and the then the fourth 12-10. A bad start saw Braintree go 5-0 down in the fifth and they never recovered from that poor start losing out 11-6 and with it a chance of drawing level with Southend at the top of the table. So Southend as Senior Inter-League champions this season with Gowlett finishing the day unbeaten for Braintree.

Southend juniors made it double joy for the seaside town by winning this years Junior inter-League competition. Dominent displays against Braintree, Clacton B and Clacton A 8-2, 10-0 and 9-1 respectively meant the team of Sam Langton, Owen Warren, Sam Chester and Leon Smart ended the day 8 point clear of nearest rivals Clacton A. Scott Dowsett kept his head for Braintree remaining unbeaten in all his matches together with Sam Chester and Leon Smart for Southend.

Veterans Division One was completed on the 18th April which saw Ilford A come through victorious though not without courtesy of Burnham A. Chasing Ilford throughout the two days they went into the match against Ilford needing a win to keep their chances of overhauling them alive. And they did just that recording a 6-3 win with Marko Jovic taking two solid singles wins. It left Burnham 5 points adrift going into the final matches and Ilford needing just four points from nine in their match against Braintree. Burnham duly recorded a 9-0 whitewash against Southend A but Ilford held their composure to record an 8-1 win against Braintree and come through as champions.