SUMMER LEAGUE UP AND RUNNING

The Central Essex Summer League is up and running and no less than 45 teams have been entered spread across 7 divisions. Teams consist of just 2 players but each individual match consists of five sets with points being awarded for each set won so a team could win 20 -0 on the night or even draw 10 -10.  This is giving players a great opportunity to prepare themselves for when normal league competition returns and thanks go to Ken Sheard who has  organised it. The following report on the latest round of matches has been provided by Steve Kerns.

Chelmsford C, leaders of division two of the Central Essex Summer League tasted defeat for the first time, losing 12-8 to Danbury C. Gus Heath caused them the most problems with two impressive 4-1 wins over Wiktor Delimat and Rajeev Mejta. Rajeev Mehta won once, a really hard fought 9-11, 11-8, 16-18, 14-12, 12-10 victory against Sanjay Saptarshi.

It was honours even in the first division with Cold Norton drawing 10-10 with Chelmsford B. Chelmsford’s fast improving Harry Buckle scored a fine 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11 win over Dan Anderson although Anderson hit back with a really hard fought 15-13, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 victory against Shirith Basant Rai. Danbury A were impressive 15-5 winners against Rayne A. Danbury finished the match strongly with Babul McLeod beating Steve Pennell 4-1 and Eric Green seeing off Ian Whiteside 5-0. Chelmsford A were a player short against Hockley A and the 5-15 scoreline reflected that. Chelmsford’s new signing Kim Shead was on target with a 9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 win over Dave Chenery. Shead was beaten 11-2, 11-7, 12-10, 13-15, 11-3 by an impressive Ian Wall.

Danbury F top the division three table and they surged to an 18-2 win over OCs C. Alan Scammell had to work hard to beat Tom Barker 3-2 in the opening game but it was Scammell and Sanjay Saptarshi who dominated the next three games with three 5-0 wins. The match between Danbury E and OCS B was much closer with Danbury shading it 11-9. All four players won once, with Richard Baxter’s hard fought 5-11, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9 win over Ken Sheard perhaps representing the pick of the action.  There was a first win for Chelmsford D, who beat Danbury G 13-7. Keith Martin beat both Dave Meah and Dave Marsh 3-2.

Chelmsford G rocketed up the table in division four and into second place by beating Buttsbury A 20-0. Nikita Tkachuk and Sudheep Kamma dominated the action.  Ramsden Rockets also won impressively, beating Chelmsford F 15-5. Colin Barham won twice, and this included a fluctuating 6-11, 11-7, 1-11, 11-7, 11-6 success against Harry Chivers. Chelmsford E secured their second win, a 14-6 victory against Buttsbury A. Adi Kamma and Alex Tkachuk came out on top although Kamma missed out 11-5, 14-12, 11-13, 6-11, 6-11 against Kevin Willis. Chelmsford E also lost 12-8 to Cold Norton C.  Three of the four games were decided 3-2, and in that context the 5-0 win for Dave Hancox against Alex Tkachuk proved decisive. Hancox came through 11-8. 11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4.

Hockley B lead the way in division five with 57 points out of 80 and Brian Bissenden scored two 4-1 wins as they beat OCs E 15-5.

Writtle Rattlesnakes shaded their match 11-9 against Buttsbury B, in division six.  Elliot Gardiner stood out with a 5-0 win over George Standish and a 5-0 victory against George Hagland. Rattlesnakes found it harder against the leaders Chelmsford Leopards and were despatched 16-4. Dion Fernandez and Cleon Fernandez dominated proceedings. Luv Goel came close against Cleon Fernandez, racing into a 2-0 lead before being pegged back and losing 11-9, 11-7, 3-11, 4-11, 8-11.

Chelmsford Pumas scored their first win in division seven. Malachi O’Leary and Pankil Sharma won decisively 17-3, against Writtle Racoons.  although Blake Webster did will to beat Pankil Sharma 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9. A very well contested game. Buttsbury D ran out 13-7 winners against Writtle Racoons. Jamie Elliott was the difference between the two sides with 5-0 wins over both Luv Goel and Kush Goel.  Chelmsford Wildcats are well clear and they made it four wins out of four by beating Chelmsford Panthers 16-4. Harrison Hill and Alesha Ellis Austin were both undefeated. Alesha had to work hard to beat Lotte Mills 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4.