Liddiard leads the way

James Liddiard unbeaten in his first two matches

Chelmsford A scored two emphatic wins in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, beating Danbury A (8-2) and Chelmsford B (10-0) and they look to be the favourites to take the title. Newcomer James Liddiard and Dan Young were undefeated in both matches whilst Gary Young (who only played against Chelmsford B) was undefeated in that match. For Chelmsford B who had won 10-0 themselves last week it might have appeared to have been a sobering experience but the Chelmsford B side actually acquitted themselves pretty well in defeat. Harry Buckle pushed Gary Young all the way before succumbing 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 9-11 and he came similarly close against Daniel Young before missing out 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 3-11, 8-11. Josh Bickles took Daniel Young to five fluctuating ends before he lost 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-2, 4-11.  Danbury A did well to beat Chelmsford C 7-3 in their second match.  Dave Richardson scored an impressive hat-trick which included a 11-6, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5 win over Simon Jarvis. Wiktor Delimat impressed for the Chelmsford team with his 11-6, 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-7 victory over Babul McLeod.  

One point separates the top four teams in division two and it is Danbury E (13 points) who lead the way after two games. Tony Forster, Dick Wyman and Tim Cramphorn all won twice in their 6-4 win over Writtle B. Dick Wyman set them on their way by beating Trevor Collin 12-10, 16-18, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9 in a well contested opening encounter. Gary Ward’s hat-trick gave Writtle C the edge as they beat Danbury D 6-4. Ward had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Chris Buer 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 14-12, 16-14. Quite a battle. Danbury D were in turn 8-2 winners over OCs C. Steve Buer and Chris Buer were both undefeated on this occasion. Writtle C missed out 6-4 against Chelmsford D for whom Harry Chivers, Sudheeep Kamma and Saul Chivers all won twice. They all missed out against Gary Ward who secured his hat-trick with a 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10 win over Harry Chivers.  It was team-work which enabled Hatfield Peverel A to beat Danbury G 6-4. Martin Archie, Neil Freeman and Gareth Davies all won twice to counter Sanjay Saptarshi’s three wins. Saptarshi fought back from a heavy first game defeat to beat Martin Archie 2-11, 12-10, 11-8, 12-10 to seal his third win of the night.

Galleywood B lead the way in division three with 16 points. Mark Glenister, Gary Copsey and John Holland powered their way to a 10-0 win over Hatfield Peverel B.  Maldon A led by an unbeaten Hamish Innes ran out 8-2 winners against Hatfield Peverel B. Gareth Davies won twice for the losers and this included a 11-4, 11-13, 11-9, 16-14 win over Brian Riedling. Danbury J were 6-4 winners against Writtle D. Dave Marsh’s hat-trick gave them the ascendancy. Malcolm Henstock pipped Dave Meah 5-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10 in the best game of the night. Writtle D were also on the wrong end of a 6-4 defeat against Chelmsford F. Andy Swales won his three singles for the Chelmsford side and Alex Tkachuk won twice.  Danbury J impressed by beating OCs D 9-1. Dave Marsh, John Robinson and David Meah won all nine singles but drew a blank in the doubles on this occasion. Tom Barker and Ian Butler were surprisingly comfortable 11-9, 11-2, 11-4 winners against Dave Marsh and John Robinson.  Danbury H ran out 6-4 winners against Chelmsford E. Dave Hancox’s three singles was the difference between the two teams. Hancox secured his third win by beating Dave Parker 12-10, 11-9, 10-12, 6-11, 11-5 in the last game of the night.

Second placed Maldon B (15 points) scored their second win of the Season in division four. Dawn Baldry was undefeated as they beat Highwood B 8-2 and she received good support from Brian Speller and Shirley Carroll who both won twice. Newcomer Roger Patient picked up two wins for the Highwood side. Danbury L ran out 7-3 winners against OCs E and they top the table with 16 points. Denis Crapnell led the way with three wins whilst Dave Goody and Kevin Willis both picked up two wins apiece. Farooq Ahmed won twice for the losers.

Hatfield Peverel C were the week’s big winners in division five. Richard Drozd and Mick Carter were both undefeated in their 9-1 win against Danbury H. Hatfield Peverel E did well to beat Maldon C 6-4, good going as Andrea Alleyne won her three singles for Maldon C. Andrea had to fight back from 2-0 down to get the better of the tenacious Alistair Brown 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8. Danbury M were 6-4 winners against OCs F who paid the price for being a player short. Stuart Wintle was unbeaten for the Old Chelmsfordians team and this included a hard fought 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 11-6 win against Martin Knights.

Junior League action is underway and Buttsbury Bees made a winning start in division 1A . Jamie Elliott was undefeated as they defeated Chelmsford Panthers 3-2. The game between Pratham Raut and Jamie Elliott went “to the wire” before Elliott sealed victory 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 12-10.  Chelmsford Leopards beat Buttsbury Bats 4-1. Cleon Fernandes led the way with a 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 win against George Standish and a 11-2, 11-8, 11-3 victory over George Hagland.

Chelmsford Antelopes were 5-0 winners over Chelmsford Eagles in division 1C. Richard Carter and Arnav Kumar dominated this match.        

Steve Kerns / Press Officer / Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League