Saul Chivers hat-trick fires Chelmsford D to 8-2 win
A mere three point covers the top five teams in the ever-competitive division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. After four rounds of matches Chelmsford D top the table with 25 points, courtesy of their impressive 8-2 win over Hatfield Peverel A. Saul Chivers led the way with a hat-trick and brothers Sudheep and Vineth Kamma both won twice. Saul Chivers beat Martin Archie, the best of the Hatfield Peverel players 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5. Writtle B were 6-4 winners over OCs C, good going as Mick Richardson was undefeated for the Old Chelmsfordians side. Richardson completed his hat-trick with an excellent 4-11, 14-12, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6 victory over Paul Sturton. OCs B led by an undefeated Gareth Joice ran out 7-3 winners against Writtle C. Joice defeated John Webber 11-13, 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7 to complete his trio of wins. Danbury G are second with 24 points and Sanjay Saptarshi was undefeated in their 6-4 win over Danbury D. Saptarshi played well to beat Chris Buer 12-10, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7.
Chelmsford B made it three wins out of four in division one having entered the Season with relatively modest expectations. They moved into top spot by beating Writtle A 8-2 and although Chelmsford A have a game in hand Chelmsford B have already gained the respect of all their rivals. Charlie Craig (with nine wins out of nine) was again undefeated and this included a fine 9-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8 success over Lee McHugh. Danbury A were 7-3 winners against a two player Galleywood A team. Bruce Kettle won two hard fought five enders. He beat Gary Brignall 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 and James Hicks 3-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-7.
Maldon A moved into second place in division three after beating Writtle D 7-3. Dawn Baldry remained unbeaten and this included a last gasp 11-7, 11-13, 11-2, 5-11, 13-11 victory over Dave Carter. Maldon A also beat Danbury J 7-3. New signing Lloyd Bennett-Smith won his three singles although he was stretched by both Denis Crapnell (who he beat 11-8, 4-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8) and by Dave Marsh (where he won 17-15, 7-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8). Galleywod B stay top, just, and they beat Danbury J 6-4. Gary Copsey (eight wins out of nine) won his three singles for the Galleywood side. Danbury’s Dave Meah secured a fine 12-10, 11-9, 16-18, 11-4 victory over John Holland – Holland’s first defeat of the Season. Chelmsford E, led by Rev Mathews beat Hatfield Peverel B 6-4. Matthews received good support from Pietraszuk Jaroslav who won twice. Chelmsford F also won 6-4, beating OCs D. Joachin Mapes led the way with a trio of wins, and this included a hard-fought 11-9, 8-11, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9 win over Tom Barker.
Chelmsford H are going to be hard to beat in division four. Harry Chivers (nine wins out of nine) and Joachin Mapes (eight wins out of nine) were both undefeated in their 9-1 victory over Highwood B. Joachin Mapes beat Roger Patient 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the closest game of the evening. Chelmsford G beat the higher placed Writtle E 7-3. Vasile Barbulet led the way with three wins which included a monumental 11-9, 11-9, 18-20, 9-11, 11-8 victory over League General Secretary Dave Moles. Galleywood C led by an undefeated Colin Blore ran out 6-4 winners against Highwood A. Blore completed his hat-trick with a 11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7 win over Melanie Bonnett. Danbury L (with three wins out of four) are the early leaders of this division and they beat Galleywood C 9-1. Mervyn Perriman and Denis Crapnell both won their three singles. Galleywood had to wait until the last game to get off the mark, and Colin Blore will probably think it was worth the wait. He beat Denis Balic 9-11, 11-7, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9.
Division five looks like being very closely fought. Hatfield Peverel E lead the way with 22 points after four matches, a far from dominant return of points. They lost this week to their C team., for whom Mick Carter was unbeaten. Carter beat Deb Ginn in five ends; 3-11, 11-5, 3-11, 11-4, 11-6; as widely fluctuating a game as you’re likely to see. Maldon C are second with 21 points. Team work saw them “across the line” against Chelmsford J. Ross Wheeler, Ella Sach and Rob Sach combined to counter Peter Davenport’s three wins. Ross Wheeler fought back from 2-0 down to beat John Wickins 12-14, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4. Hatfield Peverel D impressed this week. Peter Mortensen dominated as they beat Danbury M 8-2. Kath Little beat Norman Hayes 6-11, 12-10, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 in the closest game of the evening.
Chelmsford Leopards are the early leaders in division 1 A of the Chelmsford Junior League. Dion Fernandes and Cleon Fernandes were 5-0 commanding winners against Chelmsford Tigers although Dion Fernandes had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Soumil Jain 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 13-11, 11-6. They were in turn beaten 4-1 by Buttsury Bees. Jacob Lawrence led the way with wins over Dion Fernandes (11-2, 11-5, 12-10) and Cleon Fernandes (11-5, 14-12, 11-9). Ben Brown prevailed against Dion Fernandes, just (4-11, 11-4, 11-6, 13-15, 12-10). Chelmsford Pumas ran out 4-1 winners against Buttsbury Bats. Todd Martin led the way with two wins and a share in a doubles win with Ben Chivers. Chelmsford Pumas in turn lost 3-2 to Chelmsford Panthers. Keen Wong-Anan was undefeated, beating Malachi O’Leary (11-8, 11-7, 11-6) and Alisha Ellis-Austin (14-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9).
Chelmsford Antelopes are setting a red hot pace in Junior division 1C. They made it 15 points out of 15, yes; that is 15 points out of 15; and rather incredibly with other teams not having played an equal number of games they lead the table by a full 10 points. Samaksh Siroh and Arnav Kumar gave nothing away against Chelmsford Racoons, although Kumar had to dig deep to see off Luv Goel 15-13, 6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7. Chelmsford Falcons were 3-2 winners against Chelmsford Eagles. Kologn Barrie won twice beating Nathaniel Slade (11-7, 12-10, 11-5) and Atharv Gupta (11-6, 11-8, 11-9).
Steve Kerns Press Officer / Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League