First division leaders Chelmsford A suffered their first defeat in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this week, against Writtle A by a heavy 8-2 margin,  in what must be one of the shocks of the Season. Writtle’s Lee McHugh scored a magnificent hat-trick beating Kim Shead (8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6), Gary Young (11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5), and Daniel Young (14-12, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9). Duncan Taylor and newcomer Liam Harris both won twice in what was clearly a great night for Writtle. Liam Harris won two cliff-hangers; 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 15-13, 11-9 against Daniel Young and 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 16-14 against Kim Shead. Ian Wall made his debut for Danbury A against Danbury C and his three wins were instrumental in enabling Danbury A to share the points. Ian Whiteside showed up well for Danbury C with wins over Dave Richardson (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5) and Neil Want (7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6). Danbury B did well to beat OCA A 6-4, good going as Mark Mulley was undefeated for the Old Chelmsfordians team.   Sam Lowman and Matthew Stringer balanced the books by both winning twice. This result means Danbury B have climbed into second place with 32 points.  

First played second in division two and in such a tight division it was fitting that it finished tied at 5-5. Chelmsford D’s rapidly improving Saul Chivers, ranked 265 on the League ranking list made a mockery of this particular piece of data with three wins whilst Chris Buer and Gus Heath both won twice for Danbury D.  Saul Chivers disposed of Chris Buer 11-6, 11-5, 5-11, 15-13 in his first game. Danbury D who are tied with Chelmsford D on 35 points beat Danbury F 8-2. This time Gus Heath and Steve Buer won their three singles whilst Chris Buer missed out against Tim Pulham 9-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-8, 10-12. Quite a battle !. The “Martin Archie success story” continues and his three wins helped Hatfield Peverel A beat Writtle C 6-4. Archie powered his way to a 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 win over Gary Ward; Ward’s first defeat of the Season. Team work was the order of the day as Danbury E beat OCA B 6-4. Neil Want, Dick Wyman and Tony Forster all won twice whilst Trevor Carter bagged two wins for the Old Chelmsfordians side. Dick Wyman defeated Gareth Joice by the odd looking scoreline of 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 16-18, 11-1.

Leaders Galleywood B turned out a strong team of Bryn Thomas, James Hicks and John Holland in division three and they powered their way to a 9-1 win over OCA D. The OCA side had to wait until the last game to register a success, and Richard Baxter made no mistake beating Bryn Thomas 11-9, 11-7, 11-6. Baxter also had fierce battles against James Hicks, succumbing 14-12, 7-11, 7-11, 16-18 and against John Holland, missing out 7-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 10-12. Danbury J, led by unbeaten performances by Dave Marsh and John Robinson ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford E. Robinson fought back from 2-0 down to beat Adi Kamma 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11, 12-10. Maldon A, who are second made it five wins out of five by beating OCA D 7-3. Dawn Baldry, Hamish Innes and Brian Riedling all picked up two wins for Maldon. Richard Baxter won twice for the Old Chelmsfordians side and this included a 9-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11 victory against Hamish Innes. It was honours even between Writtle D and Danbury H. Bob Garson was unbeaten for Writtle D whilst Richard Allen and Dave Powell both won twice for the Danbury team. Richard Allen defeated Dave Carter 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 14-12 in a nail-biting last game of the evening.

Galleywood C were the week’s big winners in division four, and they recorded an eye-catching 9-1  win against Maldon B. Colin Blore and Will Goodchild were both undefeated whilst Ron Salton won twice.  Ron Salton edged out Shirley Carroll 8-11. 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8. Leaders Chelmsford H ran out 7-3 winners over Danbury L. Harry Chivers was undefeated whilst Joachin Mapes picked up two wins. Harry Chivers remains undefeated with a record of 15 wins out of 15. Writtle E beat Highwood A 8-2, courtesy of unbeaten outings for Dave Moles and Ian Hockley. Keith Fitz-John impressed for the losers with a 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory over Malcolm Storey.

Division five produced three clear-cut sets of winners. Hatfield Peverel C beat Chelmsford J 9-1 after Richard Drozd and Mick Carter had stayed undefeated. Mick Carter gave Hatfield Peverel a winning start by beating Peter Davenport 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 in the opening game. Danbury M also won 9-1. Norman Hayes and Paul Thirkettle were unbeaten against Danbury N. This time it was Norman Hayes who gave Danbury M that important winning start, by beating Graham Naggs 11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5.  Buttsbury beat Hatfield Peverel E 8-2. They lead the way and Ray Horton (three wins), Keith Cullen (two wins) and Frances Hutt (two wins) all played a part in their success.

In division 1 A of the Chelmsford Junior League Buttsbury Bees emerged as 3-2 winners over Chelmsford Pumas.  Jamie Elliot and Ben Brown won one each for Buttsbury whilst Ben Chivers won twice for Chelmsford Pumas. He beat Jamie Elliott by a last gasp 11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9 margin. No shortage of excitement there. Buttsbury Bats ran out 4-1 winners over Chelmsford Tigers. George Hagland won his two games, and this included a hard fought 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8 success against Harrison Hill.

Buttsbury Badgers top the division 1 B table with 15 points, level on points with Chelmsford Wildcats, but they could only beat Chelmsford Jaguars 3-2. Emilie Guilloux won twice for the Jaguars beating Harry Hutt (11-7, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8) and Oscar Hutt (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6). Second placed Chelmsford Wildcats missed out against Buttsbury Beavers 3-2. Harry Hutt and Oscar Hutt were representing Buttsbury Beavers this time and Harry Hutt won twice, beating Malachi O’Leary (11-9, 12-14, 11-4, 11-7) and Harrison Hill (11-6, 11-7, 11-5). Writtle Rattlesnakes who have games in hand are very much in contention and they beat Buttsbury Badgers 4-1. Elliot Gardiner won twice, beating Harry Hutt (11-5, 12-10, 2-11, 11-7) and Oscar Hutt (11-7, 11-1,11-5).     

There is no stopping Chelmsford Antelopes in division 1C. Their record of 29 points out of 30 tells it’s own story. Samaksh Sirohi and Arnav Kumar were 5-0 winners against Chelmsford Eagles. Buttsbury Bulldogs are second, 14 points adrift. Adhuna Das was undefeated as they beat Chelmsford Falcons 4-1. Harel Choo beat Callum Webster (7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9) to register for Chelmsford Falcons. Chelmsford Cougars complete this week’s results with a 4-1 win against Writtle Racoons. Harrison Hill won twice, beating Oliver Smith-French (11-13, 11-9, 11-4, 11-4) and Blake Webster (11-4, 11-4, 12-10).     

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