Division three doesn’t often make the headlines in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League but the most eye-catching performance went to Maldon A this week. They hammered leaders Galleywood B 9-1 to take over at the top of the table. John Holland beat Dawn Baldry in the opening game but thereafter it was Maldon calling the shots as Lloyd Bennett – Smith and Hamish Innes remained undefeated. Hamish Innes excelled, securing three wins in closely fought games. Hamish beat Mark Glenister (11-9, 11-9, 11-9), John Holland (1-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9) and Bryn Thomas (11-3, 12-10, 11-6). Lloyd Bennett-Smith sealed a superb Maldon victory by beating John Holland (9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8) in the last game of the evening. Maldon A also beat third placed Chelmsford F 8-2. Dawn Baldry scored a hat-trick this time, beating Nikita Tkachuk (7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6), Alex Tkachuk (11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7) and Luke Richardson (11-3, 15-17, 11-2, 11-5). Alex Tkachuk excelled for the losers, defeating Hamish Innes (12-10, 7-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9). Chelmsford F in turn drew 5-5 against Danbury K. New comer Sam Phillips was unbeaten for Danbury and he was well supported by Nicky Reece-Ford who won twice. Without Sam Phillips Danbury K did not fare so well and they lost 8-2 to Hatfield Peverel B – Peverel’s first win of the Season. Paul Mulley led the way with three wins whilst Michael Lucey and Phil Shippen both won twice. Phil Shippen fought back from 2-0 down to beat Mo Hardy 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8. It was honours even between Chelmsford E and Writtle D as Robert Garson won his three singles for Writtle D.  OCA D did well to beat the higher placed Danbury H 7-3. Richard Baxter and Richard Upson both won their three singles.

Chelmsford A reasserted themselves as the team to beat in division one. Daniel Young, James Liddiard and Gary Young hammered Galleywood A 10-0, their third maximum points win of the Season. It’s easy to see why they’re top. James Hicks put up a terrific fight against Daniel Young before succumbing 11-8, 6-11, 18-16, 3-11, 10-12. Danbury B shared the points with Writtle A. Ace defender Duncan Taylor won his three singles for Writtle whilst Sam Lowman and Daniel Piggott both won twice for Danbury. Daniel Piggott pipped Lee McHugh 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 8-11, 14-12 whilst Sam Lowman defeated Lee McHugh 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9. A strong Danbury C team beat Chelmsford C 8-2. Keith Adams, in his first game of the Season led the way with three wins. Chelmsford’s Simon Jarvis did well to beat Trevor Lloyd 3-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6. Chelmsford C did better against Chelmsford B, drawing 5-5. No one player stayed undefeated and no one went home empty handed either. Charlie Craig beat Simon Jarvis 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4 and Rob Shrimpton 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 but he missed out against Mark Allaway 8-11, 11-7, 5-11, 4-11. A very good win for Mark.

Chelmsford D and Danbury G, the top two teams in division two, both won this week. Chelmsford D disposed of OCA C 7-3. Saul Chivers was undefeated whilst Mick Richardson showed up well for the Old Chelmsfordians side beating Sudheep Kamma 11-5, 12-10, 0-11, 10-12, 11-8 and Vineeth Kamma 11-9, 12-10, 11-6.   Danbury G went one better; they beat Writtle C 8-2. Sanjay Saptarshi led the way with a hat-trick whilst David Gatheral won twice. David Gatheral certainly got his “money’s-worth” in this match. He beat John Webber 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 14-12 and John Gagg 12-14, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8 but he missed out to John Parodi 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11. Danbury G also drew 5-5 against Writtle B. Danbury’s Sanjay Saptarshi and David Gatheral and Writtle’s Trevor Collin and Paul Sturton all won twice. David Gatheral beat Trevor Collin 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 14-12 in the pick of the night’s action.  It was also “honours even” between Writtle B and Danbury F. Trevor Collin was undefeated for Writtle B this time. Rod Maclennan beat Ken Sheard 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-13, 13-11 in the closest game of the evening. Danbury F ran out narrow 6-4 winners against OCA C. Good going as Mick Richardson was unbeaten for the Old Chelmsfordians team.  Ken Sheard prevailed against David Porter, just, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11.

Leaders Chelmsford H made it six wins out of six in division four, by beating OCA E 7-3. Harry Chivers and Joachin Mapes were both undefeated with Chivers making it a superb 18 wins out of 18. Farooq Ahmed gave Joachin Mapes all kinds of problems before he missed out 12-10, 6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 10-12. Chelmsford G drew 5-5 with Galleywood C. Colin Blore was undefeated for Galleywood whilst Steve Peacock beat Jason Clark 9-11, 15-13, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8 in the closest game of the night. Chelmsford G also beat Highwood B 8-2. Newcomer Vasile Barbulet secured hist first “full house” of the Season and he beat Francis Whitbread 12-14, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 in the last game of the night. Danbury L stay second and they beat Writtle C 8-2. Denis Crapnell retained his 100 % record and he beat Ian Hockley 11-9, 11-3, 11-7, Dave Moles 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-1 and Neil Thompson 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-5.

Hatfield Peverel D secured two big wins in division five and they top the table with 46 points although Buttsbury (35 points) have played two games less. They beat Maldon C 9-1 after Roger Slade and Phil West had carried all before them and they defeated OCA F 8-2 with Roger Slade again remaining undefeated. Stuart Wintle picked up two wins for the OCA side and this included a hard fought 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 victory against Pete Mortensen. Chelmsford J ran out 7-3 winners against Danbury N. Peter Davenport won his three singles and he completed an excellent evening’s work by beating Ron Tam 11-5, 11-7, 11-6.

It has proved to be a very productive week for Buttsbury Bees who won three times in division 1A of the Junior League. They beat Buttsbury Bats 3-2 with Jamie Elliott ‘s two wins giving them the edge. Elliott beat George Hagland 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 and George Standish 2-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9. Jamie Elliott has only lost once in eight games. With Jamie Elliott joined by Jacob Lawrence they also beat Chelmsford Leopards 5-0 and with Jacob Lawrence paired up with Ben Brown they defeated Chelmsford Panthers 5-0. Panthers were represented by Arnav Kumar and Samaksh Sirohi who have been playing for Chelmsford Antelopes in division 1C. Samaksh pushed Jacob Lawrence really hard before succumbing 12-10, 8-11, 8-11, 14-16. Chelmsford Pumas beat Chelmsford Tigers 4-1. Oliver Cheung won twice for the Pumas beating Aarav Mehta 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8 and Soumil Jain 11-7, 11-7, 11-4. Chelmsford Panthers also beat Chelmsford Tigers 3-2. Aarav Mehta was unbeaten for the Tigers and he saw off Harrison Hill 6-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 and Richard Carter 11-8, 14-12, 14-12. Chelmsford Leopards were indebted to Cleon Fernandes in their 3-2 win over Buttsbury Bats. Cleon won twice, beating George Standish 6-11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-4 and George Hagland 11-7, 11-4, 11-5.

Writtle Rattlesnakes top the table in division 1B. Archie Pummel won twice as they beat Chelmsford Tigers 4-1. Emilie Guilloux went down fighting, just succumbing 12-10, 6-11, 13-11, 8-11, 10-12.

Chelmsford Cougars are second in division 1C and Felix Reeve and Dan Lewis were both undefeated as they beat Chelmsford Eagles 5-0. Dan Lewis beat Harel Choo 7-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8 in the pick of the night’s action.   

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