Danbury D are very much in contention in the low scoring division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and they are joint top of the table with 42 points out of a possible 70. An unbeaten Chris Buer led them to a 7-3 victory against OCA B with three good victories. He beat Gareth Joice (8-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5), Trevor Carter (10-12, 11-9. 11-9, 8-11, 11-4) and Kevin Worthington (11-6, 12-10, 11-7). With a record of 76 % Chris Buer is proving to be a very reliable no. one player for this side. Tony Forster was another player on top form this week and his trio of wins enabled Danbury E to beat Hatfield Peverel A 6-4. Forster powered his way to wins over Neil Freeman (11-7, 11-6, 11-5), Phil Shippen (11-4, 11-2, 11-7) and Gareth Davies (11-9, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4).
In division one a two man OCA A did well to draw with the higher placed Danbury A. Mark Mulley led the way with a trio of wins. He beat Bruce Kettle (7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4), Dave Richardson (9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6) and Babul McLeod (11-8, 11-6, 11-7). Dave Richardson prevailed against Terry Dowsett (11-3, 5-11, 14-12, 12-10).
Danbury J moved into third place in division three by beating Hatfield Peverel B 8-2. Dave Marsh led the way with three victories. The doubles provided the closest game of the night and John Robinson and Dave Marsh pipped Paul Mulley and Michael Lucey 15-13, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2, 13-11.
In division four Highwood B emerged as 6-4 winners against Highwood A. Roger Patient won his three singles for the B side whilst Melanie Bonnett picked up two victories for the A side. Martin Goddard defeated Keith Pallett 11-6, 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11 in the closest game of the night.
Buttsbury scored their fifth win of the Season in division five by beating Danbury M 7-3. Jamie Elliot and Frances Hutt were both undefeated. It is also interesting to note that this team has used no fewer than 10 players to date this Season. David Bishop was undefeated as OCA F beat the higher placed Hatfield Peverel C 7-3. Bishop was extended by Andy Simmonds but he prevailed 11-8, 15-13, 6-11, 7-11, 11-5.
Chelmsford Pumas ran out 4-1 winners against Buttsbury Bats in division 1A of the Junior League. Oliver Cheung was undefeated and he beat George Standish (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-2) and George Hagland (13-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9). Chelmsford Leopards led by Cleon Fernandes beat Chelmsford Tigers 3-2. Cleon Fernandes beat Soumil Jain (11-6, 11-5, 11-8) and Aarav Mehta (8-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3).
Chelmsford Antelopes, runaway leaders of division 1C were given their toughest examination yet by Writtle Racoons, despite winning 4-1. Richard Carter won both of his singles but Blake Webster deprived Arnav Kumar of his unbeaten record winning 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-8. Carter and Kumar were also stretched in the doubles, all the way, against Blake Webster and Oliver Smith-French before they emerged as 11-7, 11-13, 18-16, 6-11, 12-10 winners. Writtle Racoons, represented by Blake Webster and Mimi Pummell this time, ran out 5-0 winners against Buttsbury Bulldogs. Mimi Pummell beat Adhuna Das 11-8, 8-11, 11-1, 9-11, 11-6 in a widely fluctuating opening game.
Chelmsford Table Tennis Club Juniors had a very successful day on Saturday in the National Junior League at the Ellenborough Club in Enfield and their A team of Josh Bickles, Saul Chivers and Harry Chivers followed up on their success in the previous round of matches (where they were promoted) by topping the division one table this time. The teams they beat from Milton Keynes, Ellenborough and Fusion are from some of the largest and most established Clubs in the country. Josh Bickles (9/9 wins), Saul Chivers (8/9 wins) and Harry Chivers (4/9 wins) all played a part in this success. The B team also came tantalisingly close to repeating this feat and they just missed out to Ellenborough B on count-back. Sudheep Kamma (6/9 wins), Vineeth Kamma (6/9 wins) and Cleon Fernandes (5/9 wins) all excelled as well.
Steve Kerns / Press Officer / Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League