There were two outstanding performances in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this week. They came from players with contrasting levels of experience. Keith Adams, a regular in the Essex Veterans teams won his three singles as Danbury C lost 4-6 to runaway leaders Chelmsford A. Adams powered his way past Gary Young (11-6, 11-6, 11-8), Daniel Young (11-7, 11-5, 12-10) and Kim Shead (11-2, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4). Sam Phillips added a notable win as well. He defeated Gary Young (11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9). Bottom team Galleywood A secured their first win of the Season, 6-4, against Chelmsford B. Six games were decided in the fifth end and these were shared 3-3. 17 year-old Saul Chivers took centre stage on his first division debut. He beat Gary Brignall (11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-8), Steve Kerns (9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8) and James Hicks (8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6). Well played !. James Hicks had given the Galleywood side an excellent start by beating Josh Bickles (11-8, 12-14, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10). Galleywood A also drew 5-5 with Danbury C. This time Sam Phillips scored a superb 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 win over Peter Radford in his first singles but he was well beaten 3-0 by both Gary Brignall and James Hicks. Peter Radford redeemed himself with a fine 11-9, 14-12, 11-8 victory against Trevor Lloyd. Chelmsford C did well to beat the higher placed Writtle A 6-4. Duncan Taylor (93 % / 14 wins out of 15) was unbeaten for Writtle whilst Robert Shrimpton and Simon Jarvis both won twice for Chelmsford C.
Danbury G are the new leaders in division two. They take over from Chelmsford D who they beat 7-3. Sanjay Saptarshi (88 %) gave his side a superb start with a 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 win over Saul Chivers, who had played so well in the first division earlier in the week. Chelmsford D were on the back-foot and David Gatheral and Sanjay Saptarshi both recorded “maximums”. Gatheral defeated Vineeth Kamma (11-9, 11-8, 11-5), Saul Chivers (11-8, 11-5, 11-9) and Sudheep Kamma after a very hard fought encounter (11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 14-16, 11-8). An undefeated Eamon Hall took centre stage as Danbury G beat Danbury F 7-3 after no fewer than seven games had gone to a decider. Gordon Gatheral won twice for the losers and this included a very tight and against the form book win over his son – David (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8). OCA C jumped above OCA B after beating them 7-3. David Porter (with his first maximum of the Season) and Mick Richardson were both undefeated. Porter completed an excellent trio of wins with a 13-11, 6-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-9 victory over Trevor Carter having also defeated Gareth Joice (12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9) and Charles Yeung (11-5, 11-8 13-11). Writtle C powered to a 9-1 win over Danbury F. Gary Ward (95 %) who has been outstanding this Season again won his three singles whilst John Webber banked three wins and John Parodi won twice. Ken Sheard was the sole Danbury F winner on this occasion.
Galleywood B have reclaimed pole position in division three. Maldon A were without their three leading players against Chelmsford E and well beaten 9-1. Rev Matthews (three wins), Adi Kamma (three wins) and Dave Parker (two wins) ran amok. When Adi Kamma beat Brian Riedling 11-7, 10-12, 14-12, 8-11, 14-12 in the third game Maldon might well have had some inkling that it wasn’t going to be their night. Galleywood B meanwhile beat Danbury H 9-1. Mark Glenister and John Holland were both unbeaten whilst Colin Blore chipped in with two wins. Maldon A returned to winning ways by beating Danbury H 8-2. Hamish Innes won his three singles and this included a 11-6, 11-9, 11-1 win over Dave Powell, the best of the Danbury players. Dawn Baldry rounded off a strong Maldon performance by beating Dave Hancox 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8. Hatfield Peverel B scored their second win of the Season – a 6-4 success against OCA D. Paul Mulley and Roger Slade both picked up three singles wins. Paul Mulley beat Connor Payne (11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 12-14, 11-8) in the closest game of the evening. Danbury J also won 6-4. Dave Marsh led them to a victory against Chelmsford F. Marsh was on top form, powering his way past Andy Swales (11-9, 11-1, 11-5), Alex Tkachuk (11-3, 11-7, 11-5) and Luke Richards (11-5, 11-7, 11-8).
Leaders Chelmsford H made it eight wins out of eight in division four. The records of Harry Chivers (100 %) and Joachin Mapes (92 %) speak for themselves and they were both undefeated in their 7-3 win over Galleywood C. Annabel Sweeney was desperately unlucky not to register a win, losing 10-12, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9, 10-12 to Ron Salton and 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 10-12 to Will Goodchild. Danbury L are Chelmsford H’s only credible challengers and they overpowered Highwood B 10-0. Mervyn Perriman, Denis Balic and Denis Crapnel gave nothing away. Danbury L were equally dominant against Highwood A and they again won 10-0. Mervyn Perriman had to work hard against Melanie Bonnett but he came through in five ends (11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6). OCA E scored their fourth win of the Season, beating Highwood B 8-2. Farooq Ahmed won his three singles for Old Chelmsfordians and he completed his hat-trick with a 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7 win over Roger Patient who had won twice for Highwood.
Danbury N scored their first win of the season in division five with an excellent 8-2 victory against Maldon C. Ron Tam and Steve Martin were both undefeated. Further up the table Hatfield Peverel E also won 8-2. Bob Hillis and Deb Ginn both stayed unbeaten. Deb Ginn beat John Wickins 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 to secure her “full-house”. Hatfield Peverel C jumped above Hatfield Peverel D into second place, by beating them 7-3. Richard Drozd and Andy Simmonds both bagged hat-tricks. In a closely fought division Buttsbury and Hatfield Peverel C both have 50 points, followed by Hatfield Peverel D on 49 points and Hatfield Peverel E on 47 points. Everything to play for.
There was a first win for Chelmsford Tigers and a first defeat for the Champions Buttsbury Bees in division 1A of the Junior League. Cleon Fernandes was the “catalyst” on this occasion. He marked his debut for this team with two wins. He toppled Jacob Lawrence (9-11, 16-14, 12-10, 11-6) and Ben Brown (9-11, 11-13, 11-4, 12-10, 11-6). Two very hard fought wins. Buttsbury Bees returned to winning ways against Buttsbury Bats. Their leading player – Jacob Lawrence won twice as they ran out 3-2 winners. Lawrence beat George Standish (11-9, 11-8, 11-3) and George Hagland (11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7). Chelmsford Panthers ran out 4-1 winners against Buttsbury Bats. Richard Carter won twice, although he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of George Hagland (11-9,7-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-9). Second placed Chelmsford Leopards concluded their programme by beating Chelmsford Panthers 4-1. Cleon and Dion Fernandes took all four singles but they missed out in the doubles against Felix Reeve and Arnav Kumar (11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11).
Steve Kerns / Press Officer / Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League
Sanjay Saptarshi (Danbury G) against Saul Chivers (Chelmsford D)