Maldon A and Galleywood B – the two outstanding teams in division three of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League went head-to-head for a second time, and Maldon A again came out on top. They produced a really determined display to win 7-3 with Dawn Baldry, Hamish Innes and Lloyd Bennett-Smith all winning twice. Maldon A also won three fiercely fought five setters. Lloyd Bennett-Smith beat Gary Copsey 12-14, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8 and Dawn Baldry defeated John Holland 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8. Hamish Innes got in on the act by beating Mark Glenister 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9.  Maldon A added eight points to their total by beating Danbury H 8-2. It looked like being another very intense match with the first two games decided at deuce in the fifth end. Danbury’s Richard Allen beat Brian Riedling by a wildly fluctuating 5-11, 16-14, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10 margin and Lloyd Bennett-Smith equalised by beating Dave Hancox (11-4, 4-11, 3-11, 11-6, 12-10) but thereafter it was Maldon who called the shots. Meanwhile Galleywood B also won, beating Chelmsford F 7-3. The talking point here was the outstanding hat-trick which Nikita Tkachuk scored. Nikita was on sparkling form, downing the challenges of Gary Copsey (12-10, 4-11, 11-5, 11-7), Mark Glenister (11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 11-3, 15-13) and John Holland (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-2) – a superb display. Despite their second loss of the season Galleywood B still lead the way with 127 points from 17 games with Maldon B second on 114 points from 16 games. Chelmsford F also drew 5-5 with Danbury K. League stalwart Peter Hance excelled this time winning his three singles which included a well executed 11-5, 11-13, 11-3, 11-5 victory against the afore-mentioned Nikita Tkachuk.  Bottom placed Hatfield Peverel B did well to beat Writtle D 6-4. Paul Mulley led the way with three wins whilst Michael Lucey won twice. Lucey beat Colin Barham 15-13, 11-9, 3-11, 6-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the night. Chelmsford E – Joachin Mapes (three wins), Adi Kamma (two wins) and Dave Parker (two wins) produced a strong team performance to beat OCA D 8-2.  Danbury J were another side who hit top form. John Robinson (two wins), Dave Meah (three wins) and Dave Marsh (two wins) ran out 8-2 winners against Danbury K. Another League stalwart (and former League Press Officer) Mo Hardy rolled back the years by beating John Robinson (4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9).

OCA A moved into second place in division one by beating Chelmsford C 7-3. Matthew Mulley (21 wins out of 21) led the way and he received good support from Bertie Makoli who won twice. Both sides fielded reserves and it was Robin Armstrong who fared best. He beat Braintree League team-mate Mike Johnston (6-11, 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6). Chelmsford C were also in action against Chelmsford B, and they again lost 7-3. Chelmsford Mens Singles Runner-Up Harry Buckle turned in a power house performance beating Mark Allaway (11-2, 11-6, 11-5), Wiktor Delimat (11-6, 11-9, 11-7) and Victor Chan (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2). Mark Allaway made his mark with a superb 11-9, 7-11, 16-14, 5-11, 14-12 win over Charlie Craig.

The competitive nature of division two was demonstrated perfectly this week. Top placed Danbury G were held to a draw by bottom placed Danbury F. No single player remained unbeaten and Gordon Gatheral won twice for the F side – good wins as well. He beat Sanjay Saptarshi (11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8) and his son David (12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9). Danbury G remain favourites to win this division with 96 points from 16 games but the champagne remains on hold. Writtle C and Chelmsford D share second place with 92 points. Writtle C lost 6-4 to Danbury E despite the fact that Gary Ward won his three singles. John Gagg chipped in with a battling 11-8, 11-7, 3-11, 3-11, 11-7 win over Tony Forster. In another close finish Tony Forster prevailed 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-13, 13-11 against John Parodi. Chelmsford D were on the right side of a 6-4 win against Writtle B; Sudheep Kamma, Harry Chivers and Victor Chan all won twice to counter the excellent of hat-trick of wins that Trevor Collin picked up. Collin beat Harry Chivers (9-11, 7-11, 11-7,11-8, 11-8), Victor Chan (8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5) and Sudheep Kamma (9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9) – three very good wins and each one achieved after having lost the first end. Writtle B also lost 6-4 to Danbury K. Danbury’s Colin Napper excelled this time. He notched up three excellent wins, downing the challenges of Phil Smith (6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9), Trevor Collin (3-11, 11-6, 11-4, 13-11) and Matthew Brown (8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7). The dependable Mick Richardson won his three singles as OCA C drew 5-5 with OCA B. Team-mate Mick Hayes chipped in with a fine 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9 win over Gareth Joice.

Danbury L are division four Champions and it was fitting that it was their talisman – Denis Crapnell (30 wins out of 30) who dominated the evening in their 5-5 draw against Highwood B. Anne Mills in her first appearance of the Season won once beating Russell Downton 11-4, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6. Writtle E stay second despite losing 6-4 against OCA E. David Newman led the way with three wins and Farooq Ahmed secured the victory for his side by beating Ian Hockley 10-12, 12-14, 11-9, 14-12, 11-7 in the last game. Quite a battle !. Highwood A did well to beat Highwood B 6-4, good going as Roger Patient was unbeaten for Highwood B. Patient opened proceedings with a 16-14, 11-4, 12-10 victory over Keith Fitz-John. Highwood A also drew 5-5 against Chelmsford G. No one player remained undefeated and the Chelmsford duo of Todd Martin and Harrison Hill and the Highwood pairing of Melanie Bonnett and Keith Fitz-John all won twice. Todd Martin’s win over Keith Pallett couldn’t have been much closer. Martin prevailed 14-16, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9.  Elsewhere OCA E ran out 8-2 winners against Chelmsford H.   David Newman was on top form and he was undefeated for OCA E whilst Cleon Fernandes won twice for the losers.

Hatfield Peverel C (96 points from 15 matches) look good for second place in division five. They beat Maldon C 9-1, after Mick Carter and Karen Braney were both undefeated. Victoria Farrell beat Kath Little 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 for the loser’s sole success. OCA F (89 points from 15 games) consolidated second place by beating Danbury N 6-4. Their leading player Stuart Wintle (84 %) won his three singles. Mike Morecroft pipped Steve Martin by a last gasp 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 12-10 scoreline.

Division 2A of the Chelmsford Junior League produced three clear-cut sets of winners this week. Chelmsford Leopards (Harrison Hill and Alesha Ellis Austin) ran out 5-0 winners against Buttbury Bats. A different Chelmsford Leopards side (Cleon Fernandes and Dion Fernandes this time) also beat Writtle Rattlesnakes 4-1. Archie Pummell emerged as a fifth set winner (11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 11-7) over Dion Fernandes. Leaders Chelmsford Pumas made it five wins out of six by beating Buttsbury Bats 4-1. Harrison Hill was unbeaten for the Pumas whilst Jamie Elliott was on target for Buttsbury, and he beat Ben Chivers 11-9, 11-5, 11-7. The other game was closer and Chelmsford Pumas beat Chelmsford Leopards. Cleon Fernandes was undefeated for the Leopards with two hard fought wins. He beat Harrison Hill (3-11, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7) and Alesha Ellis-Austin (11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5).

In Junior division 2B the leaders Buttsbury Badgers (Oscar Hutt and Lucy Elliott) made it four wins out of four by beating Chelmsford Wildcats 4-1. Oscar Hutt won both of his singles whilst Harel Choo showed up well by beating Lucy Elliott (11-9, 11-4, 11-6).

Oscar Hutt and Lucy Elliott were also in action in Junior division 2C. Representing the leaders Buttsbury Bulldogs they defeated Chelmsford Lions 4-1. Oscar Hutt was again unbeaten.  They lead the way with 17 points out of 20.     

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League