Writtle A are the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League 2021/2 Open Knock out Cup Champions after beating Chelmsford B 5-4 in a top-class final.  It was a match the young Chelmsford side came very close to winning having stormed into a stunning 4-2 lead. The opening doubles is always a vital encounter if a team is planning an upset and Chelmsford B (Harry Buckle and Saul Chivers) made a great start by beating Lee McHugh / Arron Chandler 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6. Game on. Writtle hit back in the second game – Duncan Taylor arguably the most experienced player in the League, despatched Charlie Craig (10-12, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8). The third game was a big one and Harry Buckle restored the Chelmsford lead with a fine 11-9, 11-3, 6-11, 11-6 win over Lee McHugh. Game four was another big one, and Arron Chandler levelled the scores, to 2-2, by fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Saul Chivers 9-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5. The middle doubles saw Harry Buckle and Charlie Craig secure a fine 12-10, 13-11, 11-8 win over Duncan Taylor and Lee McHugh and Charlie Craig extended his side’s lead to 4-2 by defeating Arron Chandler 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-7. Chelmsford B had one hand on the trophy. However,  Writtle were far from finished and they fought back strongly. Lee McHugh beat Saul Chivers 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8 and Duncan Taylor defeated Harry Buckle 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13.  It all came down to the final doubles and Duncan Taylor and Arron Chandler sealed the victory for their team with a 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 win over Charlie Craig and Saul Chivers. What a good final !.  Lee McHugh, the Chelmsford League Coaching Officer deserves the final word on what was a great match – “Competing against those I coach (especially juniors) is not an experience I can say I genuinely enjoy, however what I can say is that I’m very proud of how far they have come in the sport…….”. Hear, hear.

The Chelmsford Junior Knock Out Cup Final was between Chelmsford A and Chelmsford B and  Chelmsford A (Harry Buckle, Charlie Craig and Josh Bickles) ran out 5-1 winners. All games were well contested and Saul Chivers was on target for the B team with a 11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3 victory over Charlie Craig. Charlie Craig / Josh Bickles had given their side a vital winning start by beating Saul  Chivers / Nikita Tkachuk 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9 in a hard fought opening doubles encounter. Josh Bickles eventually sealed the win for his side with a very hard fought 11-9, 2-11, 19-17, 11-9 victory over Harry Chivers. With Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Daniel Young also eligible it has to be said that the strength in depth of the Junior players at the Chelmsford Club is fantastic.

All players are reminded that the 2022 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Annual General Meeting will take place at 19.30 hours at Old Chelmsfordians Association, Lawford Lane, Roxwell Road on Thursday 26 May 2022. All clubs should be represented.