It’s been over a month since the last report but the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League has been concluded. Matches were delayed due to people being advised not to travel on those days when temperatures broke UK records.

The refreshingly youthful Chelmsford X are the first division Champions and their 5-0 win over second placed Chelmsford A gave them a substantial winning margin of seven points. Harry Buckle and Saul Chivers were both undefeated with Saul Chivers’ 13-11, 3-11, 16-14, 11-4 victory over Wilson Tram catching the eye. Harry Chivers was also an integral part of this team and he was undefeated in his eight singles.  Hockley A (Duncan Taylor and Ian Wall) completed their programme with a 5-0 win against OCA A. Ian Wall saw off Paul Lucas 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9 in the game of the night. Lucas was in turn well beaten by ace defender Duncan Taylor on this occasion; 11-7, 11-5, 11-4. Represented by brothers Mark and Matthew Mulley OCA A in turn ran out 5-0 winners against Chelmsford B.     

Danbury B are division two Champions and they captured the title in style by beating second placed Galleywood A 5-0. Sanjay Saptarshi and Dan Piggott were both undefeated. Sanjay Saptarshi (12 wins out of 12) held this side together and here he beat Bryn Thomas (11-6, 8-11, 13-11, 11-0) and James Hicks (11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9). Neil Freeman impressed for Ramsden A who beat Danbury E 3-2. He beat both Gus Heath (6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 15-13, 11-8) and John Tendler (9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5) – two very hard fought wins. Danbury D completed their fixtures with a 3-2 win over Cold Norton. Chris Buer led the way with wins over Dick Wyman (11-6, 11-9, 11-9) and Neil Want (11-9, 9-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-5).

Division three has been quite low scoring and Hockley B have taken the title with 18 points from six matches. They finished one point ahead of Chelmsford D who they lost to 2-3 in their last match. Nikita Tkachuk (nine wins out of 10) was unbeaten for Chelmsford and he saw off Dan Patynski (11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10) and Stuart Adshead (11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7). OCA C finished just one point back in third place. They finished the Season strongly by beating Danbury G 4-1. Richard Baxter came through a widely fluctuating five ender against Dave Marsh (6-11, 12-10, 11-3, 5-11, 12-10). Ramsden B ran out narrow 3-2 winners against Chelmsford F. John Gagg won twice for Ramsden B whilst newcomer Aidan Lees pipped John Parodi 13-11, 11-6, 9-11, 5-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the evening.

Blackwater A (Alan Scammell – 88 %, Denis Balic – 75 % and Roger Slade – 50 %) top the division four table with 22 points out of 30. Chelmsford E finished second with 18 points and they beat Danbury H 4-1.   Rev Matthews (88 %) showed up well with wins over Alan Dadswell (8-11, 11-6, 11-5. 11-4) and Denis Crapnell (6-11, 14-12, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9). Buttsbury A ran out 5-0 winners against Ramsden C. Caroline Cole had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Kevin Smart (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10). OCA E completed their Season in style by beating the higher placed Buttsbury A 4-1. David Porter dominated proceedings. OCA D came out on top 3-2 in the inter club battle against OCA E. Farooq Ahmed was undefeated for the E side and he beat Tom Barker (11-1, 10-12, 12-10, 11-7) and Mick Hayes (11-7, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8).

Buttsbury B (21 points) are the division five champions and they finished one point ahead of OCA F. When the two teams met it was OCA F who came out on top 3-2. Jamie Elliott was undefeated for Buttsbury and he retained his 100 % record with a last gasp 10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 12-10 win over Farooq Ahmed. Buttsbury B also beat Danbury K 3-2. Roy Gandy was on target for Danbury with a 11-9, 17-15, 11-8 win over Ben Brown. OCA F finished their Season with a 3-2 win over Chelmsford Leopards. Mick Hayes fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Jishant Shah 4-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8. Chelmsford Leopards also lost 3-2 to Danbury K. Martin Knights defeated Felix Reeve 12-10, 10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 in the closest game of the evening. Galleywood B scored their third win of the Season by beating Blackwater B 4-1. Kath Little was on target for Blackwater B with another really hard fought win. She beat Will Goodchild 12-14, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10.

Chelmsford G (Alesha Ellis-Austin – 88 %, Emilie Guiloux – 38 %, Ben Chivers – 100 % and Todd Martin – 100 %) duly claimed the division six title with 27 points out of 35, although they missed out 3-2 to Writtle. They lost three five enders on this occasion. Emilie Guilloux lost out to Paul Aarons over five fluctuating ends (6-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-6, 8-11). Buttsbury C (Lucy Elliott and Callum Walker) finished strongly to beat Chelmsford Lions 5-0 and Danbury L (Ron Tam and Nigel Barrick) ran out 5-0 winners against Chelmsford Tigers. Danbury L who finished with a flourish also beat Chelmsford Lions 4-1. Felix Reeve gave the Lions a great start by beating Ron Tam 13-15, 11-3, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8 in a well contested opening singles. Blackwater C were 4-1 winners over Writtle. Colin Griffiths gave Writtle a winning start on this occasion by getting the better of Dave Benstead 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7.

Steve Kerns Press Officer Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League