Danbury D and Galleywood A both produced top class performances in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and their 10-0 wins have propelled them both to the head of the table with impressive totals of 24 points from three games. Danbury’s David Gatheral, Sanjay Saptarshi and Dan Piggott carried all before them against Chelmsford C. Dan Piggott was pushed hard by Victor Chan before he won 11-13, 11-4, 12-10, 8-11, 13-11. Galleywood A were equally impressive against OCA C. Gary Brignall, James Hicks and James Mullane all played their part although Hicks had to dig deep to beat David Porter 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 12-10. Danbury E were also convincing winners against Chelmsford C. They won 9-1 after Neil Want and Tim Cramphorn had both bagged hat-tricks. Tony Forster won the last game of the evening with a hard fought 7-11, 12-10, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9 success against Alex Gorshkov.  Writte C impressed by defeating Writtle B 7-3. Gary Ward was on top form racing to wins over Phil Smith (11-4, 11-7, 11-6), Trevor Collin (11-5, 11-6, 11-4) and Paul Sturton (15-13, 11-5, 11-8). Galleywood B recorded their third draw of the Season against OCA B. Gareth Joice was unbeaten for OCA B and he earned his side a share of the points by beating John Holland 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 14-12, 11-5 in the last game of the evening. In another drawn match Danbury E and Hatfield Peverel A couldn’t be separated. Martin Archie won twice for Hatfield Peverel whilst Dick Wyman and Neil Want both picked up two wins for Danbury E. Dick Wyman’s 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5 opening match win over Martin Archie stood out.   

In the first division clash between Danbury B and Chelmsford A no one player dominated but no one went home empty handed. The match fittingly finished tied at 5-5. Sanjay Saptarshi lost to James Donald (9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11) but he more than made up for it with resounding wins over Josh Bickles (11-3, 11-6, 11-6) and Saul Chivers (11-8, 11-2, 11-8). Saul Chivers pipped Dan Anderson (11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10) after a classic attack versus defence encounter.

Neil Freeman was on superb form for Hatfield Peverel B in division three. His outstanding hat-trick earned his side a share of the spoils against leaders Danbury F. Freeman excelled to get the better of Gus Heath (14-12, 5-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-6) and in a rousing last game of the evening he defeated Chris Buer (11-6, 7-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9).  Danbury G produced a really strong performance to beat Maldon B 10-0. Peter Hance, Alan Scammell and Ken Sheard dominated. In another close match Danbury K defeated Chelmsford F 6-4, although Alex Gorshkov won his three singles for the Chelmsford side in dominant fashion. He beat Mervyn Perriman (11-3, 11-5, 11-8), Denis Balic (11-8, 11-4, 13-11) and Denis Crapnell (11-8, 11-7, 11-5). Ian Hockley was undefeated for Writtle E who beat Writtle D 7-3. Hockley secured five game wins over Peter Layzell (9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9) and Dave Carter (6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6). Newcomer Aidan Lees starred for Chelmsford E who beat Maldon B 6-4. He defeated Shirley Carroll (11-5, 11-5, 11-6), Andrea Alleyne (11-4, 11-4, 12-10) and Dawn Baldry (11-9, 11-8, 11-6). OCA D also won 6-4. Richard Baxter and Tom Barker were both unbeaten against Danbury G. Tom Barker sealed his third win of the evening with a 12-10, 12-10, 11-5 victory over Peter Lucraft.  

Chelmsford G lead the way in division four. Harrison Hill dominated as they beat Chelmsford H 6-4. Hill appeared to be in trouble against Dion Fernandes but he fought back strongly to win 13-15, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 and he beat Cleon Fernandes 6-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5 in the last game of the evening to seal the Chelmsford G victory. It was 6-4 as well, when Danbury M beat Hatfield Peverel C. Paul Thirtkettle was undefeated for Danbury whilst Peverel’s Richard Drozd beat Tim Pulham 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10 in the closest game of the evening. Danbury L with Robert Kneale picking up maximum wins defeated Hatfield Peverel D 8-2. Bob Hillis was on target for the losers with a 11-6, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9 success against Dave Powell.

Highwood A recorded their fourth win of the Season to head the division five table with 29 points. Melanie Bonnett was undefeated against Hatfield Peverel D who they beat 7-3. She defeated Karen Braney, the best of the Hatfield Peverel players; 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7. Highwod B are second and they beat Maldon C 8-2. Roger Patient retained his 100 % record with three wins. He defeated Ross Wheeler in five ends (14-12, 11-7, 6-11, 3-11, 11-7) in his toughest encounter.  Chelmsford J were “big” winners. Peter Davenport and Jacqui Smith were both undefeated as they saw off Galleywood D 9-1. Peter Davenport beat Arran Goodridge 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10 to seal his third win of the evening.

Chelmsford Lions (Luka Ha and Aryan Gupta) scored their first win of the Season in Junior division 1A. They beat Buttsbury Bulldogs 5-0. Aryan Gupta had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Freya Hart 11-13, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10. Quite a battle !.

Buttsbury Bees lead the way in Junior division 1B. Thomas Lewis and Charlie Ware were 5-0 winners against Danbury Griffins. However, Danbury Griffins did better against Buttsbury Beavers and they won 4-1. They came through two five setters. Oliver Martin beat Will Fullerton (4-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-1, 11-4) and Felix Ride defeated Vivaan Babbar after a really hard-fought encounter (13-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 14-12). Buttsbury Beavers also lost 5-0 against Chelmsford Antelopes but they again missed out in the five enders. Oli Jones lost to Ethan Li (11-7, 6-11, 13-11, 4-11, 9-11) and Jones and Francesca Hart succumbed (6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 3-11, 9-11) to Jayden Bandari and Ethan Li in the doubles. Buttsbury Bees scored their second win by defeating Buttsbury Bats 4-1. Charlie Ware was unbeaten with wins over Torsten Greenan (11-8, 11-4, 11-5) and Oli Jones (11-1, 11-5, 14-12).            

Steve Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League