With only seven teams in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League some weeks have seen a distinct shortage of action. This week we have three matches to report on. Writtle A scored an eye catching 10-0 win over Chelmsford B. Leading players Duncan Taylor and Kevin Read were joined by reserve Ryan Pitt and it was Pitt who excelled with a superb hat-trick of wins. He beat Nikita Tkachuk (11-9, 15-13, 11-7), Charlie Donald (2-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8) and he rounded off a memorable evening by beating Wiktor Delimat (9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-9).   OCA A, tipped to do well, were unable to field their best team against Chelmsford B and lost 6-4. Paul Lucas was undefeated but Simon Jarvis, Wiktor Delimat and Kevin Gray all won twice for Chelmsford. Wiktor Delimat pipped Berti Makoli in five games (14-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-13, 11-7). Danbury A beat Danbury B 6-4. Super veteran Babul McLeod excelled with a superb hat-trick of wins. He saw off the challenges of Matt Stringer (11-3, 11-8, 11-4), Dan Anderson (11-8, 11-8, 11-6) and Sam Lowman (11-13, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Ryan Pitt was to the fore again as Writtle B lost 7-3 to Chelmsford C in division two. Mike Johnston, Victor Chan and Mark Allaway all won twice for Chelmsford but Pitt proved to be a major stumbling block.  He beat Mike Johnston after an epic struggle (10-12, 10-12, 11-4, 24-22, 11-4), Mark Allaway (again in five hard fought ends; 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8) and Victor Chan (11-8, 11-6, 11-8). Writtle C’s John Webber was undefeated against Galleywod B but it was Galleywood who shaded the match 6-4. John Parodi fought back after losing the first two ends to beat Mark Glenister (5-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4, 13-11).  Chelmsford D also won 6-4 In a match where no single player was undefeated, and they beat OCA B. Alex Gorshkov and Alex Tkachuk won twice for Chelmsford whilst Gareth Joice and Richard Baxter both won twice for OCA B. Alex Gorshkov beat Trevor Carter (13-11, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.   

A very strong Danbury F team powered to a 10-0 win over Writtle E in division three and they lead this division with 31 points from four matches. John Tendler, Steve Buer and Chris Buer were all undefeated. Danbury H were indebted to Peter Hance as they beat Writtle E 6-4. Hance secured wins over Ian Hockley (11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9), Malcolm Storey (11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9) and Neil Thompson (11-4, 11-3, 11-9). It was honours even between Chelmsford E and Danbury G. Ken Sheard was unbeaten for Danbury G and he completed his hat-trick with a 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4 win over Rev Matthews – the most successful of the Chelmsford players.

Division four produced three clearcut sets of winners. Hatfield Peverel D powered to a 9-1 win over OCA C. Bob Hillis (three wins), Deb Ginn (two wins) and Gary Simmons (three wins) all played their part. Stuart Wintle was extended to five games before he beat Deb Ginn (11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8) but he missed out over five ends against Bob Hillis (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 12-14). Chelmsford G with the hugely promising Harrison Hill staying unbeaten ran out 8-2 winners against Danbury M. Hill saw off the challenges of Graham Naggs (11-5, 12-10, 11-6), Tim Pulham (11-6, 2-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-4) and Ken Wilding (12-10, 11-6, 11-4). Danbury L also won 8-2. Dave Powell led the way by remaining undefeated against Chelmsford H and he was well supported by Robert Kneale and Alan Dadswell who both won twice. Powell beat Cleon Fernandes (who won twice for Chelmsford) 11-3, 11-1, 6-11, 11-8 to secure his hat-trick.

Buttsbury Bears are the early leaders in Junior division 1A. Joseph Hutt and Callum Walker ran out 3-2 winners against Buttsbury Bulldogs although Lucy Elliott was unbeaten for the Bulldogs. She beat Callum Walker (11-8, 11-3, 11-3) and Joseph Hutt (12-10, 11-5, 11-6).

Chelmsford Cougars moved into top position in Junior division 1B after beating Buttsbury Bees 4-1. Atharv Srivastava and Amir Chetitah were both undefeated in their singles. Amir Chetitah gave his side a winning start by beating Noah Middleton (9-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7) in the opening game.  Buttsbury Bats ran out 5-0 winners against Buttsbury Beavers. Thomas Lewis and Torsten Greenan carried all before them. Will Fullerton and Thomas Lewis were poised at 2-2 before Thomas Lewis surged clear in the fifth end to win 11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 10-12, 11-2.

The League’s popular Handicap Cup is underway. Games are played under the “old” 21 points scoring system. Galleywood, represented by James Hicks (handicap of 73), Colin Blore (58) and Nathan Blore (41) beat OCA C 5-2. Mick Richardson beat James Hicks (21-18, 12-21, 21-18) in the closest game of the evening.   Danbury K – Mervyn Perriman (59), Denis Crapnell (58) and Greg Cooper (56) are safely through to the next round. They beat Writtle F 5-0. Greg Cooper recorded two three game wins, beating Ian Leff (35) 14-21, 21-17, 21-16 and Ron Tam (36) 18-21, 21-17, 21-14). The first division line-up of Danbury A beat Buttsbury 5-3. Sam Lowman (81), Eric Green (81) and Ian Whiteside (73) all played their part in this win. Eric Green scored an important 21-19, 22-20 win over Alex Ware (44) who won twice for the Buttsbury team.

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League