There were only three first division scorecards this week to report on in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, but there was no shortage of top-class action. James Donald took top billing as Chelmsford A beat Danbury B 6-4 with a superb hat-trick of wins. He beat Matt Stringer (16-14, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9), Sam Lowman (1-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4) and Ian Wall (4-11, 3-11, 11-9, 19-17, 11-2). Harry Chivers won twice and this included a last gasp (12-10, 11-5, 4-11, 6-11, 15-13) victory over Sam Lowman. OCA A stay top, a massive 16 points clear of Danbury C. Mark Mulley and Paul Lucas were both undefeated as they ran out 8-2 winners against Chelmsford B. This was a surprisingly quick match, with nine of the ten games decided 3-0. Second placed Danbury C were a player short against Danbury A and lost heavily 9-1. Eric Green and Bruce Kettle both scored fine wins over Paul Davison with Eric winning (11-2, 9-11, 5-11, 13-11, 11-9) and Bruce triumphing (11-7, 11-9, 11-8). Davison hit back by beating Chris Penrose (13-11, 11-1, 14-16, 19-17).
Danbury E scored an eye catching 10-0 win over Writtle B in division two. Tony Forster, Neil Want and Tim Cramphorn dominated with Neil Want beating Phil Smith (11-9, 10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9) in the closest game of the evening. Galleywood A stay top and they overcame the handicap of being a player short to beat Chelmsford D 7-3. The eye-catching form of James Hicks (89 %) and Gary Brignall (86 %) was very much in evidence. Chelmsford C scored their third win of the Season, a good one as well, beating the higher placed Galleywood B 7-3. Chelmsford won all five games which went to a fifth end, with Mark Allaway leading the way with three hard-fought wins. Mark beat Gary Copsey (11-13, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 12-10), Mark Glenister (6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8) and Bryn Thomas (11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 13-15, 11-7). Hatfield Peverel A ran out 6-4 winners against Maldon A. Gareth Davies impressed for Hatfield Peverel. He beat Colin Napper (11-3, 11-7, 10-12, 6-11, 12-10) and Hamish Innes (4-11, 11-5, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10). No single player remained undefeated in the match between OCA B and Writtle C. However, Writtle C came out on top 7-3 – with John Webber, Gary Ward and John Parodi all winning twice. Trevor Carter impressed, beating Gary Ward (11-5, 13-15, 11-8, 11-6).
Division three leaders Danbury F scored their eighth win of the Season and their 7-3 victory over Writtle D gives them 78 points. John Tendler (12 wins out of 12 – 100 %) was unbeaten for Danbury whilst Malcolm Henstock made his mark for Writtle. His two wins included an excellent (11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9) victory over Chris Buer. OCA D scored a fine 7-3 win over the higher placed Danbury K. Richard Baxter led the way with a hat-trick. Charlie Donald also annexed a hat-trick for Chelmsford E but that wasn’t enough to prevent Writtle E winning 6-4. Ian Hockley defeated Dave Parker after a close encounter (13-11, 12-14, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6). Team-work, in this case two wins for Peter Hance, David Meah and Dave Marsh enabled Danbury H to beat Hatfield Peverel B 7-3. Neil Freeman proved to be a major stumbling block and he remained undefeated.
Buttsbury A picked up two wins in division four beating Hatfield Peverel D 10-0 and Chelmsford H 7-3. Kevin Willis, Gary Carr and Alex Ware were all undefeated against Hatfield Peverel D. Chelmsford H were a tougher proposition and Cleon Fernandes defeated all three Buttsbury players; beating Kevin Willis (5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 12-10), Frances Hutt (11-7, 11-7, 11-8) and Jamie Elliott (4-11, 2-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-7). Buttsbury A trail Danbury L by two points but have a match in hand. It was honours even between Danbury M and Galleywood G. Colin Blore won his three singles for Galleywood and he defeated Paul Thirkettle (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6), Roy Gandy (11-7, 11-7, 11-8) and Tim Pulham (11-7, 11-3, 11-6). Fast improving Harrison Hill (20 wins out of 21 – 95 %) looks to have outgrown this division and he was joined by Alisha Ellis-Austin in wining his three singles as Chelmsford G beat OCA F 8-2. Alisha impressed by beating Stuart Wintle (15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7). Danbury L stay top but they struggled to beat OCA E 6-4. Rob Kneale (11 wins out of 12 – 92 %) won his three singles, but the Old Chelmsfordians side hit back with three five game victories. Farooq Ahmed made his mark with a fine (6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-13, 11-7) win over Dave Powell.
The top two teams – Highwood A and Danbury N met in division five and the match fittingly finished tied at 5-5. No one player remained undefeated and no one went home empty handed. Highwood’s Melanie Bonnett and Danbury’s Steve Martin and Graham Naggs all won twice. Steve Martin was involved in three five setters. He beat Nicola Pippen (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9) and Keith Fitz-John (11-9, 5-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8) but he missed out against Melanie Bonnett (1-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 5-11). Buttsbury B drew 5-5 with Writtle F. Lucy Elliott won her three singles; her first hat-trick. She beat Jo Hart (11-8, 11-8, 11-6), Ron Tam (11-9, 9-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-3) and Paul Aarons (7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8). Highwood B ran out 8-2 winners against Galleywood D who paid the price for being a player short. Roger Patient and Dave Cockrell were both undefeated for the Highwood team. Danbury N returned to winning ways, beating Hatfield Peverel F 10-0. Norman Hayes (in his first match of the Season), Graham Naggs and Steve Martin carried all before them. Hatfield Peverel E beat the team immediately above them – Writtle F 7-3. Phil West and Davina Brazier both scored hat-tricks. Davina beat Ron Tam (9-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8) in the pick of the night’s action.
Buttsbury Bears secured their seventh win of the Season in Junior division 1A, beating Buttsbury Bulldogs 4-1. Callum Walker won his two singles whilst Lucy Elliot was on target for the Bulldogs. She beat Joseph Hutt (11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8). However, the Bears were well beaten, 4-1 by Chelmsford Lions. Luka Ha and Pavanaj Srinavasmurthy were both undefeated for Chelmsford Lions. Pavanaj scored two five end wins. He beat Callum Walker (7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5) and Joseph Hutt (12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8). Buttsbury Bears top the table with 26 points from eight games. There’s clearly plenty still to play for in this division.
Buttsbury Bees lead the way in Junior division 1 B, and they beat Chelmsford Cougars 4-1. Charlie Ware won his two singles as well as a hard fought doubles encounter. Ware and Noah Middleton pipped Joshua Freeman and William Guilloux (7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 13-11). Chelmsford Antelopes (Gill Martins and Ben Robinson) were 4-1 winners against Buttsbury Bats. The clash between Gill and Vivaan Babbar was a hard fought affair with Gil winning (11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 9-11, 11-9). 4-1 was again the scoreline as Buttsbury Bats beat Buttsbury Beavers 4-1. Torsten Greenan was unbeaten for the Bats side whereas Vivaan Babbar was on target for the Beavers defeating Thomas Lewis (6-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10). Chelmsford Cougars beat Danbury Griffins 3-2 although Alex Wilson won twice for the Danbury side. Wilson beat Atharv Srivastava (11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 13-11) and William Guilloux (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7).
All players are again reminded that the 2022/3 Chelmsford Closed Table Tennis Championships take place at Anglia Ruskin University, Mildmay Hall, Alan Cherry Drive, Chelmsford, CM1 1QT from Friday 06 January 2023 to Sunday 08 January 2023. The closing date for entries is Saturday 24 December 2022. There are various new events this year so players are requested to check the entry form closely to ensure they don’t miss out on events they are eligible for.
Entry forms have been distributed and the link is below
Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League