Division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League saw two players produce standout performances this week. Galleywood B’s League stalwart Gary Copsey excelled by taking a hat-trick against Hatfield Peverel A although it was Hatfield Peverel A who ran out 7-3 winners. Gary Copsey beat Gareth Davies (11-6, 11-6, 11-2), Alastair Piper (11-9, 11-4, 20-18) and he completed a memorable treble with a (14-12, 6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10) win over Martin Archie. Writtle B’s Phil Smith, better known in the Clacton League, also picked up three very good wins against Chelmsford C although Chelmsford shaded the match 6-4. Phil Smith saw off the challenges of Victor Chan (11-9, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7), Joachin Mapes (11-8, 11-9, 11-9) and Mark Allaway (11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9). OCA C won a close match against Danbury E 6-4, although no one player remained undefeated. Mick Hayes sealed the victory for the Old Chelmsfordians side with a fine (7-11, 11-9, 11-7. 7-11, 11-8) win over Tony Forster. Danbury D returned to the top of the table by beating OCA B 9-1. Chris Buer and Sanjay Saptarshi both won twice although Chris Buer had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Trevor Carter (9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3, 13-11). Writtle C defeated Chelmsford D 8-2. Gary Ward and John Webber were both undefeated whilst John Gagg gave Writtle a winning start by beating Keith Martin (9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9) in a hard-fought opening encounter.
First played second in division one this week and the leaders – OCA A produced a top-class performance to beat Danbury C 8-2. Matt Mulley retained his 100 % singles record (21 wins out of 21) beating Keith Adams (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7), Toby McLewin (9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4) and Trevor Lloyd (11-5, 12-10, 12-10). Impressive or what !. Toby McLewin made his mark with a (13-11, 13-11, 11-3) victory over Paul Lucas. Chelmsford B scored a fine 7-3 win over Writtle A. Wiktor Delimat excelled and his trio of wins included a fine (11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10) win over Lee McHugh. Writtle A fared even worse against Chelmsford A, losing 8-2. Josh Bickles won his three singles for Chelmsford, beating Richard Storey (12-10, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9), Ryan Pitt (11-7, 12-10, 11-7) and Lee McHugh (11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9). Chris Penrose, best known in the Romford League produced his best display of the Season as Danbury A defeated Danbury B 7-3. His excellent hat-trick of wins included victories over Ian Wall (12-10, 11-1, 7-11, 11-8), Matt Stringer (11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6) and Dan Anderson (9-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4).
No fewer than seven scorecards in division three this week. With no scorecard from leaders and firm favourites Danbury F all seven games were well contested. Dawn Baldry was on good form for Maldon B and she won her three singles against Hatfield Peverel B although Hatfield Peverel won 6-4. Dawn completed her hat-trick with a (9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6) victory over Neil Freeman. Second-placed Danbury G also won 6-4, beating Chelmsford E. Gordon Gatheral and Ken Sheard won twice for Danbury with Aidan Lees picking up two wins for Chelmsford. Alan Scammell made his mark with a fine (11-7, 11-8, 11-4) success against Aidan Lees. It was honours even between Maldon B and Danbury H. Peter Hance won his three singles for Danbury and this included a hard-fought (11-9, 11-13, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) win over Dawn Baldry. Richard Baxter’s hat-trick left OCA D in the ascendancy against Writtle D and they ran out 7-3 winners. Dave Carter was on target for Writtle with a last gasp (11-9, 15-13, 9-11, 8-11, 13-11) win over Richard Upson. OCA D were also winners against Chelmsford F, and in a match where no one stayed undefeated they won 6-4. Chelmsford’s Dusan Doszkoty scored a fine (11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8) victory over Richard Baxter. Fourth-placed Danbury K were held to a draw by Writtle D. Matthew Brown won his three singles for Writtle beating Mervyn Perriman (9-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6, 12-10), Denis Crapnell (11-4, 11-6, 17-15) and Denis Balic (11-8, 11-6, 11-5). Third placed Danbury H beat Writtle E 7-E. The last four games were all decided in the fifth end, with Danbury H winning all four of them. The last game of the match ebbed one way and then the other before Dave Marsh pipped Malcolm Storey (8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 1-11, 11-9).
Division four leaders Danbury L ran out 8-2 winners against Chelmsford H. Dave Powell and Rob Kneale were both undefeated. Jacqui Smith scored a fine (5-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8, 13-11) win over Richard Allen for the losers. Hatfield Peverel C, also won 8-2; against Galleywood C, impressive going against a team level with them on 43 points. Connor Payne led the way with a hat-trick and this included a very hard fought (10-12, 12-10, 12-14, 11-4, 11-9) win against Colin Blore. The match between Hatfield Peverel D and OCA F finished tied at 5-5. David Bishop was undefeated for OCA. Chelmsford G moved up to second by beating Danbury H. Harrison Hill, 23 wins out of 24 – 96 % scored yet another hat-trick. He was poised at 2-2 with Tim Pulham before powering ahead in the decider to win (9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-0).
Highwood A stay top in division five after beating Galleywood D 9-1. Melanie Bonnett (88 %) and Keith Fitz-John (80 %) were both undefeated. Chelmsford J with Jacqui Smith and Paul Bullock on top form raced to an 8-2 win over Maldon E. Jacqui Smith completed her hat-trick with a (8-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7) victory against Kym Eames in the last game of the evening. Highwood also ran out winners, 7-3, against Writtle E. Roger Patient and Martin Goddard were both undefeated.
All players are reminded that the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Finals night takes place on Monday 16 January 2023 at 19.30 hours at Old Chelmsfordians Association, Lawford Lane, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2NS.
Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League