Matthew Mulley – still 100 % after 24 games

OCA A, the outstanding side in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League moved another step closer to the title by beating a strong Chelmsford A team 7-3. They lead the way with 95 points from 13 games. Matthew Mulley (24 wins out of 24) retained his 100 % singles record with another “power house” performance beating Harry Chivers (11-7, 14-12, 11-8), James Donald (11-6, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8) and Saul Chivers (12-10, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5). Brother Mark Mulley had a real tussle with James Donald and he finally came out on top (7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 12-10).  

Danbury D have taken over the leadership of division two, and they are one point ahead of Galleywood A. Danbury’s David Gatheral, Sanjay Saptarshi and Sam Phillips ran out 10-0 winners against Chelmsford C. Sanjay Saptashi (96 %) has only lost once from 26 starts.  The Danbury TTC Web Site found a novel way of describing this impressive win – “This morning’s earthguake in Danbury was undoubtedly caused by the D team’s immense victory over Chelmsford C ……………”. Long-time leaders Galleywood A won 8-2 against OCA C. James Hicks led the way with three wins whilst Mick Richardson notched up two wins for the Old Chelmsfordians team, beating Gary Brignall (11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8) and Ben Page (11-7, 11-5, 12-10). Chelmsford D did well to beat Maldon A 6-4. Nikita Tkachuk led the way, defeating Lloyd Bennett-Smith (11-8, 11-4, 11-7), Hamish Innes (11-5, 11-7, 11-6) and Colin Napper (11-6, 11-8, 12-10). Very impressive. No one player stayed undefeated in the match between OCA B and Galleywood B, which finished tied at 5-5. Galleywood’s reserve – Colin Blore made his mark with two hard fought victories. He beat Bertie Makoli (5-11, 4-11, 13-11, 11-4, 11-8) and Trevor Carter (6-11, 15-13, 13-11, 7-11, 14-12). Martin Archie led the way with a hat-trick as Hatfield Peverel A beat Danbury E 7-3. Archie had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Tim Cramphorn (11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9). Writtle B turned the tables on the higher placed Writtle C with an excellent 8-2 victory. Richard Storey and reserve Malcolm Henstock both stayed undefeated. Henstock downed the challenge of Gary Ward (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 5-11, 11-3) whilst Ward had to work hard to beat Trevor Collin (5-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8). The match between OCA C and Hatfield Peverel A finished level (5-5). Mick Richardson won his three singles for the OCA C side; good wins as well, beating Alastair Piper (8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-4), Gareth Davies (4-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3) and Julie Johnson (11-5, 11-9 11-5).     

Danbury F scored their tenth win of the season, and they lead the way in division three with 97 points from 13 matches. Chris Buer was undefeated in their 8-2 victory against Hatfield Peverel B. Neil Freeman won twice for Hatfield Peverel and this included a (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8) win over Gus Heath. Writtle D also won 8-2, at the expense of Writtle E. Matt Brown and Bob Garson were both undefeated. Matt Brown required five ends to see off Neil Thompson (5-11, 11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9).  OCA D shaded a closer match against second placed Danbury G, 6-4. The first game of the night set the tone for the match with OCA’s Richard Baxter getting the better of Alan Scammell (11-9, 2-11, 11-6, 10-12, 12-10).  Danbury G are still 17 points above third placed OCA D. Danbury K led by a hat-trick from Denis Balic ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford F. Balic beat Waseem Qureshi (11-5, 12-10, 8-11, 11-3), Andy Swales (12-10, 11-6, 11-4) and Alex Tkachuk (11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Division four leaders Chelmsford G were again indebted to 2023 Chelmsford Under 13 Singles Champion Harrison Hill as they beat Chelmsford H 6-4. With a deficit of a mere four points but with two games in hand the advantage still rests with second placed Danbury L. Back to Chelmsford G and Harrison Hill (29 wins out of 30 / 97 %) raced to wins over Felix Reeve (11-4, 11-7, 11-7), Vishnu Surendran (11-5, 11-6, 13-11) and Cleon Fernandes (11-3, 11-9, 11-3). Felix Reeve in turn defeated Alesha Ellis-Austin by a last gasp (6-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5, 12-10 margin). Danbury L ensured that Chelmsford G did not make any inroads on them by hammering Hatfield Peverel D 10-0. Rob Kneale, Dave Goody and Dave Powell carried all before them. OCA E came out on top in the inter-club clash against OCA F, by the comfortable margin of 9-1. Russell Hall beat Mike Morecroft (12-14, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10) in the closest game of the evening. Buttsbury A led by three wins from Jamie Elliott beat Galleywood C 7-3. Elliott beat Will Goodchild – the best of the Galleywood players (14-16, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11, 11-7) to complete his hat-trick. Fourth-placed Danbury M are still in the hunt for honours and they beat Hatfield Peverel C 7-3.  Tim Pulham won his three singles and with a record of 89 % he is having a great Season.

Division five remains a battle between Highwood A and Highwood B. The Highwood A side (12 wins and two draws from 14 games) were hard pushed to beat Buttsbury B 6-4. Melanie Bonnett had to dig deep to beat George Haglund (11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6). Keith Pallett went down fighting against both Oscar Hutt, losing (8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 9-11) and against George Haglund where he missed out (6-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12).  Highwood A also beat Hatfield Peverel E 7-3. Keith Fitz-John was undefeated this time. He beat Phil West (7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9), Davina Brazier (4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9) and James Brooks (11-7, 11-4, 11-8). The improving Davina Brazier scored a fine opening game success over Melanie Bonnett (12-14, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5). Highwood B ran out 7-3 winners against Maldon C. Roger Patient led the way with three victories whilst Kym Eames won twice for Maldon. She beat Martin Goddard (11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10) and Russell Downton (12-10, 11-9, 11-6).   Chelmsford J did well to beat Galleywood D 8-2. Jason Clark and Paul Bullock were both undefeated in a match where no games went to a fifth end although six games were decided over four ends. Hatfield Peverel F edged out Buttsbury B 6-4 Karen Braney won her three singles beating the Buttsbury trio of Charlie Ware (11-7, 11-5, 11-5), Lucy Elliott (12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6) and Calum Walker (11-7, 11-9, 11-9).

Highwood B emerged as 5-3 winners over Danbury in the division five knock out cup. They led 2-0 but were pulled back to 3-3. Dave Cockrell scored a vital (12-14, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5) win over Graham Naggs and this enabled Roger Patient (31 / 32 wins / 97 % record in the league) to seal his side’s victory with a (12-10, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3) win against David Smith.

Chelmsford Tigers (Pav Srinavasmurthy and Wasi Omar) won all four singles in their 4-1 win over Buttsbury Bees in Junior division 2A. Pav Srinavasmurthy beat Charlie Ware (11-5, 13-15, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8) in a well contested opening encounter.

Chelmsford Cougars ran out 5-0 winners against Buttsbury Bats in Junior division 2B. Joshua Freeman and Amir Chetitah gave nothing away although the Buttsbury players – Noah Middleton and Jago Ware extended three games to a fifth and deciding end.  

Grace Liu won her two singles as Chelmsford Leopards defeated Chelmsford Pumas 4-1 in Junior division 2 C. Damon Chow was on target for Chelmsford Pumas, beating Sean Kwan (11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7).     

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League