This week’s action in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League revolves around KO Cup matches. Danbury A and Chelmsford A both progressed to the next round of the Open KO Cup with 5-0 wins. Danbury A beat Chelmsford C in a match which featured a titanic battle between Bruce Kettle and Rob Shrimpton. Bruce won this one, (10-12, 3-11, 15-13, 12-10, 12-10) which gave Danbury a 3-0 lead. Chelmsford A put club mates Chelmsford B in their place. Harry Chivers had to work hard to beat Kim Shead in five ends (5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5).
Division two leaders Danbury D are out of the division two knock out Cup. They were beaten 5-4 by an inspired Writtle team. The crucial result here came in game no. eight when Matthew Brown beat Sanjay Saptashi (11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 11-8) to level the scores at 4-4. With everything to play for in the deciding doubles Writtle’s Phil Smith and Trevor Colin came out on top (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8) against Sanjay Saptarshi and Eamon Hall for a memorable victory. Danbury’s improving Sam Phillips beat both Matthew Brown (11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8) and Trevor Collin (11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6).
Division three leaders Danbury F made no mistake against Writtle D and they won 5-0 in the division three knock out cup. The opening doubles proved testing but a five game win for Gus Heath and John Tendler (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 4-11, 11-6) against Matthew Brown and Bob Garson gave them the impetus and they never looked back. Gus Heath defeated Matthew Brown (11-9, 11-2, 7-11, 11-8).
Highwood A (Melanie Bonnett, Keith Fitz-John and Nicola Pippen) – long-time leaders in division five ran out 5-3 winners against Chelmsford J in the division five knock out cup. Chelmsford’s Jacqui Smith excelled by beating Keith Fitz-John (7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8) and Paul Bullock defeated Nicola Pippen (3-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6). Melanie Bonnett finally sealed the Highwood victory by beating Jacqui Smith (11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9). An outstanding effort from the Chelmsford side.
Highwood were in action again in the Ladies knock out cup, but this time they lost, 3-2, against Chelmsford. Alesha Ellis-Austin, another fast improving player made the difference here. She beat Nicola Pippen (11-8, 11-6, 11-8) and Melanie Bonnett (11-8, 11-8, 9-11 11-6) and in the deciding doubles she teamed up with Emilie Guilloux to beat Melanie and Nicola (11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4) – a very good doubles win for Alesha and Emilie.
Handicap Cup matches are by far the hardest to evaluate. Teams with fast improving players often cruise through as the teams “chasing” the handicaps make little impact. Chelmsford E -Aidan Lees (handicap of 63), Rev Matthews (55) and Vishnu Surendran (35) ran out 5-0 winners against Danbury K whilst Chelmsford G – Harrison Hill (58), Alesha Ellis-Austin (41) and Ben Chivers (37) beat Writtle C 5-0, no mean feat as Writtle C have fared well in this event in the past. Danbury B defeated Writtle B 5-3 in a match where both teams featured players from the higher echelons of the League. Writtle’s Phil Smith (67) did well to beat Sam Lowman (81) (18-21, 21-18, 21-15). Neil Want (67) eventually defeated Richard Storey (70) (21-16, 18-21, 22-20) to seal the Danbury victory. Chelmsford F are safely through as well. Alex Tkachuk (51), Cleon Fernandes (40) and Dion Fernandes (37) prevailed 6-2 against Danbury N.
Matthew Brown was in action again, in division three, in what was a very busy week for him. Matthew Brown, Malcolm Henstock and Peter Layzell all won twice as Writtle D beat Chelmsford E 7-3. Aidan Lees was unbeaten for Chelmsford and he defeated Malcolm Henstock (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6), Matthew Brown (6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6) and Peter Layzell (11-6, 14-12, 4-11, 11-8). Chelmsford E also drew with Maldon B. No surprises here – Aidan Lees was again the player who dominated the action. He beat Brian Riedling (8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9), Marty Englander (11-9, 11-6, 15-13) and Dawn Baldry (5-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-5).
In the Chelmsford Junior League division 2A Buttsbury Bears beat Chelmsford Lions 4-1. Calum Walker beat both Aryan Gupta (11-13, 11-1, 11-3, 11-6) and Atharv Gupta (11-9, 11-5, 4-11, 11-4). Buttsbury Bulldogs defeated Chelmsford Antelopes 3-2 in Junior division 2B. All four players won once and Ben Robinson beat Freya Hart (11-4, 11-3, 5-11, 8-11, 13-11) in the closest game of the match. Chelmsford Jaguars ran out 4-1 winners against Buttsbury Beavers in Junior division 2C. Grace Liu was undefeated.
Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League