First faced second in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League with both teams still evenly poised in the battle for the top honours. On the night Danbury D and Galleywood A could not be separated and a hotly contested match finished tied at 5-5. Galleywood raced into a 3-1 win with James Mullane doing well to beat David Gatheral (11-5, 11-9, 11-8). Danbury then won the next four games. Dan Piggott made his mark by beating James Mullane (11-7, 11-2, 12-10). Danbury looked to be in the driving seat but Galleywood excelled to win the last two games “at the death” in the fifth end. James Hicks fought back to beat David Gatheral, and to complete a memorable hat trick of wins (5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9). The last game was equally close and Gary Brignall gave it everything and he eventually defeated Chris Buer (9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 12-10). Galleywood lead the way with 133 points with Danbury D on 123 points but with a game in hand. Two other games finished tied at 5-5. Nikita Tkachuk was undefeated as Chelmsford D drew with Danbury E. Tkachuk completed his trio of wins by beating Tony Forster (11-8, 11-2, 4-11, 11-9). Robbie Burton was unbeaten when OCA B and Chelmsford C drew. Burton beat Mark Allaway (16-18, 11-6, 11-4, 14-12) in a well contested last game of the evening. Gary Ward has been on good form these last few weeks. This was extended as he led Writtle C to a 7-3 win over Hatfield Peverel A. His trio of wins included five game successes against Julie Johnson (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6) and Martin Archie (11-1, 14-16, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7). Maldon A (Colin Napper, Lloyd Bennet-Smith and Hamish Innes) all won two singles as they beat Galleywood B 7-3. John Holland was undefeated for Galleywood B. However, Galleywood B did not fare so well against Writtle B and they lost 7-3. Matthew Brown was unbeaten for Writtle B and he defeated John Holland (8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4).  

In contrast to division two, division one has been dominated by OCA A pretty much from the outset. This week a two player OCA A beat Danbury C 6-4. Paul Lucas won his three singles and this included a (11-4, 5-11, 11-6, 13-15, 15-13) win over Keith Adams. In another five setter Adams beat Mark Mulley (13-11, 10-12, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5). OCA A lead the way with 108 points from Chelmsford A (90 points) and they have two games in hand. Danbury A missed out 7-3 to Danbury B with Ian Wall and Sam Lowman both staying undefeated for Danbury B. Ian Wall beat Dave Richardson (8-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5, 17-15) in the closest game of the night. A refreshingly young Chelmsford A powered to a 9-1 win over Writtle A. Saul Chivers and James Donald were both unbeaten whilst Kevin Read was the sole Writtle winner. He beat Harry Chivers (11-7, 14-16, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9). Chelmsford A offer real promise for the future.    

Danbury K are making a late run for second place in division three. They beat Chelmsford E 9-1 after Denis Balic and Denis Crapnell had carried all before them. They trail Danbury G by seven points but have a game in hand. Danbury G missed out 6-4 against Chelmsford F. Waseem Qureshi was unbeaten for Chelmsford F and he was well supported by Andy Swales, who won twice. Hatfield Peverel B came out on top against Writtle E, 6-4, winning four games in the fifth end. Neil Freeman won his three singles and this included a hard-fought (11-13, 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 11-6) victory against Neil Thompson. Writtle D ran out 8-2 winners against a two player Maldon B. Malcolm Henstock won his two singles for Writtle whilst Brian Riedling was on target for the losers. He beat Peter Layzell (6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12).

It was a very good week for division four leaders Buttsbury A who powered to a 10-0 win over Danbury M and an 8-2 victory against Hatfield Peverel C. Jamie Elliott was undefeated in both games although he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Hatfield Peverel’s Connor Payne (11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10). New signing Gary Carr (nine wins out of nine) was undefeated against Hatfield Peverel C. Hatfield Peverel D did well to draw against Galleywood C, who are well above them in the table. Colin Blore was undefeated for Galleywood whereas Neil Wood and Bob Hillis both won twice for Hatfield Peverel D. Bob Hillis completed an excellent evening’s work by beating Nathan Blore (12-10, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6) in his third singles. OCA E were 7-3 winners against Chelmsford H. David Newman was undefeated and he gave his side a winning start by beating Vishnu Surendran (9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9) in the first game.

In division five Highwood A were 8-2 winners against Anglia Ruskin University and they trail the leaders Highwood B by one point although Highwood B have played one more game. Melanie Bonnett and Keith Fitz-John both won their three singles. Douglas Bawuah pushed Melanie to five ends before falling away in the fifth end to lose (3-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 3-11).  Highwood B were pushed harder to beat Chelmsford J 6-4. Roger Patient and David Cockrell both annexed hat-tricks. Dave Cockrell had to pull out all the stops to defeat James Grimston (8-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10). Fourth placed Buttsbury B scored an eye-catching 9-1 win over third placed Danbury N. Ben Brown (three wins), Oscar Hutt (three wins) and Lucy Elliott (two wins) all played their part in a resounding victory. Oscar Hutt pipped Steve Martin (7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 18-16). Quite a battle.  Danbury N won 6-4 and Graham Naggs was unbeaten in their victory against Hatfield Peverel E. Writtle F ran out 8-2 winners against Galleywood D. Paul Aarons and Ron Tam led the way with unbeaten returns.   Maldon C raced into a 4-0 lead against Hatfield Peverel F but Hatfield Peverel hit back and a well contested match finished tied at 5-5. Kym Eames and James Raymond both won twice for Maldon C whilst Jacqui Treacy and James Brooks both picked up two victories for the Hatfield Peverel side.             

Buttsbury Bees beat Chelmsford Lions 3-2 in Junior division 2A, good going as Luka Ha was undefeated for the Lions beating Charlie Ware (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-1) and Torsten Greenan (12-14, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7).

In Junior division 2B the leading two teams both won. Leaders Chelmsford Cougars were 4-1 winners against Danbury Griffins after Amir Chetitah had won his two singles 3-0. Second placed Chelmsford Antelopes beat Buttsbury Bats 5-0, with Ollie Jones and Noah Middleton carrying all before them.

Chelmsford Panthers were in charge against Chelmsford Pumas in Junior division 2C, winning 4-1 with Harry Tarpletts leading the way with two wins. Max Locke-Wheaton won once, a hard fought (8-11, 2-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9) success against Bernard Chow.

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League