It has been a very busy week for Writtle’s prolific Duncan Taylor who played a major part in Writtle’s 5-4 win over Chelmsford A in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Open Knock Out Cup Semi-Final; as well as taking part in the Burnham League Finals Night, and best of all, being an integral part of the Essex Veterans first team who have won promotion to the Table Tennis England Premier division of the County Championships.

Writtle’s 5-4 win over Chelmsford A was very much “Taylor-inspired” and he surged to victories over Harry Chivers (3-1) and Saul Chivers (3-0); revenge for the superb win that Saul recorded over him in the Chelmsford Closed Championships. Taylor paired with Lee McHugh had kept Writtle in the hunt with a last gasp (5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10) victory over Saul Chivers and Harry Chivers in the middle doubles. Lee McHugh played his part by defeating the free-flowing James Donald (8-11, 15-13, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8) although he had missed out to Saul Chivers (11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12). It all rested on the final doubles and Taylor / Ryan Pitt came through in four ends to beat Harry Chivers / James Donald (11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5) to secure a memorable victory.

Harrison Hill, the winner of three titles at the Burnham Championships – the Junior Boys Singles, Cadet Singles and the Dan Richardson Trophy led Chelmsford G to a 5-0 win over OCA E in the Division four Knock Out Cup Semi-Final. Hill powered his way to a (11-6, 11-6, 11-6) win over David Bishop whilst Alesha Ellis-Austin beat David Newman (10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 14-12) and Todd Martin played his part by beating Russell Hall (4-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10).

Galleywood (represented on this occasion by James Hicks and Ben Page of Galleywood A and Mark Glenister from Galleywood B) are through to the Division two Knock Out Cup Final. They beat Writtle C 5-1. Galleywood won both doubles in five ends. James Hicks / Mark Glenister beat John Webber / John Parodi (10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6) to give them a hard-fought winning start and James Hicks / Ben Page defeated Gary Ward / John Webber (11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2) to give them a 4-1 lead. Ben Page sealed the victory with a (11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9) win over John Parodi.

Danbury K (Mervyn Perriman, Denis Balic and Denis Crapnell) will face Danbury F in the Division three Knock Out Cup Final. Danbury K beat Danbury G 5-2. They won all five singles but slightly surprisingly lost both doubles. Ken Sheard / Dave Hancox had given Danbury G a winning start by beating Denis Balic / Denis Crapnell (11-7, 11-6, 11-3) in the first game.

The Handicap Knock Out Cup Final will feature Chelmsford G and Chelmsford F. Chelmsford G –  represented by Alesha Ellis-Austin (handicap of 41), Emile Guilloux (40) and Todd Martin (41) beat Chelmsford E 6-3. Alesha Ellis-Austin was undefeated. Her win over Vishnu Surendran (35) (25-23, 16-21, 21-19) was an example of where the handicapping worked “perfectly” whereas her (21-4, 21-5) victory over Dave Parker (55) was an example of where the handicapping system was awry. Chelmsford F – Alex Tkachuk (51), Cleon Fernandes (40) and Dion Fernandes (37) ran out 5-2 winners against Danbury B. Neil Want (67) gave Danbury B a winning start by beating Dion Fernandes (13-21,21-17, 21-19) but Cleon Fernandes and Alex Tkachuk stayed undefeated as Chelmsford F remained in charge.

Maldon have fought their way to the Ladies Knock Out Cup Final where they will face Chelmsford. Maldon beat Buttsbury 3-2, and it was 2023 Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion Dawn Baldry who ensured they progressed. She beat Francis Hutt (11-6, 11-7, 11-4) and Caroline Cole (11-5, 11-6, 11-9) and she teamed up with Andrea Alleyne to win the deciding doubles (11-6, 11-9, 11-5).

In division two Danbury D closed the gap to the leaders Galleywood A to three points by beating OCA B 7-3. David Gatheral scored a superb hat-trick of wins but the usually impregnable Sanjay Saptarshi tasted defeat. He missed out to Kevin Worthington (2-11, 8-11, 7-11). Sanjay Saptarshi also had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Charles Yeung (9-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 12-10).  The respective playing records of Sanjay Saptarshi (94 %) and Charles Yeung (17%) illustrate just how well Charles played here.  

Division three leaders Danbury F were able to afford the luxury of leaving out their top player – Chris Buer against Danbury H and still winning 8-2. With a massive 33 point lead over Danbury G and a game in hand they are the 2023 Champions. Congratulations. Gus Heath (90 %) won his three singles beating Peter Hance (11-4, 11-4, 11-3), David Meah (5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7) and Dave Marsh (11-4, 11-7, 11-4). At the other end of the table Writtle E and Maldon B could not be separated. Malcolm Storey was unbeaten for Writtle and he had to work very hard for his hat-trick of wins. He beat Brian Riedling (11-8, 14-12, 14-16, 11-8), Dawn Baldry (6-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10) and Andrea Alleyne (9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7). Three good wins.  

Buttsbury Bears are tied in first place in Junior division 2A although they have played a game more than the leaders Chelmsford Tigers. Lucy Elliott won her two singles as they defeated Danbury Dragons 4-1. Lucy Elliott beat Oliver Ware (11-3, 11-9, 11-3) and Oliver Martin (8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6).  Chelmsford Lions also won 3-2. They beat Buttsbury Bears after Lucy Elliott had again won her two singles for the Buttsbury side. She beat Luka Ha (11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9) and Paras Jinturkar (11-5, 11-7, 11-3).

Leaders Chelmsford Antelopes scored their fourth win of the Season in Junior division 2B by beating Buttsbury Bulldogs 3-2. Jayden Bandari was undefeated, beating Freya Hart (11-9, 11-8, 11-6) and Francesca Hart (11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 11-6).

Chelmsford Leopards were 4-1 winners over Chelmsford Pumas in Junior division 2C. Ryan Peiris won his two singles, beating Bernard Chow (11-6, 11-6, 11-4) and Damon Chow (11-4, 11-5, 11-3). Damon Chow got the better of Sean Kwan (11-5, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 12-10). Buttsbury Beavers in turn beat Chelmsford Leopards 5-0. Vivaan Babbar and Francesca Hart carried all before them although Ryan Peiris only just succumbed to Francesca, missing out (11-7, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 9-11).

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League