OCA C produced a strong performance in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League to beat Galleywood B 8-2, a result that sees Galleywood B enter the relegation zone. OCA B’s top player Mick Richardson was joined by League Chairman David Porter in staying undefeated. It was a good night for David Porter who beat Mark Glenister (11-6, 4-11, 11-4, 11-9), Colin Blore (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 13-11) and Will Goodchild (11-8, 11-7, 11-7). Leaders Galleywood A stay top and they beat Writtle C 8-2 after a hard-fought match where five games were decided deep in the fifth end. Peter Barrett and Gary Brignall were both undefeated. Whereas Peter Barrett scored three 3-0 wins Brignall had to dig deep. Very deep. He beat John Webber (10-12, 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9) and Gary Ward (9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10). Hatfield Peverel A also won 8-2. They overcame OCA B with Martin Archie leading the way a hat-trick. Archie had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Robbie Burton (7-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 14-12). Maldon A won twice. Hamish Innes was undefeated as they beat Danbury E 6-4 and he gave his team a winning start with a last gasp (9-11, 3-11, 14-12, 11-9, 12-10) victory over Dick Wyman. Maldon A did even better against Writtle B and won 8-2. Steve Whiteley and Lloyd Bennett-Smith both scored hat-tricks. Maldon again made a winning start and this time Steve Whiteley beat Matthew Brown (15-17, 12-14, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8) in a very well contested opening singles.
Team-work was the order of the day in division one where Danbury A produced a fine performance to beat Writtle A 7-3. Bruce Kettle, Chris Penrose and Babul McLeod all won twice although they all missed out against ace defender Duncan Taylor. The masterful Taylor completed his hat-trick by beating Chris Penrose (11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 12-10) in his third singles. It wasn’t Lee McHugh’s night and he lost his third singles of the evening after a real tussle against Bruce Kettle (5-11, 13-15, 11-9, 12-10, 8-11).
Further news involving Chelmsford’s leading players came from the Braintree Closed tournament where Danbury’s Paul Davison secured a Mens Singles / Veterans Singles double. OCA’s Paul Lucas was the beaten finalist on both occasions. Lee McHugh and Alistair Hill (another formed Chelmsford League regular) were the losing semi-finalists in the Mens Singles. Consolation for Paul Lucas and Lee McHugh was found in the Mens Doubles where they were crowned Champions. Keith Martin and Victor Chan (again, both are very well known to Chelmsford League players) were runners-up.
Danbury G stay second in division three with 106 points but Danbury K (100 points) have a game in hand. Both teams won this week. Danbury G (Ken Sheard, Robert Kneale and Alan Scammell) relied on team-work (two wins all round) as they beat Hatfield Peverel B 6-4. Robert Kneale did well to get the better of Neil Freeman (11-6, 11-4, 11-9). Danbury K went “one better” and they beat Danbury H 7-3. Denis Crapnell was undefeated whilst Danbury H’s Dave Meah notched up a roller-coaster (4-11, 11-8, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9) success against Denis Balic. OCA D ran out 6-4 winners against Writtle D. Richard Baxter and Tom Barker were both undefeated. Richard Baxter’s win over Malcolm Henstock (6-11, 17-19, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11) looks to have been a real struggle. It was “honours even” between Chelmsford E and Chelmsford F. Waseem Qureshi was undefeated for the F team and this included a surprisingly comfortable (11-5, 11-2, 11-8) victory over Aidan Lees. With a record of 88 % 2023 Chelmsford Under 15s Singles Champion Aidan Lees has enjoyed an otherwise superb season.
Danbury L scored two emphatic wins in division four to restore their lead at the top of the table. Dave Goody, Rob Kneale and Dave Powell beat Danbury N 10-0 whilst Richard Allen replaced Rob Kneale as they repeated the feat against OCA F. They lead the way with 109 points although Buttsbury A (106 points) have a game in hand. Chelmsford G stay third and Harrison Hill (97 % and counting) defeated Galleywood C 8-2. Harrison Hill beat Colin Blore, the best of the Galleywood players (11-7, 11-4, 11-9) as he was again undefeated. Galleywood’s Nathan Blore was unlucky to draw a blank. He lost (9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11) to Pavanaj Srinavasmurthy and (13-11, 11-6, 4-11, 3-11, 8-11) to Alesha Ellis-Austin. Chelmsford H beat Hatfield Peverel D 8-2. Cleon Fernandes and Felix Reeve were both undefeated. Five games were decided deep in the fifth end. Felix Reeve had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Deb Ginn (12-14, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8).
It wasn’t a good week for the top two teams in division five. Leaders Highwood B were held to a draw by third placed Danbury N. Roger Patient (94 %) held the Highwood team together although he had to work hard to get the better of Graham Naggs (8-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6). Second placed Highwood A missed out 6-4 against Chelmsford J. With James Grimston beating Melanie Bonnett (7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-4) in the opening singles Highwood B were always “chasing the game” and Grimston went on to complete his hat-trick. Jason Clark secured a vital (6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 14-12) victory over Keith Pallett. Maldon C (Ross Wheeler, Marty Englander and Kym Eames) ran out 8-2 winners against Writtle F. Marty Englander was undefeated whilst Ron Tam won twice for the Writtle side.
Leaders Chelmsford Tigers made it six wins out of six (27 points out of 30) in junior division 2A by beating Chelmsford Lions 5-0. Pavanaj Srinavsamurthy and Harel Choo were both undefeated and they also beat Buttsbury Bees 5-0. Brothers Sami Osman and Omar Mohammad carried all before them on this occasion. Danbury Dragons beat the higher placed Buttsbury Bears 4-1. Oliver Martin won his two singles for the Dragons whilst Charlie Ware was on target for Buttsbury. He beat Oliver Ware (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 15-13, 11-6).
Buttsbury Bats scored their first win of the Season in junior division 2B. They beat Chelmsford Cougars 4-1 with Will Fullerton and Lewis Woods both playing their part.
Highwood B (Roger Patient, Dace Cockrell and Russell Downton) are through to the division five Knock Out Cup Final. They beat Buttsbury B 5-3 after a very hard-fought game. The deciding game was a real battle, and Roger Patient defeated Ben Brown (11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 9-11, 13-11). What a deciding game. A battle worthy of deciding any Knock Out Cup Semi-Final.
Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League