Highwood B won four singles in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League division five Knock Out Cup Final, and on most occasions that would have been sufficient for them to capture the title. Not this time. It was the doubles prowess of Highwood A’s Melanie Bonnett, Keith Fitz-John and Nicola Pippen which won the day. Keith Fitz-John / Nicola Pippen gave them a 1-0 lead by beating Roger Patient / Keith Pallett (11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-3) in the opening doubles and Melanie Bonnett / Keith Fitz-John defeated Roger Patient / Dave Cockrell (8-11, 11-6, 15-13, 11-9) in the middle encounter. With the scores tied at 4-4 and with everything to play for Melanie Bonnett / Nicola Pippen sealed the victory by defeating Dave Cockrell / Keith Pallett (11-4, 14-12, 11-5). 5-4 to Highwood A.  A strong Writtle A side (Duncan Taylor, Kevin Read and Lee McHugh) won the open Knock Out Cup. They beat Danbury A 5-2 in the Final. Eric Green scored an excellent (15-13, 7-11, 13-11, 11-5) win over Duncan Taylor but Writtle had sufficient strength in depth to withstand this.  Kevin Read won twice, beating Babul McLeod (11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8) and Bruce Kettle (5-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-7). Lee McHugh secured the Writtle victory by beating Eric Green (11-9, 11-8, 12-10).

Chelmsford G, third in division four overcame second placed Danbury L 5-4 in the division four   Knock Out Cup Final. Outstanding prospect Harrison Hill won his two singles; no surprises there, he has a record of 97 % in the League. Alesha Ellis-Austin played her part by beating Rob Kneale (11-9, 11-9, 15-13) whilst Danbury kept their hopes alive in the middle doubles. Dave Powell / Rob Kneale got the better of Harrison Hill/ Alesha Ellis-Austin (12-10, 25-23, 11-5). The second game is the longest on record this Season in the Chelmsford League. It all came down to the final doubles and Alesha Ellis-Austin / Emilie Guilloux came out on top against Rob Kneale / Dave Goody (12-10, 12-10, 11-8).   

Second placed Danbury C signed off with a win in division one by beating Danbury B 8-2. Both teams fielded reserves and it was Trevor Lloyd who won his three singles for the C team. Good going as he had to play with a borrowed bat. Denis Crapnell, playing for Danbury C defeated Gus Heath (11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 6-11, 12-10).

Galleywood A (James Hicks, Peter Barrett and Gary Brignall) claimed the division two title in style. They powered home 10-0 against Chelmsford B. All three players have enjoyed magnificent Seasons. Their records speak for themselves. James Hicks – 93 %, Peter Barrett – 88 % and Gary Brignall – 77 % with support from James Mullane – 57 % and Ben Page – 52 %.  With one match left their points total of 161 points from 21 games is also very impressive. Danbury D finished second and they completed their Season with two 6-4 wins. They beat Maldon A with Sanjay Saptarshi leading the way with a hat-trick. Sanjay battled back from 2-0 down to beat Steve Whiteley (3-11, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8). They also beat OCA A with Chris Buer standing in and winning his three singles. It’s relegation for Galleywood B who lost to the team immediately above them – Chelmsford C, 9-1. Robert Shrimpton and Victor Chan were both undefeated. Shrimpton completed his trio of wins by beating John Holland (11-9, 9-11,  11-6, 8-11, 12-10).  Writtle B completed the Season strongly by beating Danbury E 7-3, and they finished above their opponents on games countback with both teams tied on 106 points.  Richard Storey and Paul Sturton were both undefeated. Richard Storey defeated Tim Cramphorn (7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 13-11) in the closest game of the evening. Hatfield Peverel A also completed their Season with a win, beating Maldon A 6-4. No one player stayed undefeated but Martin Archie and Alastair Piper both won twice to give Hatfield Peverel the edge. Hamish Innes won twice for Maldon, missing out to Alistair Piper (10-12, 11-9, 3-11, 9-11). Maldon A beat Chelmsford C 6-4. Hamish Innes was undefeated, beating Mike Johnston (11-7, 11-7, 12-14, 11-8), Victor Chan (8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6) and Dusan Doszkoty (9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 12-10).

Danbury F, the division three Champions beat Maldon B (7-3) and Writtle D (8-2) to make it 17 wins out of 20 with just one defeat.  Gus Heath was undefeated in both games. They were a class apart all Season as can be seen by the records of their players – Chris Buer (93 %), Gus Heath (92 %), John Tendler (83 %) and Steve Buer (63 %). Danbury K finished second, and they beat OCA D 8-2. Denis Balic and Denis Crapnell were both undefeated.  Tom Barker was on target for the losers with a (11-4, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8) win over Mervyn Perriman. Maldon B and Writtle E are relegated but both teams scored well for demoted sides.  Maldon B (74 points) drew with Danbury H. Newcomer Chris Ravenhill won twice and this included a (8-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 14-12) win over Peter Hance. David Meah won his three singles and he beat Chris Ravenhill (9-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-8). Writtle E (76 points) finished their Season well after beating Chelmsford D (7-3). Neil Thompson was undefeated beating Joachin Mapes (9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-6), Dave Parker (11-6, 11-8, 4-11, 11-4) and Rev Matthews (9-11. 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5). Chelmsford F signed off with a 8-2 win over Maldon B. Dusan Doszkoty won his three singles. Maldon’s Andrea Alleyne fought back from 2-0 down to beat Andy Swales (10-12, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6). David Meah finished his Season in style and he was undefeated as Danbury H beat Hatfield Peverel B 7-3. He had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Neil Freeman (11-4,8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10).      

Division four isn’t finished yet but Buttsbury A (126 points) are in the ascendancy with a five point lead over Danbury L.  The two teams met and the match finished tied at 5-5. Jamie Elliott (88 %) was undefeated notching up wins over Rob Kneale (11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4), Dave Powell (9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7) and Dave Goody (11-3, 11-3, 11-13, 11-8). Buttsbury A also did a “job” on fifth placed OCA E, winning 9-1. Jamie Elliott was joined by Alex Ware in winning his three singles.     

Highwood A and Highwood B have dominated division five this Season. Highwood A – Melanie Bonnett (83 %), Keith Fitz-John (75 %), Nicola Pippen (67 %) and Keith Pallett (39 %) finished five points ahead of Highwood B. Highwood B completed their programme by beating Galleywood D 9-1. Steve Peacock was target for the losers, beating Russell Downton (11-7, 11-8, 11-9). Danbury N who have finished third beat Hatfield Peverel F 7-3; Oliver Martin and Graham Naggs were both undefeated although Dave Benstead gave Oliver Martin a “scare” before he succumbed (11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 9-11, 9-11).  Hatfield Peverel E completed their Season in style, beating Writtle F 8-2. Davina Brazier and Phil West both bagged hat-tricks.

Buttsbury Bees did well to beat the higher placed Buttsbury Bears 3-2 in junior division 2A. Charlie Ware beat both Joseph Hutt (16-18, 4-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6) and Lucy Elliott (11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 13-11). Chelmsford Lions and Danbury Dragons are level on 12 points and when the two teams met the Lions edged it 3-2. Atharv Gupta won twice, getting the better of Peter Harverson (11-7, 5-11, 17-15, 11-7) and Oliver Ware (11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11).

In junior division 2B top team Chelmsford Antelopes tasted defeat, losing 3-2 to Danbury Griffins. Ben Robinson won twice for the Antelopes but he missed out in the doubles. Peter Harverson and Oscar Wyman secured the victory (11-8, 11-5, 11-5) against Hugo Reed and Ben Robinson.

Junior division 2C Champions Chelmsford Jaguars made it seven wins out of seven by beating Chelmsford Leopards 4-1. Zane Kwantreng beat both Theo Peiris (12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8) and Sean Kwan (11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-4).   

 Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League