Alesha Ellis-Austin unbeaten in Chelmsford Ladies Knock Out Cup Final

Maldon are the 2023 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Ladies Knock Out Cup Champions. However, their 3-2 victory over Chelmsford was extremely hard-fought with the hard-hitting Alesha Ellis-Austin winning both her singles. Alesha showed she meant business by beating Andrea Alleyne (11-7, 11-8, 11-3) in the opening encounter and in her second singles she scored a gem of a win, beating 2023 Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion Dawn Baldry (9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 8-11, 14-12). It all came down to the doubles and Dawn and Andrea pulled through in five roller-coaster ends, against Alesha and Emily Guilloux (11-8, 12-14, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7).

First division Champions OCA A completed their Season in fine style with a 9-1 win over Chelmsford B. Brothers Mark and Matt Mulley were joined by Adam Buxton as OCA A produced yet another strong performance. Mark Mulley powered his way to three singles wins, beating Nikita Tkachuk (11-2, 11-8, 11-5), Wiktor Delimat (11-4, 11-7, 11-8) and Simon Jarvis (11-2, 11-5, 11-3).  Nikita Tkachuk gave a fantastic account of himself against Matt Mulley (27 wins out of 27 / 100 %) before succumbing (6-11, 5-11, 11-7, 13-11, 9-11) whilst Simon Jarvis defeated Adam Buxton (8-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7). With 16 wins from 18 games and 129 points out of a possible 180 points OCA A never came under any real pressure.  

Galleywood A, the division two winners also completed their fixtures with a 9-1 win, defeating Maldon A. They finished the Season with a massive total of 170 points out of 220 points with James Hicks and Peter Barrett both winning their three singles. The evergreen Steve Whiteley (Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion in 1974 and 1975) gave them lots to ponder missing out narrowly to James Hicks (11-5, 8-11, 13-11, 6-11, 9-11) and to James Mullane (5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-13). Hamish Innes beat James Mullane (16-14, 11-7, 11-7).

Danbury L finished second in division four with 129 points, just four points behind Buttsbury A. Danbury L beat OCA E 8-2 after Dave Powell had remained unbeaten. Powell was the best of the Danbury L players with 84 % whilst Jamie Elliott (Buttsbury A) with 89 % also enjoyed a magnificent Season. Fast improving Harrison Hill (97 %) (Chelmsford G) enjoyed an even better Season. Chelmsford G were without Harrison Hill in their last game against OCA F which they won 6-4. Omar Mohammad led the way with three wins, beating David Bishop (8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9), Stuart Wintle (11-3, 11-4,11-3) and Mike Morecroft (7-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-5). Danbury M led by a maximum return from Tim Pulham beat Galleywood C 6-4. Graham Naggs won twice which included a last gasp (11-5, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10) victory over Steve Peacock.   

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) drew 5-5 with the higher placed Chelmsford J in division five. After leading 4-1 they might have expected more.  Douglas Bawuah won his three singles and Bobby Suthisa won twice. Jacqui Smith notched up two singles wins for the Chelmsford side including an impressive (11-9, 11-4, 11-6) success against Bobby Suthisa. Chelmsford J also beat Writtle F 9-1. James Grimston and Peter Davenport were both undefeated. Davenport had a close call against Jo Hart, finally winning (11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9). Buttsbury B (Charlie Ware, Oscar Hutt and Lucy Elliott) ran out 8-2 winners against Maldon C. Ella Sach defeated Charlie Ware (9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8) in a well contested last game.    

Chelmsford Tigers (eight wins out of eight and an all-conquering 35 points out of 40) were very comfortable winners of Junior division 2A. Pavanaj Srinavasmurthy (10 wins out of 10) completed an undefeated Season in their 4-1 win over runners-up Buttsbury Bears. It was a close call against Joseph Hutt and Pavanaj finally sneaked over the finish line (11-9, 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9). Joseph Hutt also had a monumental battle against Omar Mohammad and this time he won (6-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10).  Danbury Dragons beat Buttsbury Bears, this time 5-0, with Alex Wilson and Oliver Martin carrying all before them. Alex Wilson came through a gruelling five ender against Joseph Hutt (this is a recurring theme if ever there was one), winning (12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8).

Junior division 2 B was much closer and a mere three points covered the top three teams. Chelmsford Cougars (with 23 points from seven games) are Champions and they beat Danbury Griffins (4-1) and Buttsbury Bulldogs (3-2). Joshua Freeman was undefeated against Danbury Griffins with wins over Oscar Wyman (11-6, 11-7, 11-4) and Peter Harverson (11-3, 11-9, 11-6) whilst Amir Chetittah won his two singles against Buttsbury Bulldogs beating Freya Hart (12-10, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6) and Francesca Hart (7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7).

Chelmsford Jaguars (Zane Kwantreng, George Gregory, Paras Jinturkar and Grace Liu) have won Junior division 2 C with 33 points from eight games. They finished six points ahead of Buttsbury Beavers. In their last game Buttsbury Beavers beat Chelmsford Leopards (4-1) with Charlie Gould winning twice. Charlie Gould beat Theo Peiris 3-0 although his game against Ryan Peiris was a close one and he eventually won (7-11, 15-13, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7). There was a first defeat for Vivaan Babbar who lost to Ryan Peiris (11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 9-11). Chelmsford Panthers came out on top 3-2 against Chelmsford Pumas. Harry Tarpletts beat Damon Chow (11-9, 11-6, 11-7) and Bernard Chow (11-2, 11-5, 11-2).  

Steve Kerns Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League