The big dogs in the top Division of the Burnham & District Table Tennis Winter League met this week in what could have been a big-winner-takes all battle.  A battle did ensue and Cold Norton B were the surprise victors on the night but the tight margin of that victory means that Fambridge can still nick the title at the death – so all eyes on the final round of matches and the League adjudicators calculator.

A strong Fambridge side travelled to Cold Norton this week knowing that a high scoring victory would probably secure an unexpected title and leave Cold Norton B weeping tears of what might have been.  Despite illness and injury in the Norton camp they fielded what would traditionally be their strongest line-up but would their bodies hold up across what was surely to be an eventful evening.  Sky and TNT were both in town to record and broadcast the ‘Battle of Burnham’ so everyone was on edge.  The opening game set the scene as Fambridge supremo and England’s finest John Poysden took an early 2-1 lead over the recovering Eric Green.  From somewhere deep inside Green fought back to square the match at 2-2 and then the decider went to a tense deuce battle – with both players having match points in the tit-for-tat rallies that took this one match over the ½ hour mark.  Eventually Green won through 16-14 and that swing of 2 points may be the difference come the reckoning hour.  What a start!  Keith Adams then pulled one back against the injured Ian Wall before a very focussed Sam Lowman got the better of Bruce Kettle to put Cold Norton 2-1 up.  Poysden avenged his early 5 set loss with a 5 set victory over Wall to maintain the rollercoaster scoring.  Cold Norton then turned the screws with 2 wins on the bounce – a 5 set battle that saw Green turn the Kettle off, and Lowman out loopylooped Adams.  The doubles was crucial – and another 5 setter for the in-house crowd and the millions tuned in across the world.  Green and Lowman let a 2-1 lead slip as Kettle and Adams took the tight 4^th set 13-11 – but this only served to rouse the Norton pairing and they won out 11-6 in the decider – another crucial battle won on the night.  At 5-2 the Norton Boys were in shock and their final point came as Sam Lowman wrapped up his hat-trick and the overall 6-4 victory against Poysden.  So the teams are 2 points apart with just one round of fixtures to go – watch this space. 

Elsewhere in the top Division there was an alphabetical upset in the Woodham derby when B defeated A – great to see some of our younger players hitting hat-tricks.  Peter Harverson took his second treble of the season, and Harry Sawford bagged his third, with thridwheel Eamonn Hall taking two points, only losing out to Dan Piglet who nicked the A team’s only singles point of the evening.  Mapledene B had an excellent win over Cold Norton A with some notable victories within the 7-3 scoreline.  Simon Jacob continues his fine run of form with another treble that takes him into the tournament as a real contender for a Finals Night feature.  Jacob’s toughest match was a comeback 5-setter against the lively Matt Stringer.  In fact Stringer was strung out all evening as he was subjected to two further 5 set skirmishes.  He almost lost out against Penhold wizard Colin Chatfield despite taking an early 2-0 lead.  Chatfield fought back but Stringer just had the edge in the decider as he won out 11-8.  However he couldn’t hold out against the tricky style of David Jacob and in the final leg it was the consistent and thoughtful style of Jacob that took the points against the more flamboyant Stringer style.  Between them Chatfield and David Jacob did get the better of Stringer in the doubles – a short one for Mr Stringer as it only lasted 4 sets!  For Cold Norton Charles Sweeny took two points on the night to keep the scorecard respectable. 

The battle for supremacy in Division 2 took a well earned break this week leaving us time to focus on the amazing battle at the other end of the table where 5 teams are now separated by just 2 points and race to be relegated is as tight as an otter’s pocket.   Cold Norton D remain on the precipice with just 2 games to go but curried up an unexpected win this week against a strong Mapledene C side.  A 6-4 victory wasn’t quite enough to jump off the bottom but they are now in a 3 way tie for the automatic relegation slot.  Neil Want hit two wins including a tight 12-10 in the fifth delight over Lin Roff, no doubt the winning shot was a dodgy net.  Rob Harris also chipped in with 2 wins, and then combined with Want for the doubles bonus.  Tony Forster added the final point with another 5 setter as he came from behind to get past the tricky Mike Johnston.  For Mapledene both Denis Squirrell and Roff took two wins for their haul across the evenings play.  Maldon C lost out to Blackwater B by a 7-3 margin and that puts them level at the bottom with both Maldon B and Cold Norton D.  The Maldon trio team took a real Quelching at the hands of Blackwater B as they succumbed to the cultured play of talisman Simon Quelch.  Quelch took his hat-trick although struggled to get past the defensive nous of Brian Riedling and only eventually won out at 14-12 in the decider.  Merv Perriman was in fine fettle with two 3 leg victories and then just lost out to Marty Englander 11-9 in the fifth.   Woodham C in full uniform took a well earned 6-4 triumph over the tricky Cold Norton E trio.  In a friendly atmosphere where little was at stake every player took at least a point.  For Woodham Alan Dadswell and Skippy Perry hit braces, as did Dick Wyman for the Nortonians.  Special mention to Oscar Wyman who won another point for his team as he defeated last year’s Roy Davis Cup winner Allan Steel in straight sets.  Next week sees the much anticipated top of the table clash to see if Maldon A will falter under the burgeoning challenge of Blackwater A.

Positions in Division 3 are largely confirmed already but a full set of fixtures this week saw Champions Blackwater C hit another 10-0 whitewash.  This week’s hapless victims being St Lawrence.  A hat-trick of trebles for Gary Smith, Peter Davenport and Tina Hutchinson.   Maldon E had a very good 7-3 return against Blackwater E with John Leavett in cracking form with another hat-trick to his name.  Blackwater D edged a tight one against Blackwater F courtesy of a fine display from Jason Bush.  Bush went unbeaten in singles and doubles as his D team ran out 6-4 winners, with Keith Thompson the best of the F side with 2 wins on the night.  In the final match of the week Tim Huxtable took centre stage as his hat-trick helped his Maldon D side secure a draw with Woodham D.  In support of the mighty Huxtable, team supremo Shirley Carroll took 2 wins, only losing out in a 4 setter with Woodham’s top player Simon Thomas.

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Eamonn Hall, Press Officer

Burnham & District Table Tennis League

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Pic 1 – Sam Lowman (Cold Norton B) with the most important hat-trick of the week

Pic 2 – Colin Chatfield versus Matt Stringer in a 5 set marathon this week.

Pic 3 – Peter Harverson taking his hat-trick for Woodham B this week.

Pic 4 – Colin Chatfield and David Jacob pairing up for an excellent doubles bonus

Pic 5 – Dick Wyman and Alan Dadswell go toe-to-beard

Pic 6 – Division 1 table.

In the season’s penultimate round of fixtures in Division 1 following a very successful Closed Championships,Hockley C confirmed their second place position with an emphatic 9 – 0 whitewash of visiting Mapledene. The division’s restricted champion William Evesham and team mates Elliot Brackenbury and Stephanie Haddrell were all unstoppable, dropping only one set each all evening. 
Visiting Canvey A were not phased by Wakering A’s Barbara Chabior’s new titles of Ladies Singles and Doubles champion. The new holder was well beaten by both POM Peter Cray and Ray Wilson in a 6 – 3 Canvey victory. Martin Shaughnessy was again the host’s best player winning two, with Barbara getting the other point.
Bottom side Hadleigh Forum C put up a spirited fight against visitors Stanford Le Hope B. A Paul Fawell hat trick, with two wins from Graham Farmer, gave Forum only their second victory of the season. Colleague Mark Everard was unlucky not to get the better of Mark Moxham, losing 14 – 16 in the fifth set. Stanford’s Mark and Ladies and Mixed Doubles winner Tina Hutchinson gained one contest each for the visitors, whilst Robert Savage won two.
Basildon B hosted Hadleigh Forum B in what was both sides’ last match of the season. An excellent maximum from Over 70s runner up Dave Woolmer and one success each for Tony Jacks and Anthon Ranjit-Singh were sufficient to give Forum a 5 – 4 away win. Jenne Seibolt had two victories for Basildon and Kieran Wood and Chudi Ukpaka one each.

Report by David Barnes

With matters looking very much settled at the top of Division 2 it’s far from decided at the bottom. Whilst Basildon C’s fate was sealed by an 8-1 defeat against Hockley E who goes down with them will be decided in the final week of the season. Matchpoint C occupy that position at the moment but only because Invicta B, who have the same number of points, have won more games. Four points above them lie Hockley E. The final games see Hockley go away to Invicta whilst Matchpoint C must take on their own B team in the other. Bearing in mind the B team could clinch second place and promotion with just two points that will be an intriguing encounter. The C team will have the advantage of knowing exactly how many points they require as they play after the Invicta/ Hockley match. The only definite permutation available is that Hockley will be safe if they get four points. Hockley will go into their match, however, without talisman Dave Chenery who is unbeaten in the three games he has played so far.

The week started with champions Wakering B completing their season with a thumping 8-1 defeat of Stanford B. It wasn’t all one sided though as Michael Grout had to twice come back from two sets down before beating Randy Santiago and Mike Trendell with that pattern being repeated yet again as Trendell lost to Andy Deadman. Otherwise there was another hat trick for Callum Turner, Grout completed his also and Stanford’s solitary point came courtesy of Peter Moxham’s straight sets win against Deadman. Stanford will finish their season in a respectable fifth place.

The other match at the top of the table saw Canvey B take on Hockley D and a Brian Bissenden inspired performance saw them edge a 5-4 win. The evening started well for the Islanders winning the first two games but Hockley hit back in style winning the next five games. Bissenden was at the heart of this winning all his matches and just dropping one set whilst team mates Howard Collins and Paul Strutt added the extra points beating Kevin Walsingham and Tony Westwell respectively. Last game of the evening saw Terry Giddens defeat Collins in five sets coming back from 9-6 down in the final set to win 12/10. Canvey stay second in the table at the moment but having completed their season it seems likely Matchpoint B will push them into third place.  Hockley will finish fourth whatever their result from their final game next week against Stanford.

Hockley E’s win against Basildon C could turn out to be the game that saves them from any threat of relegation giving them a useful four point buffer between themselves and rivals Invicta and Matchpoint C. The fate of this game was virtually determined after the first two games of this match as firstly Richard Coulon withstood a two set comeback from Richard Reibold and won the decider 13/11 and then David Chenery overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat Michael Elemide 11/8 in the fifth set. After that things went entirely Hockley’s way as they won the next six games until Elemide gained a late consolation point beating Coulon in straight sets. Richard Kidd pipped Chenery for the POTM award getting just his second hat trick of the season the first one coming also, against Basildon. Basildon take the wooden spoon then in this division and must now start planning for next season in Division 3.

Matchpoint B travelled to Runnymede with hopes of finishing second still strong but again unable to field their strongest team with no sign of John Lott, Hannah Harbour or Dennis Squirrell. Added to that they knew they would probably be facing Tony Millward who had lost only one match all season. In the end however the two replacements in the side called up from the C team, Richard Sloman and Samuel Morgan, proved more than adequate support for regular Colin Barham as they ran out 6-3 winners. Matchpoint started brilliantly with young Morgan coming back from 2-1 down to beat Millward in five sets winning the last two 13/11 12/10. Richard Sloman then stepped up to beat Steve McQuillan on his way to a POTM performance which also included a comeback win against Millward in five sets. Morgan finished with two wins but was denied a hat trick by Steve Wisbey who edged him out 13/11 in another five set match. Barham got the other point for Matchpoint whilst Wisbey finished with a brace for Runnymede and, unusually, Millward finished with just one win.

Team of the Week – Matchpoint B

Player of the Week – Richard Sloman

Report by Paul Strutt

With the destination of the Division 3 title already decided, attention has turned to the
battle to be runners-up.
Hockley ‘F’ have occupied second place for much of the season and, in the 2-week
break for the Closed Championships, they played a couple of rearranged matches.
Their opponents in these matches were the junior teams of Evolve ‘B’ and Hockley ‘G’
and no mercy was shown in either, as they recorded successive 9–0 victories. Gary
Beck and his team are clearly doing all they can to get promoted.
In the scheduled matches in week 25, they were first out of the blocks as they
entertained Stanford ‘D’. Although the visitors were only able to field two players,
Hockley failed to take full advantage, as none of their team were able to lower the
colours of Martin Winter, who has been in good form all season, and turned in an
unbeaten performance. So, with a 6/3 victory here, Hockley completed their fixtures for
the season, and set a stiff target of 24 points from 3 matches for their rivals, Evolve ‘A’,
to pip them for second place.
They set about this challenge in determined fashion, with a 9-0 win over Wakering ‘C’.
Miles Bygrave, who has been their stand-out player this season, duly delivered again
with a perfect hat-trick, well supported by his team-mates Teddy Kent and Sasha
Syderenko.
In the battle between two teams at the lower end of the division, Evolve ‘B’ achieved
only their second win of the season, recording a 7/2 win over Matchpoint ‘D’. Zac
Eighteen was the POTM with a maximum with his comrades, Joseph Omigie and
Charlie Renshaw, adding a double each.
The other match this week saw Hockley ‘G’ entertain Canvey ‘C’, and it was the visitors
who prevailed. Young Alex Carruthers, in only his second match led the way with a fine
maximum. Andy O’Rawe was also unbeaten, and David Coverley added a brace as the
Islanders returned home with an 8/1 victory. George Higgins was the solitary point
winner for Hockley.
With one round of scheduled matches to play, Hockley ‘F’ have 112 points, but they
have completed their fixtures. Evolve ‘A’ have 98 points but still have two matches to
play. Game on in the race for second spot in Division 3!

Report by Dave Woolmer

Any lingering hopes Sudbury Nomads may have had of wresting Netts A’s Braintree Table Tennis League title from them were emphatically extinguished when the two met for a second time.

Netts’ 8-2 win was as convincing as it looks and left the champions 20 points clear at the top.

Paul Davison was at his most devastating.  He was never stretched beyond 11-6 in any of his nine games and conceded a total of only 34 points throughout the evening.

Andy Dosher also won his three sets, although he was stretched to four games twice, while Nomads’ only consolation was that Andy Holmes could not follow suit, losing to Aron Jordan and Richard Fifield.

The most notable feature of Liberal A’s 8-2 win over Netts B was the sight of Peter Hayden’s name on the scorecard for the first time since his knee operation in November.

Not yet the vintage Hayden, but good enough to take two sets.

He said afterwards: ‘It’s healing nicely and muscle is building well. I just haven’t got the work into it in terms of any endurance. I was knackered taking my tracksuit off!’

It was Chris Parr who got the better of him, but he lost to Scott Dowsett, who took all three for Liberal.

Liberal’s B team shared the points with Sudbury Wanderers in a merry-go-round of a match.  For Liberal, David Razzell and Ashley Skeggs won two and Garry Fryatt one while Wanderers’ Ian Shrubsole won twice with David Hitchen and Colin Moss picking up one each.

Not so much a merry-go-round as a steep slide for Black Notley B when facing their own A team.  Alesha Ellis-Austin, Roger Hance and Steve Noble took all ten for the A team.

Division two continues to entertain.

This week it was Netts D’s turn to bounce back after sinking to the bottom.  They rose from tenth to sixth place with a 7-3 win over third-placed Rayne D.

They were indebted to a surge of form from Clive Forster, who took his three singles after a run of only four wins in his 15 outings so far this season.

The other major jumpers were Notley C, who recovered the four places they lost the previous week with an 8-2 win over Finchingfield A.  Jamie Brooks was unbeaten with Matt Brooks and Lawrence Grantham scoring twice.

Sudbury Strollers, still behind on their matches, again showed their potential with a 6-4 win over second-placed Netts C.

David Fiddeman stretched his unbeaten record to 18 sets

Netts C’s defeat enabled Rayne C to stretch their lead at the top to 31 points (from one more match) with a 7-3 win over Yeldham Whitlocks A.

Report by Ron Fosker

The title fight in Division One of the Clacton League is the closest it’s been for many years, with little to choose between Brotherhood A and Nomads Lions.

Brotherhood A are marginal favourites and they maintained their good form this week with an 8-2 success over the dangerous Windsor Eagles. The ever-reliable Kevin Gowlett remained unbeaten, with Gracie Edwards and Gary Young each winning two. John Pattrick picked up the two Eagles’ points.

Nomads Lions played twice and recorded two 7-3 victories. In their first match, they beat Brotherhood B, Charlie Fulcher’s treble including an 11-6 in the fifth win over Russell Hillier and an 11-4 in the fifth win over Joe Plummer. Jason Lloyd and Adam Wilkin each won two. But Hillier proved a thorn in the Lions’ side, winning two and sharing an excellent doubles success with Plummer over Fulcher and Lloyd.

The vastly-improved Ethan Lloyd was the Lions’ star player in their second match against Windsor Hawks, taking a well-deserved maximum. Jason Lloyd won two, including an 11-7 in the decider win over Scott Campbell, and Adam Wilkin one. Andy Vincent won a couple for the Hawks, although it was a close 11-7 in the fifth against Wilkin.  

The Lions now lead the table by five points but Brotherhood A have a game in hand, and the result of the match between the two teams at the end of March could well determine the final destination of the 2025/26 Division One title.

Elsewhere, the meeting of the Walton A and B teams ended with honours even for a second time this season. Every player picked up at least one point but the ‘B’ team’s Pete Burrows was the undefeated player of the match. Clive Allenby and Graham Buxton, with an 11-6 in the fifth win over Paul Meikle, were the other points-scorers for the ‘B’ team. For Walton A, there were a couple for Mark Gale, one each for Meikle and Derek Willis, plus a Gale/Meikle doubles win, only their second doubles success of the season.

Brotherhood C were 9-1 winners over a Windsor Buzzards’ side fielding a guest player, Dave Miller and Tim Leung staying undefeated. Two matches went the distance, Miller beating Andy Cawley 11-5 in the decider and Dave Martin taking a consolation point for the Buzzards with an 11-8 in the decider victory over Graham Playle.

Top met bottom in Division Two, and, predictably, Brotherhood G beat Windsor Kestrels 10-0. Mark Boyland, Mark Beckham and John Gallagher were the winning trio, although Beckham struggled against Peter Aumord before emerging victorious 11-7 in the decider. It was only the second 10-0 result in the Division all season.

Second-placed Brotherhood F were 7-3 winners against Nomads Jaguars who were forced, at the last minute, to include a guest player. Mark Salter remained unbeaten for Brotherhood while  Chris Petrou’s couple for the Jaguars included the only five-setter of the encounter, defeating Paul Alden 11-9 in the decider.

Hat-tricks for Joe Sherwin and Tom Bryden were more than enough to give Brotherhood J an 8-2 win over Windsor Harriers. Brotherhood’s Lucy Carvell was involved in the only two matches which went the distance, getting the better of Ferdy Rodriguez but going down to Barry Allen. Isabel Barton picked up the second Harriers’ point.

Ian Sherwood produced his best form of the season, the Lawford skipper staying unbeaten to lead his side to an 8-2 success over Windsor Penguins. His hat-trick included an unexpected 11-9 in the decider victory over Kelvin Olano-Harper. John Colvin and Richard Spence won two each for Lawford, as did Olano-Harper for the Penguins.

Another captain, Brotherhood D’s Fred Gallone, was also in good nick, notching up a first hat-trick of the season as his side defeated Nomads Tigers 7-3. Kevin Pryor won two, including an 11-9 in the fifth win over Tom Wilkin, and Lily Liu one. Matt Sage won two for the Tigers.

Dan Grindrod, Danny Still and Gary Simpson of Brotherhood H took another step to the Division Three title with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over third-placed Nomads Leopards, a result which probably scuppers the Leopards’ outside chance of finishing as runners-up.

Current second-placed side Holland Hurricanes defeated Walton C 8-2 for a second time this season. Gary Stallwood took his three, with Gerry Widnell and Ian Gwillim each picking up a couple. Just one match went to five, Widnell getting the better of Adrian Sexton in a tight tussle, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 14-12, 12-10.

The Windsor Falcons v Brotherhood E match ended all-square, a first draw of the season for the Falcons but a third for Brotherhood. Jack Hillier impressed once again for Brotherhood with a treble, Joe Hillier and Rodney Betts both winning one. Gary Barnes and Matt Thomas each won two for the Falcons and shared a five-set doubles win, although Barnes’ 12-10 in the decider win over Betts was the closest match of the contest.

Windsor Magpies have been running on just two fit players for most of the second-half of the season and, as they were again forced to field a guest against Holland Vulcans, it was little surprise they went down 6-4. Bob Keefe remained unbeaten for the Vulcans, with John Plummer winning two for the Magpies.

* This year’s Closed Championships take place on 11th and 12th April at the Lift School (formerly Clacton Coastal Academy) Sports Hall. The closing date for entries is Friday 20th March. As well as being a highly-competitive two days table tennis with thirteen titles at stake, the Tournament is a friendly and highly-sociable occasion, with the opportunity to watch the League’s top players in action.  

For a fifth year, the Championships are being sponsored by The Survey Initiative. The League is most grateful to Gary Cattermole for his continued and generous sponsorship of the Championships which, among other things, has enabled the entry fees to remain unchanged since 2017. Very many thanks, Gary.

* The League’s Quiz Evening is on Saturday 21st March at the Brotherhood Hall, starting at 7.30 pm. This is one of the League’s regular fund-raising events and, as it benefits all players in the day-to-day running of the League, the organisers hope that as many players as possible will support it. The cost, for teams of up to six people, is £5.00 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles. For more information, or to enter a team, telephone Ferdy Rodriguez on 07565 767266 or 01255 830951, or e-mail Ferdy on fernando.rodriguez@sky.com

RESULTS

Division 1

Brotherhood A 8 Windsor Eagles 2;

Walton B 5 Walton A 5;

Windsor Buzzards 1 Brotherhood C 9;

Nomads Lions 7 Windsor Hawks 3;

Brotherhood B 3 Nomads Lions 7.

Division 2

Brotherhood G 10 Windsor Kestrels 0;

Nomads Tigers 3 Brotherhood D 7;

Lawford 8 Windsor Penguins 2;

Brotherhood F 7 Nomads Jaguars 3;

Windsor Harriers 2 Brotherhood J 8.

Division 3

Windsor Falcons 5 Brotherhood E 5;

Walton C 2 Holland Hurricanes 8;

Nomads Leopards 0 Brotherhood H 10;

Holland Vulcans 6 Windsor Magpies 4.

Report by Tony Oswick

In Division 2 of the Burnham & District Table Tennis Winter League the battle for supremacy was heightened this week as Blackwater A moved within 1 point of long time leaders, and bookies favourites, Maldon A.  These two behemoths of the division meet each other later this month in what is being billed as ‘The Battle of Blackwater’.

Blackwater A, and their variety box of styles and rubbers, have been slowly closing in on long time Division 2 leaders Maldon A.  Following this week’s 10-0 drubbing of Stow Maries B Blackwater are now within a point of the leaders and are busily prepping their tactics and sharpening their pimples for the title defining clash later in March (tickets have already sold out for this one).  The Blackwater trio of Noah Sage, Denis Balic, and Neil Freeman all hit trebles this week with Stow’s Dave Marsh putting up the most resistance with 2 five setters and a long 4 set loss to Balic.   This Blackwaterian crew certainly have the momentum – let’s see if the have the bottle and nous to finish the job.  Elsewhere in the division Steve Aspland led his Maldon B side to a decent 6-4 victory over Dick Wyman’s Cold Norton E.  Aspland notched a hat-trick only really struggling in a comeback 5 setter against Wyman senior.  James Raymond won 2 points for the B team on his call up, with young Oscar Wyamn holding his nerve in a tasty 5 set victory for Cold Norton over Garry Eames.  The Wyman ‘twins’ then combined for a comfortable doubles point to keep the score respectable.  Maldon C hosted Woodham C and in a friendly encounter they all agreed that a draw was the best outcome all round.  The star player was Woodham’s Tim Pulham with a hat-trick of singles even though he survived a mighty comeback from Dawn Baldry to eventually overcome his foe in 5 sets.  Woodham’s Dave Penrose had a busy evening playing 19 out of the maximum 20 legs available to him.  He came through in 5 sets against both Baldry and Brian Riedling but lost out in 4 to Maldon’s best player on the night Marty Englander.  Baldry and Englander paired up for the ever-so-close and ever-so-important doubles point – only squeezing through 12-10 in the decider – to ensure the draw.

In Division 3 we have already reported that Blackwater C have secured the title with weeks to go.  This week they continued their winning form with a 7-3 turnover of Shirley Carroll’s Maldon D.  Gary Smith was back in action and he hit his customary treble and was ably supported by Colin Barham and Andrea Alleyne with a brace of wins each. Smith was out for revenge against arch nemesis Tim Huxtable who had robbed him of his 100% win rate only a few weeks earlier – it wasn’t going very well for Smith when he found himself 2-1 down and looking down that uncomfortable but oddly familiar barrel of Huxtable bragging rights.  Smith had a word with himself, sorted out his serves, pulled his sleeves up and battled his way to a ‘revenge never tasted sweeter’ 5 set victory – oh the relief!  Huxtable did get some revenge though as he and partner James Raymond somehow took the doubles off the Blackwater Galactico duo of Smith and Alleyne.  The battle for second place is a bit of a damp squib – with neither of the protagonists showing much spirit in these crucial weeks.  With Maldon D dropping points at the champions surely Blackwater D would take advantage.  Instead of a much need boost Blackwater D travelled to Woodham D and came away battered and bruised following a 6-4 loss.  Woodham’s Simon Thomas remains in great form and hit yet another hat-trick with minimal resistance from his opponents.  Thomas was well supported by Chris Crooks who edged past Jacqui Treacy 12-10 in the fifth, and beat Dave Benstaed in 4 set, losing only to Jason Bush.  To cement their win Thomas and Crooks squeezed past Treacy and Bush 11-9 in the final set in the doubles.  Mixed emotions for the remain Blackwater sides this week as the E team laid down a perfect set of 9 singles victories but somehow then lost the doubles in a 9-1 win over St Lawrence with hat-tricks for Phil West, Kath Little, and Deb Ginn – with Mick Robinson and Nigel Brand taking the unexpected doubles point for the Baysiders.  Blackwater F struggled against a rampant Maldon E trio in an 8-2 reverse that saw Maldon’s John Leavett record his 6^th hat-trick of the season.  For Maldon Keith Thompson was in great form winning both his sides points with victories over Kym Eames and Patrick Coyne.

As we eagerly await the battle of the giants in Division 1 the middle order is being decided.  Cold Norton C have been the surprise package this season and continue to rack up the results.  This week they saw off the depleting challenge of Woodham B with an 8-2 win.  Kim Shead was on top form and hit his third hat-trick of the season that included a tough 5 set battle with leftie Harry Sawford.  In fact Sawford had the busiest night of anyone playing in four 5 setters for just the single point against Martin Archie which he won 12-10 in the fifth after saving 4 match points when 6-10 down in the fourth leg.  Supporting Shead were Archie and Arron Chandler who both won a brace.  Woodham’s Peter Harverson taking a notable 5 set victory over Chandler.  As much as Cold Norton C have impressed this year, Cold Norton A have underwhelmed.  This week they drew with bottom placed Stow Maries and had Arron Chandler playing up to thank as he hit a treble of singles and combined with Steve Maltby for the extra doubles point.  For Stow Richard Storey and Adi Kamma both hit two wins beating Neil Want and Maltby, with Ken Sheard adding the final point to secure the draw.

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Eamonn Hall, Press Officer

Burnham & District Table Tennis League

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Pic 1 – Neil Freeman leading from the front for his Blackwater A side

Pic 2 – Kim Shead with another top flight hat-trick this week.

Pic 3 – Kim Shead taking his hat-trick against Peter Harverson this week.

Pic 4 – Arron Chandler taking a treble for Cold Norton A this week

Pic 5 – Tim Pulham versus Marty Englander in the battle of the unbeatens this week.

The game of leapfrog at the lower end of division two of the Braintree Table Tennis League continues apace.

In the latest set of matches, one team jumped from eighth to fourth by beating the team one place above them, one leaped from bottom to fifth with a win against the team four points ahead of them and another team suffered a totally unexpected 10-0 defeat to slump from fourth to eighth.

Finchingfield A, who footed the table for some time after losing their first five matches, are now fourth after a win over Black Notley D.

An unbeaten Peter Clark was the man in form.

Yeldham Whitlocks A made sure their stay at the bottom did not last long by beating Rayne E 7-3.  Roy Hooper and Doug Sanders were unbeaten in the singles and combined to win the doubles.

The big fallers were Notley C, who unaccountably failed to score against Rayne D, who they had beaten 9-1 earlier in the season, with only one change of personnel on each side.

Lewis Armstrong-Kirton and Peter Rickwood both beat Jamie Brooks and Lawrence Grantham, who they had lost to first time round.

Netts D have now taken their turn at the bottom after losing 8-2 to leaders Rayne C.

In division one Netts A increased their lead at the top with a 9-1 win over their own B team while second-placed Sudbury Nomads beat Notley A 7-3.

Notley’s Sam Burrows had his best night of the season in the latter match, winning all three.

There was also a first treble of the season for Steve Pennell in Rayne A’s 6-4 win over Notley B.

After dropping to their first defeat a week earlier, division three title hopefuls Finchingfield B improved their chances with a 10-0 win over Notley F while leaders Notley E dropped three points to their own G team.

Finchingfield’s win was notable for the unusual line-up in the doubles when a father and son, Ray Bradford and Lucien Nolan-Bradford, faced father and son Victor and Jonathan Acharya.

Their defeat had come at the hands of Netts F, when they were only able to field two players.

Stewart Grant, making a return after a lengthy injury lay-off, and Trevor Laird won two for Finchingfield while James Howard and Tom Verrier did likewise for Netts F, who won the match 6-4.

Netts F were held to a draw by Sudbury Drifters in their next while Rayne F, their rivals for third place, beat Yeldham B 8-2. Dave Whiting was unbeaten

It was a good night for Chris High, who remained unbeaten in Rayne G’s 6-4 win over Notley H.

Report by Ron Fosker

Such has been their dominance, Blackwater C have won the Division 3 title of the Burnham & District Table Tennis Winter League with 3 matches to go following their 7-3 victory over nearest rivals Blackwater D.  What a season the team have had with multiple whitewash victories.  Are they nervous or excited for their jump to the higher division next season?  .

In Division 1 Fambridge have finally caught up with long time leaders Cold Norton B after their 9-1 destruction of Cold Norton C this week.  Leaders Cold Norton B have Arron Chandler to thank for taking the sole Cold Norton point against Mark Stones which keeps Cold Norton B clinging on to top spot by virtue of the number of games won only.  What a run in we now have – especially as the two protagonists meet next week in the mother of all winner-takes-all clashes.  Fambridge’s Keith Adams and John Poysden both hit trebles on the night to keep the pressure on.  An unusual looking Woodham A side cast aside availability concerns as they brushed aside the expectant Stow Maries trio in a 9-1 turnover.  The Woodham trio of Harry Sawford, Dan Piglet, and most notably Dave Penrose all hit hat-tricks on the night.  That would be Penrose’s first top flight hat-trick in Burnham, and his first player of the match accolade – bet he’s glad he got the call up now!  Despite the crushing singles defeats Stow’s Gary Brignall and Ken Sheard rallied for the doubles and took the unexpected bonus point off Piglet and Sawford in straight sets.  The final match of the week saw Mapledene B host Woodham B at their stunning alternative venue.  Woodham were a bit out of sorts and left in awe of the venue and facilities and in dismay at their performance as they fell to a 9-1 loss with Peter Harverson saving the whitewash with a final set victory over David Jacob.  Jacob won his other matches, coming back from 2-0 down against Eamonn Hall in an opening match thriller.  Mapledene’s Simon Jacob and Colin Chatfield both went undefeated in excellent displays using their variety of bats and rubbers to great use, and the Jacobs brushed aside the Woodham duo in the doubles for the extra point.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Woodham B side this week as they fought their way to the Handicap Cup Final following a 5-1 win over the much fancied Blackwater A.  Blackwater got off to a great start nicking the opening doubles but that only pushed Woodham to up their game in the remaining evenly contested matches.  Peter Harverson edged past Neil Freeman 19 & 20, and Graham Briggs came through a tricky encounter with Denis Balic.  Noah Sage was on great form all evening for Blackwater playing a thoughtful and mature style with caused problems for his opposition.  The match against Eamonn Hall went to 3 legs and was very much in the balance until the last few points where Hall produced a masterful set of 5 serves to take the final leg.  The middle doubles was extremely even and well contested throughout.  At the business end of the deciding leg Blackwater had 5 match points to extend the match but failed to take them – eventually Woodham found themselves with a match point at 25-24 and duly wrapped up the game to take an overall 4-1 lead.  Blackwater hearts were broken.  Up stepped Sage to take on Harverson and he blasted his way to the opening leg.  Harverson came back to square things up in the second only to find himself considerably behind in the final leg – it was time to dig deep.  Harverson eventually tied the match at 16 all but relaxed a little too much and found himself 19-17 behind with Sage on the march.  Time to dig deep again, and Harverson rattled off 4 points to take the leg, that match and secure his team’s path to the Final later in the season.

Maldon A continue their march towards the Division 2 title.  This week they saw off a spirited Stow B side in a 7-3 score that saw all 3 Maldonites winning two singles, but none of them were able to better the fireball that is Adi Kamma.  Kamma took his second hat-trick for his new Club which included a ding dong 5 setter with Colin Napper.  Second placed Blackwater A failed to capitalise on Kamma’s gift as they were held by an unusually strong Cold Norton D trio.  Blackwater’s defensive master Denis Balic was on top form as he completed his hat-trick with a deciding set victory over the unbeaten Neil Want.  With only 3 games to play this week’s draw may have dashed any lingering hopes of the championship for the Blackwater Gang.  Mapledene C had a busy week.  In their opening match they saw off the challenge of Blackwater B with an Andy Seaman inspired 7-3 victory, and that was followed by a defeat at the hands of Woodham C where they went down by the same 7-3 scoreline.  Whilst Seaman was a picture of concentration for his treble in the first match, the same couldn’t be said for the Blackwater comedy trio as they had to deal with a wardrobe malfunction as they had to play the matches in a variety of random and ill-fitting footwear due to a lack of care when packing for the match.  In the doubles both Mervyn Perriman and Simon Quelch wore one of Roger Slade’s shoes to make Roger feel better about being dropped – they lost and Roger wasn’t happy!  In the second match it was Woodham’s Tim Pulham that caused the most trouble as he went unbeaten across his 3 tough matches that included an edge-of-your-seat 12-10 final set triumph over Sue Body.  Body had a busy night as all her singles went the distance.  She came out on the right side of a deuce final set against Alan Dadswell, but lost out to Allan Steel 11-6 in another 5^th set.   Dawn Baldry was on fire for Maldon C this week as she led her team to a tight 6-4 victory over Cold Norton E.  Baldry smashed her way to a hat-trick of victories in the singles and partnered up with Marty Englander to take the crucial and match-winning doubles point.  For Cold Norton both Dick Wyman and Tony Forster won 2 singles but couldn’t get close to the hard-hitting Baldry.

In the most expected news of the week, Blackwater C have secured the Division 3 crown following their 7-3 victory over second placed Blackwater D.  The Galacticos of Division 3 came through 7-3 on the night and that was enough to widen the gap beyond the reach of the rest of the division.  It was a traditional ‘dusty bin’ 3-2-1 performance for the champions, with Andrea Alleyne taking a hat-trick, supported by Peter Davenport with 2 wins and Tina Hutchinson taking a point off Roger Tiffin.  Hutchinson was unfortunate not to add to her tally as her other matches all went deep in to the deciding sets – with her match with Dave Benstead finally ending with a 15-13 energy sapping loss.   With Blackwater D dropping points in the top-of-the-table clash, Maldon D snuck into second place with a 7-3 win over Blackwater E.  James Raymond continued his impressive form with another hat-trick, with Luca Riedling taking 2 wins and Shirley Carroll taking a single point.  Maldon E had a good week with an 8-2 victory over St Lawrence A, followed by a draw with Woodham D.  Kym Eames was the star of the St Lawrence battle as she recorded her first treble of the season against the experienced opposition.  This included a 4 set victory over Dave Bateman who himself was in great form as he won all his other matches.  In the Woodham match Maldon had a 3-0 headstart as Woodham were short a player and unfortunately came up against a determined Simon Thomas who went unbeaten all night despite a very tight 5-setter against John Leavett.  Thomas kept up his unbeaten antics as his Woodham team (full complement this time) took a 7-3 win over Blackwater F.  The toughest match of the night saw Thomas and Jason Bush go toe-to-toe in an all out 5 set battle where Thomas had to come back from 2-0 down to maintain his winning form.  The sartorial explosion that is Chris Crooks won 2 of his singles to support the Thomas haul, and the pair of them combined for a comfortable doubles point.

Pic 1 – Blackwater C – Division 3 Champions 2026.  Tina Hutchinson, Peter Davenport, Gary Smith, & Andrea Alleyne.

Pic 2 – Gary Brignall versus Harry Sawford this week.

Pic 3 – Dave Penrose taking his first ever top flight treble for Woodham this week.

Pic 4 – Simon Jacob completing his hat-trick for Mapledene against Peter Harverson.

Report by Eamonn Hall

The Southend and District Table Tennis League Championship finals came to fruition on Friday night and  new Men’s and Ladies Champions were crowned as Dan Young overcame reigning champion Mark Mulley and Barbara Chabior beat Dawn Baldry.

No less than seven finals and two semi – finals were played at host club Hockley TTC and, not surprisingly, even though the event started at 6.30pm it was gone 11.00pm by the time it finished. There were some long and very evenly contested matches throughout the evening.

The final of the Vets Doubles set the tone as Duncan Taylor (Rayleigh Mill) and Kevin Read (Rawreth) took on the Jacob brothers (Brand Identity), Simon and David, which eventually saw regular partners Taylor and Read come back from 2-1 down to win 10/12 11/7 10/12 13/11 12/10. A five set match turned out to be the last thing Taylor wanted as he still had four, possibly five matches still to play!

Next on court was the Mixed Doubles final between Debbie O’Neill (Matchpoint) and Les Hoey (Basildon) and Stanford pairing Tina Hutchinson  and Mitchell Jones. This turned out to be one of the shortest matches of the evening as Hutchinson and Jones won easily 11/4 11/5 11/8.

The Vets Over 40’s final pitched seasoned doubles partners Taylor and Read against each other and the script was probably pre-written here as they produced a long and intriguing five set encounter eventually won 15/13 10/12 12/10 8/11 11/9 by Read. There were some intense rallies throughout as Read sought to impose his attacking game on Taylor’s staunch defending and the final set saw even more drama as Taylor had a spectacular fall with the score at 6/7. Whilst he soon recovered, without apparent injury, it would have been the last thing he wanted at such a crucial time.

The first of the Men’s Singles semi – finals came next and this turned out to be a very straightforward affair as Mark Mulley (Hadleigh Forum) beat Ian Wall (Thorpe Bay) 11/7 11/3 11/8.

Not much time to rest for Taylor as he took to the floor against Dan Young (Rawreth) in the other semi final and another long four set match ensued. Taylor’s firm defence came out on top in the first set winning 11/9 but Young showed he can play the waiting game too probing steadily for an opening to enable him to unleash his big hitting game. It couldn’t have been much closer as he won the next three sets 11/9 17/15 14/12.

The Ladies Doubles final saw Barbara Chabior (Wakering) and Tina Hutchinson (Stanford) take on Matchpoint pair Debbie O’Neill and Hannah Harbour. Yet another five set match saw Chabior and Hutchinson come back from two sets down to take the title 12/10 in the decider. They were even behind 7/3 in the final set so quite a comeback! Final score 5/11 7/11 11/8 11/9 12/10.

Taylor stepped up for his third final of the night, this time partnered by Daniel Bronziet (Rawreth), in the final of the Men’s Doubles against Mulley and Wall. It turned out to be a successful partnership as well as, after exchanging the first two sets 12/10, they edged the next two 11/7 11/8.

Just the two main singles finals left and it was the ladies turn first with first time finalist Barbara Chabior taking on the experienced and former winner Dawn Baldry (Mapledene). The bookmakers would probably have put their money on Baldry for this one but Chabior got off to a winning start taking the first set 11/6 and then successfully came through a tight second set edging home 16/14. Baldry got her attacking game going in set three and won another close set 11/9 but, unfortunately, she couldn’t maintain this recovery losing the fourth set 11/6. A great night for Barbara taking home two trophies on her finals debut!

The Men’s final completed the evening between reigning champion Mulley and 21 year old Young who had actually appeared in the final four years earlier but finished runner up. It featured some tremendous hitting but, in the end, it was Young’s steadier defensive play that made the difference. He couldn’t have had a better start winning the first set 11/3 with Mulley making far too many mistakes in his attacking game. He recovered in the second to push Young all the way but just lost 14/12 to put Young in a very strong position. Not one to surrender his title easily, Mulley came back brilliantly in the third set taking it 11/4 and leaving the crowd with high expectations of another five set match. It proved not to be however as Young played steadily, returning Mulley’s attacking shots confidently and waiting for an error or a chance to hit his own attacking shots. He triumphed 11/7 to take his first Men’s Singles title.

All in all the evening produced some thrilling matches with great hitting, stubborn defence, amazing rallies and even a fair share of outrageous nets. Thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd even though the finish was past some of their bedtimes!

Congratulations to all the winners, commiserations to the runners up, and thanks to all those who helped organise and run the event.

Reportby Paul Strutt

There’s little to choose between Holland Hurricanes and Nomads Leopards in Division Three of the Clacton League, as was evidenced when they met this week, the match ending all-square.

Gary Stallwood took his customary three whilst there was one each for Ian Gwillim and Gerry Widnell, skipper Widnell taking a crucial last-gasp victory in the final match of the evening to secure the draw with a narrow 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9 victory over Anne Bonny. For the Leopards, Dominic Joannou and Doug Green each took two, and shared a four-set doubles victory over Stallwood and Widnell.

The result, a repeat of their early-season encounter, leaves both teams level on 82 points in joint-second place, the Leopards having played a game more.

Meanwhile, title favourites Brotherhood H reached 100 points for the season and extended their lead at the top with a 9-1 victory over Holland Vulcans. Dan Grindrod and Owen Woollard took trebles whilst Derek Foxley picked up a consolation point for the Vulcans with a win over Danny Still.

The Division also produced one of the more bizarre score-lines of recent seasons, Windsor Magpies beating Nomads Ocelots 7-1, this as a result of the Magpies playing with one guest player and the Ocelots with two. For the record, the Magpies took five points from ‘conceded’ matches and the Ocelots one, with John Plummer and Alan Rutledge defeating Hazel Blanche in the only two ‘valid’ matches.

Back in Division One, Nomads Panthers were predictable winners over Windsor Buzzards, John Hatley and Denes Somodi unbeaten in their 8-2 victory. But the Buzzards will take heart they were able to take two points off the champions, Andy Hart inflicting a first defeat of the season on Kevin James, 11-6, 9-11, 13-15, 11-9, 11-8, while Hart and Ray Chillingworth enjoyed an unexpected 11-9, 12-10, 10-12, 5-11, 11-8 doubles win over Hatley and Somodi.

Russell Hillier was in sparkling form for Brotherhood B against Windsor Eagles, his treble including a 14-12 in the fifth victory over John Pattrick. Alas for Hillier, they were his side’s only points, Pattrick, Gavin Price and Phil Smith each taking a couple for the Eagles in their 7-3 win against a weakened Brotherhood B.

Brotherhood C beat Walton B 6-4, Graham Playle and Martin Edwards each winning two and Dave Miller one, although none of them could get the better of Pete Burrows who remained undefeated for the losers. But Walton will feel that, with a little luck, they might have squeezed a victory, Graham Buxton going down 11-9 in the decider to Playle, while John Marshall lost 11-5 in the decider to Miller and 12-10 in the decider to Playle.

In Division Two, leaders Brotherhood G were 10-0 winners against a Windsor Penguins’ side fielding two reserves, Mark Boyland, Mark Beckham and Paul Metcalf the winning trio. However, the Penguins came near to getting on the score-sheet, Beckham only just beating Paul Woolnough 11-9 in the fifth, Metcalf getting past Windsor reserve Matt Thomas by an even closer 13-11 in the fifth, and Beckham and Metcalf taking the doubles 11-6 in the fifth against Woolnough and Thomas.

The all-Brotherhood clash between the ‘D’ and ‘F’ teams was a close-run affair which ended with honours even, a first draw of the season for both sides. Mark Salter took a treble and Neil Chegwidden two for the ‘F’ team, with Russell Stone winning two for the ‘D’ team. Four matches went close in five, Mark Salter defeating both Stone and Fred Gallone 11-9 in the decider, while the ‘D’ team also won two crucial five-setters, Stone and Gallone edging past Mark Salter and Tricia Salter 11-8 in the decider in the doubles, and Lily Liu emphasising her recent improvement with an 11-9 in the decider win over Tricia Salter.

Three for Joe Sherwin, two for Tom Bryden, one for Ruby Gallagher, plus a Bryden/Gallagher doubles win, gave Brotherhood J a 7-3 victory over Nomads Tigers. For the Tigers Matt Sage won two, while Alex Baldock beat Gallagher 11-6 in the fifth in the only encounter which went the distance.

Windsor Harriers drew for the second week running, this time against Windsor Kestrels, Barry Allen and Ferdy Rodriguez both taking a couple. But Peter Aumord of the Kestrels was the player of the match, notching up a first treble of the season and, with Allen Denyer, taking a crucial doubles victory 13-11 in the decider against Allen and Rodriguez. Denyer picked up the fifth Kestrels’ point.

Finally, Nomads Jaguars defeated a two-man Lawford 7-3, a result that probably quashes Lawford’s outside chance of a top-two place. Andy Hart remained unbeaten for the Jaguars, whilst Charlie Denholm picked up a couple for Lawford.

* Entries are now open for the League’s Closed Championships which is being held on 11thand 12th April at the Lift Clacton (formerly Clacton Coastal Academy) Sports Hall. The closing date is Friday 20th March. There are events for players of all standards. To qualify, players must have played at least four League matches by the closing date. Full details are on the League’s website.

* For more information about the League’s Quiz Evening on Saturday 21st March at the Brotherhood Hall, contact Ferdy Rodriguez (Tel : 07565 767266 or 01255 830951; e-mail fernando.rodriguez@sky.com). The cost, for teams of up to six people, is £5.00 per person, bring your own drinks and nibbles.

RESULTS

Division 1

Windsor Eagles 7 Brotherhood B 3;

Nomads Panthers 8 Windsor Buzzards 2;

Brotherhood C 6 Walton B 4.

Division 2

Windsor Penguins 0 Brotherhood G 10;

Windsor Kestrels 5 Windsor Harriers 5;

Brotherhood J 7 Nomads Tigers 3;

Nomads Jaguars 7 Lawford 3;

Brotherhood D 5 Brotherhood F 5.

Division 3

Windsor Magpies 7 Nomads Ocelots 1;

Brotherhood H 9 Holland Vulcans 1;

Holland Hurricanes 5 Nomads Leopards 5.

In six of the eight matches in the second round of the Braintree Table Tennis League handicap cup, it was the lower ranked team who came through.

Five of the teams advancing to the quarter final are from division three while second division teams fill the other three places.

First division teams Sudbury Nomads, currently second in the league, plus Rayne A, Netts B, Black Notley B and Sudbury Wanderers all fell by the wayside.

Nomads were the major sufferers, falling 9-0 to division two Netts C. 

Facing opponents with starts between 11 and 14 up to 21, they took five sets to three games but Aron Jordan’s defeat at 21-19 in the third against Peter Lewis was the closest they got.

Lewis, Chris Krelle and David Montgomery were on duty for Netts.

Nomads’ second team, the Wanderers, managed three sets against Notley G – all from David Hitchen, conceding 8, 11 and 14 – but could get no further.

Black Notley B also failed to score, although opponents Finchingfield B declared at 5-0.  Lucien Nolan-Bradford (2), Ray Bradford (2) and Peter Dacey (1) saw them home.

Rayne A were the A team in name only, featuring as is allowed in the cup, two second division players plus one from division three.

But Sudbury Drifters’ Terry Hunneybel (2), Tim Matthews (2) and Geoff Barrett (1) eased to a 5-2 win.

Of all the division one teams, Netts B came the closest to success.  They pulled back from 1-4 to 4-4 against Sudbury Strollers before Ian Whipps (off +14) crept past Sean Clift.

Yeldham Whitlocks B had a walkover against Finchingfield A.

The two teams to buck the trend were Rayne E and Netts F.

Netts F came past Notley H, one place below them in the league, and it was as close as might have been expected, with two unbeaten players, Ann Peart of Notley and Tom Verrier of Netts facing each other in the final singles with the score at 4-4.

Verrier overcame the 12-point handicap to pull his team through.

Rayne E also came through 5-4 against Notley F and again needed the final set to take their place in the quarter final.

Richard Whiteside, who had lost his previous two singles, overcame Tony Brown (off +12)

The first division matches played before the cup week proved to be mostly predictable affairs.

The top three won 9-1 (Netts A over Liberal B), 9-1 (Sudbury Nomads over Rayne B), 10-0 (Nomads again, this time over Notley B), and 9-1 (Rayne A over Sudbury Wanderers).

The exception was Netts B’s draw with Notley A, where Chris Parr won three sets against his former clubmates.

Report by Ron Fosker