Second-placed Chelmsford B look like they are on their way to promotion to division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League – along with the division two leaders Writtle Excalibur A.

Chelmsford B scored a fine 8-2 win over Danbury D – a result that gives them a 12-point cushion over Hatfield Peverel A. Newcomer Simon Jarvis scored a hat-trick which included a last gasp 3-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8 win over Simon Lowman – the best of the Danbury players.

Chelmsford B were without Jarvis against Danbury B and they were fortunate that Danbury were a player short otherwise the margin of defeat might have been heavier than 6-4. Glen Laing was undefeated for Danbury.

Hatfield Peverel A are third and it is fair to say that if they had had the services of Peter Barrett earlier in the season they would have been closer to second.

Barrett was unbeaten in their 6-4 win over OCs C. Charles Yeung downed the challenge of John Gagg 3-2 (11-7, 6-11, 7-11, 11-16, 12-10) in the closest game of the night.

OCs B did well to beat Chelmsford C 6-4 as they were a player short. Trevor Carter picked up his three singles for the OCs side.

In the first division Rawreth A scored their fifth win of the season – a 7-3 success against Galleywood A. Reece Seddon was unbeaten for the Southend team whilst James Hicks picked up two good wins for the Galleywood side. He beat Kim Shead 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 12-14, 11-8) and Mike Hayes 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9).

Liberal B won twice to move above Liberal A. Paul Davison was undefeated in their 7-3 win over Liberal A whilst Adam Buxton and Steve Pennell both scored hat-tricks in their 8-2 victory over OCs A. Dan Berry made his mark here for the losers. He beat Simon Webber 3-1 (14-12, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10).

Maldon B are division three champions and they won the title in style by beating second-placed Writtle Excalibur B 7-3. Ciaran Whelan and Hamish Innes were both undefeated although Innes had to pull out all the stops to beat Paul Sturton 3-2 (11-3, 6-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9) and Phil Smith 3-2 (11-4, 10-12, 8-11, 12- 10, 12-10). Expect Maldon to be challenging for honours in division two next year as well.

Hatfield Peverel B are third and they were the week’s big winners. Neil Freeman, Dave Fiddeman and Guy McKenzie beat Chelmsford D 10-0. No mean feat against a Chelmsford side which included Dave Parker and Gordon Fairchild.

Danbury E also won convincingly against the side just one place below them. Tim Pulham and David Gatheral both won their three singles in their 9-1 victory against Maldon C.

Writtle Excalibur B – who are virtually assured of second place have also enjoyed a good season and they beat Chelmsford E 7-3. Phil Smith won his three singles for the Writtle side and this included a 3-2 (7-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10) victory over Keith Martin – the best of the Chelmsford players.

OCs D (Mick Hayes, Mick Richardson and David Porter) ran out 8-2 winners over Danbury F. Mick Richardson was unbeaten.

Danbury G with 13 wins out of 16 have one hand on the division four trophy. Nicky Ford and Maurice Hardy were both unbeaten in their 9-1 win over Danbury K. This match was closer than the scoreline indicates with four games decided in the fifth end with Danbury G winning all four. Norman Smith edged out Roger Tiffin 3-2 (11-4, 11-4, 4-11, 4-11, 11-9) in the least predictable of those encounters.

Danbury G also drew 5-5 with OCs F. And yes – no prizes for guessing that Terry Dowsett won his three singles for the OCs side.

The match between Danbury J and OCs E was also drawn. Adam Yardley was unbeaten for the OCs side whilst Kevin Willis edged out Dave Newman 3-2 (11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10) in the closest game of the night.

Danbury H were convincing 9-1 winners over Maldon D. Richard Allen and Brian Ellis were both unbeaten and Danbury were aided by the fact that they won the two closest encounters of the evening both involving Shirley Carroll. Brian Ellis beat Shirley 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 8-11 13-11, 11-9) and Richard Allen defeated Shirley also in five (11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 7-11, 12-10).

In a match where no one player dominated Writtle Excalibur C emerged as 6-4 winners against OCs G. Tanishq Kotwal and David Bishop won twice for the Old Chelmfordians side and Neil Thompson and Dave Moles won two singles for the Writtle team.

Writtle Excalibur C also beat Maldon 6-4 – good going as Mervyn Perriman won his three singles for the Maldon side. Perriman completed his hat-trick with a 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-9) win over Neil Thompson.

Chelmsford F are division five champions and they secured the title with a week to go by beating Highwood A 8-2. Adi Kamma and Amanda Hogger were both undefeated and they were well supported by Ian Austin who won twice. All the players in the Chelmsford squad have made valuable contributions with Addi Kamma (72%), Ian Austin (78%), Jason Clark (67%), Jon Dyson (90%) and Amanda Hogger (53 %) being the mainstays of this team.

Hatfield Peverel D and OCs H drew 5-5. Peter Mortensen won his three singles for Hatfield Peverel and this included a victory over Stuart Wintle by a widely fluctuating 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 1-11, 11-8) scoreline. Chelmsford G are tied with Highwood A on 100 points in second place and they beat Chelmsford H 7-3. Martin Hiskey and Steven Chambers were both undefeated in their 7-3 win over Chelmsford H. Ben Jackson beat John Wickins 3-2 (11-9, 2-11, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11) in a real humdinger of a game.

Anglia Ruskin University scored their second win of the season by beating Chelmsford G 6-4. Newcomer Will Goodhand won his three singles for the University team and this include a quick-fire 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-6) win over Richard Gardiner.

Third-placed Buttsbury Bears were 4-1 winners over Danbury Dragons in division 2A of the CLICK League. Jason Yeh won both of his singles. They repeated the scoreline with a 4-1 victory over the higher placed Galleywood Hawks. Toby Kelly won his two singles although he was stretched to get the better of Charlie Craig. Kelly just prevailed 3-2 (12-14, 11-9, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8).

Galleywood Hawks (Vineeth Kamma and Charlie Craig) picked up all four singles in their 4-1 victory over West Maldon. The doubles escaped them and they missed out against Oliver Wylie and Blaydon Farmer in five ends (10-12, 2-11, 13-11, 11-3, 7-11).

Buttsbury Bucaneers lead the way in division 2B. Elliot Game and Jonny Evans were both undefeated in their 5-0 win over Buttsbury Bulldogs. Buttsbury Beavers were also 5-0 winners. Jason Yeh and Adam Wallace were undefeated against Danbury Demons.

Chelmsford Leopards scored their second win – 4-1 against Buttsbury Bulldogs. Sudheep Kamma won both of his singles. He beat Harry Hutt 3-1 (8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9) and James Green 3-2 (11-7, 11-8, 1-11, 7-11, 12- 10).

In a closer match, Buttsbury Beavers beat Chelmsford Leopards 3-2. Adam Wallace won his two singles for the Beavers. He beat Sudheep Kamma 3-2 (11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5) and James Donald 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6).

Chelmsford Pumas are clearcut leaders in division 2C. Joachin Mapes and Saul Chivers ran out 5-0 winners against Black Notley Barracudas. Buttsbury Badgers (Aiden Ticker and Oscar Hutt) beat Chelmsford Tigers 4-1 and Chelmsford Tigers in turn beat Chelmsford Jaguars 3-2. All four players – Louis Burnett and Ryan Armstrong from the Tigers and Annabel Sweeney and Melinda Abraham Victor from the Jaguars won one singles encounter.