This week’s division one matches in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League produced four close fought affairs and two 9-1 results.

The leaders Maldon A predictably ran out 9-1 winners, against Rawreth after Trevor Lloyd and Alex Abbott had stayed undefeated. Charles Sweeny was on target for Rawreth with a hard-fought 3-2 (5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9) victory over John Poysden.

Second-placed Chelmsford A also won 9-1. Wale Bada and Casey Cross were both undefeated against OCs A. Dan Berry was on target for OCs with a 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11- 6, 11-5) victory over Tulay Dundar.

Adrian Pitt impressed for Liberal who drew 5-5 with Writtle A. He was twice taken to five ends but on both occasions he stormed through the decider. Pitt beat Matthew Brown 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6 and Lee McHugh by the most unlikely of scorelines: 11-2, 6-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-2.

Eric Green led Danbury A to 6-4 victory over Chelmsford B. It was a night Rob Shrimpton will wish to forget. He had the crushing experience of losing all three games in the fifth end. It was 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11 against David Gatheral, 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11 against Green and 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11,  9-11 against Peter Mynard.

It was honours even in the match between Writtle B and Danbury B. Phil Smith impressed for Writtle with a fine 3-2 (9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5) win over Daniel Young whilst Steve Buer triumphed against Lin Roff by a last-gasp 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 15-13) margin.

Galleywood A’s match with Hatfield Peverel A resulted in another well contested draw. Scott Dowsett was undefeated for Hatfield Peverel but he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Steve Kerns 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 16-14, 12-10). Hatfield Peverel reserve Neil Freeman played his part with a narrow 3-2 (7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 13-11) victory over Gary Brignall.

Division two leaders OCs B ran out 7-3 winners against OCs C – and with both David Cole and Kevin Worthington in their line-up few eye-brows will have been raised at that result. Worthington overcame some stubborn resistance from Frank Hodge before he triumphed 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6).

OCs B were forced to face Hatfield Peverel B without their two best players and Hatfield Peverel were also a player short. With Neil Freeman beating Steve Northcott (8-11, 11- 8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-3) and Trevor Carter (11-9, 13-11, 6-11, 12-10) Hatfield Peverel won 5-4.

Chelmsford C moved into second place, only four points behind OCs B after beating Chelmsford C 6-4. Waseem Qureshi – who is on top form at present with five successive hat-tricks – won his three singles again, all in three straight. He put together a very strong showing downing the challenges of Dave Fiddeman (11-3, 11-7, 11-7), Neil Freeman (11-9, 11-5, 11-4) and Gareth Davies (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).

The match between Writtle C and Danbury E finished tied at 5-5. Gary Ward – another very experienced hand at this level won his three singles. He beat Gus Heath (11-7, 11-8, 11-6), Ken Sheard (11-5, 11-5, 11-7) and David Gatheral (11-9, 11-3, 11-7).

Just three scorecards in division three this week. OCs D moved back into top spot by beating OCs E 8-2. Mick Richardson and David Porter were both unbeaten. Mick Hayes won once and it couldn’t have been closer. He beat Adam Yardley 3-2 (10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9) in a rousing last game of the evening.

Maldon D shaded their match 6-4 against Danbury H. Thomas Page was undefeated and his trio of wins included a 3-2 (4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9) victory over Luca Bailey.

Writtle D relied on team work to get the better of OCs F 7-3. Bob Garson, Trevor Colin and Dave Carter all won twice although they all missed out against Ashton Parker. Dave Carter came very close to beating Parker 3-0 before Parker came through to win 3-2 (8-11, 8-11, 15-13, 11-9, 11-7).

In division four Nicola Pippen (Highwood A), the Hatfield Peverel C duo of Keith Flowers and Nick Duce and David Meah (Writtle F) all stayed undefeated this week.

Pippen won her three singles the hard way against Highwood B – each time in the fifth end. She beat Frank Neil (9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8) and then Martin Goddard (3-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7) and finally Francis Whitbread (6-11, 15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5).

A two-man Hatfield Peverel C side managed to beat Galleywood B 7-3, in a match where Keith Flowers and Nick Duce called all the shots.

Writtle F with David Meah leading the way ran out 6-4 winners against Danbury K. Andy Fox beat Mick Robinson 3-2 (8-11, 11-2, 1-19, 9-11, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.

Galleywood C are pulling away in division five. Gary Copsey, Charlie Craig and Aidan Noguchi were clear-cut 10-0 winners against Hatfield Peverel E.

Second-placed Chelmsford G slipped back by losing 7-3 to Chelmsford H. Michael Whelpdale did the damage with a hat-trick and he received excellent support from Jamie Dowsett and Luke Richardson who both won twice. Whelpdale had to work hard to defeat Andy Swales and this included losing the second game 11-0. Whelpdale eventually won 3-2 (11-9, 0-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7).

Chelmsford H in turn lost 6-4 to OCs H. The experienced Stuart Wintle won his three singles for the Old Chelmsfordians side. Maldon E with Denis Crapnell on unbeaten form defeated OCs H 7-3. Maldon’s Ross Wheeler won twice and this included a 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11- 6, 5-11, 12-10) win over Mike Morecroft.

Chelmsford J emerged as 6-4 winners against Hatfield Peverel D in a match where no one player won three singles and no one went home empty-handed. Andy Whiley beat Paul Bullock 3-2 (9-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-1, 12-10) in the closest game of the evening.