The first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League produced some top-class action this week with the match between Chelmsford A and OCs A topping the bill.

There were surprises galore. OCs’ Paul Lucas powered his way past James Denyer 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-7) but Lucas was in turn beaten by Casey Cross 3-2 (11-4, 11-7, 18-20, 8-11, 10-12). Cross in turn lost 3-2 (6-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-5, 8-11) to the improving Dan Berry. 2019 Chelmsford Men’s Singles champion Ugur Saglik secured his hat-trick with a 3-2 (11-4, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7) win over Paul Lucas, and this gave Chelmsford a 7-3 victory.

Danbury A beat Galleywood A 6-4, in a match where 16 games were decided by scores of 11-9 or closer. Keith Adams (in his first game of the season) was undefeated for Danbury and this included a 3-2 (7-11, 2-11, 11-5, 15-13, 12-10) victory over Steve Kerns. A more attack-minded Eric Green did well to beat Peter Barrett 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-6), whilst Gary Brignall did well to beat Steve Whiteley in five ends: 10-12, 11-3, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.

Maldon A are setting a very strong pace and they made it 37 points out of 40 by beating Writtle A 10-0. Their ever present trio of Trevor Lloyd, Alex Abbott and John Poysden carried all before them. Lloyd fought back from 2-1 down to beat Lee McHugh 3-2 (11-7, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9).

Rawreth were also 10-0 winners against Writtle A. Liam Squirrel, Kim Shead and Charles Sweeny gave nothing away. Rawreth, fielding a completely different side were in turn on the wrong end of a 9-1 defeat against Chelmsford C. Waseem Qureshi and Cristian Bernardo both won their three singles whilst Wiktor Delimat won twice. Delimat set Chelmsford on their way with a 3-2 (5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 4-11, 13-11) win over Dale Gutteridge. Paul Brown was Rawreth’s sole winner and he beat Delimat 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8).

The match between Danbury A and Chelmsford A was harder fought and it finished tied at 5-5. Simon Jarvis was unbeaten for Chelmsford and he beat Eric Green 3-2 (11-13, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5) in his opening encounter.

Maldon B made it three wins out of three in division two. Colin Napper, Ciaran Whelan and Steve Scholz all won twice as they defeated Maldon C 6-4. Tom Page lost narrowly in three to Ciaran Whelan (11-13, 11-13, 8-11) whilst Dawn Baldry impressed greatly with a 3-2 (11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 2-11, 11-9) success against Ciaran Whelan.

Danbury C, with Gus Heath undefeated, beat OCs C-7-3. Heath sealed his third win with a 3-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-4) victory over Dave Porter.

The matches between Danbury C and Chelmsford D and Hatfield Peverel A and OCs B were both 5-5 draws. No one player stayed undefeated in the clash between Danbury and Chelmsford with David Gatheral and Chris Buer winning twice for Danbury and Paul Nicol and Shirish Basant Rai picking up two wins for Chelmsford. Gatheral had to pull out all the stops to beat Shirish 3-2 (14-12, 3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9).

Kevin Worthington was unbeaten for OCs B whereas Julie Johnson and Gareth Davies both won two singles for Hatfield Peverel. Trevor Carter beat Neil Freeman 3-2 (11-9, 5-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7).

Danbury H impressed in division three with a 8-2 win over Danbury J. Eamon Hall led the way with three wins and this included a five-setter against Dave Goody (11-8, 11-4, 3-11, 5-11, 11-7).

Teamwork won the day as Chelmsford E beat OCs E 7-3. Harry Buckle. Vineeth Kamma and Dave Parker all won twice. Parker showed great resilience to beat Tom Barker 3-2 (7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-5).

The match between Danbury G and Danbury F ended 5-5. Dave Marsh won his three singles and he beat Nicky Reece-Ford 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5) in his most testing encounter.

Maldon D jumped into third place in division four by beating Writtle F 9-1. Tom Elder and Garry Eames were both undefeated. Elder used all his experience to beat Colin Griffiths 3-0 (12-10, 15-13, 12-10).

Chelmsford H, with James Donald to the fore, beat Chelmsford F 7-3. Ian Austin came through a five-game thriller to get the better of Rev Mathews 10-12, 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11.

OCs F raced into a 6-0 lead against OCs G but had to settle for a 7-3 victory. David Bishop did well to beat Farooq Ahmed 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5) whilst Amanda Hogger defeated Richard Upson 3-2 (7-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7).

Chelmsford H with James Donald (12 wins out of 12) again dominating the action also beat Chelmsford G 6-4. Donald had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Luke Richardson 3-2 (9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7).

It was also 6-4 as leaders Galleywood C beat Writtle E. Mark Glenister and Charlie Craig carried all before them. Glenister was at pains to beat Dave Moles before he finally won 3-2 (8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9).

Highwood B lead the way in division five. Martin Goddard was undefeated as they emerged as 8-2 winners against Hatfield Peverel F. Mick Carter won twice for the losers, beating Frank Neill and David Cockrell.

Hatfield Peverel E also won 8-2 against Chelmsford J. Mick Carter was again to the fore and he secured a hat-trick with three convincing wins over Craig Studley (11-4, 11-7, 11-7), John Wickins (11-3, 11-6, 11-3) and Shengbin Zhu (11-6, 11-1, 11-1). Shengbin Zhu did well to beat John Kuhl 3-2 (11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11, 11-8).

Teamwork enabled Highwood A to defeat ARU 6-4. Melanie Bonnett, Keith Pallett and Nicola Pippen all won twice to counter Weronika Bozek’s hat-trick.

OCs H emerged as 8-2 winners against Hatfield Peverel D. They won three tight five-enders in the last three games as they maximised their winning margin. Mike Lucey beat Andy Simmonds 3-2 (12-14, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11) and Josh Peasgood beat Gary Simmonds 3-2 (7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9). Suzanne Shaw completed a memorable OCs team performance by getting the better of Andy Whiley 3-2 (2-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-9).

Maldon E ran out 6-4 winners against Danbury L. Andrea Alleyne won her three singles beating Finley Wheeler 3-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-1, 11-9), Elliot Gardiner 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-8) and Ken Wilding 3-0 (11-1, 11-8, 11-5).

Danbury Dragons scored an important 4-1 win over second placed Chelmsford Cougars in division 1A of the Chelmsford Junior League. Ewan Hynd led the way with wins over Sudheep Kamma 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9) and Josh Bickles 3-1 (10-12, 11-1, 11-9, 11-7).

Danbury Dragons also beat Chelmsford Jaguars 5-0. Ben Porter paired up with Sam Mortimer-Ford on this occasion. Sam Mortimer-Ford beat Annabel Sweeney in five ends (10-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11 -3).

Chelmsford Pumas (Saul Chivers and Ned Ryder) also won 5-0. Ryder beat Ben Chivers 3-2 (11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7) in the closest game of the night.

Danbury Demons were 5-0 winners over Chelmsford Panthers in division 1B. Alex Porter and Finley Wheeler carried all before them. Wheeler fought back from a first-end setback to beat Allesha Ellis-Austin 3-1 (4-11, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10).

Chelmsford Antelopes lead the way in division 1C. They beat Danbury Griffins 4-1. George Bilbow won both of his singles, beating Callum Caldwell 3-2 (11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 8-11, 11-7) and William Ratcliffe 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-2).

Chelmsford Antelopes also beat Chelmsford Wildcats 5-0. This time Todd Martin teamed up with George Bilbow, who had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Georgina Riches 3-2 (11-9, 3-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10).

The match between Buttsbury Beavers and Chelmsford Eagles was a close one and Buttsbury shaded it 3-2. Jacob Lawrence won twice. He beat Aarav Mehta 3-2 (11-4, 9-11, 12-14, 15-13, 11-7) and Nathan Tew 3-1 (11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9).

Division 1D leaders Danbury Devils were 5-0 winners against Chelmsford Wolves. Lotte Mills and Ewan Sturrock made it 13 points out of 15.

Buttsbury Badgers were narrow 3-2 winners against Chelmsford Elephants. Ronnie Palmer and Seamus Mellon both won once although they both missed out against Ben Pickwick. In the closest game of the night Pickwick beat Palmer 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11).

Buttsbury Bees complete this week’s fixtures and they beat Chelmsford Elephants 4-1. Joseph Hutt was undefeated for the Bees.