Hullbridge OAPs (Tim Pang, Peter Saunders and Chris Aukett) are the 2011 Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League First Division Champions having scored 21 out of a possible 30 points. Their points total could be matched by third-placed Rayne but they can’t be overhauled because they have beaten Rayne which guarantees them to be champions.
Hullbridge Slimboys finished a mere one point back after beating Ramsden Raiders 3-2 with Gary Baker beating both John Parodi and John Gagg in his singles encounters. The Slimboys also lost 3-2 to Elmtree Excalibur A in a match where Elmtree’s Phil Smith registered two superb wins. Clacton stalwart Smith beat Nigel Lamb 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 and Gary Baker 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 2-11, 11-6, in arguably the best performance of the Summer League Season. Ramsden Renegades completed their fixtures with a 4-1 victory over Writtle with Steve Buer remaining undefeated while Writtle’s Matthew Brown did well to beat Chris Buer.
There was also a close finish to the Second Division as Elmtree Excalibur B, led by Steve Cheesman, finished one point ahead of Danbury A (Graham Briggs, Chris Hancox and Lee McHugh).
OCs A produced their best display of the Season to defeat Danbury B 4-1 with Frank Hodge and Robert Burton coming up trumps in all four singles matches. Danbury B did better against Chelmsford A winning 3-2 although neither Herbie Smith or Tim Pulham were able to beat Robert Shrimpton. Herbie Smith prevailed 13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 against Dave Parker in the closest game of the night.
It was a case of what might have been for Danbury A who lost their last match 3-2 to Cold Norton A having led 2-0. In a real turnaround Terry Hyland hit back for Cold Norton by getting the better of Chris Hancox 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9 and Dave Marsh levelled the scores by defeating Lee McHugh 11-4, 11-8, 11-5. Marsh and Hyland completed the ultimate fight-back by beating McHugh and Hancox 11-9, 13-11, 11-5 in a closely fought doubles encounter.
Elmtree Excalibur C (Rod Maclennan and Tony Hallett) are Division Three Champions with 26 points out of 35 and they completed their fixtures in style by beating Cold Norton B 4-1. Rod Maclennan won both of his games which included a last gasp 7-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 success against Dave Hancox. Cold Norton B then fared better against Chelmsford B winning 4-1. Dave Hancox beat both Chris Denyer and Sarah Austin.
Chelmsford B were also winners as they beat Ramsden Rovers 3-2. James Austin won twice for Chelmsford, both times after five very hard fought ends. He beat Gareth Davies 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 and Andy Simmonds 11-8, 11-13, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9. Danbury C (Dave Powell and Brian Ellis) scored their first win of the summer as they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners against Mountnessing.
Ramsden Rovers completed their fixtures with a 3-2 win over OCs A. Gareth Davies was responsible for all three Ramsden victories in which he was pushed hard by Mick Hayes, David Porter and then again in his doubles match. Davies beat Hayes 11-3, 11-7, 14-16, 7-11, 11-4 and Porter 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6 before he combined with Andy Simmonds for a 11-4, 6-11, 4-11, 13-11, 11-8 doubles success.
Ramsden Rookies (Paul Sturton, Caroline Cole and Andrew Pepper) are Division Four Champions by five points from South Woodham Ferrers B. The Rookies finished their campaign with a 4-1 victory over OCs E. Paul Sturton won both of his singles whilst team-mate Andrew Pepper had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Shane Bliss 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-13, 11-9.
South Woodham Ferrers B just shaded their match 3-2 against OCs E. Val Board and Emma Dadswell came through a last gasp doubles encounter 9-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 15-13 against Shane Bliss and Tom Barker after Val had won her two singles. Chelmsford C (Jackie Smith and Ryan Gooday) came out on top 3-2 against OCs D although neither of their players were able to get the better of Daniel Berry who won both of his games in the fifth end.
Steve Kerns
Press Officer
Central Essex Summer League