Elmtree Graphics make it a League and Cup Double
Elmtree Graphics B, runaway winners of Division Two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League made it a year to remember by winning the Division Two Knock-Out Cup as well. Gary Cattermole, Peter Mynard and Phil Smith all played their part in a 5-2 victory over ECC. Mynard was severely tested twice.
He beat Simon Webber 3-2 (6-11, 10-12, 11-7, 14-12, 11-8) and he clinched the title by getting the better of Bryn Thomas 3-2 (11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6). Gary Cattermole played his part by beating James Hicks 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-6).
ECC won the Open Knock-Out Cup for the sixth time on the trot to add to their five consecutive wins in the preceding Mens Knock-Out Cup. The ECC side of Steve Kerns, Mark Mulley and Lucy Wang disposed of OCs A 5-1 in the semi-final.
Lucy Wang played her part by beating Steve Northcott 3-2 (10-12, 13-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6) and Mark Mulley sealed the victory by getting the better of Steve Northcott 3-1 (11-13, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9). Steve Kerns did well to get the better of Essex Junior first team player Brandon Crouchman 3-0 (18-16, 11-9, 11-5). 2012 Brentwood Mens Singles Champion Peter Hayden was OCs’ only winner. He beat Mark Mulley 3-2 (11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 5-11, 11-6).
The same ECC team beat third Division Champions Danbury B 5-1 in the final. The big shock was the superb win for Neil Want over Mark Mulley. Neil lost a close third end but thereafter he produced a faultless display as he won 3-1 (9-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-7). Steve Kerns and Lucy Wang were both undefeated. Tim Pulham won a close first end against Lucy Wang but she upped the ante considerably to run out a comfortable 3-1 (13-15, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4) winner.
OCs A are the new Chelmsford Junior Champions. Brandon Crouchman, Jack Crook and Tom Barker carried all before them in the Junior Final as they beat Chelmsford B (Sarah Austin, Daniel Thomas and Ryan Gooday) 5-0.
Brandon Crouchman and Jack Crook sealed the victory by beating Sarah Austin and Daniel Thomas 3-1 (11-2, 10-12, 11-2, 12-10) in a widely fluctuating Doubles encounter. OCs had been stretched more to get the better of Chelmsford A (Robert Shrimpton, James Austin and Chris Denyer).
Crouchman eventually sealed their 5-3 victory by beating Essex Schools Under 19 Champion Robert Shrimpton 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-8). Shrimpton had earlier made his mark by defeating Jack Crook 3-1 (11-3, 11-7, 11-13, 11-9).
In the Chelmsford League First Division Danbury A beat OCs B 6-4 to climb into second place. They finished tied with Bocking on 104 points but they finished second by virtue of having won more matches than their Braintree rivals.
None of the Danbury players were able to beat David Cole who showed his class by beating Antony Greenwood 3-1 (11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-8) and Michael Andrews 3-2 (10-12, 11-9 14-12, 8-11, 11-5). The vital win here was Tony Forster’s victory over Robbie Burton and the “long-armed Looper” Forster took his chances superbly to win 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-8).
This represents the first time that the long-standing members of this Danbury A side – Eric Green, Ian Whiteside and Tony Forster have finished in the medals in the Chelmsford First Division.
They have benefited considerably from the efforts of their more recent recruits – 2012 Chelmsford Mens Singles Semi-Finalist Antony Greenwood and 2011 and 2012 Chelmsford Mens Doubles Champion –
Michael Andrews.
Steve Kerns Press Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League