The Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League has retained it’s popularity over the years and this year’s Competition will be made up of four divisions.

Ramsden Renegades are the early leaders in the first division. Father and son duo Steve and Chris Buer ran out 4-1 winners against Rayne A. Chris Buer hit top form beating both Ian Whiteside and Zach Harrington 3-0. Ramsden followed this up by beating Ramsden Reds 3-2 and Chris Buer again made his mark. This time he beat Chelmsford two down Singles Champion Andrew Halling in four ends – 2-11, 117, 11-8, 11-8. Ramsden Reds also tasted success. They beat Excalibur A 3-2. Andrew Halling and Dave Calleja both won once although neither of them
were able to get the better of Gary Cattermole. In a closely fought battle of the no. one’s Cattermole defeated Andrew Haling 13-11, 11-8, 11-9. You would expect Hullbridge A to be in the shake-up for honours and they beat Writtle A 3-2. Hullbridge’s Gary Baker won both of his singles, but both of his games were closely fought. He beat Hector Rogers 11-3, 6-11, 15-17, 11-9, 11-9 and Matthew Brown 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11.

Hullbridge B (Peter Saunders and Ian Rattray) made a flying start in division two beating OCs B 5-0.

Ramsden Riders also hit the ground running and they defeated Cold Norton C 4-1. Dave Carter and John Parodi won their four singles. Ramsden Raiders in turn made it two wins out of two by beating OCs B 4-1. Maurice Lakin excelled for the Old Chelmsfordians side by beating Ray Eldridge 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5. Elmtree Graphics B defeated Cold Norton A 3-2. The doubles was the closest fought game of the night and the Cold Norton pairing of Terry Hyland and Dave Marsh edged out Rod Maclennan and Tony Hallett 13-11, 10-12, 5-11, 12-10, 11-9.

In the third division Chelmsford C have made a flying start. They defeated Writtle B 3-2. Chris Denyer won both of his singles beating Frank Neill 11-6, 11-8, 2-11, 15-13 and Brian Steward 11-4, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5. They also beat South Woodham B 4-1. David Parker won his two singles although Chris Denyer missed out over five ends against Val Board 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11. Writtle B in turn beat South Woodham B 4-1. Frank Neill won twice although Val Board again made her mark by beating Dave Moles 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9.

South Woodham D edged out OCs C 3-2 in division four. George Ashley and Richard Jovic both won once although neither of them were able to beat Farooq Ahmed in their singles encounters. It was a similar story when OCs D defeated South Woodham C 3-2. Farooq Ahmed again won his two singles and this time he combined with Charles Yeung to beat Scott Derry and Mike Burton 12-10, 11-5, 11-9 in the deciding doubles. OCs E (Charlie Mariner and Daniel Berry) beat Chelmsford D 3-2. Chelmsford’s Sarah Austin won twice for the losers – closely
fought affairs. She beat Charlie Mariner 2-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 13-11 and Daniel Berry 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer – Central Essex Summer League

Obituary – Joe Lewington
Eight times Chelmsford Veterans Singles Champion

Joe Lewington, the winner of a magnificent eight Chelmsford Veterans Singles titles passed away recently. Joe started his playing career in the once mighty Dagenham League and he played for both the Dagenham Junior and Senior Representative Teams. He won the Mens Singles title in Dagenham an amazing seven times. Joe moved to Chelmsford in 1960 and he played at a high level in the Chelmsford League and he represented Chelmsford on several occasions. He was known as “Jovial Joe” because of his smiling and cheerful nature. He was a determined competitor on the table and modest and friendly off it.

Joe played for three Clubs in the Chelmsford League – YMCA, Moulsham Lodge and ECC and rather uniquely in his later years he played with his sons Jeff and Pete in the same team forming a formidable Lewington threesome. In 1964 Joe won the Chelmsford Mens Doubles title partnering Rod Gregory but he is best known for his successes in the Chelmsford Veterans Singles. He won the Veterans Singles on eight occasions, in two bands, between 1973-1977 and from 1978-1982. Joe also won the Restricted Singles in 1980. Joe retired from competitive Table Tennis in 2002 after an operation curtailed the movement in his playing arm.