Danbury win Open KO Cup for the first time

Danbury won the 2013 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Open KO Cup. Their team of Antony Greenwood, Michael Andrews and Eric Green disposed of ECC – the champions for the last seven years – 5-1 in the semi-final and they beat Elmtree Excalibur 5-3 in the final.

Crucial games in the victory over ECC included a 3-2 (11-9, 5-11, 11-13, 13-11, 11-8) success for Eric Green against David Evans and a 3-2 (6-11, 8-11, 11-6 11-2, 11-8) doubles win for Antony Greenwood and Michael Andrews over Steve Kerns and David Evans.

Danbury were pushed harder in the final by Elmtree Excalibur than they might have expected. Phil Smith recorded a superb five game win over Antony Greenwood – a contender for ‘Win of the Season’ in anyone’s book and Gary Cattermole played his part with a five game victory over Michael Andrews to give Elmtree a shock 2-1 lead.

Phil Smith, who produced what has to be the ‘Cup Performance of the Year’ completed a second magnificent win, by defeating Eric Green in five ends, but it wasn‘t enough. Antony Greeenwood turned on the power to beat Gary Cattermole 3-0 (13-11, 11-3, 11-6) to ensure that Danbury became champions for the first time.

The Mixed KO Cup Final featured two Excalibur sides and it was Ian Rattray, Bill Smith and Lin Attridge who emerged as 5-1 winners against Gary Cattermole, Phil Smith and Melanie Bonnett. Gary Cattermole levelled the scores at 1-1 by beating Bill Smith 3-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) but Rattray restored the lead for the eventual champions by getting the better of Phil Smith 3-1 (11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11) – no heroics from Phil Smith this time. Bill Smith sealed the victory for his team with a hard-fought 3-0 (13-11, 11-8, 11-9) win over Melanie Bonnett.

There was further success for Elmtree Excalibur (Rod Maclennan, Steve Cheeman and Paul Sturton) who beat Danbury 5-3 (Gordon Gatherall, Chris Hancox and Simon Chambers) in the Handicap KO Cup Final. Rod Maclennan was the Elmtree hero and he beat both Gordon Fairchild and Simon Chambers in three ends to secure the Elmtree victory. Paul Sturton did well beat Gordon Fairchild, the first time he had got the better of Gordon.

The first week of the Central Essex Summer League paired two sides together who could be challenging for Division One honours and Rayne came out on top 3-2 against Ramsden Reds. Ramsden’s Andrew Halling opened up with a fine 3-1 (11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9) win over 2013 Clacton Men’s Singles Champion Kevin Gowlett but he was found wanting in his second singles, when he was beaten 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-9) by an inform Steve Pennell. It was a good night’s work by Pennell who also beat Dave Calleja 3-1 (5-11, 12-10, 15-13, 11-3).

Ramsden Reds fared better against Ramsden Raiders and ran out 4-1 winners. Andrew Halling won both of his singles whilst Dave Carter was on target for the Raiders. He beat Dave Calleja by a last gasp 3-2 (11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10) margin. Danbury A beat Ramsden Raiders 3-2 in a match where Steve Buer won both of his singles. He defeated Dave Carter 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.

Writtle (Matthew Brown and Dave Moles) were 5-0 winners against South Woodham A in Division Two. Matthew Brown had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Alan Dadswell 3-2 (13-11, 10-12, 13-11, 8-11, 11-4).

In Division Three Ramsden (Ron Biggs and Gareth Davies) ran out 5-0 winners against Danbury D. Ron Biggs defeated Brian Ellis 3-2 (11-8, 2-11, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10) in the closest game of the evening. Chelmsford A (Gordon Fairchild and Paul Nicol) beat Ramsden Rockets 3-2. Gordon Fairchild defeated Paul Sturton this time, fighting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 (4-11, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-9).

Cold Norton C got off to a flying start in Division Four. Roy Gandy and Janet Pannell ran out 5-0 winners against Chelmsford C. OCs D (Charlie Mariner and Daniel Berry) also made a winning start. They beat Felsted RBL 4-1. Ian Butler was on target for Felsted. He beat Charlie Mariner 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) but he met his match against Daniel Berry who won impressively 3-0 (11-2, 15-13, 11-8).

Steve Kerns
Press Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League