After a run of good results Bocking look to be the new favourites to win the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. They trail the leaders Maldon B by 17 points, but with four games in hand they have ample opportunity to catch the table-toppers.
Bocking turned in a top-class performance to beat OCs A 8-2. Chelmsford Veterans champion Kevin Gowlett and Braintree Men’s Singles champion Paul Davison both won their three singles, while Jon Hill picked up a very good solitary win. Hill overcame Terry Dowsett 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 5-11, 12-10) and he only missed out against David Cole 3-2 (11-8, 5-11, 10-12, 11-8, 10-12).
Chelmsford A look to be on target to capture the runners-up spot in division two. They were held to a 5-5 draw by Danbury E but they also beat the same team 7-3. Waseem Qureshi – their top player with an 80 per cent record – won his three singles in both matches.
ECC C remain in third place, and they beat Danbury E 7- 3. James Hicks won his three singles, while Dick Wyman won twice for Danbury. Danbury E fared better against Chelmsford B. Tony Forster won his three singles.
The match between Rawreth & Hullbridge and ECC C finished as a 5-5 draw. Paul Churn won twice for Rawreth and this included a very hard-fought 3-2 (15-13, 11-9, 6-11, 13-15, 14-12) victory over James Hicks.
Hatfield Peverel B have been busy in division three this week. In their best result they beat ECC E 8-2 courtesy of a Neil Freeman hat-trick. They also beat Elmtree Excalibur C 6-4 with Neil Freeman again winning his three singles. A 6-4 win was also achieved against Danbury F despite the fact that it was Danbury’s Peter Hance who stayed undefeated and they drew 5-5 against Chelmsford C. Ryan Gooday won his three singles for the Chelmsford team.
Maldon C did well to beat OCs C 6-4 – good going as none of the Maldon players were able to get the better of Mick Hayes. In a hard-fought opening encounter Hayes defeated Brian Riedling 3-2 (5-11, 15-13, 11-7, 11-13, 11-9). Danbury F ran out comfortable 8-2 winners against ECC E. Herbie Smith (three wins), Peter Hance (three) and Norman Smith (two) all played a part in this success.
However, the most impressive result in this division was that of Elmtree Excalibur C, who hammered OCs C 10-0. Lin Attridge, Paul Sturton and Steve Cheesman were all undefeated. Lin Attridge impressed by beating the hard-hitting David Porter 3-0 (11- 5,11-4, 15-13).
In division four, OCs D beat Danbury K 6-4 despite the fact that Roger Tiffin won his three singles for the Danbury side.
The match between Elmtree Excalibur D and Writtle B ended in a 5-5 draw. Wiktor Delimat stayed unbeaten for the Elmtree side, whilst reserve Keith Fitzjohn won twice. He beat Colin Griffiths 3-2 (8- 11, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 13-11).
The match between EPHQ and ECC F finished tied at 5-5. Ian Hockley won his three singles for EPHQ.
In the top-of-the-table clash in division five, Maldon D took a giant step towards capturing the title by beating OCs G 7-3. Ciaran Whelan was their match-winner and he beat Tom Barker 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) in the closest game of the night. Maldon D also beat Danbury H 10-0. Colin Napper, Ciaran Whelan and Steve Scholz carried all before them.
OCs G beat Elmtree Excalibur E 7-3. Peter Windley was undefeated for the old Chelmsfordians side, whilst Nicola Pippen made her mark with a fine 3-2 (9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 14-12, 15-13) victory over Tom Barker.
Highwood (Martin Goddard, Russell Downton and Kevin Barber) beat ECC G 7-3, although they all fell short against Victor Chan.
Steve Kerns (March 24, 2014)