The match between second-placed Danbury A and Liberal B in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League was a cracker. Five games were decided in the fifth end and Liberal B ran out 6-4 winners.

Paul Davison sealed the Liberal victory with a 3-2 (12-14, 13-11, 16-14, 9-11, 12-10) win over Dave Richardson, undoubtedly one of the closest games of the season. Adam Buxton did well to beat Richardson 3-1 (14-12, 3-11, 11-8, 11-3) but he lost to Steve Whiteley in four (7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 5-11).

The leaders Maldon A turned on the full power against Galleywood A and won 10-0. Alex Abbott, Trevor Lloyd and Colin Stallwood were all undefeated. James Hicks gave a good account of himself against Abbott eventually losing in five ends (11-13, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 5-11).

In division two Chelmsford B stay second although they were hard pushed to beat OCs B 6-4. Robbie Burton scored a superb hat-trick for the Old Chelmsfordians side as well as a share in the doubles. He beat Mark Allaway 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5), Victor Chan 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-8) and Rob Shrimpton 3-1 (12-10, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4).

Writtle Excalibur A stay top and they beat Chelmsford C 7-3. Matthew Brown and Ryan Pitt were both undefeated. Hatfield Peverel A who are third ran out 7-3 winners against Danbury D. The free-flowing Sam Lowman starred here with an excellent hat-trick for the Danbury side which included a last gasp 3-2 (11-6, 13-15, 11-1, 9-11, 13-11) win over Gary Ward.

Danbury C’s Daniel Young – one of the stars of the M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships carried on where he had left off by winning all three singles against OCs C. Danbury C shaded the match 6-4.

The leaders Maldon B made it 12 wins out of 13 in division three by producing another commanding performance against Maldon C. The M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships division three singles champion Ciaran Whelan led the way as they won 8-2. Whelan blasted his way past John Holland 11-7, 11-7, 11-3. Holland showed up best of the Maldon C Players. He beat Coin Napper 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9) and old rival Hamish Innes (11-1, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8).

Hatfield Peverel B were convincing 9-1 winners over Danbury E. Neil Freeman and Dave Fiddeman were both undefeated. Tim Pulham was on target for Danbury E with a 3-1 (12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8) victory against Gareth Davies.

Writtle Excalibur B also impressed this week. They ran out 9-1 winners over Danbury F. Phil Smith and Louis Brown were both undefeated. Dave Marsh was responsible for the sole Danbury F success and he beat Lin Roff in five ends (11-7, 13-11, 10-12, 6-11, 11-7).

Chelmsford E beat Chelmsford D. The improving Connor Payne won his three singles and this included a 3-1 (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8) win over Jarek Pietraszuk – the best of the Chelmsford D players.

Further down the table OCs D went a long way to avoiding relegation by beating Hatfield Peverel C 6-4. Nat Ravlic won his three singles and this included a fightback from 2-0 down to get the better of Trevor Collin 3-2 (8-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-9).

Second-placed Danbury G did well to beat Danbury J 8-2 in division four. Danbury won three of the four games that were decided in the fifth end. League President Norman Smith was on fine form. He beat Kevin Willis (9-11, 17-15, 11-8, 13-11), Dave Hancox (11-9, 17-15, 5-11, 8-11, 12-10) and Allan Steel (11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7).

OCs E are top but Danbury G have a match in hand. OCs E were well beaten 7-3 by a determined Maldon D side. Tom Elder led the way with a hat-trick and he received excellent support from Bryan Speller and Mervyn Perriman who both won twice. Bob Francis defeated Speller 3-2 (11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10) in the closest game of the night.

It was honours shared between Writtle Excalibur C and OCs F. Terry Dowsett retained his 100% record with 32 wins out of 32.

Further down the table OCs G beat bottom side Danbury K 6-4. Tanishq Kotwal and David Bishop both scored hat tricks for the OCs team.

It was a similar story in the match between Danbury H and Writtle Excalibur D. Dave Goody and Dave Powell both won their three singles as Danbury H ran out 7-3 winners.

Division five produced four hard fought matches this week. Chelmsford F stay top but they were hard pushed to beat OCs H 6-4. Addi Kamma (one win), Amanda Hogger (two wins) and Jason Clark (two wins) all contributed but none of them could fine a way through the defensive wiles of Stuart Wintle.

Highwood A are second but they could only draw with Chelmsford J. The M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships division five singles champion Richard Gardiner dominated here with three wins for the Chelmsford side.

It was honours shared as well in the match between Hatfield Peverel D and Chelmsford H. Peter Mortensen was unbeaten for Hatfield Peverel whilst Dusan Doszkoty and Harry Buckle both picked up two wins for Chelmsford H.

Chelmsford G shaded their match against Highwood B 6-4 although it was Highwood’s Melanie Bonnett who won her three singles. League stalwart John Wickins defeated Keith Pallett 3-2 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 5-11, 14-12) in the closest game of the night.

Chelmsford Pumas lead the way with 17 points out of 20 in division 2C of the CLICK League. Saul Chivers and Ned Ryder were 5-0 winners against Chelmsford Tigers. Chelmsford Pumas also beat Chelmsford Jaguars 4-1. Joachin Mapes was undefeated whilst Nyree Marsh was on target for the losers. She beat Saul Chivers 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5).

Black Notley Barracudas are second but they lost 3-2 to Chelmsford Jaguars. Annabel Sweeney – the runner-up in the Junior Girls singles at the M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships won both of her singles for the Jaguars.

Black Notley Barracudas returned to winning ways against OCs Lions. Nicholas Grice was undefeated and he scored two hard-fought wins. It was 3-1 (12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 19-17) against Tom Bird and 3-2 (7-11, 14-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 against Jake Iliffe).

Buttsbury Badgers did well to beat Danbury Griffins 4-1. Daven Muldal won both of his singles for the Badgers.

Galleywood Eagles lead the way in division 2A but they were hard pushed to beat Danbury Dragons 3-2. Rio Teplizki won both of his singles for the Galleywood side whilst Ben Porter impressed for Danbury Dragons. He beat Aidan Noguchi 3-2 (13-15, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5).

In division 2B second placed Black Notley Buccaneers ran out 3-2 winners against Buttsbury Badgers. Jonny Evans won both of his singles beating Adam Wallace 3-1 (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7) and Ben Brown 3-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5).

Chelmsford Leopards beat Buttsbury Bulldogs 3-2. James Donald and Al Lane both won once but they both missed out against Harry Hutt. Danbury Demons stay top and they were impressive 5-0 winners against Buttsbury Bulldogs. Ewan Hynd and Daniel Atkinson were both undefeated.