Two timely results by Liberal have eased their relegation worries in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. An Adam Buxton clean-sweep allied to two wins for both Peter Hayden and Hector Rogers enabled them to beat Chelmsford A 7-3. Buxton started the ball rolling by getting the better of Mike Johnston 3-2 (12-14, 11-8, 11-13, 7-11, 11-7) in the first game. Liberal also defeated Galleywood B 7-3. Hector Rogers, Steve Pennell and Adam Buxton all won twice although none of their players could get the better of James Hicks. Hicks scored a fine hat-trick by beating Steve Pennell 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9) then Adam Buxton 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-8) and he rounded it off by defeating Hector Rogers 3-0 (11-9, 13-11, 12-10). Chelmsford A also tasted defeat against Elmtree Excalibur B. Lee McHugh won his three singles for the Elmtree side whilst reserve Ryan Gooday picked up two wins for the Chelmsford team. Rawreth & Hullbridge B dropped back to third place although they have two games in hand on second-placed OCs B. They only had two players against Elmtree Excalibur C although Paul Churn picked up a hat-trick of wins to ensure that they drew 5-5. Churn had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Linda Attridge 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10). With a record of 29 wins out of 45 – 64 % Churn has been this side’s most successful player.

In the first division Bocking B took a step closer to the title by beating Bocking A 7-3. Even being a player short didn’t hinder them that much as David Cole and Rik James won all their games. Both Cole (29 wins out of 31 – 93 %) and James (38 wins out of 41 – 92 %) have been outstanding this Season.

In division three the two leading sides both lost. There was a shock defeat for second-placed Hatfield Peverel B who lost 7-3 to Danbury G. Matthew Brown won his three singles for the Danbury side whilst Mo Hardy won twice. Hardy recorded the win of the week. He trailed Dave Fiddeman 10-3 in the decider but clawed his way back to win 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 1-11, 11-8, 13-11). Chelmsford B led by the ever-improving Ryan Gooday defeated the leaders OCs C 6-4 – the first reverse for the Old Chelmsfordians team this campaign. Gooday scored a hat-trick of wins by beating Nat Ravlic 3-1 (11-2, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10) and then Daniel Berry in five ends (11-5, 5-11, 12-14, 11-8, 11-7) and he completed an excellent evening’s work by getting the better of Frank Hodge 3-2 (4-11, `11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5). Maldon C made no mistake against OCs D and they ran out 9-1 winners. Brian Riedling and Dawn Baldry both scored hat-tricks. Tom Elder won twice and he beat Mick Hayes by a last-gasp 3-2 (9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9) margin.

In division five Chelmsford F were too strong for OCs G and ran out 10-0 winners. Richard Baxter, Richard Upson and Mike Pitt were all undefeated.

Second-placed Black Notley A (Patrick Bugg and James Brooks) beat Chelmsford G 3-2 in the CLICK League. Harry Matthews won both of his singles for the Chelmsford side. Patrick Bugg defeated Peter Davenport 3-1 (12-10, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9) in the closest singles encounter of the night.