One of the main features of this year’s action in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League (and not necessarily one of the best features either) is the number of matches which have been decided 10-0.
Leaders and probable champions Danbury A, who have scored 93 points out of a possible 100 to date lead the way and they again won 10-0 this week, defeating Danbury B. Minda Sinkus, Gary Young and Reece Seddon were all undefeated.
Second-placed Bocking also won 10-0 against OCs B. Rik James, Dave Cole and Sam Hume were equally dominant.
In contrast to division one, where Danbury A are setting an unstoppable pace, Division Two is proving to be much more closely fought. Chelmsford A lead the way with 68 points out of 100 and this week they were held to a 5-5 draw by fourth-placed Liberal. Steve Pennell shone for Liberal with a hat-trick of victories whilst Ryan Gooday and Waseem Qureshi both won twice for the Chelmsford side. Ryan Gooday secured the draw for the Chelmsford team by getting the better of Hector Rogers 3-2 (7-11, 15-13, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11) in the last game of the night.
OCs C had Daniel Berry to thank as they beat Hatfield Peverel A 6-4. Berry recorded a hat-trick of wins over Gareth Davies (3-0), Neil Freeman (3-2) and Paul Mulley (3-0).
Rawreth & Hullbridge ran out 6-4 winners against Danbury E. Barrie Delf won his three singles.
Hatfield Peverel B have jumped into third place. They beat Danbury D 7-3 after Gary Ward won his three singles. Steve Buer won twice for the Danbury team and this included a last-gasp 3-2 (7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-13, 12-10) success against John Parodi – which was the closest game of the evening.
Chelmsford C were the week’s big winners in Division Three and they impressed by beating OCs 9-1. Calvin Harvey (three wins), Victor Chan (two wins) and Paul Nicol (three wins) were all on top form.
The match between Danbury F and Danbury G finished tied at 5-5. Dave Marsh won his three singles for Danbury F whilst George Ashley and Cameron Gray both won twice for Danbury G.
Chelmsford B climbed into third place by beating OCs D 7-3. Alastair Piper dominated proceedings beating Nat Ravlic (3-0), Charlie Mariner (3-0) and Tom Barker (3- 1). Tom Barker came through a very hard test against Dave Parker 3-2 (12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9).
In Division Four, second-placed Danbury J recorded their fifth win of the season by beating Danbury K 8-2. Dave Goody led the way with a hat-trick whilst team-mates Rob Kneale and Dave Powell both won twice. Goody was locked against Kevin Willis at 2-2 in their last match of the night encounter before he surged clear in the fifth end to seal a 3-2 (11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 6- 11, 11-1) victory.
Second-placed Writtle were 9-1 winners in Division Five against Chelmsford F. Frank Neill (three wins), Colin Griffiths (three wins) and David Meah (two wins) dominated, with Jacqui Smith replying for the losers.
John Wickins did well to win his three singles for Chelmsford G, who beat Hatfield Peverel 7-3. Wickins defeated Andy Whiley (3-0), Peter Mortensen (3-2) and Andy Simmonds (3-1). OCs H ran out 6-4 winners against Elmtree Excalibur E although it was Elmtree’s Melanie Bonnett who starred. She beat Tanishq Kotwal (3-0), Tejas Kotwal (3-1) and Lawrence Bartlett (3-0).
Buttsbury A (James Hughes and Tom Picton) continue to set the pace in the CLICK League and they ran out 4-1 winners against Buttsbury B. Tom Picton won both of his singles which included a very hard-fought 3-2 (11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8) success against Matthew Elliott.