Chelmsford A returned to winning ways in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. With an unbeaten James Denyer in their side, they beat Writle A 6-4.

Casey Cross won twice for Chelmsford and just missed out against Duncan Taylor 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 15-17). The hard-hitting Denyer beat ace defender Taylor 3-1 (15-13, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6).

A strong OCs A side ran out 8-2 winners against Chelmsford C. Paul Lucas and Terry Dowsett were both undefeated. Dowsett came through in five ends against Wiktor Delimat (11-4, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9).

Galleywood A were in action twice. They drew 5-5 with Rawreth despite the fact that none of their players were able to get close to Liam Squirrell. Steve Kerns battled through to beat Bertie Makoli 2-1 (11-4, 12-14, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8) and new signing Peter Barrett defeated Paul Brown in five (11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5).

Galleywood also lost to Champions Maldon A 7-3. Barrett showed up well with an excellent 3-2 win over Trevor Lloyd (11-5, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6). Alex Abbott was on top form for Maldon and he powered through to wins over Gary Brignall (11-3, 11-7, 11-4), Peter Barrett (11-5, 12-10, 12-14, 11-4) and Steve Kerns (11-2, 11-4, 11-1).

Danbury B won a close match against Chelmsford B 6-4, good going as it was Robert Shrimpton who was undefeated for Chelmsford. Simon Lowman and Dan Anderson both won twice for Danbury, with Lowman defeating Simon Jarvis 3-2 (11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 15-13). Cameron Gray played his part by beating Mark Allaway 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-5).

In division two Danbury D scored their second 8-2 win of the season as they beat OCs C. Neil Want and Tony Forster were both undefeated.

Maldon B also won 8-2 against Chelmsford D. Ciaran Whelan and Steve Scholz both won their three singles. Scholz prevailed 3-2 (2-11, 12-10, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10) against Victor Chan. Keith Martin was on target for the losers with a 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9) win over Colin Napper.

OCs B ran out 7-3 winners against Maldon C after a hard-fought match where four games were decided in the fifth end. OCs were a player short but with Steve Northcott and Kevin Worthington both playing well they ran out handy winners. Northcott opened proceedings by getting the better of Thomas Page 3-2 (11-8, 11-8, 3-11, 9-11, 11-9).

Division three produced two 7-3 results this week. Danbury F, led by Gordon Gatheral, beat Writtle D. Ken Sheard beat Bob Garson 3-2 (13-11, 6-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-9) in the closest game of the night.

OCs D, with Mick Richardson undefeated, saw off Danbury J. David Porter came through in five ends to pip Rob Kneale 11-6, 3-11, 6-11, 13-11, 13-11.

Galleywood C were impressive 9-1 winners in division four over Galleywood B.A. Andy Hanlon and Charlie Craig were both undefeated. Hanlon saw his team off to a winning start by beating Colin Blore 3-2 (6-11, 9-11, 13-11, 13-11, 11-7).

Chelmsford H beat OCs G 8-2. Andy Swales and James Donald were both undefeated.

Highwood B and Hatfield Peverel D were both impressive 9-1 winners in division five. Frank Neill and Russell Downton both bagged hat-tricks as Highwood beat OCs H. Downton impressed greatly beating Stuart Wintle 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-9).

Andy Whiley and Andy Simmonds won their three singles as Hatfield Peverel D defeated Hatfield Peverel E. Simmonds had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Phil West 3-2 (9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8).

Melanie Bonnett stayed undefeated as Highwood A beat OCs H 7-3. Melanie stopped Stuart Wintle in his tracks 3-2 (8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 8-11 11-5).

The match between Hatfield Peverel E and Chelmsford K was closer and Hatfield Peverel shaded it 6-4. Good going as Jacqui Smith was undefeated for Chelmsford K. She came through in five epic ends to beat Bob Hillis 9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 12-14, 11-9.

The Chelmsford Junior League is up and running and with four divisions in operation it is great to see so many young players going through their paces. Danbury Dragons (Ben Porter, Ewan Hynd and Sam Ford) made it two 5-0 wins out of two as they beat both Chelmsford Pumas and Chelmsford Rhinos in division 1A. They lead the way.

Chelmsford Cougars (Josh Bickles and Sudheep Kamma) also won 5-0 against Chelmsford Leopards. Kamma defeated Cleon Fernandez 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3.

Chelmsford Jaguars with Nyree Marsh undefeated ran out 4-1 winners against Chelmsford Pumas. Joachin Mapes won a tight five-ender 12-10, 11-7, 3-11, 11-13, 11-7 for the losers against Annabell Sweeney.

Chelmsford Rhinos with Saul Chivers undefeated were 3-2 winners against Chelmsford Leopards. Chivers beat Cleo Fernandez 3-2 (11-7, 8-11, 9-11, 1-17, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.

Danbury Demons (Jenson Davis and Elliot Gardiner) lead the way in division 1B. They beat Buttsbury Bulldogs 5-0. Elliot Gardiner eased home in five ends against Jacob Lawrence (11-7, 4-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6).

Buttsbury Beavers are the early leaders in division 1C. Harry Hutt won both of his singles as they beat Danbury Griffins. Hutt beat Callum Caldwell 3-2 (9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3) – a very good turnaround of fortunes – and Adam Thirkettle 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-6).

Buttsbury Badgers (Max Samuels and Jacob Lawrence) defeated Chelmsford Antelopes 4-1. George Bilbow was on target for the Antelopes with a 3-2 (11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8) success against Max Samuels. The Antelopes in turn tasted victory when they beat Butsbury Bats 4-1. Nikita Tkachuk was unbeaten. He beat Aidan Tucker 3-1 (11-9, 5-11, 14-12, 11-9) and Ryan Beresford Cole 3-0 (11-7, 11-2, 11-5).

Division 1D produced three close fought matches. Chelmsford Wolves emerged as 3-2 winners over Buttsbury Badgers courtesy of a very hard-fought doubles win for brother and sister pairing Harry and Georgina Riches against Seamus Mellon and Joseph Butcher Moor (12-14, 4-11, 13-11, 12-10, 11-8).

It was the doubles again which gave Danbury Devils a 3-2 win against Buttsbury Badgers. This time Toby Restall and Ewan Sturrock surged through to beat Zachary Samuels and Ronnie Palmer (11-3, 11-6, 11-4).

Chelmsford Wolves beat Buttsbury Bees with Georgina Riches winning both of her singles. She beat Henry Gothard 3-0 (11-1, 11-5, 11-4) and Joseph Hutt 3-2 (11-9, 14-12, 8-11, 10-12, 11-6).

Very sad news has been reported from the Newman family. Geoff Newman passed away recently in Broomfield Hospital aged 87 following a short illness. He was a very well-known player in Essex and father to the Newman brothers – Dave and Steve. The funeral will take place on Thursday 10 October 2019 at 3.30pm at Chelmsford Crematorium followed by a get together at the Drapers Farm Club House.