Maldon B advanced to the semi-finals of the Two Down Knock-Out Cup in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis league by beating Danbury B 5-4.

This victory owed a lot to their successes in all three doubles clashes and Colin Napper and Mervyn Perriman eventually secured the victory by getting the better of Dan Anderson and George Ashley 3-2 (11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8) in a very tight last doubles encounter. Anderson had previously won both of his singles for Danbury B downing the challenge of Napper 3-0 (11-4, 11-8, 11-7) and Ciaran Whelan 3-1 (11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7).

Hatfield Peverel A are also through to the semi-finals and they also came through a riveting match 5-4 by seeing off the challenge of Danbury A. Peter Brownlow and John Parodi were the heroes this time and they eventually beat Chris Buer and Matthew Brown 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9) after a very tight game to secure the victory. Brown had excelled for Danbury. He beat Parodi 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-9) and, most impressively, Brownlow also in three (11-7, 11-8, 11-3).

In the Four Down Knock-Out Cup, Chelmsford (Jaroslaw Pietrascuk, John Barrett and Ian Austin) ran out 5-3 winners over Danbury D. Pietrascuk was the difference between the two teams and he shared in both doubles successes and also beat Roger Tiffin 3-1 (7-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-2) and Norman Hayes 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-8) in his singles encounters.

Chelmsford, represented by Rob Shrimpton, Richard Upson and Richard Baxter won a hard-fought encounter against Elmtree Excalibur A 5-3 in the Handicap Knock-Out Cup. Three games were decided over the full three ends format. Chelmsford’s Richard Upson (playing off of a Handicap of 56) beat Rod MacLennan (60) 21-17, 16-21, 21-15 whilst Elmtree’s Paul Sturton (64) defeated Richard Baxter (66) 18-21, 21-17, 21-15 and Chelmsford’s Robert Shrimpton (66) beat MacLennan (60) 21-17, 20-22, 21-16.

In the League first division there was an 8-2 win for second-placed Bocking over fourth-placed Galleywood A. Rik James was undefeated for Bocking whilst Super Veteran John Holland excelled for Galleywood. Holland beat both Sam Hume 3-1 (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10) and Gary Cattermole 3-0 (11-7, 13-11, 11-9).

OCs B scored their second win of the season as they defeated Danbury B 7-3. Steve Northcott, Trevor Carter and Kevin Worthington all won twice although none of their players were able to get the better of Eric Green.

In the Division Two, Galleywood B ran out 8-2 winners over the higher placed Rawreth & Hullbridge. James Hicks and Gary Brignall both won their three singles. Hicks defeated Simon Jacob 3-2 (11-9, 2-11, 5-11, 11-6, 14-12) in the closest game of the night. Galleywood B were also involved in a 5-5 draw with Liberal and again Hicks excelled. He made his mark with three excellent wins, beating Hector Rogers (3-0), Steve Pennell (3-1) and Adam Buxton (3-0).

The Division Three encounter between Maldon C and OCs D finished tied at 5-5. Colin Napper was undefeated for Maldon and his trio of wins included a 3-2 (11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-13, 11-9) success against Tom Barker. Napper also did well to defeat Nat Ravlic in four (7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9).

In Division Four, Elmtree Excalibur D did well to draw against the higher-placed Chelmsford D. No singles player stayed undefeated and Chelmsford’s Jason Clark and Jaroslaw Pietrascuk and Elmtree’s Dave Moles all won twice. Elmtree’s Alan Offord fought back from 2-0 down to get the better of Clark in five (3-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9).

Writtle have moved into pole position in Division Five by beating OCs G 8-2. Francis Whitbread won his three singles and Andy Fox and Colin Griffith supported him by both winning twice.

Maldon D are tied on 95 points with second-placed Danbury L and Roger Hance won his three singles as they ran out surprisingly comfortable 8-2 winners over Danbury L. Hance beat Norman Hayes 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9), Roger Tiffin 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10) and Mick Robinson 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-5).

Chelmsford G were 6-4 winners against OCs G. John Wickens, Michael Whelpdale and Steve Chambers all won twice although they all missed out against David Bishop.