Ravlic wins last game to clinch Handicap KO Cup thriller
The Handicap KO Cup remains the best supported Cup Competition run by the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League although it has to be said that this year’s entry of 17 teams is considerably reduced.
OCs A were the winners of the closest match in the first round, beating Danbury C 5-4, after five games were decided in the fifth end. Tom Barker (playing off a Handicap of 52) and Frank Hodge (playing off a Handicap of 58) both won twice for OCs. With the scores tied at 4-4 Nat Ravlic (62) who had lost his two earlier games faced Steve Buer (66) who had won once. You might have favoured Buer in this instance, but a determined Ravlic was having none of it. After a close first game he stormed home 21-18, 21-7 to give OCs their passage into the next round.
Danbury D were also 5-4 winners after having trailed 4-3. They eventually won the last two games surprisingly comfortably. Dave Marsh (59) beat Kevin Smart (66) 21-15, 21-11 and Richard Allen (55) beat Chris Aukett (68) 21-16, 21-1 to secure their victory.
Elmtree Excalibur – Melanie Bonnett (50), Steve Cheesman (62) and Nicola Pippen (50) were 5-2 winners over Highwood. Martin Goddard (49) gave Highwood a winning start with a hard-fought 21-19, 9-11, 21-18 win over Nicola Pippen but a run of four successive wins saw the Elmtree Excalibur side take charge. With a 4-2 lead behind him Steve Cheesman sealed his team’s victory, and he made no mistake by beating Russell Downton (44) 21-15, 21-15.
Hatfield Peverel A – Andy Simmonds (48), Ron Biggs (48) and John Parodi (64) made no mistake against Hatfield Peverel B by winning 5-1. Andy Simmonds was on good form for the A team. He beat Tim Cramphorn (56) 24-22, 15-21, 21-12 and Dick Wyman (66) 21-15, 21-12.
Danbury A – Dave Goody (56), Dave Powell (54) and Brian Ellis (54) are safely through to the next round. They beat OCs C 5-1. Dave Goody sealed their victory with a 21-18, 21-16 success against Farooq Ahmed (50).
Danbury E – Simon Chambers (58), Nick Duce (58) and Robert Kneale (59) were also first round winners. They lost the first two games and the third game was therefore vital. Nick Duce was up to the task, and his 21-19, 20-22, 21-10 victory over Craig McGarrigle (48) “steadied the ship”. They won the next four games and Nick Duce sealed their win in game no. seven by beating Konrad Kattinski (48) 22-20, 21-14.
OCs B – Mick Hayes (56), David Porter (58) and Robbie Burton (70) were 5-2 winners against Danbury B. Five games were decided in the fifth end and OCs won three of them. The improving David Porter fared best. He beat Ivan Chaplin (59) 21-11, 19-21, 21-14 followed by Herbie Smith (60) 21-13, 21-16 and he completed his evening’s work with a match-clinching and very hard-fought 22-20, 9-21, 21- 19 win over League Chairman Norman Smith (58).
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League