Keiran Lally flying high
Maldon’s Keiran Lally – Chelmsford Mens’ Singles Champion in 2003, whose playing opportunities have been curtailed in recent years since he has become an Airline Pilot, was on top form against OCs B in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League.
His excellent hat-trick of wins included a four game victory over four-times Chelmsford Mens’ Singles Champion David Cole. With team-mate Minda Sinkus also completing a hat-trick and also beating Cole after a hard-fought 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 encounter. Maldon eventually ran out impressive 7-3 winners.
The leaders Bocking were held to a 5-5 draw by ECC A. Lucy Wang was bang on top form and her hat-trick of wins included a superb 3-2 success over Paul Davison and a 3-0 victory over Kevin Gowlett. In the closest game of the evening Gowlett maintained his recent supremacy over long-time rival Steve Kerns triumphing 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 13-11.
Elmtree Excalibur A scored a welcome 6-4 win over Maldon A. Chris Jacob won twice for Maldon beating Gary Young and Gary Cattermole although he missed out over five ends against Nigel Lamb. Second-placed Maldon B closed the gap on the leaders Bocking with a very strong 10-0 display against OCs A who are missing the services of their injured top player – Peter Hayden. The very experienced Maldon trio of Peter Ballard, Alex Abbott and Paul Sayer were all undefeated.
Somewhat unusually, Division Two produced three sets of clear-cut winners this week. ECC B (Gary Brignall, Simon Webber and Ken James) ran out 10-0 winners against ECC C whilst Liberal (Steve Pennell, Barry Pritchard and Dean Andrews) also picked up all ten sets as they beat Hatfield Peverel C. Barry Pritchard saw off Gareth Davies 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 in the closest game of the night.
Hatfield Peverel A impressed by beating the team immediately above them: Elmtree Excalibur A, 8-2. Dave Calleja led the way with three wins and teammates John Gagg and John Webber both won twice. Richard Hiskey was on target for Elmtree Excalibur C. He beat John Gagg 11-5, 12-14, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10 in the last game of the evening.
OCs C (Adrian North, John Watts and Jack Crook) recorded just their third win of the season in Division Three and even they will be surprised by the clear-cut nature of the result. They hammered Danbury F 10-0.
Danbury D: Herbie Smith (three wins), Peter Hance (three wins) and Norman Smith (two wins) were only marginally less impressive. They beat Chelmsford D 9-1. Herbie Smith had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Dave Parker and he eventually won 9- 11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9. Danbury E did well to beat second-placed Elmtree Excalibur D 6-4. Graham Briggs led the way with three wins and Lee McHugh won twice. Tony Hallett was the best of the Excalibur players and he also won twice.
High-flying Chelmsford E, second-placed in Division Four fell back this week. They were beaten 6-4 by Elmtree Excalibur E. John Marshall won his three singles and he was well supported by Paul Sturton who won twice.
Elmtree Excalibur E didn’t fare so well against ECC E. John Wickens and Allan Thompson both scored hat-tricks as ECC ran out 7-3 winners. Meanwhile, Hatfield Peverel E had the evergreen Dave Carter on top form as they beat Danbury H 6-4. Adam Carter beat both Norman Hayes and Roger Tiffin.
Division Five leaders OCs F were 6-4 winners over third-placed Danbury K. Tom Barker’s three wins gave OCs an advantage although it was touch and go against Kevin Willis. Barker finally emerged as an 11-5, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9 winner.
ECC G (Ben Clifford and Nathan Blore) were 5-0 winners over Chelmsford M in the CLICK League although they tasted defeat the following week. Chelmsford K’s Adam Kirchell won his two singles and shared in a doubles win with Calum Webster as Chelmsford ran out 3-2 winners. Kirchel defeated Nathan Blore 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 in the closest game of the night.
British League Division One South West and North action takes place at BATTS Table Tennis Club, The Norman Booth Centre, Elderfield, Mulberry Green, Old Harlow, Essex, CM17 0EY next Sunday (15 January 2012).
Action starts at 11.30 hours and admission is free. The leaders Ormesby (from Middlesbrough) will be looking to strengthen their title-winning credentials. Their team includes England no. 17 Michael Marsden and England no. one Cadet Helshan Weerasinghe.
Third placed Sportingbet Guernsey are also very much in contention and their challenge is led by the hard-hitting Garry Dodd and Six Nations Ladies Singles Champion Alice Loveridge.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League