Number 13 – unlucky for Danbury B

There was a major surprise for Danbury B in the third division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League this week. Number 13 turned out to be unlucky for them as they tasted defeat for the first time, losing 7-3 against their D team colleagues after a magnificent run of 12 straight victories. League Stalwart Peter Hance was the architect of the Danbury D victory with a superb hat-trick of wins which included an emphatic 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-6) success over Glen Laing. The equally venerable Herbie Smith (two wins) and Norman Smith (one win) provided excellent support.

Second-placed Maldon B could well be the team to beat in the first division. This week they turned in a commanding performance to beat bottom-placed Chelmsford A 10-0. Good going and that was without the services of their top two players – Alex Abbott and Paul Sayer. On this occasion Peter Ballard, Hamish Innes and Paul Stephens managed very well on their own. ECC A did well to beat OCs B 8-2, an excellent result bearing in mind that the OCs team included four times Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion David Cole. However, both Lucy Wang and Steve Joslin won all three singles whilst Mark Mulley beat both Stephen Northcott and Robbie Burton.

Writtle A are making a determined effort to avoid relegation. They had both Peter Radford and Paul Cuming undefeated as they beat Chelmsford A 8-2. Writtle’s Bruce Kettle won once, a last gasp 3-2 (12-14,11-9, 5-11 11-7, 15-13) success against Darren Richardson.

Elmtree Excalibur B are heavy favourites to win Division Two. Their top player John Holland was the common denominator in their 8-2 win over Writtle B and their 7-3 victory against Elmtree Excalibur C. Writtle’s Trevor Carter showed up well with wins against Peter Mynard and Gary Cattermole whilst the Elmtree Excalibur C side of Richard Hiskey, Bill Smith and Lin Attridge all picked up a sole success. Excalibur B’s Phil Smith came out on top against Bill Smith winning 3-2 (5-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-4, 11-4).

Excalibur C returned to winning ways against Chelmsford C winning 7-3. This time Richard Hiskey recorded a hat-trick of wins whilst Dave Moles won once. He had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Duncan Elloy 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-7, 14-12). Liberal were the week’s big winners. Steve Pennell, Barry Pritchard and Dean Andrews ran out 10-0 winners against a two-man Hatfield Peverel C team.

In Division Four the leaders ECC E were held to a draw by ECC F. Allan Thompson won his three singles for the E side and this was countered by Allison Barker and Peter Sun who both picked up two victories for the F team.  Allan Thompson completed his hat-trick by beating Allison Barker 3-2 (11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-13, 11-3) in the last game of the night.

Second-placed Chelmsford E slipped back. They lost 6-4 to Danbury H. Norman Hayes won twice for Danbury and in the last game of the evening he secured his side’s victory by beating Paul Nicol 3-2 (11-13, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9). Danbury G beat Hatfield Peverel E 6-4 in another hard-fought match. Hatfield’s Peverel’s wily Dave Carter won his three singles but Danbury’s Dave Goody, Brian Ellis and Dave Powell all won twice to give them the upper-hand. Elmtree Excalibur E were 7-3 winners over Hatfield Peverel D. Paul Sturton dominated proceedings with a hat-trick and John Marshall won twice. Sturton defeated Keith Cullen 3-2 (8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7) in the closest game of the evening.

Chelmsford F (Richard Upson. Richard Baxter and Mike Pitt) were the week’s big winners in Division Five. They beat Elmtree Excalibur F 9-1. Martin Hiskey won Elmtree’s sole game with an 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-6) victory over Mike Pitt. OCs F stay top. Tom Barker and Frank Hodge were both undefeated in their 8-2 win over Highwood. Highwood’s Russell Downton beat Matthew Porter 3-2 (11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 9-11,11-9) in the closest game of the evening.

ECC G recorded their ninth win of the Season in the CLICK League. Ben Clifford and Nathan Blore were both undefeated in their 5-0 win over Chelmsford L. Chelmsford K were equally dominant against Chelmsford L. Adam Kirchell and Jennie Crapnell ran out 5-0 winners. Felsted Royal British Legion recorded their fourth win of the Season. Nick Butler, Sam Porter and Matt Laws all played their part in their 4-1 victory over Chelmsford M. Peter Davenport fought back after losing the first end heavily to Matt Laws to win 3-1 (2-11, 11-9, 15-13, 11-7).

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League