Radford leads Writtle to 6-4 win over ECC A

Writtle A who finished second to bottom in Division One of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League last year look like doing considerably better this season. Their 6-4 win over ECC A was their fourth win of the season and they have moved into sixth place.

The evergreen Peter Radford was their match-winner with a hat-trick of wins over Reuben Okai, Steve Kerns and Mark Mulley. Radford paired up with Gary Ward to clinch what proved to be an important doubles victory. They beat Steve Kerns / Mark Mulley 3-2 (4-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8).

In the re-arranged match between the top two teams the leaders Maldon B beat Bocking 6-4. No single player stayed undefeated and it was the performance of Bocking’s still-improving Kevin Gowlett that really stood out. He missed out against Paul Stephens 3-1 (9-11,11-5, 9-11, 8-11) but he more than made up for it in his other two singles.

Gowlett went on to beat Alex Abbott – the new M&G Investments Chelmsford Men’s Singles Champion 3-2 (5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-13, 11-7) and for good measure he also beat Paul Sayer 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6). Paul Davison made his mark as well. He beat both Paul Stephens and Paul Sayer.

OCs A who have slipped down the table in recent weeks made a big attempt to redress the situation. Brandon Crouchman, John Andrews and Peter Hayden ran out 9-1 winners against Chelmsford A. The 2012 M&G Investments Chelmsford Under 21 Singles Champion Darren Richardson was Chelmsford’s sole winner. He beat John Andrews 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-9).

Runaway leaders Elmtree Excalibur B made it 15 wins out of 16 by beating second-placed ECC B 8-2 in Division Two. But there was a first defeat of the season for John Holland who was beaten by the hard-hitting Simon Webber 3-2 (11-3, 1-11, 14-16, 11-7, 11-9).

Gary Cattermole won his three singles to ensure that Elmtree Excalibur B stayed in charge. ECC B returned to winning ways against Elmtree Excalibur C and Simon Webber and Gary Brignall both won their three singles as they won 9-1. Gary Brignall beat Richard Hiskey 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.

Third-placed Hatfield Peverel B fell back. They were well beaten 8-2 by Hatfield Peverel A for whom John Webber and Dave Calleja both won their three singles. Five games were decided in the fifth end and Hatfield Peverel A won all of them. John Webber had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Gus Heath 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 14-12). Chelmsford B’s 8-2 win over Hatfield Peverel C means that Hatfield Peverel C are relegated. Neil Gooday was unbeaten for Chelmsford B.

OCs C were 6-4 winners over second-placed Danbury C in Division Three. John Watts led the way with a hat-trick and Jack Crook bagged two wins. Danbury C in turn beat Danbury F 7-3. Dave Richardson won his three singles for the winning side whilst Dave Marsh won twice for the losers. Terry Hyland beat Ivan Chaplin 3-2 (11-5, 6-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-9) in the closest game of the evening.

Chelmsford D led by an unbeaten return from Gordon Fairchild beat OCs D 7-3. Elmtree Excalibur D are in third place but they have two games in hand on second-placed Danbury C. Steve Cheesman led them to an 8-2 win over Chelmsford D and he was supported by Rod Maclennan and Tony Hallet who both won twice.

There could well be a close finish to the season in Division Four. ECC E lead the way with 106 points followed by Chelmsford E on 96 points who have a game in hand. ECC E were held to a draw this week by third-placed Danbury J. ECC’s Allan Thompson and John Wickens and Danbury’s Robert Kneale all won twice.

Chelmsford E were 7-3 winners. Chris Denyer led the way with a hat-trick but he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Francis Whitbread 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10). The match between Elmtree Excalibur E and Danbury G was a marathon affair – the longest of the season. No fewer than eight games were decided in the fifth end.

Danbury’s Dave Powell won his three singles whilst John Marshall earned Elmtree a draw in the last game. He beat Brian Ellis 3-2 (4-11,11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 12-10) to level the scores. Danbury G in turn scored a convincing 8-2 win over ECC F. Dave Goody led the way and Dave Powell and Brian Ellis both won twice. Peter Sun was the best of the ECC players. He beat Dave Powell 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 13-11) in the closest game of the evening.

Division Five leaders Danbury K kept the pressure on the other teams.  Philip Crudgington and Trevor Palmer were both unbeaten as they ran out 9-1 winners over OCs G. George Mastin did well to beat John Knights 3-2 (8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 10-12, 11-1). Second-placed Chelmsford E beat OCs E 7-3. Richard Upson won his three singles whilst Richard Baxter won twice. Farooq Ahmed fought back from 2-0 to get the better of Richard Baxter 3-2 (6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9).

OCs F (Nat Ravlic, Frank Hodge and Tom Barker) are in third position but they have a game in hand. They closed the gap on their rivals by hammering Chelmsford H 10-0. The match between Highwood and Elmtree Excalibur F was an altogether closer affair. Highwood’s Martin Goddard and Russell Downton and Elmtree‘s Wictor Delimat and Keith Fitz-John all won twice in a 5-5 draw.

Writtle D stay on course to win the CLICK League. Their three-man team of Peter Windley, David Meah and Alex Warway beat ECC G 4-1. ECC G’s Emily Wood showed up well by beating David Meah 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7) whilst David Meah hit back in his second singles. He got the better of Nathan Blore 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-2, 15- 13). Writtle also beat Felsted Royal British Legion 4-1.

Peter Windley, David Meah and Alex Warway won their four singles although the Felsted pairing of Ashley and Nicholas Butler did well to take the doubles. They beat Meah and Warway 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6). Felsted were a little unfortunate to lose 5-0 to Black Notley (Will Brazier and George Wallace). They lost three games in the fifth end. Will Brazier beat Sam Porter 3-2 (11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 8-11, 13-11) whilst George Wallace defeated the luckless Sam Porter 3-2 (12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10).

Chelmsford L edged Chelmsford M out 3-2. Chelmsford L’s Callum Day led the way with wins over Peter and Steven Davenport. He had to dig deep against Steven Davenport. The scores of 3-2 (8-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 16-14) tell their own story.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League