Peter Mynard hat-trick sinks Hatfield Peverel B
Runaway Division Two leaders Elmtree Excalibur B showed impressive strength in depth in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. They took on third-placed Hatfield Peverel B without the services of their best two players – John Holland and Gary Cattermole yet they still ran out 7-3 winners.
The improving Peter Mynard was their match-winner and his excellent hart-trick of wins included a 3-1 (11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8) win over 2012 Chelmsford Division Two Singles Champion Andrew Halling. Reserve Fred Button played his part – he beat both Andrew Halling and Steve Buer.
Elsewhere in Division Two ECC C, led by an undefeated James Hicks, ran out 7-3 winners over Liberal whilst Matthew Brown won his three singles as Writtle B beat Hatfield Peverel C 7-3. Brown completed his hat-trick with a widely fluctuating 3-2 (3-11, 12-10, 11-2, 9-11, 11-7) win over Neil Freeman.
Chelmsford B beat Elmtree Graphics C 6-4 in a match where no single player stayed undefeated. Chelmsford’s Mike Johnston and Alastair Piper and Elmtree’s Richard Hiskey and Bill Smith all won twice. Hiskey fought back from 2-0 down to get the better of Adrian Pitt 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9).
In the first division, second-placed Bocking suffered a set-back by losing 7-3 to Danbury A. Danbury’s Michael Andrews led the way with an excellent hat-trick of wins over Kevin Gowlett, 2012 Braintree Mens Singles Champion Paul Davison and Jon Hill. Gowlett was the best of the Bocking players and his two wins included a fine win over Antony Greenwood by a hard-fought 3-2 (8-11, 15-13, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7) scoreline.
Maldon B stay on course to win the title and they beat OCs B 8-2. There was no surprise who their best player was – 2012 Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Alex Abbott.
It looks certain that Chelmsford A will be relegated. They lost 8-2 to OCs B for whom David Cole was unbeaten. Chelmsford’s reserve Robert Shrimpton made his mark in no uncertain terms. He beat Martin Cole 3-2 (11-2, 6-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-8). Maldon A’s ace counter-hitter John Cleasby produced his best play of the season in his side’s 8-2 win over a two-man OCs A. He scored excellent wins over both Brandon Crouchman and Terry Dowsett.
ECC D were the week’s big winners in Division Three, they beat Danbury E by a surprisingly emphatic 9-1 margin. Neil Thompson and Richard Storey were both unbeaten. Thompson rounded off an excellent evening by beating Dave Hancox 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11) in the last game of the evening.
Danbury B made it 16 wins out of 17 – a magnificent performance. Glen Laing and Tim Pulham were both unbeaten in their 8-2 success against Elmtree Excalibur D.
Elsewhere, Chelmsford D had an unbeaten Keith Martin to thank as they beat Danbury F 7-3 whilst ECC D edged out OCs D 6-4. Peter Layzell and Richard Storey both won twice although they were unable to match OCs’ David Porter.
Writtle C picked up two wins in Division Four. Frank Neill was unbeaten in the 7-3 success against Hatfield Peverel E whilst Andy Fox, Brian Steward and Frank Neill all won twice as they beat EPHQ 6-4. Francis Whitbread was unbeaten for EPHQ. ECC E had Allan Thompson unbeaten as they defeated Danbury H 7-3. Danbury’s Norman Hayes won twice which included a fine 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory over Jeff Lewington.
Second-placed Chelmsford F march on in Division Five. Richard Upson and Richard Baxter were both unbeaten as they overcame OCs H 9-1. Jacqui Smith was on fine form as Chelmsford H beat Elmtree Excalibur F 8-2. She certainly got a full evening’s play beating Wiktor Delimat 3-2 (10-12, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11), Martin Hiskey 3-2 (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-13, 11-9) and Keith Pallett 3-2 (11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 9-11, 11-6).
Meanwhile, third-placed OCs F have a game in hand on the two teams above them and Nat Ravlic and Tom Barker were both undefeated as they beat Chelmsford G 9-1.
CLICK League leaders Writtle D beat ECC G 3-2, their fourteenth win of the season. Peter Windley led the way with two wins whilst Emily Wood made her mark with a 3-1 (5-11, 14-12, 11-8, 14-12) victory over David Meah.
Chelmsford K (Callum Webster and Jennie Crapnell) ran out 5-0 winners over Felsted Royal British Legion. Jennie Crapnell beat Alex Pinto 3-2 (12-14, 11-7, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5) in the most hotly contested game of the evening. Chelmsford K were also successful against ECC G. Adam Kirchell was their match-winner on this occasion. He beat Nathan Blore 3-2 (8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9) in a hard-fought first game of the evening. OCs J (Harvey Russell and Steven Turner) complete this week’s CLICK action and they disposed of Chelmsford M 5-0.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League