Gary Ward was Writtle’s only winner against top of the table Maldon B

The battle at the bottom of the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League has rarely been closer. Writtle A had the misfortune of playing the Champions-elect Maldon B this week, when they were on the look-out for points, and they were soundly beaten 9-1.

2012 M&G Investments Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Alex Abbott and Paul Sayer both bagged hat-tricks whilst Hamish Innes won twice, only missing out to Gary Ward. Maldon B added another eight points to their tally with an 8-2 success against second-placed Bocking. The Abbott/Sayer combination again carried all before them.

ECC A virtually ensured that they can’t be relegated by beating Maldon A 9-1. Mark Mulley and Lucy Wang were both undefeated for ECC although Lucy had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Peter Ballard and she finally won 3-2 (6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 14-12). Chris Jacob was Maldon’s sole winner with a four game victory against Dave Evans.

ECC B are looking good for second place in Division Two. They drew with third-placed Hatfield Peverel B this week. Simon Webber and Ken James both won twice for ECC although 2012 Chelmsford Two Down Singles Champion Andrew Halling remained unbeaten for Hatfield Peverel. The redoubtable Halling fought back from 2-0 down to get the better of Simon Webber 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5) in the last game of the night.

Robert Shrimpton’s hat-trick gave Chelmsford C the advantage against Liberal and Ryan Pitt backed him up with victories over Steve Elmes and Dean Andrews as Chelmsford won 6-4.

Elmtree Excalibur D were the week’s big winners in Division Three. Tony Hallett and Steve Cheesman were both undefeated with Cheesman getting the better of Richard Allen 3-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9) in the closest game of the night. Danbury F also beat OCs D 8-2. Dave Marsh and John Robinson both won their three singles although Dave Marsh had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Roy Moore 3-2 (7-11, 11-4, 13-15, 11-6, 13-11).

Leaders Danbury B were held to a draw by ECC D, only the second time this season that they haven’t won. Peter Layzell picked up an excellent hat-trick of wins which included a quick-fire 3-0 (11-2, 11-6,11-6) success over Neil Want. Danbury B returned to winning ways against Danbury F. This time Tim Pulham stayed undefeated although it was “touch-and-go” against John Robinson where he ran out a 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9) winner.

The leaders ECC E suffered their first defeat of the season in Division Four. Dave Powell caused the most damage. He won his three singles which included a very hard-fought 3-2 (8-11, 14-12, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8) success over Allan Thompson.

The match between Danbury G and Danbury H finished all square. Four players picked up two wins: Craig Foster and Dave Powell from the G side and Norman Hayes and Mick Robinson from the H team. Writtle C edged out Elmtree Excalibur E 6-4. Brian Steward stayed unbeaten for the Writtle team. ECC F took full advantage of the fact that Writtle C were a player short and Allison Barker and Mohammed Mohseni both won twice for ECC.

Third-placed Chelmsford F picked up a much-needed 8-2 win over Highwood in Division Five. Richard Upson won three times and Mark Brown and Richard Baxter both won twice. OCs E shaded the match against OCs H. Tom Adam and Farroq Ahmed won twice for the E team and Daniel Berry and Charlie Mariner won twice for the H side. Farooq Ahmed’s game against Daniel Berry went “all the way to the wire” with Farooq pinching it 3-2 (11-6, 10-12, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10).

Chelmsford K (Callum Webster and Jennie Crapnell) ran out 5-0 winners in the CLICK League against Chelmsford L whilst Chelmsford also tasted success. They beat Black Notley 4-1 with Luke Jones remaining undefeated. Writtle D in turn ran out 3-2 winners of a very close match against Chelmsford K although neither Peter Windley or David Meah were able to get the better of Callum Webser. Webster fought back from 2-0 down to beat Peter Windley after a very well contested 3-2 (4-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9, 12-10) tussle.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League