Very strong performance from ECC B (Gary Brignall, Simon Webber and Ken James)
ECC B scored a very impressive 9-1 win in the second division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and they came very close to winning 10-0. Barry Pritchard save Liberal‘s blushes by beating Simon Webber 11-9, 14-16, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10. It was nevertheless a very good performance by the ECC B side of Gary Brignall, Simon Webber and Ken James. Liberal did better against Hatfield Peverel B. In a two-a-side match the duo of Steve Pennell and Robin Armstrong came out on top 6-3 against Hatfield Peverel B‘s Steve Buer and Gus Heath. Robin Armstrong scored excellent wins over both Steve Buer (11-8, 5-11,11-4, 7-11, 12-10) and Gus Heath (12-10, 11-2, 4-11, 8-11, 11-7).
Second-placed Hatfield Peverel B are going through a lean patch and they also lost 7-3 to their bottom-placed team-mates Hatfield Peverel C. Neil Freeman caused the most damage. He took a hat-trick with wins over Clive Allenby, Gus Heath and Steve Buer. His win over Steve Buer was the closest of the night. Freeman won 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-13, 13-11. With Hatfield Peverel B falling back Elmtree Excalibur B have stormed further ahead. Gary Cattermole, Peter Mynard and Mark Smith were 10-0 winners against a two-man Hatfield Peverel C team. Neil Freeman came closest to winning a game. He succumbed narrowly to Mark Smith 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 8-11.
ECC A lost twice in the first division. Michael Andrews called the shots as Danbury A beat ECC A 7-3. Andrews beat all three ECC players – Mark Mulley, Reuben Okai and Dave Evans whilst Eric Green picked up two wins. He narrowly prevailed in a close match against Dave Evans 11-7, 4-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-8. A two-player ECC A side put up a great fight against Maldon B. They only succumbed 6-4 and Steve Kerns became the first player to get the better of Alex Abbott this Season. Kerns won a roller-coaster battle 13-11, 8-11, 11-3, 8-11, 18-16.
Danbury B have been the outstanding side in division three this year. It will be a major surprise if they don’t go on to take the title. This week they beat OCs C 8-2 with Glen Laing (three wins), Tim Pulham (three wins) and Neil Want (two wins) all playing well. Third-placed Danbury C led by a Dave Richardson hat-trick did well to beat second-placed Elmtree Excalibur D. Richardson showed his class by beating Steve Cheesman 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4 in his opening singles. Herbie Smith was on good form as Danbury D beat OCs D 7-3. He won his three singles which included an 11-5, 8-11, 11-6,11-2 win Roy Moore – OCs’ best player.
Second-placed ECC E beat Writtle C 8-2 In division four. Allan Thompson and Colin Barham were both undefeated. Barham completed his hat-trick with a 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-2 victory over Andy Fox.
OCs F were 6-4 winners over Chelmsford F in division five. Nat Ravlic led the way with three wins and he received good support from Frank Hodge who won twice. Richard Upson was the best of the Chelmsford players.
George Wallis picked up two wins for BNCA in their 2-3 defeat against Chelmsford K in the CLICK League. He needed five ends to see off Jennie Crapnell 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2. BNCA weren‘t as successful against Writtle D and they lost 4-1. Peter Windley won twice for Writtle, which included a hard-fought 9-11, 12-10, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6 win over George Wallis. ECC G edged out Writtle D 3-2. Neither ECC player could get the better of Peter Windley but Ben Clifford and Nathan Blore both won once and they combined to win the doubles in five ends.
Happy New Year to all Chelmsford Table Tennis League Players and Officials
Steve Kerns
Press Officer Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League