ECC A take full advantage as opponents field weakened teams
Survival for a team in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League is often dependent on maximising the points earned when opponents turn out understrength sides in opposition.
ECC A took full advantage when ECC B were without their top player – Rik James – and Mark Mulley, Steve Kerns and David Evans romped to a 10-0 victory. ECC A also made OCs A pay when they were without their leading players – David Cole and Brandon Crouchman. Steve Joslin, Steve Kerns and David Evans ran out 9-1 winners once more. Terry Dowsett was on target for Old Chelmsfordians as he beat David Evans 3-2 (8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5).
Elmtree Excalibur A were 6-4 winners over Bocking. The big shock here was Nigel Lamb’s superb win over Kevin Gowlett by a 3-2 (12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9) margin.
Liberal are on top in the low-scoring Division Two with 36 points from six games and they had Steve Pennell to thank as they drew 5-5 with Writtle B. Steve Pennell scored a hat-trick with wins over Hector Rogers, Brian Cook and Matthew Brown.
Elmtree Excalibur D, the leaders in Division Three, secured their fourth win of the season by beating Rawreth 6-4. Tony Hallett bagged a hat-trick and his 3-1 (11-2, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7) victory over County Chairman Ken Field secured the Elmtree victory.
A two-man Hatfield Peverel C side beat ECC E 6-4. Neil Freeman stayed unbeaten for the Hatfield Peverel team on this occasion. The match between ECC D and OCs B finished all-square. Robert Burton picked up three wins for the Old Chelmsfordians side.
Danbury H moved into second place in Division Four by beating Maldon C 6-4. Elmtree’s Paul Sturton made his mark with a 3-2 (11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-4) win over Tom Elder although he missed out 1-3 (9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11) against Brian Riedling.
Danbury H also beat OCs C 7-3 after a hard-fought match which featured five five-enders. Dave Goody beat Roy Moore 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 13-11) in an evenly contested opening encounter and he added a second victory by getting the better of Mick Hayes 3-1 (11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5) in the last game of the evening.
OCs D raced into a 4-0 lead against ECC F but had to settle for a 6-4 win. Adrian North won his three singles for the Old Chelmsfordians team although he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Peter Sun 3-2 (8-11, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9,11-9) in a very hard fought ninth match of the evening.
OCs E turned in a very strong performance in Division Five to beat Highwood 9-1. Daniel Berry and Tom Barker were both undefeated whilst Charlie Mariner won twice.
Danbury J also picked up two 8-2 wins. Janet Pannell won her three singles as they beat OCs G whilst Mick Robinson and Norman Hayes both scored hat-tricks in their victory over Elmtree Graphics F. Janet Pannell had to dig really deep against newcomer Mike Morecroft and she finally edged home 3-2 (11-8, 14-16, 6-11,11-6, 13-11).
OCs/KEGS scored their first win in the CLICK League by beating Chelmsford J 3-2. Harry Clark led the way with wins over Steven Davenport 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 12-10) and Jake Whybro 3-1 (12-10, 11-5, 12-14, 11-5).
ECC G (Emily Wood and Ben Clifford) were clear-cut 5-0 winners over Chelmsford K whilst ECC H (Jamie Rainbow and Andrew Wood) were equally convincing 5-0 winners against Chelmsford H. Jamie Rainbow required five games to get the better of Sarah Bell 3-2 (11-6, 11-
7, 11-13, 10-12, 11-6) and the ECC side went on to win the next four matches after this early scare.
All players are reminded that the closing date for entering the 2012/13 M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships is 05 December 2012.
This year’s Championships take place at Anglia Ruskin University, Mildmay Sports Hall, Bishops Hall Lane, Rivermead Campus, over the weekend of Friday 18 to Sunday 20 January 2013. Entry forms are in the centre of the League Handbook.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League