Brian Steward hat-trick gives Writtle B the edge

Writtle B did well to overcome Chelmsford G 5-4 in a hard-fought Preliminary round in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Handicap KO Cup. Brian Steward (with a handicap of 58) led the way with three wins whilst Frank Neill (also playing with a handicap of 58) who had lost his earlier two singles won the all-important last game. He beat Rebecca Denyer (37) 21-18, 21-14. OCs A had no such trouble against Chelmsford B. Their team of Frank Hodge (58), Jack Crook (56) and Nat Ravlic (62) ran out 5-0 winners. Chelmsford D are through to the third round. Gordon Fairchild (58) won his three singles as they beat Chelmsford C 6-3. Fairchild did well to beat James Austin (68) 19-21, 21-18, 21-15.

Danbury B turned in a strong performance to make it into the third round. Their side of Dave Richardson (68), Herbie Smith (61) and Ken Sheard (58) ran out 5-0 winners against Danbury D. Elmtree Graphics A are also in the draw for the third round. They beat Elmtree Graphics B 5-2. Wiktor Delimat (40), Richard Hiskey (62) and Martin Hiskey (38) march on. Richard Hiskey had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Melanie Bonnett (50) 15-21, 21-13, 21-19.

Division two leaders Elmtree Graphics are favourites to win the 2-Down KO Cup and they faced interesting opponents in the Preliminary round – runaway Division three leaders – Danbury A . They didn’t have it all their own way but the Elmtree side of John Holland, Phil Smith and Peter Mynard ran out 7-2 winners. Neil Want was the only Danbury player to pick up a singles win. He beat Phil Smith 11-8, 11-9, 11-3. Want also gave a good account of himself against Elmtree no. one – the evergreen John Holland before succumbing 12-14,11-9, 7-11, 9-11. ECC (Gary Brignall, Simon Webber and James Hicks) turned in a strong performance to beat Writtle 5-1. Matthew Brown with a 12-10, 13-11, 11-7 victory over Simon Webber was Writtle’s only winner. Elsewhere, Chelmsford A ran out 5-0 winners over OCs B. Julie Vansertima, Adrian Pitt and Mike Johnston were all undefeated. Nat Ravlic tested Julie Vansertima before the latter pulled through to win 13-11, 9-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7.

Chelmsford B were clear-cut 5-0 winners in the 4-Down KO Cup. Mark Brown, Richard Upson and Richard Baxter beat OCs D 5-0. Danbury A (Dave Goody, Brian Ellis and Dave Powell) ran out 5-3 winners against OCs A.  Sue Hickman was OC’s best player. She beat Brian Ellis (11-3, 11-7, 11-9) and Dave Goody (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10). Danbury D are through to the second round as well. Kevin Willis, Trevor Palmer and Philip Crudgington were 7-2 winners over OCs C.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League