Rik James still amongst the League’s best players

Former Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Rik James is still very much in the top echelon of players in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League.

ECC B gave OCs A a tough time in their recent encounter and Rik beat all three OCs players – Terry Dowsett, Brandon Crouchman and Dave Cole and for good measure Rik and Simon Webber beat Brandon Crouchman and Dave Cole 3-0 in the doubles. OCs eventually won 6-4.

OCs also drew with Elmtree Graphics A. Brandon Crouchman impressed again. He scored a fine hat-trick of wins over Glenn Johnson, Nigel Lamb and Gary Baker.

ECC A were only able to field one player against Maldon A, but Mark Mulley did well. He beat both Paul Stephens and Paul Sayer.  Danbury A found it tough going against Elmtree Excalibur B for who Paul Lucas and Gary Cattermole both won their three singles. Defender Eric Green beat Peter Mynard for Danbury’s sole success.

Rawreth stay second in Division Three. Mike Worship won his three singles against ECC D as Rawreth won 8-2. Dale Guttridge, who won twice, beat Peter Layzel 3-2 (12-14, 11-9, 11-13, 11-3, 14-12) in the closest game of the night.

The match between ECC E and Danbury F finished tied at 5-5. Chris Hancox won his three singles for Danbury and this included a last gasp 3-2 (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9) win over Colin Barham.

Bottom side EPHQ recorded their second win of the season in Division Four, beating Writtle 6-4. League stalwart Francis Whitbread won his three singles and he completed his hat-trick by beating Andy Fox 3-2 (6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4).

Allison Millard was on great form for ECC F who drew with EPHQ. She completed her trio of wins by beating Francis Whitbread 3-2 (11-13, 11-4, 11-13, 11- 5, 11-6). OCs D (Adrian North, Charles Yeung and Farooq Ahmed) all won twice in their 7-3 win over Hatfield Peverel D. Dave Carter stood out for the Peverel side by winning his three singles.

Hatfield Peverel E recorded a big upset in Division Five by beating second-placed Danbury J convincingly 8-2. Keith Cullen and Jon Fieldsend both won their three singles. Fieldsend defeated Roger Tiffin 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8) whilst Tiffin hit back by getting the better of Bryan Speller 3-2 (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 5-11, 12-10).

Third-placed Danbury K also lost to Hatfield Peverel E, 6-4. Keith Cullen was again undefeated and he beat Philip Crudgington 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-4, 13-11) in his first encounter of the night.

OCs F had Tom Barker to thank as they beat Highwood 6-4. Barker completed his trio of wins by getting the better of Keith Barber 3-1 (11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9) in the last game of the night, which secured the OCs victory.  OCs F also beat Chelmsford G. Tom Barker again led from the front by winning his three singles. The fast-improving Jennie

Crapnell won twice for the Chelmsford team.

ECC H (Andrew Wood and Jamie Rainbow) stay second in the CLICK League. They beat Black Notley 5-0. Jamie Rainbow beat Ewan Phillipson 3-2 (11-5, 11-2, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8) in the closest game of the match.

Steve Kerns

Press & Publicity Officer

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League