Simon Webber hits top form for ECC B
Bottom side ECC B have shown considerable improvement in recent weeks in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and they produced their best display of the season to defeat Danbury A 8-2.
As you might have guessed Rik James won his three singles, and most impressively the hard-hitting Simon Webber followed suit. His hat-trick of wins included a superb 3-1 (8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 15-13) success against Michael Andrews.
Ken James capped an excellent evening for the County Council second team with an equally fine 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-9) win over Eric Green. Ken has also started a debate; at the age of 75 is he the oldest player to have won a game in the Chelmsford first division?
Maldon A, the favourites for the title, beat a two-man ECC A 8-2 with Alex Abbott and Paul Sayer both staying undefeated. They were also held to a draw by OCs A – who have climbed into third position.
Dave Cole lost to Paul Sayer 3-0 (11-5, 21-19, 11-6) but he hit back by beating Alex Abbott 3-1 (11-9, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6). Brandon Crouchman, who is now firmly established amongst the League’s top players, made his mark with a fine 3-1 (13-11, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10) victory over Paul Sayer. Writtle A stay top although they were hard pushed to beat Elmtree Excalibur B 6-4. Writtle’s Peter Radford won his three singles.
In the third division, the leaders Elmtree Exclaibur D took full advantage of their game against bottom side ECC E. Tony Hallett, Scott Dowsett and Russell Mills ran out 10-0 winners. Rawreth have climbed into second place and they recorded their 11th win of the season by beating OCs B 7-3. Paul Churn won his three singles for Rawreth and this included a hard-fought 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8) win over Tony Vassallo.
Maldon C (Brian Riedling,Tom Elder and Dawn Baldry) stay top in Division Four. Brian Riedling was unbeaten as they won 8-2 against Maldon C. His hat-trick included an odd-looking 3-2 (10-12, 11-5, 7-11, 11-0, 11-8) victory against Dave Powell.
Elmtree Excalibur E’s 8-2 win over ECC F saw both Rod Maclenn and Paul Sturton remain unbeaten whilst Adrian North won his three singles in OCs D’s 6-4 success against EPHQ. Calvin Wright won twice for the EPHQ team.
The big surprise in Division Five took place at Roxwell Road where leaders OCs E were well beaten 8-2 by Chelmsford E. Ryan Gooday recorded an excellent trio of wins and Ian Austin and Sarah Austin both won twice. Sarah Austin played her part by beating Dave Newman 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 12-14, 12-10, 12-10).
Third-placed Danbury K were held to a draw by OCs F – Kevin Willis won his three singles for Danbury but it wasn’t enough – Peter Windley and Tom Barker both won twice for the OCs team. Hatfield Peverel E (Keith Cullen, Bryan Speller and Ron Biggs) were the week’s big winners. They defeated Elmtree Excalibur F 10-0.
Danbury J stay in second place. Mick Robinson led them to a 8-2 victory over Chelmsford F. Daniel Thomas won twice for the Chelmsford side, and this included a 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9) victory over Craig Foster.
ECC G (Nathan Blore and Emily Wood) stay second in the CLICK League, just one point behind the leaders Felsted. They beat Chelmsford K 5-0. Emily Wood impressed by beating Harry Isaacs 3-1 (11-2, 16-18, 11-5, 11-4).
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League