Brandon Crouchman – fine hat-trick for OCs A

OCs A have moved to the top of the table in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League despite missing their leading player – Peter Hayden.

They did well to draw with Bocking after Brandon Crouchman chose this match to produce his best form of the year and he recorded a fine hat-trick of wins over Kevin Gowlett, Jon Hill and Paul Davison. Reserve Robert Burton made his mark – he beat Kevin Gowlett 3-1 (9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8).

Bocking also lost 6-4 to Danbury A for whom Antony Greenwood hit the heights. Greenwood won his three singles and Michael Andrews won twice. Paul Davison defeated Andrews in five ends 3-2 (11-2, 14-12, 5-11, 4-11, 11-8).

M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Championships Ladies Champion Julie Johnson was on top form in Division Two as she led Chelmsford A to a 6-4 win over Liberal. Julie beat Steve Pennell, the best of the Liberal players 3-2 (4-11, 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8).

Chelmsford B are in bottom place and they lost 7-3 to Hatfield Peverel A. Dave Calleja won his three singles for Hatfield Peverel whilst John Webber won twice. The hard-hitting Calleja defeated Ryan Pitt 3-2 (10-12, 11-7, 8-11, 15-13, 11-9) in the closest game of the evening.

In Division Three Danbury H impressed by beating the higher-placed Chelmsford C 6-4. It was a match where no player dominated and Danbury’s Richard Allen and Mo Hardy and Chelmford’s Dave Parker and Ryan Gooday all won twice. Ryan Gooday did well to beat Mo Hardy 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 11-4).

Maldon ran out 6-4 winners against OCs C. Brian Riedling won his three singles for the Maldon team and Dawn Baldry picked up two wins. OCs B are in second place although they have a game in hand on the leaders – Hatfield Peverel B. With both Robert Burton and Steve
Northcott in the same side they ran out 7-3 winners over Danbury G although all three Danbuiy G players – Tim Pulham, Ken Sheard and Robert Kneale did well to beat Nat Ravlic.

Daniel Berry has really made his presence felt for OCs E in division four and they top the table with 49 points out of 70. What’s more – they have a game in hand on second-placed OCs D who have 45 points. This week Berry won his three singles to lead his side to a 6-4 win over Hatfield Peverel C. His hat-trick included a fine 3-0 (17-15, 11-6, 13-11) success against Dave Carter. It wasn’t a good week for OCs D who lost 7-3 to Danbury K.

Norman Hayes, now aged 80 and who is rather amazingly playing in his fiftieth consecutive season in the league was on top form and he won his three singles for Danbury whilst Mick Robinson and Roger Tiffin both won twice. Hayes, a stalwart of the Moulsham Lodge, Chelmsford, St. John Payne School and now Danbury Club is also one of the few players in the League to have played in all top six divisions of the league over the years.

Elsewhere, Writtle A ran out 8-2 winners over Danbury L. Colin Griffiths led the way with three wins whilst Brian Steward and Frank Neill both won twice.

All players are reminded that this season’s M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Individual Championships will be held on Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7/8/9 February 2014 at a new venue – the Sports Hall of Hylands School, Chelmsford with access to the car park via Hatfield Grove off Forest Drive, CM1 3DF. The closing date for entries is 7 December 2013 and these should be forwarded to the Tournament Organiser – Arthur Clark, 2 Top Road, Woodham Walter, Maldon, CM9 6RQ as soon as possible.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League (November 19, 2013)