John Webber – on good form for Hatfield Peverel A
Hatfield Peverel A have moved into pole position in the second division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League although they have played a game more than second-placed Elmtree Excalibur B who only trail by one point.
John Webber (11 wins out of 15) has played a major part in their recent good run. He won all three singles in their 5-5 draw against Chelmsford A and he also won all three singles as they beat Liberal 8-2. Chelmsford’s Julie Johnson impressed by beating Peverel’s Gary Ward 3-1 (6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8).
Elmtree Excalibur B suffered their first defeat this week, missing out 6-4 against Rawreth & Hullbridge B. Newcomer Ben Matthews won twice for Hullbridge and he only lost to Tony Hallett by a nail-biting 3-2 ( 11-13, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 12-10) margin.
Maldon B are the new leaders in the first division. 2013 Colchester Men’s Singles Champion Keiran Lally won his three singles as they beat Danbury B 8-2 whilst Keith Phillips picked up two wins for the losers. Good wins as well. Phillips beat both Minda Sinkus and John Poysden.
Elsewhere, Rawreth & Hullbridge A (Glenn Johnson, Chris Jacob and Garry Young) ran out 7-3 winners against the higher-placed ECC A. Danbury A beat OCs A 6-4. Danbury’s inform Michael Andrews was undefeated whilst Ian Whiteside scored a fine 3-0 (15-13, 11-8, 11-4) win over Paul Cuming.
In Division Three Elmtree Excalibur C were the week’s big winners. They beat Chelmsford C 8-2, with Paul Sturton and Steve Cheesman both staying undefeated. Sturton (12 wins out of 15) was on top form again in his side’s 6-4 win over ECC D. Although Neil Thompson extended him to five ends before he pulled away to win 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4). The match between OCs C and Danbury H ended as a 5-5 draw. Dave Marsh won his three singles for Danbury whilst David Porter picked up two wins for the Old Chelmsfordians team.
OCs D beat Elmtree Excalibur D 7-3 in Division Four. Adrian North led the way with a hat-trick and Stuart Wintle picked up two wins. North had to pull out all the stops before getting the better of the improving Wiktor Delimat 3-1 (11-7, 14-12, 9-11, 17-15). The match between Danbury K and Writtle B ended as a 5-5 draw. No one player dominated and the Danbury duo of Norman Hayes and Roger Tiffin and the Writtle pairing of Brian Steward and Andy Fox all won twice. Hatfield Peverel C (the Carter family – Adam, Dave and Ryan) beat Danbury L 6-4 – good going as none of their players were able to get the better of Kevin Willis.
Hatfield Peverel D are the new leaders in Division Five. Dave Fiddeman led them to an 8-2 win over Highwood and he was well supported by Matthew Goddard and Anne Lockhart who both won twice. Elmtree Excalibur E were 7-3 winners over ECC G. Keith Fitzjohn, Nicola Pippen and Melanie Bonnett all picked up two wins, all succumbing to David Gatherall.
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 Saturday 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 (December 1, 2013)