Danbury B – without a win in division one of the Chelmsford & District League – turned in an excellent performance against third-placed Rawreth and only missed out 6-4.

This was largely down to their leading player Daniel Young, who won his three singles. Young scored three good wins, beating Kim Shead 3-0 (11-2, 13-11, 11-4), Reece Seddon 3-1 (10-12, 11-4, 11-9, 11-8) and Charles Sweeney 3-2 (4-11, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8).

Maldon A continue to set the pace and they ran out 8-2 winners against Galleywood A. Maldon retain a six-point lead. Maldon‘s Alex Abbott and Trevor Lloyd were both undefeated although the stand-out win here was Gary Brignall‘s superb 3-2 (13-15, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5) victory over John Poysden.

Chelmsford A remain the only realistic challengers to Maldon A and they also won 8-2. Wal Bada was undefeated and his trio of wins included a fine 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-4) win over Gary Young. However, Young showed up well in his other two singles and he beat Casey Cross 3-0 (11-4, 12-10, 11-6) and another newcomer Tulay Dundar 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 2-11, 11-7).

Writtle A excelled by beating Hatfield Peverel A 10-0. With 2018 M&G Investments Chelmsford Men’s Singles champion Duncan Taylor in their line-up you would have expected Writtle to have the edge but the 10-0 scoreline was certainly unexpected. Matthew Brown opened proceedings with a fine 3-2 (11-5, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9) win over Julie Johnson and Writtle never looked back. Ryan Pitt was on inspired form, racing to three 3-0 wins. He beat Alastair Piper 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 and then Johnson 11-4, 11- 5, 11-8. Pitt completed an outstanding evening‘s work by defeating Jan Fuller 11-7, 11-2, 11-8.

Chelmsford B scored their third win of the season by getting the better of Writtle B 6-4 – good going as Gary Cattermole won his three singles for the Writtle side. Cattermole beat Simon Jarvis 3-2 (11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9) after Jarvis had levelled at 2-2.

In division four it was honours even between Hatfield Peverel C and OCs G. Nick Duce was unbeaten for the Hatfield Peverel side whereas John Newman won twice for the Old Chelmsfordians side. Adam Chalk beat Alastair Brown 3-2 (11-7, 11-4, 5- 11, 11-13, 11-9) in the closest game of the evening.

Maldon E ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford H in division five. Denis Crapnell was undefeated for the Maldon side whilst Jamie Dowsett defeated Ross Wheeler 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-5, 12-10) in the closest game of the evening.

Chelmsford Pumas (James Donald and Joachim Mapes) were the week’s big winners in CLICK division 1A. They beat Buttsbury Bears (Aidan Tucker and Ben Brown) 5-0. Chelmsford Pumas also lost 3-2 to Chelmsford Jaguars. Annabel Sweeney beat both Saul Chivers (11-7, 11-7, 11-7) and Joachim Mapes (11-7, 11-6, 11-7).

West Maldon recorded their third win of the season. Noah Sage was pushed to four ends to beat Cleon Fernandez (8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3).

The match in CLICK division 1B between Chelmsford Panthers and Buttsbury Badgers was a good one. Badgers won 3-2 but Chelmsford Panthers displayed excellent fighting spirit. Theo Griffiths beat Oscar Hutt 3-2 (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 6- 11, 14-12) and Griffiths and George Spicer defeated Oscar Hutt and Harry Hutt in the doubles (4-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9, 13-11). Harry Hutt was undefeated in his singles and has a record of 80% (8 wins out of 10).

Chelmsford Tigers move up to third after beating Chelmsford Rhinos 5-0. Louis Burnett set them on their way by beating Ben Chivers 3-2 (10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8) in a well contested opening encounter. Nicholas Grice also stayed undefeated.

Chelmsford Tigers amassed another four points by beating Buttsbury Badgers 4-1. Josh Bickles retained his 100% record (six wins out of six) with victories against Daven Muldal (11-6, 11-7, 11-7) and Max Samuels (11-9, 11-5, 11-8).

Buttsbury Badgers ran out 4-1 winners against Danbury Griffins. Harry Hutt dominated. He beat Callum Caldwell (11-8, 11-7, 11-9) and Finlay Bailey (8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6).

All players are reminded that the closing date for entry to the M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Closed Tournament (which will be held over the weekend of 1, 2 & 3 February 2019), is 14 December 2018. Entries should be forwarded to Arthur Clark, 2 Top Road, Woodham Walter, Nr. Maldon, Essex, CM9 6RQ with the payment. Electronic entries to [email protected] will also be accepted provided that payment is made to the League’s Bank Account stated at the bottom of the entry form and the box is ticked. The entry form is in the middle of your handbook.

Please note that it was agreed at the AGM that entries will only be accepted if payment is made by the closing date. Late entries or entries without payment will not be accepted. So far very few entries have been received and it would be appreciated if players do not leave it until the eleventh hour to enter.