ECC retain the Veterans KO Cup
ECC made it three KO Cup wins for the season by beating Danbury 5-0 in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Veterans KO Cup Final – their sixth win in seven years in this competition.
Danbury had their chances in the first two games and Steve Buer/Steve Whiteley fully extended Lucy Wang/Rik James in the opening doubles before succumbing 3-1 (11-6, 3-11, 8-11, 11-13). The next game was even closer and there was never anything to choose between Keith Phillips and Steve Kerns. The match was poised at 8-8 in the decider before Kerns pounced on two Phillips serves which drifted long. Kerns stole a crucial 10-8 lead to finally triumph 3-2 (11-8, 11-13, 15-13, 8-11, 11-9). Lucy Wang made the score 4-0 by beating Steve Whiteley 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-9) and Rik James/Steve Kerns wrapped up the ECC victory by beating Keith Phillips/Steve Buer decisively 3-0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-4).
Buttsbury C are the 2014 CLICK Handicap KO Cup Champions. Danny Mitchell and James Hughes ran out 3-1 winners over Chelmsford D. Danny Mitchell (playing off a Handicap of 23) won both of his games for Buttsbury. He beat Kristian Krejcirik (playing off a handicap of 30) 3-1 (11-0, 10-12, 11-4, 11-2) and Callum Day (playing off a handicap of 23) 3-1 (11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4).
The 2014 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Annual General Meeting produced a number of talking points and rule changes. The exceedingly generous sponsorship by M&G Investments Limited of the League’s Closed Championships was gratefully acknowledged. It has been in place since 1999.
The League Committee are aware that those teams who have large squads find it difficult for all their registered players to meet the three League game qualification rule for entry into the League’s Closed Championships by the Closing date. Going forward – Cup games will count towards this qualification. In addition, the Closing date for entry will be put back two weeks; closer to the date when the draw is made. In addition, and importantly, no late entries will be entertained after the draw has been made.
Brian Ellis (Danbury) was awarded the League’s Rosebery/Pope & Smith Award for services to the sport. A member of the Danbury Club for 50 consecutive years and a member of that Club’s committee for around 40 years he has always been heavily involved in running one of the League’s most successful clubs. Another Danbury player – Norman Hayes was made a Life Member of the League. A strong first division player in his time, he is still playing regularly at the age of 80 after celebrating 50 years of play in the Chelmsford League.
Wiktor Delimat (Elmtree Excalibur) was the recipient of the League’s Charlie Wheeler Memorial Award for the most unexpected performances by a Junior player in the League’s Closed tournament. His results were clearly the stand-out results of the players who were nominated. Wiktor had a fine season which culminated in him winning 70% of his games in division four. Since he is off to University next season this represents a fitting way to end his Junior playing days in the League.
Another fast-improving player – Daniel Berry (OCs) who won 91 % of his games in division four as he led his team’s successful title-push – was the recipient of the League’s Hill Dowsett Junior Award. Not only did he play in every single match for OCs E but he also managed to play up three times for OCs C and OCs B in division three. A very deserved recipient of the Award.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League