Two players who have been in the shadow of their team-mates in the past stepped into the lime-light this week in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Hylands School’s Scott Dowsett took a superb hat-trick of wins against OCs A to lead his side to a 6-4 victory. Amongst Scott’s victims were 2010 Chelmsford 2-Down Singles Champion Robert Burton who he beat 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10 and Steve Northcott who he defeated 4-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-6. Expect Hylands School to progress up the table rapidly, Scott’s Dad – Terry Dowsett made his first appearance of the Season and he won twice, only
missing out 11-13, 7-11, 11-5, 9-11 against the aggressive Steve Northcott.

Liberal’s Robin Armstrong was the other player to excel. He won all three singles against Hatfield Peverel C as his team won 7-3, a fine hat-trick of wins against Peter Mynard, Steve Buer and Chris Buer. Armstrong completed his “full house” with a hard-fought 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9 victory against Chris Buer. Elsewhere, Hatfield Peverel B had reserve Dave Carter to thank as they beat Chelmsford C 7-3. Carter completed his hat-trick, fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Ryan Pitt 10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6.

Runaway leaders Bocking were on good form against second-placed Elmtree/Excalibur A in division one. Dave Cole and Kevin Gowlett were both unbeaten as they won 7-3. The still-improving Gowlett scored an excellent 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 12-10 win over Gary Young. Elmtree Excalibur A were also held to a draw by Maldon A. Last year’s Mens Singles Semi-Finalist Minda Sinkus looks to be on good form going into the M&G Investments Chelmsford Closed Tournament, and he won all three of his singles 3-0. Nigel Lamb scored excellent wins over John Cleasby and Chris Jacob. Fourth-placed Rawreth fell back, losing 6-4 to Danbury A. Antony Greenwood was the difference between the two sides, winning his three singles. Little is going right for Hatfield Peverel A at present, and they were well beaten 9-1 by Maldon B for whom Paul Stephens and Alex Abbott both stayed undefeated. Mark Mulley was Peverel’s only winner. He beat Hamish Innes 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8.

Division three leaders ECC D pulled further ahead, by beating ECC C 8-2. Colin Blore and James Hicks both remained unbeaten. Bocking B’s 5-5 draw against Danbury B was instigated by Richard Jennings, who scored a very impressive hat-trick of wins against Mo Hardy, Ivan Chaplin and Pip French. He did not drop a game. Bocking B also did well to beat Danbury C 6-4, this time without Richard Jennings. David Edwards and the much-improved Roy Hooper both won twice. Pip French won twice for Danbury, having to pull out all the stops to get the better of David Edwards 8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 15-13.

In division five Hatfield Peverel E fought back from 1-3 down to draw with EPHQ. Dave Carter won his three singles whilst Adam Carter contributed what proved to be a vital 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 13-11 victory over Calvin Wright. Hatfield Peverel D’s Gareth Davies and Colin Powell were both unbeaten as they beat OCs D 7-3. Powell got the better of Charles Eaton 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the night.

Division six leaders OCs F suffered their first defeat of the Season against Hylands School B. Jack Crook and Tom Barker were both on sparkling form and they both stayed undefeated. Crook rounded off what was an excellent performance by beating Farooq Ahmed 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7 in the last game of the night to leave Hylands as 7-3 winners. OCs F did win 7-3 themselves, beating Writtle D. This time Tom Adam and Farooq Ahmed won their three singles. Adam got his team off to a winning start but only just. He had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Anne Lockhart 12-10, 10-12, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9 in the opening singles.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League