Bocking look odds on favourites to capture the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division title and despite only being able to field two players against second-placed Rawreth they still ran out 6-4 winners to preserve their unbeaten record. Kevin Gowlett, who has become one of the most consistent players in Essex again made his mark. He secured a superb hat-trick of wins, downing the challenge of Steve Maltby (3-0), George Reeves (3-2) and Kevin Read (3-2). ECC A were another side who were unable to field a full strength team, and they missed out 6-4 against Maldon A. Chris Jacob, Jon Hill and John Cleasby all picked up two wins for Maldon. Hill looked to be in trouble against Simon Webber but he eventually pulled through 4-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9. The inform Alex Abbott, the 2011 Southend & DTTL Mens Singles and Veterans Singles Champion took his three singles as Maldon B beat Writtle A 6-4. Kevin Worthington won twice for Writtle and this included a 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 victory over Paul Stephens. Writtle added seven more points to their total by beating a two-man Rawreth 7-3. Worthington with wins over Charles Sweeney and Steve Maltby was again their best player.

Writtle B’s Matthew Brown was the outstanding player in division two this week. He won his three singles against second-placed OCs A although it wasn’t enough to stop his side losing 6-4. He beat all three OCs players – John Watts, Robert Burton and Steve Northcott. Chelmsford B ran out 8-2 winners against Writtle B. Julie Vansertima led the way with three excellent wins and she received good support from Adrian Pitt and Alastair Piper who both won twice. Chelmsford B in turn struggled against Hatfield Peverel C and were well beaten 9-1. Being a player short did not help their cause but it was still Hatfield Peverel C who called the shots and Peter Mynard and Steve Buer both remained undefeated.

James Hicks remains unbeaten in division three and he led the leaders ECC D to a 7-3 win over Danbury B. His last game turned out to be the most tricky and he had to come from behind to beat Glen Laing 8-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5. Bocking B and Danbury C also won 7-3. Bocking had Richard Jennings to thank as they beat ECC C 7-3. Jennings just saw off Peter Layzell 11-8, 3-11, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10 in his first singles. Danbury C’s victory saw Mo Hardy take the top billing. He won all three games against the OCs B trio of Chris Ciniglio, Adrian North and Frank Hodge.

Division four is still very evenly balanced. Rawreth moved into second placed by beating Writtle C 8-2 after Mike Worship and Paul Churn had both won their three singles. A mere 15 points covers the top eight sides and it therefore was no surprise that the match between fourth placed Danbury G and seventh placed ECC E finished as a draw. ECC’s Jeff Lewington won his three singles whilst Lee McHugh and Graham Briggs both won twice for Danbury. Danbury F (in eighth place) beat fifth placed Chelmsford D 6-4. Dave Marsh was their match- winner and he sealed his side’s victory by getting the better of Dave Parker 11-
8, 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-2 in the last game.

In division five Danbury J edged out EPHQ 6-4 despite the fact that it was EPHQ’s Ian Hockley who stayed undefeated. Trevor Palmer gave Hockley his stiffest test and he eventually pulled through 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7. Third-placed Chelmsford E had Paul Nicol on form as they beat ECC F 7-3. His hat-trick tipped the game in their direction. Allison Barker fared best of the ECC players and she scored five games wins over both Adam Pitt and Richard Upson.

Writtle D were narrow 6-4 winners over OCs E in division six. Martin Goddard (three wins) and Kevin Barber (two wins) led the way. Goddard just edged out Mick Parkhurst 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10 in the closest game of the evening.

OCs G and OCs H head the CLICK League and both sides notched up 5-0 wins this week. OCs G had Fred Mastin and George Mastin undefeated as they beat Writtle E whilst OCs H had Charlie Mariner and Daniel Berry unbeaten as they beat Chelmsford J. Chelmsford M (James Brand and Adam Brown) overcame ECC G (Nathan Blore and Ben Clifford) 3-2 after winning a titanic doubles encounter 5-11, 15-13, 4-11, 15-13,12-10 – quite an ending to a hard-fought match.

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