Rayne, the 2010 Central Essex Summer League First Division Champions are playing ‘catch-up’ this season but, by defeating Ramsden Renegades 4-1 and Hullbridge Slim Boys 3-2, they have moved into second place. The redoubtable Kevin Gowlett, the top player taking part in this year’s competition, was their match-winner as he beat Ramsden’s Chris Buer 11-4, 11-6, 11-2 and Steve Buer 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6, whilst he also defeated Hullbridge’s Gary Baker 11-
9, 11-5, 12-14, 11-9 and Nigel Lamb 11-4, 11-6, 11-6.

Elmtree/Excalibur also won, beating Writtle A 4-1. Phil Smith recorded two good wins for Elmtree/Excalibur whilst Hector Rogers showed up well for Writtle by beating Gary Cattermole 11-9, 11-8, 12-10.

Leaders Danbury A went a long way to taking the Division Two title by beating second-placed Elmtree Excalibur B 4-1. Lee McHugh won twice whilst Graham Briggs beat Steve Cheesman and only missed out against Richard Hiskey 7-11, 11-13, 11-4, 14-12, 11-13. Further down the table ECC A beat Chelmsford A 4-1. Peter Layzell was successful against both Gordon Fairchild and Robert Shrimpton.

Danbury B were the week’s big winners, slightly surprising as only one point separates the two sides but on this occasion they made short work of Writtle B. Ivan Chaplin and Herbie Smith gave nothing away running out 5-0 winners. Cold Norton A (Dave Marsh and Terry Hyland) won all four singles as they saw off OCs A. However, OCs didn’t go home empty-handed and David Porter and Frank Hodge won the doubles 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3.

In Division Three Elmtree / Excalibur C (Rod Maclennan and Tony Hallett) gave nothing away as they beat Chelmsford B 5-0 whilst Cold Norton B ran out 3-2 winners against Ramsden Rovers. Roy Gandy and Dave Hancox both won one singles for Cold Norton although they both missed out against Gareth Davies. In the most absorbing game of the night Davies fought back from 2-0 to get the better of Hancox 10-12, 3-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6.

Ramsden Rookies look to be the team to beat in Division Four. They had Paul Sturton and Graham Sturton undefeated as they beat OCs C 5-0 and Caroline Cole replaced Graham Sturton as they beat OCs D 5-0. OCs D fared better against Elmtree/Excalibur D winning 4-1. Daniel Berry was their match-winner beating both Wikter Delimat 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 and Martin Hiskey 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9.

Belated congratulations are extended to Writtle’s Matthew Brown, the recipient of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League’s Rosebery/Pope & Smith Award (the League’s Award for services to the Sport) for the 2010-11 Season. The 2010-11 Season was a very busy one for Matthew because as the League’s Individual Registration Officer he had to incorporate the ETTA’s move to Individual Player Registration into his work. The ETTA will have been very grateful with the enthusisasm and energy with which he approached what many have found to be a very difficult task.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Central Essex Summer League