Unbeaten records are few and far between in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, particularly when a player plays regularly – week in – week- out. James Hicks is one player who looks like completing the Season unbeaten and his 100 % record has helped ECC D win all fourteen of their matches in division three. They lead Elmtree Excalibur C by 19 points and this week they scored a convincing 9-1 win over third-placed Elmtree Excalibur B. Hicks and Colin Blore were both undefeated. Elmtree Excalibur C lost more ground although they beat Bocking B 7-3. Father and son duo Phil and Mark Smith were both unbeaten for Elmtree Excalibur. Further down the table ECC C did well to beat Danbury C 7-3. An undefeated Gary Copsey was their match-winner.

In the first division Danbury A came out on top 6-4 against Writtle A. 2011 Colchester Mens Singles Champion Antony Greenwood turned the match in Danbury’s direction by staying undefeated.

Hylands School A continue to eat into Chelmsford A’s lead in division two and they now trail Chelmsford by 10 points although intriguingly they have a game in hand. Their regular trio of Terry Dowsett, Brandon Crouchman and Scott Dowsett hammered Writtle B 10-0 and beat Chelmsford B 8-2. Terry Dowsett came out on top against his sister – Julie Vansertima 11-7, 6-11, 13-11, 10-12, 11-4 – a match which hasn’t taken place in the Chelmsford League for a good number of years. The Chelmsford Under 21 Singles Champion Brandon Crouchman also came out on top against Chelmsford Ladies Champion Julie Vansertima but it was a close call : 11-8, 11-2, 21-19 !. Aware that Hylands School are breathing down their necks Chelmsford A upped their game. They beat Liberal 8-2 with Waseem Qureshi and Peter Barrett both remaining undefeated. Chelmsford reserve Gordon Fairchild played his part by getting the better of Robin Armstrong 6-11, 11-5,11-7, 11-8. Third-placed OCs A fell back after losing 8-2 to Hatfield Peverel A. Peverel’s John Webber won his three singles.

There is everything to play for at the top of division four and one point separates Elmtree Excalibur D (91 points), Rawreth (90 points) and Danbury E (90 points). Rawreth look to be finishing the strongest and they beat Danbury E 9-1. Dale Gutteridge (two wins), Mike Worship (three wins) and Paul Churn (three wins) all played their part in a resounding win. Elmtree Excalibur C fell back. They could only draw with a two-man OCs C – although no blame could be attributed to the Four Down Singles Champion Richard Hiskey who remained undefeated. Bottom side Writtle C did well to beat Danbury F 6-4. Frank Neill and Brian Steward won twice for Writtle whilst Dave Marsh and John Robinson both picked up two wins for Danbury. In another close game Danbury H edged home 6-4 against Danbury G. Graham Briggs was undefeated for Danbury G whilst Dave Goody and Dave Powell both won twice for Danbury H. Dave Goody sealed the victory for his side by getting the better of Lee McHugh 14-12, 12-14, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8 in a very hard-fought last game of the evening.

Second-placed Chelmsford E (Adam Pitt, Bob Francis and Richard Upson) were the week’s big winners in division five and they hammered OCs D 10-0. Runaway leaders Elmtree Graphics E had to make do with winning 7-3 against Hatfield Peverel E – not altogether surprising with Dave Carter being in the opposition.

Matthew Porter won his three singles which enabled OCs E to beat Elmtree Excalibur F 6-4 in division six. Porter was taken to five sets by Keith Fitz John although he pulled clear in the fifth end to win 11-6, 11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 11-4.

CLICK League leaders OCs G made it 15 wins out of 15 by beating OCs J 5-0. Fred Mastin and George Mastin were both undefeated. Second-placed OCs H also won 5-0 with Charlie Mariner and Danny Berry carrying all before them. The match between ECC G and Writtle E was a much closer affair with Nathan Blore, Araan Goodridge and Ben Clifford just coming out on top 3-2 although none of their players were able to get the better of Peter Windley. Chelmsford J were indebted to Ryan Gooday as they beat Chelmsford M 3-2. Ryan beat both James Brand and Adam Brown.

Steve Kerns Press Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League