Lorestas Trumpauskas, the current England no. one Veteran player and the M&G  Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Mens Singles Champion in 1999, 2000 and 2001, became European Over 40s Mens Doubles Champion last weekend at the European Veterans Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic.

The nine times Lithuanian Mens’ Singles Champion, who played in the Chelmsford League for four Seasons, won the title with Isreali partner Dimitry Abramenko. They beat Anton Kutis from Slovakia, the 2011 Over 40s Mens Singles Champion, and his partner, doubles specialist Joe Kennedy from Kent in five ends in a hard-fought semi-final and they powered home 3-0 against the Russian pairing of Georgy Rubinsheyn and Alexander Savelev in the Final. Trumpauskas also enjoyed a good run to the last 32 of the Over 40s Mens Singles title before losing 3-2 (11-8 in the deciding end) to Stefan Fetzner from Germany who was the 1989 World Mens Doubles Champion.

Also taking part in this event were several Chelmsford players: Neil Charles, Steve Kerns, Peter Hayden, Robin Armstrong, Trevor Carter, Mike Johnston, Richard Jennings and Garry Fryatt. As you would expect it was the current Chelmsford Mens Singles Champion Neil Charles, in his first competition as a veteran who fared best.

Paired with fellow Middlesex County player Tommy Cutler, Neil beat the third seed pairing in the Over 40s Mens Doubles event, however, they somewhat surprisingly missed out on count-back in their Group after also losing to a strong German pairing. Neil and Tommy made up for this by winning the Plate (Consolation) Competition with a series of well executed victories. Neil also reached the second round of the Over 40s Mens Singles before losing narrowly 3-2 to Russian Yuri Illarianov who battled all the way through to the semi-finals.

Mike Johnston had a distinction all of his own; he was the sole Scottish competitor taking part.

Closer to home Nigel Lamb led Hullbridge Slim Boys to an impressive 4-1 win over Ramsden Renegades in the Central Essex Summer League First Division. Lamb beat both Gus Heath (3-1) and Steve Buer (3-0) whilst Heath hit back for the losers. He scored a very impressive five game win over Gary Baker. Hullbridge OAPs fared even better. They beat Ramsden Raiders 5-0 and Elmtree / Excalibur A 4-1.  Chris Aukett and Peter Saunders carried all before them against Ramsden Riders whilst Tim Pang was undefeated against Elmtree / Excalibur. Pang fought hard to get the better of Gary Cattermole 11-5, 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6.

Danbury A were the week’s biggest winners in Division Two. Lee McHugh and Graham Briggs were both undefeated as they beat Danbury B 5-0. McHugh was pushed in both of his encounters. He required five ends to get the better of Herbie Smith (11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4) and Ivan Chaplin (11-3, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5).

Writtle B came out on top 3-2 against Chelmsford A and it was Dave Moles who was involved in all three of the Writtle victories. Paired with Frank Neill they defeated Gordon Fairchild and Robert Shrimpton 4-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10 in a very tight doubles encounter to seal the victory. ECC had Richard Storey to thank as they beat Writtle 3-2. Dave Moles, so effective against Chelmsford held no problems for Storey and was well beaten 3-0 on this occasion.

Division Three produced three clear-cut victories. Chelmsford B (James Austin and Chris Denyer) beat Mountnessing 5-0 whilst Cold Norton B also ran out 5-0 winners against Mountnessing. Dave Hancox beat Bruno Handel in five ends in the closest game of the evening. South Woodham A defeated Danbury C 4-1. Adam Morrison’s two wins gave South Woodham the edge. He beat Brian Ellis 7-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-4, 11-7 and Norman Hayes 12-10, 11-4, 11-8.  In a closer fought game South Woodham A beat Cold Norton B 3-2. Alan Dadswell beat both Roy Gandy (11-7, 1-18, 11-8) and Dave Hancox (13-15, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-1).

OCs E had Tom Barker to thank as they beat OCs D 3-2 in division four. Barker beat both Danny Berry and Charlie Mariner 3-0 and he combined with Shane Bliss to win the doubles 11-6, 11-6, 12-10.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Central Essex Summer League