Peter Radford leads ECC A to second place finish
It turned out to be a very good week for England no. two Over 70 Table Tennis player Peter Radford. He played a major part in helping ECC A secure second place in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by winning his three singles as ECC beat Maldon B 8-2 – another of the three sides vying for the second position. In a delayed match Radford scored a superb trio of wins – downing the challenge of Keiran Lally (11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9), Ben Warner (11-4, 11-9, 11-8) and John Cleasby (11-7, 11-7, 11-3). Lucy Wang also played her part and she gave the ECC side a marvelllous and perhaps unexpected start by getting the better of Ben Warner 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 in the opening singles. Maldon B had to wait until the ninth game to get on the scoresheet when Ben Warner dismissed Steve Kerns quite comprehensively 11-5, 11-3, 11-7.
Belated congratulations are extended to first division Champions Bocking who finished six points ahead of ECC. They managed to win the title having used a squad of only three players – something of a rarity these days. Paul Davison and Kevin Gowlett led the way with 38 wins out of 50 each whilst Jon Hill scored 23 wins out of 53.
ECC were the winners of the Mixed KO Cup for the sixth time in seven years. They beat Chelmsford 5-1 (Waseem Quereshi, Mike Johnstone and Julie Johnson) at the Semi-Final stage with Lucy Wang and Steve Kerns both winning their matches. Waseem Qureshi was on target for Chelmsford defeating Peter Lau 12-10 in the decider. Elmtree Graphics B were ECC’s opponents in the Final and it was the ECC side of Steve Kerns, Peter Radford and Lucy Wang who ran out the winners – defeating Steve Cheesman, Rod Maclennan and Linda Attridge 5-0.
Four players – who have very strong connections with the Chelmsford League were made Life-Members of the Essex County Table Tennis Association at the recent Essex County Table Tennis Annual General Meeting held at the Old Chelmsfordians Club, Chelmsford.
Ken Field – the County Chairman and a member of the Rawreth Club in the Chelmsford League Ken was rewarded for his considerable efforts and dedication as the Southend League Chairman and his more recent stint as the County Chairman. He was awarded the Corti Woodcock Award (the County’s Service Award in 2011) and has been a very visible County Chairman visiting Finals Nights and events throughout the County over the last five years. He has also had the insight to amend the structure of County Committees and Meetings where change was necessary.
Shirley Carroll – the Former Essex Veterans Match Secretary she competes regularly in Chelmsford Division three and plays for the Essex Veterans Over 60s second team. Shirley was Chelmsford Ladies Singles Champion as far back as 1967 and she is a 12 times Chelmsford Ladies Doubles Champion.
Peter Radford – Former winner of the Essex Open Mens Singles tile in 1971 who has played a starring role for ECC this year in the Chelmsford League. Nationally ranked no. 2 in England in the Over 70s age-group. Winner of many Open Tournaments on the National VETTS Circuit and a regular County Veterans Over 40s and Over 60s team member over the years. Former County Treasurer who has also carried out substantial Coaching duties – primarily at the Fellows Cranleigh Club, which was formerly one of the strongest in the Dagenham League.
Dave Bowles – Seven times Chelmsford Mens Doubles Champion with Dave Newman – his most recent win having been in 1990. Dave has been a regular supporter of the County Senior, Veterans and Over 60s teams for a number of years and is also a staunch supporter of the VETTS British League. In recent years Dave has assisted with County Junior Coaching. At the time of the County AGM Dave was on holiday in New Zealand at the World Veterans Championships but a letter was passed to a fellow Competitor to be opened by him at the same time as the County meeting.
This year’s recipient of the Essex County Association’s Harry Walker – Player’s Player of the Year Award is also well known to the Chelmsford League – Terry Guymer – the Veterans Singles Champion in Chelmsford in 1997, 1999 and 2000. He has also won titles in the Southend, Basildon, Brentwood and the now defunct Thurrock Leagues and has been a regular member of the County Veterans sides for many years. In his first year as an Over 60s Competitor he has been unbeaten for Essex in the Premier Division of the County Championships.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League (May 27, 2014)