With four wins in five matches Chelmsford A look the likely favourites to win the first division of the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League.

However, they were on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat to Danbury A. Steve and Chris Buer won all four singles and they both defeated the highly rated Eddie Ogbebor.

Chris Buer set the ball rolling by defeating Mike Johnston 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11- 7, 11-8) in the opening encounter and Steve Buer added to this with his excellent 3-2 (4-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8) win over Eddie Ogbebor.

Chelmsford returned to winning ways against OCs A – winning 4-1. Mike Johnston was undefeated but the big shock here was the superb win that Robbie Burton scored over Eddie Ogbebor. Defensive ace Burton came through 3-1 (11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8).

Writtle A ran out 5-0 winners against OCs A. Matthew Brown and Peter Windley carried all before them.

Ramsden C with 20 points from six matches lead the way in division two. They trailed Writtle B 2-0 but fought back strongly to win 3-2. Dave Carter scored an excellent 3-1 (11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9) victory over Ryan Pitt and John Gagg had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Peter Layzell 3-2 (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-9). With everything to play for in the deciding doubles Gagg and Carter came through to beat Pitt and Layzell in five fluctuating ends 3-2 (11-9, 10-12, 4- 11, 11-7, 11-5).

Ramsden B with 15 points from four matches look the most likely champions and they ran out 4-1 winners over Writtle B. Gareth Davies was tied at 2-2 with Peter Layzell before he stormed home in the fifth end to win 3-2 (10-12, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 11-1). Neil Freeman made his mark with a fine 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8) win over Richard Storey.

Danbury B led by David Gatheral beat OCs B 4-1. Gatheral was involved in two cliffhangers. He beat David Porter despite looking to be well off the pace for the first two ends. He came through to win 3-2 (1-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10). It was no easier against Nat Ravlic and this time Gatheral won 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Writtle B scored their second win of the season – a 4-1 victory over Buttsbury A. Ryan Pitt led the way with wins over Gary Carr and Louis Brown.

Chelmsford D are proving hard to beat in division three. They beat Ramsden D 5-0 to make it five wins out of five. Viktor Delimat and Paul Nicol gave nothing away. Nicol struck first by downing the challenge of Trevor Collin 3-2 (7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10) in the first game of the evening.

Ramdsen D were also on the wrong end of a heavy defeat against OCs C – where they lost 4-1. Tom Barker and Mick Hayes won all four singles. Mick Hayes defeated Trevor Collin 3-1 (9-11 12-10, 12-10, 15-13) in a really hard fought four ender.

Chelmsford C did well to beat Danbury C 4-1. Mick Richardson was undefeated for Chelmsford whilst Dave Marsh scored for Danbury with a win over Dave Parker 3-2 (11-8, 6-11, 13-15, 11-9, 11-6).

Writtle C also did well to beat Chelmsford C 3-2 – good going as Mick Richardson won both of his singles for the Chelmsford side. This included a fine 3-2 (11-2, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3) win over Lin Roff.

Danbury D lead the way in division four but they were hard pushed to beat Chelmsford E 3-2. Dan Richardson scored a fine 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7) win over Richard Baxter but Baxter hit back in his second singles. He beat Dan Anderson 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9).

Danbury D also beat Writtle D 4-1. Dan Anderson won both of his singles this time. Writtle D in turn tasted victor. Led by an undefeated David Meah they beat Chelmsford F 4-1

Division five produced three 5-0 results. The leaders OCs D (Farooq Ahmed and David Newman) beat Butsbury C. However, Buttsbury can certainly consider themselves very unlucky not to have done better losing three games in the fifth end. Toby Kelly only succumbed to David Newman 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 14-12, 3-11, 11-13).

Writtle E (Bob Garson and Adam Garson) gave nothing away against Chelmsford H whilst OCs D ran out 5-0 winners over Maldon.