Danbury E, runaway leaders of division three of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, were given the severest of examinations in the division three Knockout Cup competition.

With Gordon Gatheral losing 9-11, 9-11, 4-11 to Bob Garson they trailed Writtle D 2-4 and were in big trouble. Ken Sheard scored a vital 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-3) win over Colin Barham and 2020 division three Champion David Gatheral levelled the scores by beating Trevor Collin in five ends (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7).

Everything to play for, and it was David and Gordon Gatheral who came out on top. They beat Bob Garson and Colin Barham 3-1 (11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8) in the deciding doubles.

In division one Galleywood A did well to draw 5-5 with the higher placed Danbury A. Dave Richardson was unbeaten for Danbury but James Hicks and Peter Barrett both won twice for Galleywood “to balance the books”. Eric Green lost all three singles. He missed out 3-0 (9-11, 16-18, 5-11) to Hicks and then 3-2 (12-14, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 10-12) to Barrett. Despite no lack of effort he also lost 3-2 (11-6, 6-11, 9-11, 12-10, 4-11) to Gary Brignall. Hicks did well to beat Steve Whiteley 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 15-13).

Rawreth ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford C. Charles Sweeny and Kim Shead both won their three singles on this occasion and they combined to beat Wiktor Delimat and Cristian Bernado 3-2 (11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10) in the doubles.

Danbury C were 9-1 winners against OCs C in division two. Gareth Joice, such an impressive winner of the division two singles in the Chelmsford Championships couldn’t replicate that form here and he lost to Ian Whiteside 3-1 (2-11, 6-11, 11-8, 5-11) to Steve Buer 3-2 (3-11, 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 5-11) and finally to Gus Heath 3-1 (9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11). Whiteside had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Charles Yeung 3-2 (7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 14-12).

OCs H beat Hatfield Peverel D 7-3 in division five. Stuart Wintle and Suzanne Shaw were both undefeated. Mick Carter beat Adrian North 3-2 (8-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 16-14) in the closest game of the evening.

In division 2A of the Chelmsford Junior League Chelmsford Cougars made it 10 points out of 10 by beating Chelmsford Pumas 5-0. Harry Chivers and Vinnie Kamma were both undefeated. Kamma required four ends to beat Joachin Mapes 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 whilst Chivers was pushed to beat Ned Ryder 3-1 (15-17, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8).

Chelmsford Antelopes moved into pole position in division 2B by beating Buttsbury Bears 5-0. Todd Martin and Nikita Tkachuk carried all before them. Martin set the Chelmsford side on their way with a hard fought 3-2 (14-12, 10-12, 11-5, 15-17, 11-5) win over Oliver Barrett.

Cleon Fernandes was unbeaten as Chelmsford Leopards beat Buttsbury Bats 4-1. Ryan Beresford-Cole was on target for the losers with a fluctuating 3-2 (11-13, 11-3, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4) win over Al Lane.

Chelmsford Elephants scored their first win of the campaign, beating Buttsbury Bees 4-1 in division 2D. Nathan Tew won both of his singles including an opening game 3-1 (8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9) win over Aidan Tucker.

Chelmsford Wildcats lead the way in the League’s newest division – division 2E. They beat Chelmsford Kangaroos 4-1. Georgina Riches and Emilie Guilloux won their four singles but they missed out 3-1 (9-11, 14-16, 14-12, 10-12) in a very hard fought doubles encounter against Harrison Hill and Eddie Pickwick.

Chelmsford Eagles (Javi Sutherland-Moore and Ruben Sutherland-Moore) made no mistake against Chelmsford Kestrels winning 5-0 whilst Chelmsford Ospreys also won 5-0. They beat Chelmsford Wolves. Hela Kolli defeated Max Flower 3-1 (11-7, 13-15, 12-10, 11-7).