The Handicap Knock Out Cup should theoretically give all sides an equal chance of winning and not surprisingly it remains the best supported of the Cup Competitions run by the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Games are still played up to the traditional 21 points as it is easier to calculate the Individual Handicaps using a “wider range” of points.

OCs C are through to the second round. Tom Barker (playing off a handicap of 70) clearly gave his team a big lift in their match against Chelmsford D by beating Connor Payne (58) 17-21, 21-18, 23-21 in the opening encounter and Chelmsford never really recovered.

Peter Windley (66) and Chris Jacob (70) were also on target as OCs C ran out 5-0 winners. The division five line-up of Chelmsford – Steven Chambers (49), Michael Whelpdale (47) and Martin Hiskey (47) did well to beat Danbury A 5-3. Whelpdale played his part with a hard- fought 21-10, 20-22, 21-19 victory over Cameron Gray (63). Hiskey sealed the Chelmsford victory by beating Dan Anderson (64) 21-18, 21-18.

Chelmsford H are also safely through to the next round. Ian Austin (48), Jacqui Smith (46) and Harry Buckle (43) defeated Danbury C 5-3. Ian Austin played his part with a last gasp 18-21, 22-20, 22-20 success against Nicky Ford (55). Ford had earlier fought back to beat Harry Buckle after suffering a heavy first game set-back. Ford eventually pulled through 11-21, 22-10, 21-18.

Division two stalwarts Hatfield Peverel – represented by John Parodi – 64, Gary Ward – 68 and John Gagg – 66 usually do well in this competition. They showed their usual “savvy” by beating Danbury B 5-2. Parodi had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Herbie Smith (61) 21-15, 15-21, 22-20 whilst Gary Ward secured the Peverel victory by defeating Smith 22-20, 21-17.

Chelmsford J from division five are also through to the next round. Jamie Dowsett (45), Peter Davenport (45) and Ray Bootle (42) defeated OCs A 5-3. Dowsett scored the all-important fifth win, beating Mick Hayes (61) 21-17, 17-21, 21-18.

There was success for Chelmsford players Jan Fuller and Julie Johnson at the recent VETTS Midlands Masters Tournament at Tipton. Jan and Julie won the Over 50s Ladies Doubles. They captured the title by beating Christine Burke (Northumberland) and Christina Wright (Notts) 3-1 (8-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-9) in the final.

Peter Radford, an integral part of the Galleywood first team squad a couple of years ago, continued his good form at National level in the Over 70s age category and he annexed the Over 70s Singles title with a 3-0 (11-2, 13-11, 11-9) final win over Nat Richardson (Oxfordshire).

The division three match between Writtle Excalibur B and Danbury F resulted in a hard-fought 5-5 draw. Danbury F will probably be the more satisfied with the result as they won all three five-enders. Writtle’s Lin Roff was on the losing side all three times although she battled back well to beat Herbie Smith 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-6).

Tony Forster beat Lin Roff 3-2 (3-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8) and Dave Marsh defeated Lin 3-2 (11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10). The Danbury pairing of Forster and Marsh also prevailed in the Doubles beating Lin and Louis Brown after a hugely fluctuating encounter 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-1).

Chelmsford Leopards made it four wins out of four in Division 1B of the CLICK League. Harry Buckle and James Donald were 4-1 winners over Butsbury Beavers. Buckle and Donald won all four singles but missed out 3-2 (10-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11) to Aidan Ticker and Alexei Antoniou in a well contested doubles encounter.

Chelmsford Tigers scored their first win of the season. Louis Burnett and Ryan Armstrong defeated Buttsbury Badgers 4-1. Ryan Armstong was undefeated. He beat both Alexei Antoniou 3-1 (16-18, 11-2, 12-10, 11-5) and Aidan Tucker 3-2 (12-14, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-3).

Galleywood D moved into second place. Vineeth Kamma and Charlie Craig gave nothing away as they disposed of Chelmsford Jaguars 5-0.