Results of 10-0 are rare in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. However, an in-form Chelmsford A powered to a convincing 10-0 win over Danbury A to go top of the table.
Ryan Gooday, Eddie Ogbebor and Wal Bada were all undefeated. From the first game when the fast improving Gooday overpowered Peter Mynard 11-6, 11-7, 11-3 it was Chelmsford who were calling the shots and they never let up.
Last year’s champions Maldon A were also on top form. Trevor Lloyd, Colin Stallwood and John Poysden ran out 8-2 winners over Rawreth A. Lloyd bagged a hat-trick whilst Duncan Taylor picked up the two Rawreth wins. Ace defender Taylor beat Poysden 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-7) and Stallwood 3-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-9). The in-form Lloyd in turn beat Taylor 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8).
Liberal A edged out OCs A 6-4. Dave Cole – in his first game of the season led the way with a hat-trick for the Liberal side although Rob Burton made his mark for the losers. Burton scored a superb 3-2 (8-11, 12-10, 8-11, 12-10, 11-3) victory over Gary Cattermole.
A mere four points cover the top four sides in division two. There were some very significant results this week. Chelmsford B (39 points) moved into second place by beating Chelmsford C 8-2.
Rob Shrimpton and Victor Chan were both undefeated for the Chelmsford B side. Both came through really hard battles against Julie Johnson. Chan came out on top 3-2 (11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6 whilst Shrimpton came through also in five (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8).
Writtle Excalibur A (40 points) stay top although they were held to a draw by Hatfield Peverel A. Gary Ward won his three singles for Hatfield Peverel including a strange-looking 3-2 (7-11, 13-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-2) win over Ryan Pitt.
Danbury C are third with 38 points and they scored an impressive 8-2 win over OCs B. Dan Young really excelled here for the Danbury side and he defeated Terry Dowsett 3-2 (12-10, 12-10, 4-11, 9-11, 11-4). Dowsett beat both Chris Buer and Ian Whiteside.
Danbury C failed to capitalise on this result and they lost 7-3 to Chelmsford C. Chris Buer won his three singles for the Danbury team but Julie Johnson, Mike Johnston and Waseem Qureshi took the rest. Johnston defeated Steve Buer 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-9) in the closest game of the night.
Danbury D are fourth with 36 points and they won twice. They beat their B side 6-4 although none of their players were able to get the better of Neil Want. An in-form Want beat Sam Lowman 3-1 (11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9) to complete his hat-trick.
Danbury D also beat Liberal C 8-2. Dan Anderson won his three singles for the Danbury side including a rapid 3-0 (11-1, 11-3, 13-11) demolition of Richard Jennings. In his third singles Jennings made up for this with a fine 3-1 (10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9) victory over Sam Lowman.
OCs B scored their first win of the season with a 7-3 victory over their C side. Steve Northcott, Trevor Carter and David Porter all won twice to counter the hat-trick of the C team’s Tom Barker.
There were hat-tricks for Liberal C’s James Mullane and Richard Jennings who beat OCs C 8-2.
Maldon B are the new leaders in division three with 41 points. Colin Napper, Ciaran Whelan and Hamish Innes all won twice as they beat Writtle Excalibur B 7- 3. Lin Roff excelled to beat Whelan 3-2 (11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 4-11, 11-4) and she also pushed Innes all the way before succumbing in five (6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11). Paul Sturton in turn made his mark with a fine 3-2 (12-10, 13-11, 7-11, 7-11,
11-8) victory against the hugely experienced Innes.
Previous leaders Hatfield Peverel B slipped back by drawing 5-5 with OCs D. This match was a personal triumph for Mick Richardson (who has a 58% average to date) who beat all three Hatfield Peverel players. He defeated Gareth Davies 3-1 (11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9) and then Neil Freeman 3-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9) and he completed a superb hat- trick by stopping Dave Fiddeman in his tracks 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-5).
Brian Riedling was another player who brought his “A” game to the table this week. He scored a fine hat-trick to lead Maldon C to a 7-3 victory against Chelmsford E. The highlight was his last gasp 3-2 (11-7, 6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10) victory over Richard Baxter.
Writtle Excalibur B ran out convincing 8-2 winners against Maldon C. Rod Maclennan (another player with a 58% average this season) led the way with three excellent wins. Clearly on good form Rod beat Ev Lucas 3-1 (8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7) and Brian Speller 3-1 (11-8, 3-11 11-3, 11-9) and he completed an excellent evening ’s work by defeating 2017 M&G Investments Chelmsford Ladies Singles champion Dawn Baldry convincingly 3-0 (11-3, 11-5, 11-8).
Danbury G (43 points) lead the way in division four. Nicky Ford won his three singles as they defeated OCs F 8-2. Maurice Hardy and Norman Smith provided excellent support with two wins apiece.
Tanishq Kotwal was the match-winner for OCs G who overcame Maldon D 6-4. He completed his hat-trick by getting the better of Tom Elder 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-7).
OCs E, led by a Bob Francis maximum, ran out 7-3 winners over Danbury H. Francis had a real struggle with Richard Allen before he edged home 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 4-11, 11-6, 13-11).
Danbury J emerged as 6-4 winners over Writtle Excalibur D. It was one of those matches where no single player remained undefeated. Ian Hockley (Writtle Excalibur) and the Danbury duo of Kevin Willis and Eamon Hall all won twice. Hockley was involved in two close five-enders. He beat Allan Steel 7-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 but he missed out against Willis 4-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 9-11.
Danbury K were 6-4 winners against Maldon D. Good going as none of their players were able to get the better of Mervyn Perriman. The in-form Perriman, who has a record of 89%, never looked back after beating Mick Robinson 3-1 (11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6) in his opening singles.
Galleywood B impressed in division five. James Higgs, Ron Salton and Nathan Blore all won twice as they beat OCs H 7-3. Blore beat Harry Rogers 3-2 (11-3, 5-11, 11-8, 11-13, 13-11) in the closest game of the night.
The match between OCs H and Chelmsford G finished tied at 5-5. Stuart Wintle won his three singles for the Old Chelmsfordians team whilst Michael Whelpdale picked up two wins for the Chelmsford side. Chelmsford‘s Steven Chambers overcame Mike Morecroft 3-2 (3-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11).
Chelmsford H beat OCs H 6-4. Harry Buckle led the way with a hat-trick and this included a widely fluctuating 3-2 (11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 7-11, 11-3) victory over Morecroft.
Highwood A who have games in hand on the teams above them could well be the team to beat in this division. Martin Goddard was undefeated in their 8-2 victory over OCs H. With Stuart Wintle failing to register a win on this occasion it was Harry Rogers who showed up best for the OCs side. Rogers beat Francis Whitbread 3-2 (3-11, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8) and Russell Downton 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-5).
Galleywood B ran out 7-3 winners against Chelmsford J. Steve Peacock, James Higgs and Nathan Blore all won twice although they all missed out against the impressive Jamie Dowsett. The in-form Dowsett beat James Higgs 3-2 (7-11, 11-6, 10-12, 14-12, 11-5) to complete his trio of wins.
Galleywood C (27 points) are stretching clear at the top of the division 1A of the CLICK League. Aidan Noguchi and Lewis Wilson were 5-0 winners over OCs Lions. There was no luck for OCs Lions against Danbury Dragons either. Connor Hall and Dan Atkinson ran out 5-0 winners on that occasion.
The mid-table clash between West Maldon and Buttsbury Bears produced a closer match which West Maldon won 3-2. Will Moore and Blaydon Farmer both won once for the Maldon side to counter the two wins that Jason Yeh picked up for the Buttsbury side. Moore had a real tussle with Daniel Slaney where he eventually pulled through 3-1 (11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10).
Buttsbury Bulldogs had Harry Hutt to thank as they beat Black Notley 4-1. Hutt beat both Charlie Roe and Nicholas Grice. Danbury Demons (Alex Porter and Ben Porter) were 5-0 winners over Black Notley. Porter fought back from2-0 down to get the better of Johnny Evans 3-2 (7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7).
Galleywood D lead the way in division 1 B of the CLICK League. Vineeth Kamma and Charlie Craig carried all before them as they beat Buttsbury Badgers 5-0.
All players are reminded that the Closing date for entry to the M&G Investments Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Closed Championships is Friday 15 December 2017. Entries must be sent to the Tournament Organiser Arthur Clark on line or directly. The event takes place at Hylands School, Chelmsford over the weekend of Friday to Sunday 3 to 5 February 2018. Late entries will not be allowed. An entry form is available in the League Handbook and online.