Rawreth & Hullbridge B, with 26 points out of 40, are the early leaders in Division Two, with Danbury C (25 points) and Danbury D (24 points) hot on their tails.
Rawreth were 7-3 winners this week, with Simon Jacob and Paul Churn both scoring hat-tricks and both annexing the scalp of last year’s Division Two singles champion Waseem Qureshi. Churn clinched his third win of the night by fighting back from 2-0 down to get the better of Mike Johnston 3-2 (6-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8).
Danbury C had an undefeated Glen Laing to thank as they beat Galleywood B 7-3. He was a decisive 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-8) winner over James Hicks – Galleywood‘s best player.
Danbury B (22 points from three matches) should also be challenging for honours and their side of Chris Buer (three wins), Andrew Halling (three wins) and Steve Buer (two wins) were impressive 9-1 winners over Elmtree Excalibur C. Steve Cheesman was the sole Elmtree winner on this occasion.
OCs B ran out 7-3 winners over Elmtree Excalibur B. Kevin Worthington led the way with a hat-trick of wins. Robbie Burton won twice and he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Lee McHugh 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10).
OCs A produced their best display of the Season in Division One to beat Bocking A 7-3, a result that moved them into top place – albeit that they have played more games than their rivals. This was a good performance, with Brandon Crouchman notching up a hat-trick of wins over James Mullane, Kevin Gowlett and Alistair Hill. He received excellent support from Terry Dowsett and new signing Michael Andrews, who both won twice. Dowsett excelled by getting the better of Kevin Gowlett 3-1 (11-6, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9).
Elmtree Excalibur A also impressed, and with each of their players winning twice they beat Maldon A 7-3. Keith Adams, John Poysden and Keith Phillips all played their part. Adams scored a fine 3-0 (22-20, 11-6, 11-5) victory over Paul Sayer but he failed to complete his hat-trick as Hamish Innes beat him 3-1 ( 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8).
Bocking A were held to a draw by OCs A. Rik James won his three singles for Bocking, whilst Michael Andrews and Brandon Crouchman both picked up two wins for an in-form OCs team. Newcomer – Essex Junior County player Jermaine Fearon – won once on his debut, beating Terry Dowsett in five ends.
After three matches, OCs C lead the way in Division Three with 20 points. Frank Hodge and Nat Ravlic were both undefeated as they got the better of OCs D 7-3.
Chelmsford B produced their best display of the Season to get the better of Chelmsford C 7-3. Ryan Gooday led the way with three wins, whilst Paul Nicol won twice for the B side. Nicol fought back with considerable determination to defeat Keith Martin 3-2 (2-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8).
The match between Danbury G and Maldon C was a close one, and Danbury edged home 6-4, with Dave Marsh their match-winner. Mo Hardy won twice and he beat Dawn Baldry 3-2 (7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 15-13) in the closest game of the night. Danbury G also beat Chelmsford C 7-3. Marsh was again on top form, scoring a hat-trick of wins over Dave Parker, Chris Denyer and Paul Nicol.
Hatfield Peverel B excelled against Hatfield Peverel C. The B team ran away with the match to win 9-1, Neil Freeman and Dave Fiddeman both picking up three victories whilst Guy McKenzie won twice. McKenzie gave the B side a great start by beating Dave Carter 3-1 (11-6, 2-11, 11-8, 11-5) in the first game and they never looked back. Hatfield Peverel C did better against Danbury E, Ray Eldridge winning his three singles as they triumphed 6-4. Herby Smith was the best of the Danbury E players.
Danbury H were the big winners in Division Four. Dave Goody, Dan Anderson and Dave Powell gave nothing away as they beat Chelmsford D 10-0. This result moves the Danbury team into second place, six points behind the early leaders Maldon D.
Chelmsford D in turn did much better against Writtle and won 7-3. Jarolsaw Petraszuk and Bob Francis were both undefeated, although Francis had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Frank Neill 3-2 (12-10, 7-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-8) in his last singles.
Danbury H scored a second notable win by beating Danbury K 8-2. Dave Goody and Dave Powell were both undefeated. What was notable here was the sheer closeness of the first three games. Dave Goody beat Robert Kneale 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10), followed by Dave Powell defeating Mick Robinson in five (11-8, 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10). In what is perhaps a unique start to any Chelmsford League match Danbury H then completed a hat-trick of last-gasp wins when Brian Ellis fought back from 2-0 down to get the better of Roger Tiffin 3-2 (6-11, 2-11, 11-4, 13-11, 12-10) – Danbury K can be forgiven for thinking that it wasn’t going to be their night!
Elsewhere, Elmtree Excalibur D (Neil Thompson, John Marshall and Steve Siggs) overcame EPHQ 8-2. John Marshall led the way by remaining undefeated, whilst Ian Hockley won twice for EPHQ.
Danbury L (with 28 points from four matches) lead the way in Division Five. Scott Perry’s three singles wins gave them the ascendancy against Maldon E and they won 6-4.
Chelmsford F had Richard Upson to thank as they defeated Chelmsford E 6-4. He won his three singles, whilst Jacqui Smith and Adam Pitt both won twice for the Chelmsford E team.
Danbury M moved into second place and Dan Richardson certainly made his mark with a hat-trick of wins against Maldon E. He beat Bryan Speller – Maldon E’s best player – 3-1 (4-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-4).
Hatfield Peverel D’s Ron Biggs and Keith Cullen were both unbeaten in their 8-2 win over OCs G. Biggs completed what was a strong Hatfield Peverel team performance by beating Dave Bishop 3-2 (12-14, 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10) in the last game of the night to complete his hat-trick of wins.
In the CLICK League, Chelmsford H ran out 5-0 winners over Black Notley B – although the score flattered them slightly. Kristian Krejcirik had to dig deep to get the better of Lawrence Grantham in five (11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9) and Callum Day eventually beat Grantham in four ends – 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7.
Buttsbury C scored their first win of the season, beating OCs H 3-2. James Hughes won his two singles, whilst Tom Picton won once.
Steve Kerns (press & publicity officer)
October 14, 2014