The favourites Maldon A made it two wins out of two in the first division of the Chelmsford & District League by beating OCs A 7-3. But it was Paul Lucas, the M&G Investments Chelmsford Under-21 Singles champion back in 2000 and 2001, who stole the show.

After a couple of lengthy breaks from the game he is clearly back with a vengeance. Lucas scored a sensational hat-trick beating all three Maldon players -Trevor Lloyd (12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5), John Poysden (11-3, 11-6, 11-4) and Alex Abbott (11-13, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4).

Danbury B’s Daniel Young, such an impressive winner of the Essex Junior Trials the previous weekend, was another player to hit top form. He won his three singles as his side lost 6-4 to Liberal A. This was another top draw performance as he defeated Andrew Huckson 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 15-13), Paul Davison 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 2-11, 11-5, 11-7) and Steve Pennell 3-2 (8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8).

The match between Writtle B and Galleywood A finished tied at 5-5. Writtle’s new signing Gary Cattermole won his three singles whilst James Hicks and Gary Brignall both won twice for Galleywood.

The match between Hatfield Peverel A and Rawreth A was another match that finished tied. Bruce Kettle won his three singles for Rawreth and this included a last gasp 3-2 (3-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10) victory over Scott Dowsett.

Writtle A have made a major coup in signing current M&G Investments Chelmsford Men’s Singles champion Duncan Taylor and he was undefeated in his side’s 6-4 win over Danbury A. Only just though. Fellow defender Eric Green came perilously close to beating Taylor before succumbing 3-2 (9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 10-12).

Chelmsford A ran out 8-2 winners over Chelmsford B. The hard-hitting Eddie Ogbebor was undefeated.

In Division Two OCs B scored their second 9-1 win of the season as they beat OCs C. Kevin Worthington and Stephen Northcott were both undefeated and Trevor Carter won twice. On this showing they will take some stopping.

Last year’s division three champions Maldon B were also 9-1 winners and Steve Scholz and Mervyn Perriman led the way in their success against Danbury C. Perriman scored a fine 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8) win over Neil Want.

Chelmsford C who are third beat Hatfield Peverel B 8-2. Mike Johnston led the way with three wins whilst Neil Freeman impressed for the losers by beating both Waseem Qureshi (10-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-3) and Paul Nicol (9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6).

Maldon C slipped to a 4-6 defeat against Danbury D although it was the evergreen and vastly experienced John Holland who stayed unbeaten for the losers. Holland prevailed against Sam Lowman 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7).

Gary Ward was on top form for Writtle C who beat Danbury E 7-3. Ken Sheard came good for Danbury in the last game of the night with a last-gasp 3-2 (14-12, 11-8, 6-11, 10-12, 13-11) victory over John Gagg.

Chelmsford D are tied with Writtle D on 15 points at the top of the third division. Both sides won 7-3 this week. Jarek Pietraszuk was unbeaten as Chelmsford saw off Danbury F. Richard Gardiner impressed for the losers with wins over Keith Martin and Connor Payne.

Writtle D beat OCs F in a match where Peter Layzell called the shots. Colin Barham won twice and he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Farooq Ahmed in five (11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-18, 14-12).

Danbury G overcame the handicap of being a player short to beat Writtle E 6-4. Mo Hardy won his three singles.

OCs D were the week’s biggest winners in this division and Gareth Joice and David Porter were both undefeated as they beat OCs E 8-2. Joice set the ball rolling with a 3-2 (6-11, 12-10, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5) win over Richard Baxter in the opening game of the evening.

No one player managed to win all three singles in the match between Danbury H and Maldon D and Danbury shaded it 6-4 after Dave Hancox and Eamon Hall had both won twice. Hancox sealed the Danbury victory by beating Kelly Yuen 3-2 (13-11, 11-8, 4-11, 8-11, 11-5) in the last game of the night.

Writtle F lead the way in division four with 13 points. They lost 6-4 this week against Danbury K -proof if any is needed that this division is likely to be very closely fought. David Meah was unbeaten for Writtle although he only just overcame Jean Chasmer 3-2 (5-11, 11-9, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9).

Chelmsford F did well to beat Highwood B 7-3. Amanda Hogger led the way with a hat-trick and Adi Kamma and Ben Jackson both won twice. Highwood B also drew 5-5 with Highwood A. Frank Neill won his three singles for the B team whilst Melanie Bonnett and Keith Pallett both won twice for the Highwood A side. Melanie beat Francis Whitbread 3-2 (11-7, 11-7, 15-17, 7-11, 12-10) in the closest game of the night.

OCs G were 6-4 winners against Highwood A after David Bishop and Aswin Siam were both undefeated. Melanie Bonnett tasted the last-gasp defeat this time. She missed out 3-2 (8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 10-12) against Siam.

OCs H lead the way in division five. They have 14 points and they beat Chelmsford J 7-3 this week. Stuart Wintle, Steve Pratt and Mike Morecroft all won twice but they all drew blanks against an in-form Jacqui Smith. Jacqui hit top form downing the challenges of Morecroft (11-8, 11-5, 11-8), Wintle (11-6, 11-7, 11-5) and Pratt (11-7, 11-7, 11-7).

In another match where the player who won his three singles was on the losing side -Maldon E beat Galleywood 6-4.  Mark Glenister was undefeated for Galleywood whilst Garry Eames and Denis Crapnell both won twice for Maldon. Glenister came out on top over five hard fought ends against Eames (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8).

Chelmsford G raced to a 9-1 win over Hatfield Peverel D. Ian Austin and Andy Swales were both undefeated and Sarah Austin only missed out against Andy Simmonds in five ends.

Last but definitely not least Chelmsford H (Michael Whelpdale, John Wickins and Luke Richardson) ran out 10-0 winners against Hatfield Peverel E.

Buttsbury Bears (Alex Healey and Ben Brown) made a very good start to their CLICK League campaign in division 1A. They are up and running after beating Chelmsford Leopards 5-0. West Maldon (Noah Sage and Blaydon Farmer) were also successful. They beat Chelmsford Cougars 4-1. Noah Sage beat Al Lane 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-7) and Sudheep Kamma 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4).

Buttsbury Bulldogs ran out 4-1 winners in division 1B of the CLICK League against Chelmsford Panthers. Daven Muldal won both of his singles defeating Prayrak Gupta (11-3, 11-5, 11-9) and George Spicer (11-3, 11-2, 11-7).

Buttsbury Badgers (Harry Hutt and Oscar Hutt) also won 4-1. They beat Chelmsford Wildcats with Harry Hutt securing two wins. He beat Alesha Ellis Austin 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-9) and Georgina Riches 3-1 (11-3, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8).