Rawreth A took no prisoners in their match against Danbury B in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League.
The very strong team of George Reeves, Charles Sweeny and Babul McLeod (who were all making their first appearances of the season) ran out convincing 10-0 winners. Babul McLeod impressed in beating Dave Richardson in five ends (11-7, 12-10, 10-12, 8-11, 11- 6).
Bocking are at present in a strangely unfamiliar seventh place. Four times M&G Investments Chelmsford Men’s Singles champion Dave Cole was firing on all cylinders against Danbury B and he stayed undefeated but Gary Cattermole and new signing Oli Reynolds didn’t fare so well. Both Eric Green and Steve Whiteley excelled in beating Catermole which enabled Danbury B to share the points – a very good result indeed. Green in particular has made a fine start to the season with an impressive seven wins out of 11.
Danbury C jumped above Galleywood A in division two after beating them decisively 8-2. Tony Forster (two wins), Peter Mynard (three wins) and Neil Want (two wins) all played their part. Forster concluded the proceedings with a fine3-2 (5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5) success against Gary Brignall.
Liberal B also impressed with their 7-3 victory over Writtle Excalibur B. Adrian Pitt held them together with his three wins.
Chelmsford B ran out 6-4 winners against Writtle Excalibur B – good going as none of their players were able to get the better of Phil Smith. Julie Johnson came closest in the first game of the evening before Smith edged her out 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9).
It was honours shared between Hatfield Peverel A and Rawreth B and Kim Shead (11 wins out of 11) marked his card as the player to beat in this division. He downed the challenges of all three Hatfield Peverel players – John Parodi, John Gagg and Pete Brownlow three-straight.
Rawreth B also overcame a two-player Writtle Excalibur B 6-4. There were no surprises and Kim Shead was again unbeaten although he had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Paul Sturton 3-2 (11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9).
In division three, Danbury G have jumped into second position after drawing 5-5 with Danbury F. This was a fiercely fought match in which four games were decided in the fifth end. No single player stayed undefeated and Danbury G’s George Ashley and Cameron Gray and Danbury F’s Dave Marsh all won twice. Cameron Gray scored a fine 3-2 (9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 2-11,11-9) win over Dave Marsh.
Maldon B had Brian Riedling to thank as they beat Chelmsford D 7-3 whilst Maldon C, led by an undefeated Ciaran Whelan, ran out 8-2 winners over Chelmsford E. Maldon’s Colin Napper won twice and just missed out against Nat Ravlic 3-2 (5-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-6, 10-12) in a stirring final encounter.
The match between Danbury H and OCs D finished all square after Dave Porter had win his three singles for the Old Chelmsfordians side.
In division four there is only one match to report on this week and that was an evenly contested encounter between Danbury K and Maldon D. This ended tied at 5-5 with Clive Forster winning his three singles for the Maldon team. Forster completed his hat-trick with a very hard-fought 3-2 (11-2, 6-11, 11-13, 11-9, 13-11) victory over Alan Dadswell, the best of the Danbury players.
OCs G were involved in both division five matches this week. Hatfield Peverel D’s Peter Mortenson was unbeaten as they defeated a two-player OCs G 7-3. Keith Cullen’s game against Tom Davis looks to have been the pick of the action here with Cullen finally winning 3-2 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 10-12, 13-11).
OCs G fared better against Chelmsford G and drew 5-5. Stuart Wintle won his three singles beating Steve Chambers (14-12, 11-6, 14-12), John Whelpdale (11-8, 11-3, 11-8) and Martin Hiskey (11-8, 11-9, 11-7).
Galleywood C were 4-1 winners over BNCA B in the CLICK League. Lewis Wilson won both of his singles. It was 3-0 against Michael Grice and the game against Oliver Cohen went all the way to the wire before Wilson finally edged home 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9).