Runaway leaders Ramsden A made it 20 points out of 20 in the first division of the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League by beating Danbury B 5-0 .
Andrew Halling and Dave Calleja were both undefeated although Dave Calleja had to pull out all the stops to get the better of Chris Hancox 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8. Galleywood A jumped into second place by also winning 5-0. John Holland and Gary Brignall gave nothing away as they overcame Cold Norton. Last year’s Champions Rayne are in third place but they lost ground on the two teams above them by only beating Ramsden B 3-2. Dave Carter and John Gagg surprised Steve Pennell and Steve Kerns in the doubles by beating them over four ends : 8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-6.
Chelmsford A are clear leaders in division two with a record of 19 points out of 25. Paul Nicol was on top form and he raced to two 3-0 wins over Dave Moles and Steve Siggs as they beat Elmtree 4-1. Dave Moles excelled for the losers by defeating Ryan Gooday 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12. Galleywood B emerged as 3-2 winners of a hard-fought match against Danbury C. Richard Storey fought back strongly from 2-0 down to get the better of Dave Marsh 8-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8. The mid-table clash between OCs A and OCs B was always likely to be a closely fought match and so it proved. The improving Daniel Berry stood out. He beat both David Porter and Mick Hayes 3-0 as the OCs A side won 3-2.
Galleywood B turned in a strong performance to beat Elmtree 5-0. Richard Storey and Ryan Pitt were both undefeated with Ryan Pitt shading the closest game of the week against Dave Moles. There was never more than the odd point in it until Ryan emerged as a 12-10, 9-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9 winner.
Galleywood C top the division three table with 16 points out of 20. Chelmsford C were 3-2 winners over the higher-placed South Woodham. Jaroslav Petraszuk was on top form for Chelmsford and he saw off Scott Perry (11-6, 11-8, 11-8) and Allan Steel (11-5, 11-8, 11-8). Ian Austin scored the decisive win, defeating Scott Perry 11-8, 8-11, 15-13, 8-11, 11-5. Cold Norton B also won 3-2, beating Chelmsford B – good going as neither Roy Gandy or Dave Hancox were able to get the better of Dave Parker.
OCs C top the table in division four and they made it four wins out of five by getting the better of Ramsden D 3-2. Farooq Ahmed was their match-winner and he beat both Andy Simmonds and Barry Evans.
Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League