Table tennis: Closest championship race for years
9:10am Saturday 22nd November 2008
PREMIER DIVISION
Six points cover the four teams at the top and it does appear to be the closest championship race for some years. Herongate climbed to the top of the table with a resounding 10-0 win over Billericay A and had George Dianin, Graham Arthurton and Neal Barker in excellent form against John Gagg, Peter Brownlow and Dave Carter. Dianin and Arthurton took their games all three straight with Neal Barker losing an end to Brownlow but forcing the encounter with Carterto five ends, with the result 6/11, 12/14, 11/5, 11/7, 11/9.
Hutton A also inched closer to the top with a 6-4 win over Billericay B. Hard bat specialist Keith Phillips on top form with three easy wins in three ends, denying up-and-coming Matt Mulley a maximum, after he beat Peter Saunders and Django Fung in four ends. Terry Timms weighed in with one win over Saunders and then combined with Matt Mulley to take the doubles for a fourth point, Paul Mulley not scoring.
BAE Selex C remain rooted at the bottom and went down 2-8 to Brentwood A, with Paul Cuming unbeaten. Trevor Carter and Bob Garson (P/Up) collected two wins each, Carter losing to Alby Warner and Garson to Chris Aukett. Colin Clements was the home team’s third player, losing all three.
FIRST DIVISION
Buttsbury C scored an 8-2 home win over Mountnessing B, with the home always in command. David Ramsey produced an unbeaten performance although he was taken to the wire by Peter Hardiman in the first singles of the night — 11/4, 11/6, 10/12, 11/13, 11/8. Hardiman was unfortunate to lose in another five-end game against Caroline Cole. Duncan Ramsey supported with two wins and was denied his maximum by Mick Morris who came from behind to record a five-end win. Morris also defeated Cole for his other success. Mountnessing’s third player, Jon Dyson, failed to score.
SECOND DIVISION
Brentwood D remain rooted to the bottom of the table and could only field two players in their “derby” against Brentwood C. They did, though, have the man of the match in Mike Hooks who beat John Benson 3/11, 5/11, 12/10, 11/8, 11/8 and then Graham Mann — but lost his maximum to Graham Harris in five. Harris was therefore unbeaten in two played while both Graham Mann and Benson won one each, against Frank Porter who was unable to score.
Hutton C took over second spot in their home match with Buttsbury F, winning the contest 7-3. Richard Hayhoe and Mike Newman’s maximums were the reason, with Joan Cook collecting a win over Mark Richardson but losing to Frances Hutt and Peter James. The visitors took the doubles for their third point.
Buttsbury E were 4-6 losers to Writtle B in a match that saw three players collect two wins each and three players with one win each. Only two games were taken in three ends. Alan Tofts won twice for the home side with Laurie Tunbridge and Alan Bacon collecting one win each. Writtle’s scorers were Martin Goddard and Wendy Hibbitt with two each (both losing to Tofts) and Ann Lockhart with one win (losing to Tunbbridge and Bacon). Writtle took the doubles, though, to ensure victory.
