The Chelmsford Table Tennis League were saddened to learn of the death of John Wickins over the Christmas Period.

Chris Hibbitt paid this tribute to his friend : "John was a member of the Writtle Tennis Club for over 50 years and both Wendy and I have been friends with him for all that time and played with him in many matches."

Writtle A turned out a strong team against Chelmsford A in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and they ran out relatively convincing 8-2 winners. This result sees Writtle climb off the bottom of the table. Writtle’s Duncan Taylor won his three singles and he was well supported by Lee McHugh and Arron Chandler who both won twice. Saul Chivers made his mark for the losers with a fine (11-9, 11-9, 12-10) win over Lee McHugh.

There were only three first division scorecards this week to report on in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, but there was no shortage of top-class action. James Donald took top billing as Chelmsford A beat Danbury B 6-4 with a superb hat-trick of wins. He beat Matt Stringer (16-14, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9), Sam Lowman (1-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-4) and Ian Wall (4-11, 3-11, 11-9, 19-17, 11-2).

In a week of closely fought matches in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League the 7-3 win for Hatfield Peverel A over Chelmsford D stands out. This result has enabled Hatfield Peverel A to leap-frog over Chelmsford D into third place.

The entry form for the 2022/23 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Individual Championships is ready! This is probably going to be the best ever league tournament so make sure you are a part of it!

With nine rounds of matches completed divisions one, two, three and five of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League all have one team who have broken away from the rest at the top of the table. OCA A lead the way in division one with 48 points from six matches and this week they beat Danbury A 8-2.

Chelmsford B impressed this week in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Wiktor Delimat (three wins), Nikita Tkachuk (two wins) and Simon Jarvis (three wins) raced to a 9-1 victory over Writtle A. Richard Storey was Writtle’s sole winner and he beat Nikita Tkachuk (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9).

Can everyone please take more care when completing and submitting scorecards to the League.

Errors have to be identified and corrected by those who have volunteered to get the results on to the website, and also by our Press Officer, before he can complete his weekly report. This is very frustrating and time-consuming and would not be necessary if the scorecards with completed correctly in the first place.

Galleywood A have opened up a healthy eight point lead in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League after beating Hatfield Peverel A 9-1. Gary Brignall and Peter Barrett were both undefeated whilst James Mullane won twice, only missing out to Alistair Piper (10-12, 7-11, 11-7, 9-11).

OCA A represented by their best team of Matt Mulley, Mark Mulley and Paul Lucas returned to winning ways in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating Danbury B 8-2. Matt Mulley was undefeated for OCA A whilst Sam Lowman impressed for Danbury. He beat Mark Mulley 11-3, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8.

Congratulations to Highwood A, Galleywood, Chelmsford F, Buttsbury C and Danbury K who won their first round ties in the Handicap Cup. Results can be found under the Cups tab.

With only seven teams in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League some weeks have seen a distinct shortage of action. This week we have three matches to report on. Writtle A scored an eye catching 10-0 win over Chelmsford B. Leading players Duncan Taylor and Kevin Read were joined by reserve Ryan Pitt and it was Pitt who excelled with a superb hat-trick of wins.

The two leading sides in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League continue to set a fierce pace. Galleywood A made it 33 points out of 40 by beating Danbury E 9-1. James Hicks and Peter Barrett were both undefeated. Hicks who had beaten Neil Want 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 in his opening singles defeated Tim Cramphorn 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 to complete an excellent evening’s work.

Danbury D and Galleywood A both produced top class performances in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League and their 10-0 wins have propelled them both to the head of the table with impressive totals of 24 points from three games.

There was little to separate Danbury C and Writtle A this week in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. No one player stayed undefeated and Trevor Lloyd and Keith Adams both won twice for Danbury whilst Duncan Taylor and Lee McHugh both picked up two wins for Writtle. Lee McHugh was involved in two hard fought five enders. He missed out 4-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-7, 6-11 to Trevor Lloyd but he came up trumps 9-11, 11-7, 2-11, 13-11, 12-10 against Keith Adams.

OCA A opened their campaign with a top class performance in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Their 8-2 win over Danbury A gives a clear indication of what their potential is. Brothers Matt Mulley and Mark Mulley were both unbeaten whilst Paul Lucas won twice.

With the matches scheduled for Monday 19 September 2022 being postponed for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II this first report of the Season in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League is much shorter than usual. In addition, since the first division only has seven teams it’s fixtures will start a week later than the other four Senior divisions.

A new scorecard for the 2022-23 Season can be downloaded from this website. If you still have stocks of the old "Pope & Smith" scorecards then you are welcome to use them, but when you run out please use the new-style scorecard.

As Table Tennis England has asked for the suspension of table tennis activity on the day of the Queen's Funeral, the Committee of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League has agreed that all matches scheduled for Monday 19th September should be rearranged to be played on 24th October, the Monday of Cup Week 1.

If this alteration produces fixture clashes or venue problems, please contact the Divisional Secretary, Gordon Gatheral, so that alternative arrangements can be agreed.

The Chelmsford Table Tennis League were saddened to learn of the death of Paula Cant on 24 May 2022.

Paula hit the headlines in the 1950s when, as the young Paula Songer, she won a national knock out tournament organised by the Daily Mirror. A glittering future in table tennis seemed to be beckoning but although she won numerous honours at County level, she never progressed to an England spot for which she had appeared destined.

Chelmsford F did well to beat Danbury J in the division three knock out cup final in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League having finished 17 points behind them in the league competition. In what was a very hard fought final the Chelmsford F team – Nikita Tkachuk, Alex Tkachuk and Luke Richardson prevailed 5-3.

Meeting agenda, minutes of last AGM, 20/21 Accounts and Officer Reports are all available to download

In accordance with Rule 4.6 notice is given that the 2021/2022 Annual General Meeting, will be held on Thursday 26th May 2022 at the Old Chelmsfordians Sports and Social Club, Lawford Lane, Chelmsford CM1 2NS commencing at 7.30 p.m. All life members and registered players are welcome to attend and all present are entitled to vote except on Rule Changes, which are decided in accordance with Rule 4.3

Writtle A are the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League 2021/2 Open Knock out Cup Champions after beating Chelmsford B 5-4 in a top-class final. It was a match the young Chelmsford side came very close to winning having stormed into a stunning 4-2 lead. The opening doubles is always a vital encounter if a team is planning an upset and Chelmsford B (Harry Buckle and Saul Chivers) made a great start by beating Lee McHugh / Arron Chandler 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6.

The Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League AGM for 2022 will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 26 May 2022 at the Old Chelmsfordians Association, Lawford Lane, Roxwell Road, Chelmsford CM1 2NS.

Galleywood A were in action twice in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. By beating Danbury C 8-2 they moved off the bottom. Both sides fielded reserves and Galleywood fared best. The evergreen John Holland led the way with a hat-trick and this included a 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-3 win over Sam Phillips and a really hard fought 14-12, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 14-12 win over David Gatheral. Steve Kerns saw off Ken Sheard 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7

Chelmsford H are the 2021-2 Handicap KO Cup Champions in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League. Their team of Nyree Marsh (handicap of 30), Cleon Fernandes (21) and Harry Chivers (63) beat Buttsbury B (Jamie Elliott, Lucy Elliott and Oscar Hutt) 5-1 in the final. For Nyree Marsh, the winner of the Handicap Singles at the Chelmsford Tournament in January this was an impressive and possibly unique double.

OCA B’s 7-3 win over Hatfield Peverel A in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League represented a top-class performance by the OCA side. Kevin Worthington bagged a hat-trick and Gareth Joice and Trevor Carter both won twice. However it was Hatfield Peveral A who had the greater cause to celebrate.

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division Champions Chelmsford completed their Season in style by beating Danbury C 8-2 to give themselves a massive total of 123 points out of 160. Their winning margin of 35 points must be one of the largest on record. Gary Young (87 %) and Daniel Young (85%); the two main-stays of this team were both undefeated.

Maldon A and Galleywood B – the two outstanding teams in division three of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League went head-to-head for a second time, and Maldon A again came out on top. They produced a really determined display to win 7-3 with Dawn Baldry, Hamish Innes and Lloyd Bennett-Smith all winning twice. Maldon A also won three fiercely fought five setters.

Runaway leaders Chelmsford A have been crowned Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League first division Champions and such is their level of dominance that they still have two matches left to play. Galleywood A put up a fight before losing 8-2. Gary Brignall powered his way to a quick fire 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 win over Kim Shead and James Mullane excelled. He beat James Liddiard 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 13-11 - a gem of a win !.

Please note the following information concerning Gary Tendler provided by the National Safeguarding and Ethics Manager of Table Tennis England.

Writtle C moved into second place in division two of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating fourth placed Hatfield Peverel A 6-4. Without their leading player Gary Ward it was John Webber who held them together with three wins. He beat Martin Archie (11-9, 11-4, 11-6), Neil Freeman (11-7, 11-4, 11-9) and Gareth Davies (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4).

Danbury A jumped into second place in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League by beating Danbury C 10-0. Danbury C weren’t at full strength and Danbury A took full advantage. Eric Green, Dave Richardson and Babul McLeod powered their way to a 10-0 win. Danbury A are now well placed to finish second.

With thanks to photographer Cristian Bernardo (Chelmsford TTC), here are a selection of action shots from Finals Night on 15 February 2022 together with pictures of trophy presentations for the various events contested both on the night and over tournament weekend.

Thanks are extended to KO Cup Secretary Matthew Brown for his extensive report on the latest round of Cup matches.
The round of 16 in the Handicap Cup was played in January. As always in the Handicap Cup, we seem to either have very closely fought matches or runaway victories. The Chelmsford H team of Joachin Mapes, Harry Chivers and Saul Chivers were involved in a very tight contest with the more experienced trio of OC’s B’s Connor Payne, Charles Yeung and Richard Baxter.

In division one Galleywood A did well to draw with Danbury A. However, both Galleywood A and Chelmsford C look to be doomed to relegation. They both trail Danbury B by 15 points and Danbury B have a game in hand. In a match where no one player stayed unbeaten and no one went home empty-handed Eric Green and Dave Richardson both won twice for Danbury as did James Hicks for Galleywood.

Daniel Young, 17, was crowned the 2022 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Mens Singles Champion at Old Chelmsfordians Association on Tuesday evening in front of a large and appreciative crowd which included 10 players from the League’s Bat & Chat Session.  In what was definitely a great evening for the younger players Harry Buckle, also aged 17, was Mens Singles runner-up.

Download the Finals Night Programme and some reminders if you are attending this evening.

You are reminded that Finals Night for the Chelmsford League Individual Tournaments will take place at the Old Chelmsfordians tomorrow, Tuesday 15 February 2022. Play will start at 7.30pm so, if you are intending to come along, you are advised to arrive between 7.00pm-7.15pm.

Chelmsford A, the outstanding team in the first division of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League were held to a 5-5 draw by OCA A. OCA’s Matthew Mulley was the star of this match, no question, and he powered his way to three singles wins beating James Liddiard (11-7 11-9, 11-9), Kim Shead (11-6, 11-7, 11-7) and Gary Young (12-14, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8).

The Chelmsford League Tournament Committee is in need of volunteers to share the umpiring of matches on Finals Night next Tuesday (15 February 2020) at the Old Chelmsfordians. If you enjoy umpiring and would like to take charge of one or more of the prestigious matches to be played on Finals Night then can you contact David Porter as soon as possible (DJPEssex@aol.com or 07885 467935). No formal umpiring qualifications are necessary.

A selection of photos from Tournament Weekend taken by Eamonn Hall can be found on the Chelmsford League Facebook page. Our Facebook page is also regularly updated with other information and photos from around the League.

The battle for second place in division one of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League couldn’t be closer. A mere nine points separates second placed Danbury C and seventh placed Danbury B who have two games in hand on some of their rivals. The big shock this week was the 10-0 roasting that Danbury A dished out to Chelmsford C. Eric Green, Dave Richardson and Babul McLeod were all on top form and Chelmsford C just couldn’t find a foothold however hard they tried.  

In one of the more “open” Championships in recent years seedings didn’t count for much in the mens singles at the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Closed Championships which were played at St John Payne School over the weekend. Three seeded players failed to win their groups. Trevor Lloyd missed out against Josh Bickles, whilst Eric Green lost against Harry Buckle and James Liddiard lost to Dan Pigott. The shocks continued into the knock out stages.

A new venue, two new events to contend with; and the same number of entries as last time (105). The Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Annual Championships are back after a year’s absence, at St. John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford, CM1 4BS (Patching Hall Lane entrance) over the weekend of Friday 28 January 2022 to Sunday 30 January 2022.