It’s been over a month since the last report but the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League has been concluded. Matches were delayed due to people being advised not to travel on those days when temperatures broke UK records. The refreshingly youthful Chelmsford X are the first division Champions and their 5-0 win over second placed Chelmsford A gave them a substantial winning margin of seven points.

Chelmsford X – hard hitting brothers Saul and Harry Chivers lead the way in division one of the Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League with a commanding 19 points from five games. A 3-2 win against Danbury A came about via an unbeaten performance from Harry Chivers who got the better of Babul McLeod (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-4) and Eric Green (5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5).

A very strong Hockley A side produced the most eye catching result in the top division of the Central Essex Summer League this week with a 4-1 win over Danbury A. It was Danbury A who drew the first blood with Eric Green beating Duncan Taylor 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9. What a good start. However, it was Hockley who had the ace in the pack – Andy Cunningham - former Kent Men Singles Champion and new to the Southend area.

Given the extremely high temperatures forecast for Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July 2022, the Organising Committee of the Central Essex Summer League have decided that ALL fixtures scheduled for either of those two days should be postponed.

This relates to all fixtures on these two days even if they are scheduled to be played in air conditioned premises, as travel to and from venues will still be harzardous in extreme heat.

The Central Essex Summer Table Tennis League is underway with six mini divisions and as usual it features teams from the Chelmsford League and as well as neighbouring Leagues. Often you find very familiar opponents playing for teams you wouldn’t necessarily associate them with.