Let the matches commence

With the addition of eight new teams and two new clubs, the Colchester & District Table Tennis League looks in rude health for the forthcoming season. There is a warm welcome to the St James Club from Clacton that have added half of those new teams spread over the four divisions as well as a return to the League for the Gilberd School after a thirty year absence! Tollgate and Pegasus have entered two more teams apiece, meaning that most Divisions will have twelve in them. St James’s A include Colin Webber, Gill Locke and James Denyer in their Division One team that should more than hold its own but look no further than current champions H20 Rowhedge A as favourites to retain their Division One title. With reigning Men’s champion Antony Greenwood, previous holder Steve Joslin and Captain Michael Andrews they boast a formidable line-up and providing they are all regularly available will take some beating. Last season’s runner’s-up Tollgate A will be without Gary Young who moves to Gt Horkesley C as the village team boast no fewer than three teams in the top flight. Tollgate will be hoping for more appearances from their Ipswich Veteran champion Andy Warner if they are to mount a serious challenge. Pegasus A are the other newbies and have strengthened their squad with the addition of Rob Bozier from the Essex University, who has lost only once in his last sixty-three games in the lower divisions!

 In Division Two things look far more open with the experience of Walton C looking ominous as well as new boys St James B, featuring the likes of John Hobson, Annabelle Rodriguez and hopefully John Barton and Andy Vincent. Relegated Lawford A will be keen to go back up and the newly formed Tollgate C team, which features former Chinese International Marcia Ma and recently crowned National Under 12 Girls champion Jane Li moving up two Divisions. St Peters will be desperate to lose their ‘boing-boing’ tag following nine seasons of continual promotion and relegation!

 With the reforming of Divisions Three and Four it is impossible to gauge who will be the likely contenders but watch out once again for the new teams, which include four Chelmsford players playing for Tollgate D in Division Four and of course the Gilberd School, that will be looking to make an impact.

 All Colchester League Players are reminded, if they have not already done so, to renew their Membership of the ETTA. For most League players the cost is £6 for Seniors and £3 for Juniors. All players who had membership last year should have received a letter from the ETTA together with a membership card. Players may also have received an email reminder. Renewal is very straightforward either via the ETTA online system or by calling the membership department on 0845 0500 388.

If you have any queries or renewing your membership or do not know your membership number please contact either John Andrews or David Jones.

See below link for picture.

http://etta.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/UNC10-11_Jane_Li_Peter_Bradley_01.jpg

Men’s Division 1 Saturday 23^rd April 2011 @ Batts

Vet’s Division 1 Sunday 24^th April 2011 @ Batts

Men’s Division 1                Joint Champions Harlow & Southend with 20 points each.

Round 1.              The first match involved Ilford and Clacton. Ilford’s Essex 1^st team player, Matt Spero, proved too strong, winning all his 3 games, whilst Clacton’s Gary Young and Greg Green were almost as strong, winning 2 games each – the match ending in a 5 all draw. In the other match, Southend & Harlow were also evenly matched, with George Reeves and Kevin Read winning a brace each for the ‘Seasiders’ and the very difficult Dave Langham winning 2 for Ilford; Southend just edging it , winning the tie 6-4.

 Round 2.              Harlow made up ground on Southend, with a 7-3 win over Ilford. Matt Spero won his first 2 games but injured his shoulder and lost out in his final game to Maciej Nakieski in 5 sets, 13-11 in the 5^th. Maciej went on to win all his games for Harlow, supported by Dave Langham with 2. Southend had another close encounter beating Clacton 6-4, with consistent George Reeves and Kevin Read both winning 2 games for Southend.

Final Round.      Going into the final round, only one point separated Southend and Harlow. Southend beat Ilford 8-2, with Matt Spero conceding his last 2 matches due to his injured shoulder. This left Harlow requiring a most improbable, 9 or 10 victory. But with Paul Cummings and Maciej Nakieski winning 3 each and Dave Langham 2, it all ended up, depending on the result of the last match of the tournament. This was a doubles and Clacton’s Gary Young and Colin Stallwood took the first 2 sets and Harlow’s chances looked slim; but back came Maciej Nakieski and Paul Cummings to level at 2 sets all and 8 points all, before they took the next 3 points and the match.

Vets Division 1         Champions Ilford with 23 points

 Round 1.              Favourites Ilford played Colchester, winning 8-1. Ray Lam, Paul Martindill and Phil Walker were all unbeaten for Ilford, although Jimmy Farrow, Kenny Lewis and Roger Warren had several close games and as Roger said, they were very enjoyable matches. Colchester’s Jimmy Farrow and Kenny Lewis prevented the whitewash winning the final doubles against Paul and Phil. In the other match Harlow also proved too strong for Southend, winning 8-1. Paul Cummins, Dave Langham and Carl .Johnson doing the damage, Southend’s only win coming from Richard Brown who beat Dave Langham in a tight 5 setter.

Final Round.      The final round was a bit of an anticlimax with Ilford taking the title with a 9-0 win over Southend: Ray Lam, Paul Martindill and Sal Ahmed doing the damage. Harlow took 2^nd place beating Colchester 7-2; Graham Frankel and Carl Johnson were undefeated, with Dave Lanham losing in the fifth 11-9 to Ken Lewis and Colchester took one of the doubles when Ken & Jimmy Farrow beat Dave and Graham in 4.

Ken thanked the players and leagues for their support in making it a good day; Neil Brierley and Batts for allowing us to use their excellent venue; to the girls at Batts for the tasty food and finally, Jayne Johnson for help run the very enjoyable day.

Ken Field and Jayne Johnson, Organisers

28^th April2011

Full details can be found at;

http://www.tabletennis365.com/sbl/league/SBL_2010-11/Division_4_South

The Myrtle Fisher Award: Steve Noble (Pegasus)

The Len Barton Award: Thomas Lewis (H20 Rowhedge)

The Florence Birbeck Award: Adam Cuthbert (H20 Rowhedge)