A run of unforeseen injuries to key players disrupted our league season and left some teams struggling. A full report on each team can be found in the following pages of this newsletter.

Probably the two most exciting developments this year have been:-

• The growing number of youngsters regularly coming to the club to play table tennis. We had just 3 last year but now can regularly count 8. Although managing this intake and matching it with the sometimes conflicting needs of our senior members is not easy we believe it is an aspect to be encouraged. We are particularly delighted that Adrian Pitt is currently undertaking training with the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) to become a qualified coach. A course of action the club has been happy to sponsor. He will be offering help to these youngsters so that they can develop their full potential. Adrian will be assisted by Neil Gooday, who is also an ETTA qualified coach and until recently has been Coaching Officer of the Chelmsford League doing a first class job working with youngsters at Dovedales sports centre. Bringing the two coaches together should offer any member interested in developing their skills excellent opportunities.

• The second exciting development was a visit to the club at the beginning of the year of the Eastern Counties Regional Development Officer of the ETTA, Sandra Collins. Sandra came to present details of the ETTA Premierclub scheme. Having heard her presentation and discussed the matter, the club Management Committee came to the conclusion that we should apply to participate in this scheme. The jury is currently out on this and we await the verdict of the ETTA. If accepted we can hope to benefit from ETTA expertise for the development of our club and its members at all levels.

The Club has also continued to play an active part in the management of the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League, of which it is a member. With two members, Neil Gooday and Graham Turner, being part of the League Management Committee. In case you haven’t yet heard, the Chelmsford League is now on the world-wide web, and can be found at www.cdttl.org. It is well worth a visit.

Thanks to all team captains and club officers who have ensured that the Club’s administration has proceeded quite smoothly. We should not however be complacent, there is always room for improvement and fresh ideas are needed if we are to progress.

The Club entered 8 teams into the Chelmsford & District League for the Millennium Season, the same number as last year and were represented at every level of the league.

We have been pleased to welcome new players this year. Richard Upson started attending the club last summer, returning to table tennis after several years absence, and has become a regular in the "G" team line up. He is also now introducing his son, Hayden. The "A" team were strengthened by the addition of Steve Pennell from Witham and more recently we have enlisted for the "D" team the part time services of Bill Wall, who is chairman of the Brentwood District League in which a number of our members also now play. We welcome these links.

Members:  Waseem Qureshi (Cap't), Jon Hill, Steve Pennell and Ian Wright

Position in Div		P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	11		22	5	16	74	146	26

Members: Adrian Pitt (Cap't), Neil Gooday and Alastair Piper

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	9			20	5	8	83	117	33

Members: Graham Turner (Cap’t), Alastair Brown, Duncan Elloy, Andrew Skues

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	7			20	6	12	98	102	35

Members Steve Back (Cap't), John Barrett, Frank Neill and Bill Wall

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	7			22	7	10	101	119	39

The team were delighted to find that when the divisions were reconstituted this year they had retained their place in the fourth. And went on to prove that this placement was entirely justified. Although having to struggle at times for players, after loosing the services of Robin Armstrong through work and family commitments, the team were significantly strengthened in the latter part of the season by the arrival of Brentwood League Chairman and super veteran Bill Wall. And boy did they make it show, inflicting the first defeat of the season (and one of just two defeats) on runaway divisional winners Maldon C. The other encouraging feature about the teams performance was that all four promoted teams finished below them. A good season.

E Team (Div 4)

Members Colin Gooday (Cap't), Geoff Morris, and Tony Thorne

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	10			22	5	13	94	125	32

The team found themselves unexpectedly promoted to the fourth division following a reconstitution of the divisional structure. And started life in the higher division with a real bang recording maximum point wins in their first two matches! But then injury struck and Tony found himself out of the game for a significant period. With no reserves of their own the team were forced to call on any players available and with other teams also calling on substitutes it proved very difficult at times to fill the side. And fortunes waned. Colin was the mainstay returning a near two thirds average, a very creditable performance indeed as the division is littered with very competent performers. The team nevertheless managed to survive comfortably and so live to fight another day in division four. A good all round performance.

Members Mark Salter (Cap't), Hil Dowsett, Gordon Fairchild and Mick Raine

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	5			22	12	7	120	100	50

If this team could have started out how it finished then they could have been serious contenders for honours. But some hasty reorganisation had to be made right at the start of the season when the expected captain Ray Clements was struck by injury. The team also did not then have the services of Mick Raine and Hil’s shift working pattern made him regularly unavailable. Happily fortunes change. And come the end of the season with the addition of Mick, Hil playing more regularly and Mark at last finding some consistency to his earlier erratic form the team were a match for anyone in the division. In the end they were just off the pace to be in real contention but nevertheless caused a fright or two on the way. Unsurprisingly Mick was the top player, finishing third in the averages for the division on 89%. A great team effort.

Members: Peter Revell (Cap't), Ray Clements, Fred Henwood, Richard Upson

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	5			20	12	7	108	92	43

Division 6 turned out to be a division in 3 parts. All teams from last years division 7 were moved up some new very strong teams came in leaving Baddow G as leaders of the middle section. Following return to play from injury Ray joined the line up just before Christmas bringing increased strength. Richard Upson proved to be a real find and turned out to be the number 1 returning an average of 63% and missing just 2 matches. This was a very creditable performance when viewed against the strength of some of the players in the top 4 teams who would not have been out of place 1 or 2 divisions higher. It can safely be said that the team had a very enjoyable season, were well managed and caused absolutely no problems to the Secretary

H Team (Div 6)

Members: Frank Harris (Cap't), Martin Chattey, Thomas Hill, Russell Hodge, and
                 Diane Pitt

Position in Div			P	W	L	GW	GL	Pts
	9			20	3	17	49	151	16

The main event was, as always, the handicap singles for the Tom Burns trophy. And at one stage it looked as if it was going to be won, yet again, by a member participating in a Club tournament for the first time. There were 26 entrants and these were organised into 8 groups. With just 3 tables and each group due to play a round robin it was obvious from the start that for some it was going to be a long evening! This certainly proved to be the case. The first 3 groups were so evenly matched on handicap that they took almost an hour and a half to complete!

Players were allocated handicaps in line with those given by the Chelmsford League for Handicap Cup purposes, with a few minor adjustments, making it difficult to see who might emerge as finalists. An element of seeding was applied with the club’s top players being allocated one to each group. Thereby giving them all a chance to progress to the straight knock out stage. But as is so often the case the groups threw up a few surprises.

In group 1 Jon Hill playing off a -29 handicap eventually just edged out Norman Purkiss in the group decider. In group 2 Waseem Qureshi was the victor but only after a titanic struggle with Gordon Fairchild. Group 3 produced no clear-cut winner each player, Neil Gooday, Hil Dowsett and Fred Henwood, winning once. The slide rule was applied and somehow Fred got the decision, winning the most points overall. Group 4 featured one of our juniors, 9 year old Sam Pitt playing in his first club tournament on a +15 handicap - and didn’t he make the most of it. Only just loosing out in the end to Al Piper who had to score on a 7:1 ratio to win the group. Group 5 saw another of our juniors, former tournament winner Martin Chattey. Martin put on a fine display to edge out Alastair Brown but could not match the pace and consistency of first division newcomer Steve Pennell who eventually took the group. Another of our new younger players, Russell Hodge, featured in group 6. Russell has improved his game tremendously over this first full season and it showed in his tournament effort. He dispatched Ray Clements with seeming ease making maximum use of his +12 handicap. But against Adrian Pitt it was another matter. In the end Adrian had just too many shots and crept in 22:20 in the third to win the group. Recently Baddow has been delighted to welcome back to its fold Mark Patman, together with his son John who has also now taken up the game. And in group 7 Mark put on a dazzling display to oust group favourite Duncan Elloy by the narrowest of margins. The last group, 8, did eventually get under way - although the competitors were probably too sleepy by that time to realise it! The clear winner here being Graham Turner, although he was made to work hard against the handicaps by both Diane Pitt and John Robinson.

By far the best match of the quarter final stage was the first on, featuring probably the club’s top two players Jon Hill and Waseem Qureshi. The two players have quite contrasting styles but are quite well matched and so for Waseem to have a small handicap advantage was quite a significant edge. And he made the most of it, squeezing through 21:15 in the third to book a semi-final place. Al Piper doesn’t have a good record in the club tournament despite his talent and one of his bogey opponents is often Fred Henwood who he now faced for the second semi-final place. But this time he made no mistake, dispatching him two straight although both games were very close 21:17, 24:22. One might have expected the third match to be quite close, and so it was. Newcomer Steve Pennell giving away just 2 points to club stalwart Adrian Pitt. But the points given away didn’t stop Steve triumphing 21:14, 25:23. In the last quarter final match Graham Turner really should have done better. But despite the lateness of the hour his opponent Mark Patman seemed as fresh as a daisy and blossomed to take a comfortable 21:14, 21:19 win.

The semi-finals and finals were held on the Friday evening. Midway through the doubles tournament, so all players were well warmed up. Mark had enjoyed moments of glory in the earlier rounds but there was to be no repeat of this in his semi-final with Steve. And although Steve had to go round the clock twice to overcome, he did so comfortably and confidently winning through 10 and 12. The second semi-final was quite a different affair. Although Waseem was giving away 8 points on handicap the first two games were quite even; the first going to Al 21:18, the second to Waseem 16:21. And one might have expected that closeness to continue. But in the third Waseem never really recovered the handicap, Al showing that at times he can be quite unstoppable running out winner at 21:12 and booking a place in the final.

And so it was that both finalists were making first time appearances. And what an excellent match it was. Bringing loud applause from the 15 strong crowd who stayed to watch. The pattern being an almost exact repeat of Al’s semi-final. Getting an 8 point advantage on handicap Alastair won the first 21:17. Steve hit back with a combination of deep defensive play and counter attack to take the second 17:21. Then again in the third the higher ranked player seemed unable to shake off the handicap and Al steamed in with some blistering attacking shots that would have undermined the confidence of even the most experienced of players; taking the game, the match and the trophy 21:12. A fitting end to Al’s 30th birthday week.

By contrast to the singles the entry for the doubles tournament was slightly disappointing with several players having to cry off at the last moment. The intention had been to have four groups of three pairs, but it didn’t seem to quite work out like that. Instead there were 5 groups with 2 pairs! And still no-one seems to know quite what happened after that! In the end 3 pairs were left in the tournament. Steve Pennell and Richard Upson, a left and right hand combination that looked very strong. Neil Gooday and Ray Clements a blend of youth and experience that also looked good. And finally Waseem Qureshi and Fred Henwood, but how they got there nobody seems to know. They certainly should have gone out in the first round, only Hil Dowsett and Graham Turner bottled it in the third to let a winning margin slip to a 22:20 defeat. The three pairs met in a round robin final. Surprisingly Steve and Richard lost in the first to Neil & Ray, who in turn lost to Waseem and Fred in the next. A win in the last group game would give Waseem and Fred the title. But this time Steve and Richard showed their true colours taking the game 21:15 in the third. So it was out with the slide rule again. And after several calculations, and considerable discussion Waseem and Fred were declared the winners! Certainly the closest final in a number of years.

A consolation event was held for the first round losers, which was won comfortably by Hil & Graham. And what happened to the tournaments sponsors Norman Purkiss & John Robinson? Sadly they fell at the first hurdle in the main event, loosing by the narrowest of margins to Neil & Ray. And in the wooden spoon also fell at the first fence, beaten by Hil & Graham. Not their most successful tournament!

The club were delighted to introduce a brand new event into the tournament this year, including a new trophy commemorating the service to the club of retired chairman Ted Harris. The event was to be a youth trophy, and 8 youngsters - ranging in age from 9 to 18 were to take part. In the end Hayden Upson was unable to come on the night and the number 1 seed, John Patman, disappointingly decided to withdraw from the competition just after it had started so giving no chance to re-organise the groups. The effect of this was to leave the number 2 and 3 seeds in the same group. The tournament was organised in 2 groups of 3. Group 1 comprised the new No.1 seed Martin Chattey, the No.2 seed Russell Hodge and outsider Sam Pitt. Martin managed to just edge out Russell in the first game, but Russell could still qualify for the semi-final by beating Sam. But Sam had different ideas. Making the most of his 10 point handicap advantage he made some very adventurous counter attacking returns that completely stomped the more experienced player and Russell was out. Sam almost repeated the feat against Martin, but in the end Martin was able to show greater determination and aggression to win the group 21:18 in the third. Group 2 consisted of Thomas Hill, newcomer to the club Matthew Bowles, and a very beginner to table tennis Simon Diwell, who is a friend of Sam’s. Despite his inexperience Simon did very well, but couldn’t quite match the strength of the other two group members. Thomas by contrast fully justified his No.3 seeding running out convincing winner of the group.

In the first semi-final Martin took on Matthew. Giving 10 points on handicap this was always going to be a close encounter and so it turned out. In the end however Martins competitive league experience shone through and once he buckled down to some hard work to clear the deficit the conclusion was assured, a 21:16 in the third victory. Bringing a 9 and 10 year old together in a match, especially if they are Sam and Thomas is a high risk strategy. Designed to test the nerve and resolve of even the most patient of saints. It certainly exercised the umpire! Unfortunately Sam could not keep up his concentration or repeat his earlier heroics and Thomas strode through to take a place in the final.

The final itself was a good match between two young but up and coming players. Thomas had the advantage on handicap with a 10 point lead. But Martin had the greater experience and range of shots. And this time both players performed well and kept their concentration throughout. And it was to be Martin’s greater range and aggression that finally triumphed taking the game and the match 21:17, 23:21 to become the first winner of the Ted Harris trophy.

The trophies for all three events were presented by the former chairman Ted Harris at the AGM.