Brentwood & District Table Tennis League

Handicap Cup  2009-2010

SEMI FINALS

Matches to be played week commencing 8th March 2010

Mountnessing "C"  versus  Writtle "A"

Brentwood Hard versus BAE Selex "C"

THIRD ROUND

Matches to be played week commencing 11th January 2010

BAE Selex "C"    5   -   1    BAE Selex "A"

Last years winners Selex "A" made a determined effort to repeat their victory despite having extremely heavy handicaps - Paul Stephens (-25), Chris Knight (-26) and Jon Stokes (-21)could not contain their opponents Paul Brown (-8), Gary Hartgrove (-6) and Chris Aukett (-6) and although the 5 - 1 scoreline might suggest an easy match for the winners the individual game scores would suggest an even closer contest.  Stephens (-25) versus Hartgrove (-6) saw Stephens take the first end 21/13 despite giving his opponent a 19 point start - Hartgrove battled back to take the second and then finally took the third to give his side the lead.  Jon Stokes (-21) then had a similar experience against Brown (-8) and he likewise took the first end 21/18 - lost the second end and was the loser in the third.   Knight (-26) pulled one back for the "A" team despite handing Aukett (-6) a huge 20 point start - winning in three ends 21/18, 5/21, 22/20 - scores 2 - 1 to the "C" team.  Stokes versus Hartgrove went to the "C" team in two as did Stephens versus Aukett but Knight strove to keep his "A" team in the competition - giving away 18 points against Brown he lost 20/22, 21/18, 18/21.  So with three of the four games that went to a third end being taken by the "C" team they became winners 5 - 1. But all credit to the losers for putting up stiff resistance despite being highly handicapped.

Writtle "A"   5  -  3  BAE Selex "B"

A close finish to this encounter with four of the eight games going to a deciding end and three of them taken by the home team - Mathew Brown (-10) got Writtle off to a good start beating Kevin Worthington (-17) in two, followed by Frank Neill (-6) defeating Gary Ward (-17) in three 21/19, 19/21, 21/12.  Hector Rogers (-6) took the score to 3 - 0 by defeating Trevor Collin (-11) 21/12, 20/22, 21/16.   Selex hit back with Worthington (-17) beating Neill (-6) and Collin (-11) claiming an excellent win over Brown (-10) - Writtle's advantage was restored with Rogers (-6) beating Ward (-17) but Collin (-11) picked up his second win of the match defeating Neill (-6) -Rogers (-6) and Worthington (-17) came to  the table for the all important penultimate game and in a pulsating finish Selex were knocked out of the next round with Rogers just edging the game 21/17, 19/21, 24/22 for a 5 - 3 scoreline to Writtle.

Brentwood Hard    5   -   0    Buttsbury "B"

Greg Cooper (Scr), John Barns (+2) and Len Nicholas (+9) proved too strong for Caroline Cole (-3), Graham Sturton (-2) and Paul Sturton (_2) and romped into the next round without being unduly extended.  Unusually for a talented visiting trio they were only able to pick up three ends from the twelve ends played and were never likely to put the home side under pressure once Graham Sturton lost the first tie against Greg Cooper and with Caroline Cole unable to make inroades into her 12 point handicap against Len Nicholas the writing was on the wall..

Mountnessing "C"   5  -  3   Hutton "C"

The home team of John Newman (+3), Paul Singleton (+5) and Suzanne Shaw (+10) were at one stage 3 - 2 down against their opponents Hutton "C" but rallied to win the next three games and pass into the next round.  The visitors Mike Newman (+2) lost the first singles in three to John Newman (+3) followed by a good win for Shaw (+10) against Richard Hayhoe (-3) - Wally Sale (+3) gained victory over Singleton (+5) courtesy of a 23/21 third end followed by Shaw (+10) losing to Newmman (+2) Hutton then took the lead with Sale (+3) defeating Newman (+3) - the next three games went to the home side however with Singleton (+5) beating Hayhoe (-3), Shaw (+10)beating Sale (+3) and finally Singleton (+5) beating Newman (+2) for a 5 - 3 scoreline.

SECOND ROUND

Matches to be played week commencing 2nd November

BAE Selex "A"   5  -  1   Billericay Sports "B"

Easy win here for the holders BAE Selex "A" as Chris Knight (-26), Paul Stephens (-25) and Jon Stokes (-21) took command from the off and never looked like suffering from the high handicaps that had been posted -  Billericay Sports "B" team of Bruce Kettle (-10), Andrew Murray (-8) and Dave Kirston (-7) were on the back foot and never troubled their opponents although Kirston did get the better of Stokes in their encounter final score 5 - 1.

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BAE Selex "B" v Brentwood "A"

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Billericay "B"   4  -  5   BAE Selex "C"

The home Billericay "B" side of Peter Barrett (-17), John Gagg (-11) and Dave Carter (-6) put up a tremendous fight against their leniently handicapped opponents BAE Selex "C" for whom Colin Clements (-5), Paul Brown (-8) and Chris Aukett (-6) played - first singles to Barrett over Brown but probably the game that finally won the tie for the visitors Carter versus Clements with the visitor winning 22/20, 22/20.  Followed by a win for Aukett over Gagg in three 19/21, 21/19, 21/11.    Two in quick succession for Billericay with Carter over Brown  in three and Barrett over Aukett in two for a home side lead at 3 - 2 but back came BAE Selex with a win for Clements over Gagg and Aukett over Carter in three - Gagg then defeated Brown in three to level the match and it was down to the last tie Barrett (-17) versus Clements (-5) which the visitor took to give BAE Selex "C" victory by 5 - 4.

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Billericay Sports "D"   4  -  5   Brentwood Hard

With a 4 - 2 lead for Billericay Sports "D" the cards looked stacked against a Brentwood Hard victory but to their credit the team of Greg Cooper (Scr), John Barns (+2) and Len Nicholas (+9) never gave in and rattled their opponents by taking the last three singles to collect an unlikely victory. Cooper won twice against Brian Cole (-6) and Philip Terry (+1) with Barns also winning two over Brian Wellman (+1 ) and Terry - the win for Nicholas over Terry was the key to the match and the tennis club team go into the next round final score 5 - 4 to Brentwood Hard.

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Brentwood "B" 2 - 5  Hutton "C"

Hutton "C" collected an impressive win over their opponents but needed victory in the third end in three of the games - Wally Sale (+3) lost his first end against Bob Garson (-9) but took the next two - Sale did likewise to Stan Kenner (-3) while Richard Hayhoe (-3) needed three ends to defeat Colin Griffiths (-4) - Sale and Hayhoe winning two each with the fifth victory coming for Ron Millbourne (+11) over Kenner (-3) for a well deserved victory.

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Hutton "B" 2 - 5 Buttsbury "B"

A good win for Buttsbury "B" with Graham Sturton (-2) winning his three ties and being well supported by brother Paul Sturton (-2) who won twice - Caroline Cole (-3) being on the losing end twice against both Roy Barnes (-1) and Mike Pratley (-1) - the third Hutton player being Ron Grief (+5) who lost his two ties played both in the third end - against Graham Sturton an unfortunate 18/21, 21/16, 20/22.

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Mountnessing "B" 2 - 5 Mountnessing "C"

Mick Morris (-6), Chris Crooks (-4) and Jon Dyson (-3) found the handicaps a shade to severe against John Newman (+3), Len Jupe (+5) and Suzanne Shaw (+10) - some very close ties with three being decided in the third end all in favour of the "C" team - Crooks defeating both Shaw and Newman to keep the "B" teams hopes alive but a win in the seventh game for WShaw over Dyson put the second division team through against their first division rivals.

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Writtle "A"   5  -  0   Billericay Sports "A" - Conceded

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FIRST ROUND

BAE Selex "C"    5   -   3    Billericay "C"

Smart, Brown and Aukett edge home against Freeman, McKenzie and Eldridge

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Billericay Sports "A"   5  -  1   St. Joseph's

Marilyn Bawden, Ashton and Johnston defeat Burton and Carr 

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Billericay Sports "C"  1  -  5   BAE Selex "B"

Kemp, Fox and White no match for Ward, Worthington and Calleja

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Billericay "A"  0  v 5  Billericay Sports "B" - Conceded

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Billericay "D"   4    -  5   Mountnessing "C"

Dale, Cullen and Hopkins beaten by the handicaps of Newman, Jupe and Singleton

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Brentwood Hard    0   -   5    Hutton "D"

Cooper, Barns and Nicholas too hot for Salvador, Murdoch and Adams

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Brentwood "D"   3  -  5   Mountnessing "B"

White, Hooks and Denton just miss out against Crooks, Dyson and Hardiman

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Buttsbury "A"    1   -   5    Billericay "B"

MacLennan, Body and Nettleingham lose out to Gagg, Parodi and Carter

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Buttsbury "C"    1  -  5   Billericay Sports "D"

Joslin, Wellman and Cole on top for Sports against Tofts, Crooks and James

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Hutton "B"    5   -  2   Writtle "B"

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Brentwood "C"   4  -  5   Hutton "C"

Hills, Benson and Harris just miss out against Hayhoe, Newman and Sale

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Mountnessing "A" 0  -  5   Brentwood "A"

Brentwood "A" through by default

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Writtle "A"    5   -   3    Hutton "A"

Brown, Neill and Moles make the handicaps count against Saunders, James and Innes

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Byes:- Brentwood "B", Buttsbury "B", BAE Selex "A"

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED WEEK COMMENCING 14TH SEPTEMBER 2009

NO POSTPONEMENTS

2009/2010 HANDICAPS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

2008-2009 FINAL

An intriguing final between the winners of the Premier and First Divisions produced an exciting match which finished 5 - 4 in favour of BAE Selex "A" over Billericay Sports "B".   Chris Knight was outstanding for his side and Paul Stephens and Jon Stokes will probably admit that the three wins by Knight was the main reason for Selex "A" picking up their second trophy of the season. For Knight his constant attacking barrage overwhelmed his three opponents and against Keith Adams (-7) in the first singles he quickly recovered his handicap (-22) and took the encounter 21/15, 21/19 - Stokes (-11) then defeated Murray (-7) to put his side two ahead - Bruce Kettle (-7) then defeated Stephens (-15) in three ends 14/21, 21/9, 21/10  and in this game Stephens started well but gradually fell away as Kettle got his hitting and counter attacking shots going with his opponent consistently being passed by Kettle's backhand down the forehand court.   Adams over Stokes in two brought Billericay Sports level - but the two game advantage to Selex was restored with Knight beating Kettle in three - Kettle gave Knight trouble in the first game with some superb backhand shots going down the wrong side but Knight soon picked up the tactic and began to return nearly all of these shots with tremendous forehand loops or smashes, winning the tie in three .    Stephens beat Murray to regain the two game advantage but the scores were again levelled with Kettle defeating Stokes and Adams beating Stephens both in two - the tie was then decided 5 - 4 to Selex "A" with Knight beating Murray.  Stokes played well enough but could not find the speed and power to unsettle Adams and Kettle while he had to fight hard to beat Murray.      Selex "A" were worthy winners but had to work extremely hard for their 5 - 4 victory. 

SEMI FINAL – played week commencing 9^th March 2009.

Billericay Sports "B" 5  -  0   Hutton "C"

Writtle "A"    0  -  5   Selex "A"

Top of Division One Sports "B" will play top of the Premier Division Selex "A" as both sides posted big wins over their opponents. Keith Adams (-7), Bruce Kettle (-7)  and Pat White (-8) had to knuckle down to defeat Richard Hayhoe (Scr), Wally Sale (+3) and Mike Newman (+3) and there were some extremely close games but the First Division leaders came out on  top.     In the other Semi Final Frank Neill (-8), Ian Hockley (-5) and Dave Moles (-3) gave a good account of themselves against Chris Knight (-22), Paul Stephens (-18) and Jon Stokes (-11) - in the first game Neill was just beaten on the line by Stephens 21/17, 18/21, 23/25 - the next two games went to the visitors in two ends but Moles against Stephens also saw the visitor just scrape home in three as did Stokes against Neill.        An interesting final has now been created as five of the likely players in the final have not featured in the Brentwood League - some never and some for approximately 10 years.  Should be a fascinating final.

THIRD ROUND – played week commencing 12^th January 2009.

Billericay Sports “B”  5  v  3   Billericay Sports “A”

Selex “A”   5  -  1   Billericay Sports “C”

Brentwood “C”   2  -  5   Hutton “C”

Writtle “A”   5  -  3   Writtle “B”

Selex "A" remain on course for total success in the Handicap Cup and their latest victory came against Billericay Sports "C" 5 - 1 with Chris Knight (-22), Paul Stephens (-18) and Jon Stokes (-11) the winners against Dave Kirston (-8), Alf Fox (-5) and Brian Warren (-4)       The "old uns" of about 200 years collectively against the "young uns" of about 120 years tried their best but were unable to cope with the talents and reflexes of Selex "A" - the only success for the visitors coming with a win for Kirston against Stephens 21/10, 21/13 where Kirston's short up to the table blocking game had his opponent looking for answers.    Fox took Stokes to three ends but went under in the third 21/17, 21/23, 21/12.  But in reality it was too easy for the Selex team who can sweep all before them in their first season back in the Brentwood League for many a year. Leading in the League and in two Cup Semi Finals with a real possibility of success in all. 

Billericay Sports "B" took the fight to their Sports "A" team and were worthy 5 - 3 winners on the night against Ray Eldridge (-13), Debbie Auvache (-12) and Marilyn Bawden (-11).   The handicaps were not too much of a problem for Hutton "C" in their away match with Brentwood "C" - Chris Hills (+8), Graham Harris (+4) and John Benson (Scr) picked up two singles wins but were not able to overcome the visitors Mike Newman (+3) who won his three games - in three ends against Harris 21/15, three ends against Hills 21/14 and in three against Benson 21/19 - Richard Hayhoe (Scr) and Wally Sale (+3) both won a singles to give the visitors a 5 - 2 away win and proceed to the Semi Final.                  Writtle "A" overcame their "B" team in a very close match which saw the teams locked at 3 - 3 before they finally got the game won.  Frank Neill (-8) lost the first singles to Kevin Barber (+5) but the "A" team then captured the next two singles Dave Moles (-3) beating Anne Lockhart (+6) and Ian Hockley defeating Martin Goddard (+3).  The "B" team hit back with Barber beating Moles and with Neill beating Goddard in three the tie was nicely poised at 3 - 2.  The next singles - Hockley versus Lockhart brought the teams level as Lockhart just edged home 17/21, 21/15, 21/19.  The resistance was then broken as Moles defeated Goddard 22/20, 22/20 and Hockley ensured the "A" team won the tie 5 - 4 by defeating Barber 21/18, 24/22.

No postponements

SECOND ROUND – played week commencing 10^th November.

Billericay Sports “A”   5  -  2  Hutton “A”

Billericay Sports “C”   5 - 0   Selex “B” Conceded

Billericay “A”   0 - 5   Billericay Sports “B”

Brentwood “D” 4  -  5   Brentwood “C”

Hutton “B” 4  -  5   Writtle “A”

Hutton “C” 5  -  4   Billericay Sports “D”

Selex “A” 5  -  2  Billericay “C”

Writtle “B”   5 - 1 Buttsbury “F”

Billericay Sports “A” had slightly better handicaps in their home match with Hutton “A” and ran out winners 5 – 2 against last year’s winners.  Keith Ashton (-11) lost the first tie to Steve Woodley (-15) but Sports immediately hit back with Ray Eldridge (-13) defeating Peter Saunders (-13) and Marilyn Bawden (-11) defeating Ken James (-12).  Woodley (-15) then pulled the visitors level by getting the better of Bawden (-11) but Ashton (-11) got home against James (-12) in three ends 18/21, 21/18, 21/15 followed by wins for Eldridge over Saunders and Bawden over James for a 5 – 2 scoreline.     

High handicaps but possible winners of this years competition are Selex “A” who picked up a 5 – 2 win over Billericay “C” with Chris Knight (-22), Paul Stephens (-18) and Jon Stokes (-11) making the game look easy against  Peter Barrett (-15), John Gagg (-11) and John Parodi (-9) – the visitors two wins via Barrett and Parodi coming against Stephens in three ends – Stokes (-11) proving to be the match winner with three end wins over Gagg (-11)  21/16, 18/21, 21/19 and against Parodi (-9)  although Knight deserves some recognition for giving his opponents such a commanding start yet still getting to the winning line first.

The final tie was needed as Hutton “C” and Billericay Sports “D” were locked at four each going to the last singles Richard Hayhoe (Scr) against Mike Joslin (-7)  - Hayhoe taking Hutton into the next round 21/16, 21/14  - he had also performed well in his earlier two singles games defeating Malcolm Henstock (-4) 26/24, 21/16 and Nigel Swanton (-4).  Wally Sale (+3)  collected a win over Joslin (-7) and Mike Newman (+3) got the better of Swanton to set up a nail biting finish.

Writtle “A” was another team who needed a final tie finish in their away match at Hutton “B” – their team of Ian Hockley (-5), Dave Moles (-3) and Frank Neill (-8) just managed to steer home thanks to a last gasp win for Hockley over Russell Downton (+6) in the ninth singles at 10/21, 21/18, 21/12 – they had earlier gained two wins for Ron Grief (+5) over Hockley and Moles and two wins for Roy Barnes (-1) over Hockley and Neill – a satisfactory 5 – 4 win for Writtle.

A 5 - 3 finish came in the match between the two Brentwood teams with the “C” team of John Benson (Scr), Graham Harris (+4) and Chris Hills (+8) just edging out their “D” team of Richard Denton (+8), Frank Porter (+10) and Graham Mann (+7) – seven of the games went to three ends with the “C” team picking up four of their wins in these games – Hills (+8) was the star player for the winners as he went through the match undefeated with a handicap that proved to be crucial to the final result – Benson and Harris picking up one each – for the losers all three managed to defeat one of their opponents but Benson (Scr) came good in the eighth singles by defeating Porter (+10) 17/21, 21/13, 21/16.

Writtle “B” proved to be too much of a handful for visitors Buttsbury “F” and ran out winners 5 – 1 – George Gaze (+4) got Buttsbury off to a perfect start defeating Martin Goddard (+3) in two but Kevin Barber (+5) and Ann Lockhart (+6) retrieved the situation against Frances Hutt (9) and Peter James (+2) and between them the Writtle trio picked up the next five ties with only James coming close to success in his game with Goddard – losing 18/21, 21/18, 18/21.

Billericay Sports “B” had an easy passage through to the next round thanks to a depleted Billericay “A” team who could only field two players – John Webber and Guy McKenzie – the match began with the visitors Keith Adams (-7) up against Webber (-13) and the visitor took full advantage of his six point start to take the first end although in the second game Webber did draw level at 16/16 each only to see his rival get across the finishing line for a two straight win.            McKenzie (-8) then faced Bruce Kettle (-7) and found the visitor in good form with Kettle winning in two ends to seal the victory for Sports “B”.

FIRST ROUND

Billericay Sports “A”   5  v  3   Brentwood "A"

Billericay Sports "D"   5  v  2   Brentwood Hard "B"

Billericay "A"  5  v  1   Mountnessing "B"

Billericay "B"  3  v  5   Billericay Sports "B"

Brentwood Hard "A"  1  v  5   Writtle "B"

Brentwood "C"   5  v  3   Mountnessing "C"

Brentwood "D"   5  v  3   Buttsbury "C"

Buttsbury "B"   0  v  5   BAE Selex "B"

Buttsbury "D"   4  v  5   Hutton "C"

Buttsbury "F"   5  v  4   Billericay "D"

Hutton "A"   5  v  2   Brentwood "B"

Hutton "B"   5  v  3   Buttsbury "E"

Mountnessing "A"   0  v  5   Billericay Sports "C"

BAE Selex "C"   1  v  5   Billericay "C"

St. Joseph's   3  v  5   BAE Selex "A"

Writtle "A" 5    v  0   Hutton "D" Conceded

1.       Premier Division Mountnessing “A” gave themselves a mountain to climb when they could only field two players in their match with Billericay Sports “C” – both Dave Finlayson and Mark Allaway might have been expected to see off the Sports trio of Linda Attridge, Brian Warren and Alf Fox  despite giving away three games.  However  Attridge (-6)  went on first  against Finlayson (-10) and made her handicap count by winning 21/19, 21/14 – Warren (-4) then went on against Allaway (-7) and also claimed victory 21/18, 21/17 – the result was then 5 – 0 to the visitors and although the remainder of the games were played where possible it was an excellent win for Billericay Sports “C” – Warren rolling back the years in an superb game with the excellent Allaway.                                                                      

2.       The Sports “B” team also claimed a Premier Club’s scalp with a 5 – 3 away win at Billericay “B”.            Terry Timms (-15) won two games for the home side – in his first against Keith Adams (-7) he came through in three ends 21/18, 17/21, 21/13 and then had a long struggle against Robert Kemp (-4) – with before prevailing 22/20, 22/20.     Mark Martin (-8)  was second on against Brian Cole and was narrowly defeated 12/21, 21/19, 19/21 – he then lost to Adams in two and in his third game defeated Kemp also in two.  Paul Mulley was the home teams third player and unusually for Mulley he came away empty handed probably due to changing his rubber on his backhand side – so a fine result 5 – 3 to the visitors.                                                               

3.       At the other end of the hall Billericay “A” of John Webber (-13) , Guy McKenzie (-8)  and Neil Freeman (-10)  sailed home against Mountnessing “B” 5 – 1 with Jon Dyson (-4)  being the only scorer for the visitors – Peter Hardiman (-3)  and Chris Crooks (-8)  were Mountnessing’s two other players.                                        

4.        Brentwood Hard “A” at home to Writtle “B” were unable to cope with Martin Goddard  (+3), Kevin Barber (+5) and Anne Lockhart and were soundly beaten 5 – 1 by their visitors – Martin Winter (-4), Jake Winter (+12) and Tim Mercer (Scr) could only put one win on the board thanks to Martin Winter who defeated Lockhart.                                                 

5.       Brentwood “C” – John Benson (Scr), Mike Hooks (+4) and Mike Harris (+5) just reached the winning line at 5 – 3 over Mountnessing “C” – star performer for Mountnessing was Suzanne Walker (+11) with two excellent wins over Benson and Hooks and both over three ends -  Gordon Reid (-3) defeated Hooks for Mountnessing’s third point while Len Jupe (+4) was unable to score.                                                    

6.       Buttsbury “B” of James Kelly (-5), Sue Body (-4) and Tony Nettleingham (-4) faced a strong Selex “B” team of Kevin Worthington (-16), Keith Spicer (-16) and Gary Ward (-16) and were beaten 5 – 0 although with a number of exceptionally close games the score certainly not reflecting the effort that was put in by both sets of players.                                             

7.       Buttsbury “D” were also at home – their opponents were Hutton “C” who collected a last gasp win in the final encounter to leave the home side losers at 4 - 5.      Joyce Bassett (-1), Paul Sturton (+3) and Sam Gilbert (+1) gave their all and at 4 games each it was anybody’s match – Gilbert having defeated Mike Newman (+3) in the penultimate encounter 25/23, 17/21, 21/14 it was left to Basset and Richard Hayhoe (Scr) to do battle to determine the winner – Hayhoe emerging victorious 21/19, 18/21, 21/19 to send the visitors home knowing they will be in the next round.         

8.        Hutton “B” entertained Buttsbury “E” and came out victorious - Hutton winning 5 – 3.    Roy Barnes (-1) and Mike Pratley (-1) were unable to cope with Laurie Tunbridge (+2) who picked up two wins from two played , Alan Tofts (+4) defeated Ron Grief (+5) with Buttsbury’s third player being Bill Nutbrown (+7)  who failed to score – of the eight games played five were taken to three ends and in two that were taken in two ends the scores were 24/22, 21/19 and 21/17, 22/20 so it was almost a certainty that Hutton came away victors in a very close and lengthy match with Barnes and Pratley picking up two wins each and Grief  one win.          

9.       St. Joseph’s entertained a new team in the League - Selex “A” who arrived with three players who were extremely prominent in the League in the early 1990’s  and found themselves on the wrong end of a 5 – 3 scoreline – but not without a fight – Chris Knight (-22), John Stokes (-11) and Alison Gower (-11) were winners on the night against Sue Hickman (-8), Gary Carr (-8) and Robbie Burton (-9)  - Knight winning all of his games despite having to concede such a demanding handicap -  but Stokes lost to Burton 21/14, 24/22 and former double Brentwood Ladies Champion in the early 90’s also found Burton difficult losing 21/13, 21/18 in the process – but Gower had beaten Carr in three ends 22/20, 18/21, 21/14 to claim an excellent win and help her side into the next round.

10.    Billericay Sports “A” overcame Brentwood “A” to the tune of 5 – 3 thanks to two wins each from Marilyn Bawden (-11) and Ray Eldridge (-13) and one win from Keith Ashton (-11) – Bawden’s wins coming against Trevor Carter (-12) and Paul Cuming (-18) with Eldridge also defeating Cuming and Brentwood’s third player Philip Purser (-8) so the visitors had to settle for winning a game each with games that were taken to a third end being shared two each.

11.    Billericay Sports “D” moved into the next round with a 5 – 2 win over Brentwood Hard “A” who were forced to concede two games to Sports when Nick Wright (+4) was unable to continue – Greg Cooper (-3) defeated Malcolm Henstock (-4) and Jamie Wright (+12) got the better of Mick Joslin (-7) – the match was finally won with a win for Brian Wellman (-3) over Wright 13/21, 21/19, 27/25.

12.    BAE Selex “C” were unable to compete with their visitors Billericay “C” and were 1 – 5 losers – the Billericay club raced into a 5 – 0 lead thanks to John Parodi (-9), Dave Carter (-12) and Peter Barratt (-13) with Kevin Smart (-7), Gary Hartgrove (-9) and Colin Clements (-11) with only the first game Smart versus Parodi reaching a third end.

13.    Buttsbury “C” failed to make progress when they travelled to Tipps Cross for their match with Brentwood “D” – they were unable to field a full team and both David and Duncan Ramsey were up against the odds when Richard Denton (+8) beat David Ramsey 21/23, 21/16, 21/19  to take the score to 4 -1 – Duncan (-1) then defeated Denton 21/19, 7/21, 21/19 and with David defeating Graham Mann (+7) 22/20 in the third the odds were slightly changing in favour of Buttsbury “C” – Mann rescued Brentwood’s hopes with a three end win over Duncan 21/19, 15/21, 21/18 to put his side into the next round. 

14.    A nail biting finish at Buttsbury “F” when Billericay “D” were the visitors – George Gaze (+4) was called upon to win the ninth game of the match against Keith Cullen (-3)  - Gaze coming through 21/11, 21/14 in what must have been a pressure match  - Gaze collected three wins on the way to success and was well supported by Frances Hutt (+9) with Mark Richardson (+10) unable to score – for the visitors Cullen won twice with their other two players winning one each Melanie Jones (-2) and Lou Hopkins (Scr) both over  Richardson.

1.       Last years winners Hutton “A” had a comparative easy match against Brentwood “B” and were winners at 5 – 2 with Dlango Fung (-17) winning twice  and Keith Phillips (-16) winning all three of his games. Peter Saunders (-13) lost to Mary Nicholls (-5) in two and also to Stan Kenner (-4) but Brentwood’s third player Brian Steward (-6) was out of luck and failed to score.

First Round draw week commencing Monday 8th September 2008

Billericay Sports "A" v Brentwood "A"

Billericay Sports "D" v Brentwood Hard "B"

Billericay "A" v Mountnessing "B"

Billericay "B" v Billericay Sports "B"

Brentwood Hard "A" v Writtle "B"

Brentwood "C" v Mountnessing "C"

Brentwood "D" v Buttsbury "C"

Buttsbury "B" v BAE Selex "B"

Buttsbury "D" v Hutton "C"

Buttsbury "F" v Billericay "D"

Hutton "A" v Brentwood "B"

Hutton "B" v Buttsbury "E"

Mountnessing "A" v Billericay Sports "C"

BAE Selex "C" v Billericay "C"

St. Joseph's v BAE Selex "A"

Writtle "A" v Hutton "D"

All matches to be played week commencing8th September - postponements not permitted.

Details for season 2007-8 listed below

A fairly comfortable win for the League Champions Hutton "A" in their cup final against Billericay Sports "D". Django Fung (-16) got Hutton off to a great start by defeating Nigel Swanton (-4) but Linda Murray (-7) brought Sports level with an excellent win over Peter Saunders (-11). That unfortunately was all the luck that went Sports way as Ken James (-10)  defeated Malcolm Henstock (-3) and then followed up in the final singles by defeating Linda Murray in three 21/12, 9/21, 21/17. The previous singles Fung versus Henstock almost brought a surprise result as having won the first 21/12 Henstock  lost the second and then held Fung to 0 - 12 in the third but Fung reeled off 18 points in succession to collect the victory.  Final result 5 - 1 to Hutton "A" who are now well in line to complete a hat trick of trophies.  Their opponents in the final of the Knock Out Cup Herongate will need to be at their very best to get the better of this Hutton squad, whoever plays. 

Semi Final in Week Commencing 10th March 2008 - Draw as below

BAE Selex "B" 3  -  5  Billericay Sports "D"

The first semi final conjured up something of a surprise result with the leading team of the First Division BAE Selex "B" losing out on a possible League and Cup treble with this 3 - 5 defeat at the hands of Billericay Sports "D" - For BAE Chris Aukett (-8) recovered from a shaky start to defeat Nigel Swanton (-4) in three ends but a below par Alby Warner (-9) went down to Malcolm Henstock (-3) 21/17, 19/21, 18/21 followed by a defeat for Colin Clements (-10) by the in form Linda Murray (-7)  21/12, 5/21, 10/21 - Warner then lost his second game of the evening to Swanton who picked up a three end win taking the last two ends 21/19 - Sports "D" now in the lead 3 - 1 but Aukett defeated Murray in two and Clements hammered Henstock in two to put the home side in the ascendance - Warner then lost his third game of the evening - this time to Murray in three in a close tie 21/16, 19/21, 19/21.  And with time running out the match switched to two table play  and in the eighth tie Clements versus Swanton then took place on the second table with Sports in front 4 - 3 and with Clements taking the first end the odds looked to be in the home side's favour to pull level but  Swanton superbly emerged the winner 11/21, 21/17, 22/20 - Swanton looking down and out at 19/20 in the third but with a slightly fortunate point he took the tie to deuce and Clements then felt attack would be the best form of defence but paid the price with two unsuccessful attacking shots which gave Swanton victory 22/20 in the third and the vital  point which gave the match to Billericay Sports "D" 5 - 3 to take the visitors through to the final.     The ninth tie if needed had started on another table and was 1 - 1 to Aucket versus Henstock when Swanton scored the points that won the match.     Six of the eight games played went to three ends with the count at five to the advantage of Billericay Sports "D".                                               

Hutton "A" 5  -  2  Buttsbury "F" 

Third Round in Week Commencing 14th January 2008 - Draw as below

Billericay Sports "D" 5  -  2   Buttsbury "E"

Billericay  "C"   4  -  5   Hutton "A"

Brentwood "A"   1  -  5   BAE Selex "B"

Brentwood "B"   2  -  5   Buttsbury "F"

Hutton "A" maintained their quest for three trophies by just getting past the winning line 5 - 4 in a thrilling away match with Billericay "C" - Hutton's strong squad are leading the Premier Division, are in the Semi Final of the Premier Knock Out Cup and have now reached the Semi-Final of the Handicap Cup.  The result hinged on the eighth singles where Matt Mulley (-9) took on  Peter Saunders (-11) with the first end to Saunders 24/22 but with Mulley taking the second end the match hinged on the final third end which saw Saunders just edge out Mulley 22/20 to take the scores to 4 - 4 a win for Mulley would have seen Billericay into the next round   . Keith Phillips (-18) made the match secure for Hutton with a two end win over Mark Martin (-11) in the final encounter of the match.  Earlier a win for Martin over Saunders and a loss to Ken James (-10), a win for Matt Mulley over James and a loss to Phillips with Paul Mulley (-8) defeating both Saunders and James but losing to Phillips.                                                                               A  reasonably comfortable away win for BAE Selex "B" at Brentwood "A" 5 - 1  where the home team had only the first singles win to show for their efforts - Nikki Kennard (-14) defeating Colin Clements (-10) in three ends.   BAE then reeled off the next five singles with wins for Alby Warner (-9) and Chris Aukett (-8) over Phillip Purser (-9) and Graham Harris (+3) - Purser took Aukett to three ends but the remaining singles were all taken in two ends.        Brentwood "B" were also in action the same evening - taking on Buttsbury "E" in their match - Bob Garson (-8), Colin Griffiths (-4) and Mary Nicholls (-4) were up against David Ramsey (+3), Duncan Ramsey (+3) and Alan Tofts (+3).       Garson got the home side off to a fine start defeating Duncan Ramsey two straight and later Tofts two straight but the away side piled on the pressure to win the remaining five singles to pass into the Semi-Finals.                        The only encounter that went to a third end saw David Ramsey defeat Nicholls 21/14, 18/21, 21/5.                                                       Malcolm Henstock (-3) maintained his 100% record through three rounds with another two victories in a Billericay Sports "D" 5 - 2 win over Buttsbury "E" -  of the seven games played six of them went to a third end with a final tally of five going to the home side.  Alf Fox (-6)  got Sports off to a good start with a win over Sam Gilbert (+3)  21/16, 11/21, 21/14 but Graham Sturton (+2) levelled for Buttsbury by defeating Nigel Swanton (-4)  11/21. 21/11, 21/12 -  Henstock (-3) then retrieved the lead for the home side by defeating Paul Sturton (+6) but Gilbert (+3) then defeated Swanton (-4) two straight to bring the score to 2 - 2.   It was the turn of Fox (-6)  versus Paul Sturton (+6) and the writing was on the wall for the home player when losing the first end 10/21 and falling 15/19 behind in the second - but a late rally saw Fox claim the next six points for a 21/19 win and he followed up by taking the third 21/17.   The fourth win came via a Henstock victory over Graham Sturton 10/21, 21/19, 21/15 and the result was confirmed with a yet another three end win, this one for Swanton (-4) against Paul Sturton (+6) 14/21, 23/21, 23/21 - seemingly out of the contest in the second Swanton held his composure to take the second from deuce and the result was still in doubt even though Swanton led 20/18 in the third - somehow letting his opponent back in to level at deuce and going one down at 20/21 the next two points were fairly long rallies with no player wishing to make a mistake but the two points came the way of Swanton to record an excellent victory and seal the match.  

Second Round in Week Commencing 12th November 2007 - Draw as below

BAE Selex "B"   5  -  2   Hutton "B"

Billericay Sports "D" 5  -  0 Mountnessing "D"

Billericay "A" 4  -  5   Billericay "C"

Billericay "B" 3  -  5   Brentwood "A"

Buttsbury "E"   5  -  4   Brentwood Hard "A"

Buttsbury "F"  5  -  2   Brentwood Hard "B"

Hutton "A"   5  -  3   Mountnessing "A"

Hutton "C" Selo   0  -  5 Brentwood "B"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The final result in saw two Premier Division teams from the same Billericay club battle it out to see who could make progress to the third round - Billericay "A" - John Parodi , John Gagg  and Dave Carter lost the first three games to Billericay "C" thanks to wins for Mark Martin (-11) over Parodi (-13),  Terry Timms (-16) with a three end win over Carter (-9) and Paul Mulley (-8) taking a three end win over Gagg (-11)  - Carter pulled one back for the "A" team by defeating Martin in two but the lead was once again stretched to three with a three end win over Parodi - the outcome was not clear however as the "A" side roared back to level the match at 4 - 4  Gagg defeating Timms, Carter defeating Mulley 21/16, 17/21, 22/20 and Gagg defeating Martin to set up a final encounter Parodi versus Timms with the last named taking the "C" to the finishing line by winning in two ends for a 5 - 4 win for the "C" team.

                                                                    Brentwood "B"  - Bob Garson (-8), Brian Steward (-5) and Stan Kenner (-3) defeated a Hutton "C" Selo team of Wally Sale (+2), Mike Newman (+4) and Joan Cook (+6) in a match that saw Brentwood victorious in the first five singles - the match was played to a finish but with little success for the home side - result 5 - 0 to Brentwood "B"                         BAE Selex "A" are on course for a League and Cup Double and in their home handicap cup match against Hutton "B" they needed seven of the games to secure a   5 - 2 victory - Chris Aukett (-8), Alan Wood (-4) and Alby Warner (-9) proved just a shade too strong for Norman Feakins (+4), Mike Pratley (_1) and Roy Barnes (-3) with both Pratley and Barnes defeating Warner to record Hutton's two points.                 Hutton "A" also looking for a League and Cup double were 5 - 3 home winners over Mountnessing "A" - at  3 - 3 it looked as if the match could swing either way but Django Fung (-16) defeated Gordon Gatheral (-8) 21/15, 19/21, 21/19 followed by Peter Saunders (-11) defeating Dave Finlayson(-10) also in three ends 21/13, 17/21, 21/19 to give Hutton victory by 5 - 3 - Hamish Innes (-12) had won his first two singles over Fung and Saunders with Gatheral beating Saunders - Hutton's third player Keith Phillips (-18) had played his part by winning his first two singles and at one stage it looked as if he might be required to take on Innes in the final singles but the final game was not needed.               The young Buttsbury "E" trio of Graham Sturton (+2), Sam Gilbert (+3) and Paul Sturton (+6) found the going extremely hard against Brentwood Hard "A" who had Martin Winter (-4), Greg Cooper (-3) and Nick Wright (+1) in their line-up.  At the onset Cooper defeated Graham Sturton to give the visitors the lead but Paul Sturton levelled against Winter in three and later defeated Cooper in two - but while Brentwood's number one failed to score - his colleague Wright kept the tennis club in the match with three excellent victories setting the match up for a super finale which saw Graham Sturton (+2) defeat Martin Winter (-4) in two ends to put Buttsbury through to the next round 5 - 4.                          The Billericay Sports "D" team gained a 5 - 0 home win over their visitors Mountnessing "D" - Alf Fox (-6) defeated Bruno Handel (+2) in the first singles followed by three end wins for Malcolm Henstock (+3) over John Hickey (+1) and Linda Murray (+7) over Len Jupe (+2) - success came nearer for Sports "D" with Handel retiring after losing the first end against Henstock and the match was completed when Fox defeated Jupe in three.  

Buttsbury "F" had to force their way back into their match with Brentwood Hard "B" after losing the first two ties - Duncan Ramsey (+3) lost to Paul Draper (+2) in three ends  21/12, 20/22, 19/21 followed by defeat for Alan Tofts (+3) against John Barnes in two but here the resistance ended as David Ramsey (+3) defeated Len Nicholas (+10), Tofts got the better of Draper and Nicholas and Duncan and David Ramsey defeated Nicholas and Barnes to give NButtsbury a satisfactory 5 - 2 home win.               An all Premier Division match saw Billericay "B" two player team of John Webber (-13) and Keith Cullen (-4) unable to contain the handicap of giving three wins to the opposition before the match even started.  On a positive note Billericay began with Webber (-13) defeating Trevor Carter (-13) in two with Cullen following up by defeating Paul Cuming (-15) also in two - Cullen then lost to Carter in three 21/8, 15/21, 16/21 but Webber kept Billericay in the hunt by defeating Philip Purser (-9) in three ends - the match was effectively over when Webber lost to Cuming in five ends and the visitors ran out 5 - 3 victors.

First Round in Week Commencing 10th September 2007 - Draw as below

BAE Selex "A"   1  -  5   Brentwood "B"

Billericay Sports "C"   1  -  5   Billericay "A"

Billericay "C"   5  -  0   Writtle "A"

 Brentwood "A" BYE

Brentwood Hard "B"   5  -  4   Mountnessing "B"

Brentwood "C"   4  -  5   Buttsbury "E"

Brentwood "D"   4  -  5   Brentwood Hard "A"

Buttsbury "B" 1  -  5   BAE Selex "B"

Buttsbury "C"  4  -  5   Mountnessing "D"

Buttsbury "F"  5  -  3   Mountnessing "C"

Hutton "A" BYE

Hutton "B"   5  -  0   Buttsbury "D"

Hutton "D"  2  -  5   Billericay Sports "D"

Mountnessing "A"  5  -  3   Billericay Sports "B"

St. Josephs   0  -  5    Billericay "B"

Writtle "B"  0  -  9  Hutton "C" Selo