We’re halfway through the 2024/25 table tennis season as we take a few-week break for the holiday period.
Basildon League
In the Premier Division, the A team are well on their way to defending the title. They’ve opened up a large point gap at the top of the table and with 6 games left to go, it’s hard to see anyone catching them. Team captain Ian Wall has led the way with 22 wins out of 24 (92%), and has been ably supported by teammates Liam Squirrell (100%), Reece Seddon (93%) and Eric Green (78%). They’ve had to call up several B team and C team players to make up the numbers most weeks, but with star man Daniel Bronziet returning in the new year along with new signing Chris Penrose, victory is looking likely.
The B team have had a much improved season from last year, and have already surpassed their previous points total. Although they currently sit at the bottom of the table, they have a game in hand over the team above them. A decent win should see them climb up the table and avoid relegation. Their standout player has been Les Hoey, whose return to form has seen him pick up 10 wins out of 20 (50%). He has been backed up by team regulars Garry Hartgrove (29%), Lee Marson (17%) and Rob Burton (33%).
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Basildon A | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 72 |
| 2 | Hockley A | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 48 |
| 3 | Northlands A | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 45 |
| 4 | Selbourne | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 37 |
| 5 | Northlands B | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 30 |
| 6 | Basildon B | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 27 |
In Division 1, the C team are having a great season so far and currently sit in second place. Although they’re 11 points behind league leaders Hockley B, there’s still plenty more games to be played and a firm belief they can win the division. Team captain Tony Ayliffe has led the way with 16 wins out of 24 (67%) and his teammates Trevor Ward (61%), Lin Roff (39%) and Chudi Ukpaka (50%) have chipped in with the points. They’ll be hoping their star man Kim Shead makes a speedy recovery from a recent operation to add to his unblemished record of 9 wins out of 9.
The E team have been a surprise package as they currently sit in 4th place. They’re a fair way behind the league leaders but they can be proud of their achievements so far. A lot of their success can be attributed to Peter Hilton, who has picked up 17 wins out of 21 games (81%). The other team regulars chipping in with points have been Dave Reynolds (62%), Jenne Seibolt (14%) and Robert Kemp (47%).
The D team currently sit in 6th place, but there’s only 8 points between them and 3rd place Stanford A. Their best performer has been Arun Joy, who has shown spectacular form to win 21 games out of 24 (88%). He will surely be looking to challenge himself in the Premier Division next season. Team captain Bob Skews has also been in great form (76%) and has been supported by Stephen Walters (17%), Charles Yeung (47%) and Tina Hutchinson (7%).
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Hockley B | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 90 |
| 2 | Basildon C | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 79 |
| 3 | Stanford A | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 65 |
| 4 | Basildon E | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 60 |
| 5 | COYS B | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 59 |
| 6 | Basildon D | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 57 |
| 7 | Wickford Community Centre | 12 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 42 |
| 8 | Stanford B | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 27 |
In Division 2, the F team are currently in 4th place but are only 1 point behind Grays. A second-half season push from top performer Graham Bland (87%) and his teammates could see them grab a very respectable 3rd place. The H team and the G team are sitting in 6th and 7th place respectively. Dave Walton is having a fine season with 11 wins out of 12 games and is undefeated amongst his clubmates.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Hadleigh Forum | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 94 |
| 2 | Canvey | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 89 |
| 3 | Grays | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 71 |
| 4 | Basildon F | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 70 |
| 5 | Stanford C | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 54 |
| 6 | Basildon H | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 44 |
| 7 | Basildon G | 12 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 35 |
| 8 | Stanford D | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 23 |
Southend League
After winning Division 2 last season, the A team are now drubbing the competition in Division 1. They currently sit in 2nd place and are 5 points behind last season’s rivals Matchpoint A, but with a game in hand. It will no doubt go down to the wire again but if they continue their current form there’s no reason they can’t become champions. The 2023/24 Division 2 Player of the Season Les Hoey has continued his incredible form with 21 wins out of 21 games (100%). Arun Joy (90%) and Rob Burton (75%) have also been playing very well.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Matchpoint A | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 60 |
| 2 | Basildon A | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 55 |
| 3 | Canvey A | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 53 |
| 4 | Mapledene | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 48 |
| 5 | Rawreth Megazone C | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 46 |
| 6 | Hadleigh Forum B | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 46 |
| 7 | Brand Identity B | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 43 |
| 8 | Wakering | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 36 |
| 9 | Hadleigh Forum C | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
In Division 3, the B team are also having an excellent season flying high at the top of the table. They have won all 12 of their matches and are 10 points clear of their closest challengers. It’s hard to bet against them becoming champions, with Andy Roff (93%), Dave Walton (94%), Richard Riebold (87%) and Ross Letham (73%) all playing very well.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| 1 | Basildon B | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 83 |
| 2 | Invicta C | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 73 |
| 3 | Hadleigh Forum D | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 56 |
| 4 | Hockley E | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 53 |
| 5 | Stanford D | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 52 |
| 6 | Matchpoint D | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 50 |
| 7 | Rawreth Megazone E | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 41 |
| 8 | Evolve | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 38 |
| 9 | Canvey C | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 30 |
| 10 | Hockley F | 9 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 10 |