08/09/2026
New Sponsorship Deal for New Colchester TT League Season of Change
The Colchester & District Table Tennis League will have a new sponsor this season as they welcome the support from Synonymous Sport and are excited to be working with their team to help promote Table Tennis in the District.
This week welcomes the return of Table Tennis action in the Synonymous Sport Colchester & District TTL League with many other changes a foot!
Most noteworthy is the change of playing rules in Division’s One, Two and Three which sees Sets played over 3 games where all 3 are played with each scoring a point for players. This means the match score is now a total of 30 points instead of 10. Note all final third games, ends are changed at 5 no matter who wins the first 2 games. New Scoresheets are available on the League website.
This playing system enables matches to finish at a much more reasonable time around 10.00pm. The system has its critics but was democratically voted for with a majority vote which is a first by the players individually and not the Committee.
The Premier Division remains as previously on a best of 5 game basis with results totalling a traditional maximum of 10 points.
Unfortunately the two-player Division Four format has been disbanded as Division Three has now become the lower Division
St James A will be looking for a hat-trick of Premier titles spearheaded by Colchester & Clacton’s Men’s Singles Champion James Denyer and Panther’s teammate Greg Green supplemented by the newly-wed Paul Hume. Toby McLewin has returned to Tollgate after completing his University studies to Captain their A team. Also returning is the mercurial former Men’s Champion Eren Gozcu and with both available to play regularly should be a force to be reckoned with especially with Paul Davison coming back for a third spell. With the club. Rowhedge B, bridesmaids for the past 2 Seasons have strengthened their squad by promoting the talented Tom Hinds from their C team. The D team in turn have been bolstered by youngsters Joe Addley and Ellianna Burridge which is good to see their youth policy progressing but surprisingly newly crowned Essex Harry Walker Trophy winner, Adhuna Das has not joined them. Rowhedge A have changed their team with Gary Young joining son Daniel Young whilst the legendary John Andrews steps down to Division One after over 50 years in the top flight. If David Moss remains fit and David Cole turns out they could feature strongly in the shake up but with the Youngs’ many other League commitments not perhaps enough to take the ultimate prize. Pegasus A return but will struggle with their highly experienced squad led by Steve Noble and another League legend, Ian Whiteside
In Division One Gt Horkesley A will be without the services of their long term spearhead Ken Lewis which should give the remaining teams a realistic shout at the title. The new look Lawford A team are very strong lead by Andy Holmes they’ve employed the services of Chelmsford over 50’s winner James Hicks also promoting both Rohan Richardson-Todd and double handicap champion youngster Myles Milton to their top team. NETTS A make a welcome return to the Colchester League with the Calisin brothers joining the team. The much improved Patrick Essex joins Rowhedge E along with Oli Reynolds, making a welcome return from injury they will be there or there abouts come April. Tollgate B have lost the services of Both Chuka Odiamma and Patrick Essex but welcome back Essex Chair David Gatheral, eager to play the new 3 game system. Tollgate C return after winning Division 3 with some familiar faces along with Rowhedge F featuring plenty of experience with the aforementioned John Andrews in their team. Lawford B also have a plethora of experience that should see them in the top half and a real tough team to beat! This promises to be a very competitive Division with St James C certainly no pushover. Tollesbury A once again are likely to struggle.
Divisions Two and Three complete the League that will be very interesting to observe the new system results and acceptance with lots to look forward to!
Players are reminded to complete their Table Tennis England Membership prior to playing in the League.
Good luck to everyone in the new Season of real positive change…
