North Cornwall Table Tennis League 2018/19 season preview

THE North Cornwall Table Tennis League gets underway on Wednesday night with a record number of teams entered.

Twenty-two teams have been split into three leagues. Division One has seen an increase from six teams to eight, which is the same number in the second-tier.

The third division, which is for younger or more casual players, remains at two-a-side compared to the three-a-side in the higher leagues.

In Division One, it looks as if there will be a three-way battle for the title.

Reigning champions Helland A, who will now be known as Helland after the B team pulled out, remain unchanged after winning the title by six points.

Last year’s runners-up North Hill A again look strong and can call on the services of the promising Angharad Beman to complement league chairman Shirley Luckhurst, captain Martin Hynes and Bob Thompson.

Despite finishing fourth last year, Torridge could mount a serious push.

David Streak, who won all 27 of his singles matches last year remains, and he will be joined by the impressive Pete Freeburn, who returns after a year off, and captain David Stone.

The remaining five teams are likely to battle it out for the rest of the positions.

Budehaven A should finish fourth and have a number of players to choose from, although Dave Salisbury’s troublesome shoulder could play a factor while Crackington A will again rely on the excellent Frank Barnes to pick up the majority of their points.

Three teams have come up to make the league bigger.

Last year’s Division Two champions Budehaven B have lost Owen Salisbury to the A team but have replaced him with Brandon Forsyth, who has not played for a number of years. A lack of first division experience may prove costly but they could surprise. Their talents will be put to the test straight away with a visit from Torridge.

Whitstone Wanderers and Crackington B are the other new sides and will hope to make an impression in what is a significant jump up in standard.

Whitstone start their season with a home clash against Crackington A while Crackington B make the long trip to Helland.

With three teams leaving Division Two, they have been replaced by Budehaven D (last year known as Budehaven E), Crackington C and a new Budehaven team (E).

After finishing fourth last term, Anthony Ward’s Budehaven C should battle for the title with an impressive D team who consist of Tim Orchard, Robin Worden and the exciting Sam Jennings.

Altarnun have the league’s best player in Paul Burden and should do well while Launceston, who have moved into a new venue at the Gateway Centre in the town, will hope that the wily Stephen Parsons and Karen Horrell can do the business. Launceston start the season on Wednesday night with a home game against Budehaven D with the rest of the divisions starting 24 hours later.

Of the rest, Budehaven E are an unknown quantity, North Hill B should do better than last year while Bridgerule A, who only picked up points last year through Alan Quilter, were given a reprieve and have a couple of new players who should make a difference. Last year’s Division Three runners-up Crackington C complete the division.

Division Three is incredibly difficult to predict with three new teams — Altarnun B and Budehaven G and H — and a constant changeover of players.

With just six teams, each team will face one another three times.

To view all the league fixtures, results, tables and more, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthCornwall