HOLSWORTHY B are now just three points off leaders Paddlers with a game in-hand in Division Two of the North Devon Table Tennis League after an emphatic 8-2 victory over mid-table Despicables last Tuesday night (January 21) at Sutcombe Village Hall.

With just one game of the regular season remaining in the second-tier, Holsworthy made ground on Paddlers and Littleham.

Paddlers beat fourth-placed Chulmleigh Chiefs 6-4 while Littleham lost by the scoreline at West Buckland.

Holsworthy go to West Buckland tonight (January 30) for their rearranged clash, knowing that four points will put them in the driving seat for a winner-takes-all showdown at Littleham on Tuesday (February 4).

However a big Paddlers win at Despicables will make life extremely interesting.

Elsewhere in the division, winless Holsworthy C picked up their first draw of the season at home to second bottom Dolphins.

Teenager Ezra Jukes earned himself a first ever brace in the division for the hosts with Bob Montague and Shaun Collins also recording a victory apiece in the singles, before combining to take the doubles and earn a share of the spoils.

In Division One, Bridgerule moved up to second with a 9-1 rout of Herons at Bridgerule Village Hall.

Herons’ James Raymont beat Peter Freeburn in the opener but from there on in, the hosts dominated as Steve Cragg and David Streak claimed trebles, while Freeburn beat Bill Tregellas and then Rob Herman.

Holsworthy A dealt Blazing Paddles a blow in their own title hopes after securing a 5-5 draw at Sutcombe.

Although Kevin Taylor proved far too good in earning a treble for the visitors, Mark Beaumont and Dave Salisbury had no issues defeating Tim Cooke and Steve Richardson. With Owen Salisbury unavailable, Doug Genini played for both the B and A sides in the same evening, beating Cooke in straight ends.

Holsworthy D remain bottom following an 8-2 defeat at mid-table Balls of Fury, although the visitors failed to take a host of chances.

Tom Venn and Lee Farrant were unbeaten all evening, although both went the distance with Nathan Jukes and Ian Rice respectively.

Rice and David Sillifant both beat Tim Strand, but their long wait for a first league win since the opening match of the season goes on.

To view all the latest fixtures, player averages and more, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthDevon/