THE 2019/20 North Devon Table Tennis League season gets underway on Monday night with newly-formed Bridgerule one of two Post area clubs competing.

Like last year, the league will consist of two divisions, although due to several teams pulling out and only a couple joining across the divisions, the second-tier will consist of eight teams with Division One again consisting of ten.

The league is made of up six clubs with Instow (Bideford) providing seven, Holsworthy (based at Sutcombe) four, Monkleigh and Chulmleigh two apiece as well as Littleham (near Bideford), West Buckland and Bridgerule, who although have competed in the North Cornwall League for the last few years, have never entered a side in the North Devon League.

Division One sees four teams playing out of Instow — Balls of Fury, Blazing Paddles, Herons and Smugglers — as well as Holsworthy A and newly-promoted Holsworthy D, Misfits and Spin Doctors from Monkleigh, Chumleigh A and Bridgerule, who are primarily made up of last year’s Torridge squad that romped to the Division One title in North Cornwall.

Holsworthy D, winners of Division Two last year, have taken promotion but are likely to take a while to adjust to the big step up in class.

Post area interest in Division Two sees Holsworthy B and C once again compete with the B team expected to push Littleham close.

The standout fixture of the opening week on Tuesday, October 1, could see Bridgerule’s Steve Cragg and Helen Murgatroyd return to the club they left, Holsworthy A, while 24 hours earlier, Holsworthy D make the long trip to Chulmleigh A (Monday, September 30).

Holsworthy B are also at home on Tuesday, October 1, against West Buckland who have changed their name back from the Top Spin Tail Spinners.

On the same night, Holsworthy C head to Instow Parish Hall for a date with the Despicables.

A week later they are at home to Littleham, with Holsworthy D welcoming Herons in Division One.

Holsworthy A’s first away trip sees them go to Monkleigh to tackle champions Misfits on October 7.

That same week, Bridgerule’s first ever home game in the North Devon League see them welcome Chulmleigh A on the Friday night.

The inter-club battles between Holsworthy A and D are set for October 29 and February 4 while the B and C teams will square off on October 15 and December 10.

All matches are scheduled to start at 7.30pm.

For all the fixtures and details across the league, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthDevon