North Cornwall Table Tennis League round-up (Week nine)

BUDEHAVEN A won the club bragging rights last Thursday night as they beat Budehaven B 8-2 in Division One of the North Cornwall Table Tennis League.

With Keith Bradshaw making a rare appearance, captain Dave Salisbury decided to take the night off and it worked well as Bradshaw won all three matches without dropping an end.

He was well supported by David Ewen and Owen Salisbury who were victorious on two occasions although both men were defeated in straight games by Ashley Taylor, who is enjoying an excellent first season in the top tier.

Leaders Torridge were able to name their strongest side for the short trip to Whitstone Wanderers and came away with an emphatic 10-0 victory.

Peter Freeburn and David Streak managed to win all three of their singles encounters 3-0 while Steve Cragg, although taken to a decider by Barry Steaman, also enjoyed a great night’s work.

The match between second-placed North Hill A and last year’s champions Helland was postponed meaning Torridge’s lead is 21 points although North Hill have two games in-hand.

The other match in the division saw Crackington A thrash their B team 10-0.

Although Zach Parker and Robin Evans went close in deciders, Frank Barnes, Judith Cook and Ross Wilmshurst were too strong.

With Division Two leaders Budehaven D not in action due to their meeting with Budehaven E being rearranged, the other title contenders North Hill B and Budehaven C both kept up the pressure with resounding victories.

Budehaven C won 7-3 at Launceston on Wednesday evening while North Hill B beat Crackington C by the same scoreline 24 hours later, meaning all three sides are separated by two points with the Budehaven clubs both on 54. The D team do have a game in-hand but have yet to face the C team this season.

At Launceston, Anthony Ward made it 21 wins from 24 starts by winning all three while he received good support from Andrew Ward who beat both Lois Atkin and Karen Horrell.

Atkin pulled off a rare victory by beating Chris Mill with Stephen Parsons grabbing the home side’s other points.

North Hill were without Adrian Davis and Trevor Luckhurst for the visit of Crackington but still won 7-3.

Although David Aplin lost all three on a rare appearance to James Ellis, Trevor Dean and Simon Patterson, Michael Kinger and David Wilson were successful in each of their singles contests and in the doubles together.

Altarnun A made it a hat-trick of 7-3 scorelines as they won at Bridgerule A.

Paul Burden was in serene form to claim yet another treble while team-mate Alex Whitfield provided two points. Geoff Hale beat Mick Menzies and won the doubles with Burden.

For Bridgerule, Alan Quilter eased to victories over Whitfield and Hale while Jay Brewer won a decider against Hale.

In Division Three, North Hill C remain 11 points clear at the top after a 3-2 victory at Bridgerule B while second-placed Altarnun B won by the same scoreline at Budehaven G.

John Parker (North Hill) and Dave Jones (Altarnun) were both unbeaten in the singles and doubles.

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