North Cornwall Table Tennis League 2019/20 weekly round-up

LEADERS Torridge and second-placed North Hill A continue to set a superb pace in the race for the Division One title after both sides recorded whitewash victories on Thursday night.

Champions Torridge had a potentially tricky test at in-form Budehaven B, but despite the odd moment of panic, showed their class to get through unscathed.

David Streak dropped an end each to Ashley Taylor and David Ewen while Peter Freeburn fought superbly to beat David Ewen and then David Sillifant from 2-1 down. However the man of the match was Steve Cragg who won all three matches without dropping an end.

North Hill A continue to stay in the frame after a 10-0 success at home to Budehaven D.

The trio of Iain Oxenham, Shirley Luckhurst and Martin Hynes dropped just two ends between them.

Budehaven A moved back up to third in the standings with a 7-3 success over Whitstone Wanderers at Budehaven Sports Centre. For the hosts, stand-in Ian Edwards without managing a win, while the rest of the matches saw Salisbury and son Owen have it pretty much all their own way, although Barry Stearman, Nathan Jukes and Doug Genini all had chances. Genini took Owen Salisbury to the distance, eventually losing 12-10 in the fifth.

Crackington A beat Budehaven C 6-4 at Crackington Institute with Frank Barnes at the treble for the hosts. All six players on show won a match.

Crackington B secured an instant return to Division One by sealing the title with a 7-3 success at Altarnun A.

With the majority of matches going to at least four ends, Altarnun stuck in there well with Alex Whitfield and Paul Burden beating Judith Cook and Keiron Chatterjea to make it 2-2.

However from there it went the way of the visitors who held their nerve, with only Burden’s victory over Cook, stopping them from an even bigger victory.

Crackington’s man-of-the-match was Zach Parker, who defied Burden’s comeback in his opener, before going on to secure a treble.

North Hill B look set to secure the runners-up spot after securing two victories last week.

On Tuesday they beat Launceston 6-4 at the Gateway Centre thanks to Adrian Davis’ treble coupled with victories in the double and single wins for Michael Kinger and Trevor Luckhurst. Launceston replied through Stephen Parsons’ double and wins for David Hughes and Steven Logg.

North Hill hosted Crackington C on Thursday and ran out 8-2 victors. Adrian Davis made it six wins from six for the week while Trevor Luckhurst secured a treble of his own. They combined to take the doubles point against James Ellis and Simon Patterson after being 2-1 down. Michael Kinger got the other home point, although he was defeated by Ellis and Patterson.

In Division Three, Budehaven H gave title favourites Altarnun B a massive helping hand by winning 3-2 against leaders Budehaven F.

Alex Worth beat both Ezra Jukes and Phil Hawken, as well as taking the doubles point alongside Finlay McKinnon.

At the same time, Altarnun B whitewashed Budehaven G, 5-0. Malcolm Tulip and Dave Jones played the singles for Altarnun with William Salt joining Jones in the doubles.

To view all the latest league news, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthCornwall

Thursday night (February 20) sees the quarter-finals of the Handicap Team Knockout with six of the eight sides remaining coming from Division One.

Budehaven A host Torridge while Crackington A make the trip to Helland. Elsewhere, Division Three Budehaven F face Budehaven B, and will enjoy some very nice headstarts.

The other tie sees North Hill A host Budehaven E, who are third in Division Two.