NORTH HILL A and Crackington A were both dumped out of the North Cornwall Table Tennis League’s Handicap Cup last week.

The Handicap Cup sees teams from all three divisions square off with an individual handicap given to each player based on their performances so far in the league this season, meaning that in theory, a player in Division Three can beat the best in the top league.

Instead of each match being best played in a best of five first to eleven system as usual, it is played as a best of three with the first to 21. However, if it goes to 20-20, instead of having to win by two clear points like in the league, whoever reaches 21 first wins.

The first-round saw four ties with the rest of the teams joining in the next round, which is to be played on the week commencing January 8.

North Hill A have enjoyed a solid start to the season in the top tier but lost 7-2 at home to their C team who are struggling in the basement division.

Such were the differences in handicaps, all of A team’s players had to start at least 15-0 down.

However the C team didn’t have too many troubles in cruising to victory.

John Parker won all three of his games despite having the most to do with Jill Diggory and Helen Aplin also winning two.

Adrian Davis and Martin Hynes grabbed the A team points, who’ll now move onto trying to catch league leaders Helland A.

The C team are away to another Division One side, Budehaven A in the next round.

The comeback of the round came at Crackington on Monday, December 18 as Crackington C came from 4-1 down to beat their A team. The A team were missing their best player Frank Barnes, however with his handicap being higher it may not have made much difference.

The C team started either 11-0 or 9-0 down in all games and it made for a riveting contest.

However, in the end, Simon Patterson’s 21-17, 21-17 victory over Judith Cook ensured they completed a phenomenal turnaround.

Earlier in the evening, two wins for Ross Wilmhurst and a win apiece for Zach Parker and Cook made it 4-1 before the C team fought back to win, which remarkably included two 21-20 victories in the final game.

James Ellis won all three for the C team with Patterson and Trevor Dean earning a victory apiece.

Their reward is a showdown with Division Two side Launceston.

Budehaven D knocked Budehaven C out, winning 5-4. With both teams unable to get three players, it was agreed to play two-aside with a doubles match to decide it if necessary.

In the end, The D team of Cayden Gill and Ezra Jukes won the doubles in straight games to set up a clash with Bridgerule A.

The other first-round tie between Helland A and Helland C was postponed. A new date yet to be arranged.

There was also one scheduled league match in Division between Crackington B and Altarnun. However, this was also postponed as the league now takes a break until the first week of January when the Knockout Cup ties take place.

With the league now taking a break for Christmas, the top five averages for each division are as follows (minimum of four league matches played).

To find out the latest scores, fixtures, results, player averages and more, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthCornwall