BUDEHAVEN F are the last Division Three team standing in the Handicap Team Knockout after a 5-2 victory over Launceston at the Budehaven Sports Centre on Thursday night.

The Handicap Knockout sees teams from all three divisions put into a draw with players being given individual handicaps based on their league form.

For example, the best players have a handicap of -11 while the lowest-ranked players in Division Three have a handicap of plus 15.

Matches are played in a league format except there is no doubles fixture with each player potentially playing three singles. However, once a team gets to five and has won, captains can agree to stop.

Despite match secretary Dave Salisbury deliberately making it harder for the higher-ranked players this season, five of the six sides already through are from Division One.

However Budehaven F, who are flying high in Division Three, bucked that trend by getting the better of Launceston, who are in mid-table in the league above.

Ezra Jukes won all three for the hosts with Phil Hawken and David Scott also contributing with a victory apiece. Stephen Parsons recorded both of Launceston’s points.

They will face Budehaven B in the last eight after they were pushed to the limit by Division Two side Altarnun A.

Altarnun led 2-0 thanks to wins for Paul Burden and Geoff Hale before victories from David Sillifant and Ewen, who both recorded doubles, drew the Division One side level.

From there, each side traded victories, meaning Ashley Taylor faced Hale, needing to overcome an 11-0 deficit in the race to 21. He just held his nerve to win 21-20, 21-19.

The winners of that tie will face Budehaven A or Division One champions Torridge in the semi-finals.

Budehaven A recorded a comfortable 5-2 success over Division Two champions-elect Crackington B, while Torridge won by the same scoreline at fellow top-flight side Budehaven D. David Streak and David Stone both won twice for Torridge with Owen Salisbury successful in all three for Budehaven A.

Helland will host Division One rivals Crackington A for a semi-final spot.

Helland overcame North Hill B 6-3 with Ingus Abolnieks, Mike Fisher and Ritchie Bartlett winning two apiece, although none of them could beat Adrian Davis, while Crackington edged out Division Three side Budehaven G, 5-4. Ross Paynter was at the treble for Crackington, ably supported by Ross Wilmshurst with two. Alex Worth won twice for Bude.

The ties between North Hill A and Whitstone and Division Two rivals Budehaven E and Crackington were both rearranged for a later date.

There was one league match played in Division Three as Altarnun B beat fellow promotion-chasers Bridgerule B 4-1 at Altarnun Village Hall.

Dave Jones and Malcolm Tulip were both undefeated in the singles before Raymond Bewes and Marcus Dymond defeated William Salt and Mike Tremeer in the doubles.

It was also cup week in the North Devon Table Tennis League with Holsworthy A reaching the last four of the Ramsey Cup. They beat club rivals Holsworthy D 5-3 with Mark Beaumont unbeaten all night for the A side.

In the Ramsey Plate, Division Two side Holsworthy B lost 5-4 at Division One leaders Smugglers.

The destiny of the Division Two title is in the hands of Holsworthy B despite being held to a 5-5 draw at West Buckland in their penultimate league fixture on Thursday.

Doug Genini was the star for the visitors, recording three victories and winning the doubles with Barry Stearman, who also beat Dave Moore.

Ahead of the final round of fixtures, which took place on Tuesday night, Holsworthy were two points clear of Paddlers and four ahead of Littleham.

Holsworthy visited Littleham while Paddlers went to mid-table Despicables.

See next week’s Post to find out if Holsworthy win the league.