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

HOLSWORTHY B missed out on the North Devon Table Tennis League Division Two title by just a point after suffering a 6-4 defeat at Littleham in their final match of the season last Tuesday night (February 4).

Holsworthy went into the fixture two points clear of Paddlers and five ahead of Littleham, who still had an outside chance of claiming their first-ever second-tier crown if they could record an emphatic victory and Paddlers were beaten by Despicables at Instow.

Littleham started the better, going 4-1 up before Doug Genini recorded a second victory to keep them in contention at 4-2.

Jill Knightley and Barry Stearman defeated Michael Bellew and Alan Pomeroy to level it up.

However, David Stone beat Genini in the final singles to record a superb treble, which was followed by Littleham claiming the doubles.

That result meant if Paddlers could take seven points they would claim the title, and that is exactly what they did, winning 7-3.

Holsworthy C’s clash at Chulmleigh Chiefs on Monday night was postponed, meaning they still have two fixtures remaining.

In Division One, Bridgerule are nine points behind leaders Smugglers with a game in-hand after a superb 9-1 success at Spin Doctors.

Visiting captain David Streak took it upon himself to play Michael Sussex first and beat him in straight ends before Peter Freeburn edged out David Ewen 12-10 in the fifth to make it 2-0.

Steve Cragg eased past Dave Morgan for a 3-0 lead before Bridegrule won the next six to take it to 9-0.

An unlikely whitewash looked on the cards when Freeburn pulled two clear of Sussex, but the Spin Doctors player battled back superbly to take it 16-14 in the fifth.

Bottom side Holsworthy D moved level on points with Chulmleigh A after holding Holsworthy A to a 5-5 draw at Sutcombe Village Hall.

The A team were without Owen Salisbury, and with Sam Jennings also unavailable, skipper Dave Salisbury drafted in veteran Bob Montague, who although displayed some of his trademark attacking shots, was defeated by Nathan Jukes, David Sillifant and Ian Rice.

Sillifant picked up his third treble of the season as he surprised Mark Beaumont before beating Salisbury in his last match.

However, Beaumont and Salisbury both defeated Jukes and Rice before combining to take the doubles and a share of the spoils.

To view all the latest results, fixtures, player averages and more, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthDevon