THE?North Cornwall Cornwall Table Tennis League got back underway last week after the Christmas break with the first-round of the Knockout Cup.

Each of the three division have their own competition, with all matches in divisions?one and two played as three a-side under doubles rules with the first to five being declared the winner. However, if both teams are in agreement, the rest of the scheduled matches can be completed for fun.

Division Three is played under normal league rules as it’s two a-side.

In Division One there were two first-round ties as Crackington A, Helland A, Torridge and Helland B fought for the right to join?Budehaven A and North Hill A, who had byes, in the last four.

However, Torridge conceded their tie with Helland B meaning the only match to go ahead was the clash between Crackington A and Helland A.

However, it went to the formbook as Division One leaders Helland won 6-0 before both captains agreed to curtail proceedings.

There are eight teams in the second-tier meaning all sides have to play the same amount of matches to win it.

Defending champions, Budehaven B, who last year were known as Budehaven C, proved far too strong for Bridgerule A as they won 8-1 although the home side missed a number of openings to make the match closer.

Despite being at the bottom of the league standings, the trio of Alan Quilter, Jay Brewer and Ray Bewes caused problems, as they won games in a number of the matches.

Budehaven will face Crackington?B in the last four after they thrashed Altarnun 7-0 in a match played at Budehaven Sports Hall.

The absence of the injured Paul Burden proved too much for Altarnun as Keiron Chatterjea, Robin Evans and Ross Paynter all linked up to great effect, although a number of matches could have gone either way.

North Hill B set up a clash with Whitstone Wanderers in the semi-finals with a 6-3 home victory over Launceston.

The visitors could only muster two players, meaning the tie was played under league rules but without the doubles.

Starting at 3-0 down was always going to be an uphill ask and so it proved. Although Steve Parsons won all three of his outings against Michael Kinger, Trevor Luckhurst and Dave Aplin, the trio got the better of Lois Atkin to secure their place in the last four.

Whitstone didn’t even have to play a shot in anger as Budehaven C were unable to raise a side.

The Division Three Knockout Cup is played under normal league rules with four singles matches and a doubles.

League leaders Budehaven E beat Crackington C for the second time in a number of weeks as they won 3-0. Tim Orchard was victorious in both of his encounters including a five-set win over Simon Patterson.

Bridgerule B forfeited their tie at Budehaven D while North Hill C against Helland C is being played tonight.

This evening sees the second-round of the Handicap Cup with a number of interesting fixtures scheduled with teams from different divisions lining up against each other.

Budehaven?A’s clash with North Hill C is being played next week while Budehaven B have been awarded their tie with Bridgerule B after the visitors failed to raise a side.