THE 2017/18 North Cornwall Table Tennis League gets underway in the first week of October with 22 teams set to battle it out over three divisions.

Division One and Division Two will be three-a-side, with ten matches constituting a league fixture, while the third-tier is two-a-side with just five matches per evening (four singles and a doubles match).

Division One again looks to be very competitive with defending champions Blisland looking to retain their title.

Last year’s runners-up Helland A are unchanged with captain Mike Fisher and Ritchie Bartlett again likely to win around 70% of their matches while their other player, Latvian, Ingus Abolnieks, showed improved form towards the end of last season, and its his form which could decide the destination of the championship.

Their B team, comfortable winners of Division Two, have been boosted by the inclusion of the experienced Chris Baverstock, and will look to consolidate, although a tough season awaits them.

North Hill A, third last year and winners of the 2016/17 Handicap Cup, can never be discounted as they have the league’s top player, Shirley Luckhurst, in their ranks and the wily Martin Hynes.

Budehaven A had a disappointing season last year after being champions for two successive years. Their woes may continue, however, as the much-improved Helen Murgatroyd doesn’t return from the Far East until November although James Raymont and the veteran Denis Hough are likely to play more.

Torridge’s signing of Dave Streak, a former Berkshire Veterans star, could also prove significant although their best player, Peter Freeburn has decided to take a year out.

Last year’s bottom side, Crackington A, have a similar squad to last term and will most likely rely on Frank Barnes for most of their points.

Following Helland B’s promotion, last year’s runners-up Budehaven B (last year Budehaven C) will look to go one step further in a division, which looks extremely hard to call.

Dave Sillifant takes over the captaincy and will be joined by promising youngsters Owen Salisbury and Nathan Jukes. Jukes, who was second in the averages in Division Three last year, will get the chance to test his hard-hitting style in the higher division. Ashley Taylor will play when commitments allow.

Altarnun, who finished third last term, have arguably the league’s best player in Paul Burden while Geoff Hale is also tricky so won’t be too far away.

Launceston, much improved towards the end of last season, should be in the top-half if Karen Horrell matches her form in the final games of last season to go alongside the ultra-consistent Stephen Parsons.

North Hill B and new club Whitstone?Wanderers are likely to be the dark-horses.

North Hill have swapped Jack Flockton for Dave Aplin to go alongside the experienced Michael Kinger and Trevor Luckhurst while Whitstone’s line-up will consist of former Division One player Barry Stearman, Doug Genini and Rob Woodhouse.

Crackington B, who just finished off the bottom last term, have been boosted by the acquisition of the impressive Ross Paynter, and if Robin Evans can turn his undoubted talent into more victories, they could also surprise many.

Budehaven C (last year B), finished bottom last season and again will rely on Anthony Ward for a large proportion of their points. However, his brother Andrew and Chris Mill have only started playing again in the last couple of years and will continue to improve.

Bridgerule A, champions of Division Three, will need Alan Quilter to have a remarkable season if they are to stay up. Quilter won 21 of his 22 league matches last term and will cause plenty of problems along the way with his excellent defensive game.

Division Three, as always, is very difficult to assess in that it is primarily for newcomers to the sport. It all depends who improves the most during the season. Last season’s top three players, Alan Quilter (Bridgerule), Nathan Jukes (Budehaven) and Dave Aplin (North Hill) have all moved up a league meaning anyone could emerge from the pack.

Budehaven have added a further two teams this year while Crackington C should also do well.

A number of teams in all divisions are still looking for an extra player or two.

To view the 2017/18 league fixtures for each division, visit www.tabletennis365.com/NorthCornwall/Fixtures/Winter 2017-18

If anyone is interested in playing, contact match secretary Dave Salisbury on 07879 486077 or by emailing him at [email protected]