Academy back on top of the table after win over Sharks

There were no scheduled fixtures for the week leading up to Christmas in the Albany Florists South Devon and Torbay Table Tennis League, writes Tony Halse.
However, there were a handful of games played as venue difficulties meant matches were brought forward and cup games fitted in.
Torbay Academy 1 have returned to the top of the first division table with a 7-3 victory over Brixham Sharks. Toma Mitranescu was again unbeaten and leads the first division averages. The Academy side have played an extra game than the NA Batmen who trail the Academy by five points with the NA Buzzards a further five points behind.
No second division matches were played so Brixham Trawlers lead the table just two points ahead of Dawlish Aces. The Grove Guerrillas’ Colin Butterworth leads the second division averages having lost just a single set in the first half of the season.
The leaders of the third division, Torre Vikings, had no match but their two closest rivals both played NA Hawks and came up with 7-3 wins. The Taverners, with Martin Dilkes again unbeaten, moved within seven points of the leaders following their victory over the Hawks. Peter Moretta and Andy Harris both had maximums in the Academy 3’s 7-3 win which leaves them in third just two points behind the Taverners.The Taverners’ Martin Dilkes leads the third division averages at the halfway stage.
There were no fourth division matches where Dawlish Doubtfuls head the table just two points ahead of
Torbay Academy 5 who have a game in hand. Dawlish Doubtfuls’ Marc Grim, yet to be beaten, leads the fourth division averages.
In the final First Round match in the Doubles cup competition Dawlish Doubtfuls just defeated Torbay Academy (6).
Stan Grim, Pete Chadwick and Nick Pook, trailing after the sixth set, finished strongly to take the Doubtfuls into round two with an 18-16 victory.
First Division NA Condors became the first team through to the last eight of the singles cup by defeating Fourth Division NA Ospreys despite a very hefty handicap.
Giving away as many as an 8 start in most of the sets, the Condors’ Mark Morley, Mike Kiff and Bob Parkins won through 22-14.
Many thanks to all the readers of this column for taking an interest and hope you have an excellent Christmas and New Year.
If you fancy taking up table tennis in the new year there are plenty of clubs in the area that would welcome your involvement.
You can check them out on the league website https://www. tabletennis365.com/SouthDevon AndTorbay or you can email me - tonyhalse@hotmail.com

RESULTS
Division One
Torbay Academy (1) 7 (T Mitranescu 3, Maharjan 2, A Mitranescu 1, Dbls) Brixham Sharks 3 (R Saxby 2,
Banham 1, Harper 0)
Division Three
Taverners 7 (Dilkes 3, Harrop 2, Read 1, Dbls) NA Hawks 3 (Guy 2, Sercombe 1, Whitehorn 0)
Torbay Academy (3) 7 (Moretta 3, Harris 3, Palin 0, Dbls) NA Hawks 3 (Guy 1, Morgan 1, Doxsey 1)
Team Doubles Handicap Cup – Round One
Dawlish Doubtfuls beat Torbay Academy (6) 18-16
Team Singles Handicap Cup – Round Two
NA Condors beat NA Ospreys 22-14