Torbay Academy extend table tennis lead

Torbay Academy 1 stretched their lead at the top of the South Devon and Torbay Table Tennis League first division to 14 points following their 9-1 victory over NA Condors, however with matches in hand both NA Buzzards and NA Batmen are still in the hunt.

The Academy’s latest win saw unbeaten Toma Mitranescu secure his 8th maximum of the season and Aarish Mahajan with his 6th maximum.

NA Batmen kept the pressure on the top two with an 8-2 win over Brixham Sharks, Rory Harries and Shaun Gibbs in excellent form for the Newton Abbot side. Two other Newton Abbot sides battling it out in mid-table, NA Eagles and Parrots, fought out a 5-5 draw, Mark Burridge with a fine maximum for the Eagles.

The top two in the second division both avoided defeat but are feeling the pressure as they dropped vital points. Leaders Brixham Trawlers had Joseph Edwards to thank with an excellent maximum, as they squeezed past NA Falcons 6-4, while second placed Dawlish Aces were held to a 5-5 draw by NA Raptors, David Davies with a maximum for the Aces.

 Don’t rule out Halwell B who have hit a fine run of form and sneaked up to third. Their latest win was a 9-1 victory over NA Kestrels, Mark Smith and Mick Mercer were unbeaten for the Halwell outfit. Colin Butterworth was back and picking up another maximum as he helped Grove Guerrillas to a 7-3 victory over Torbay Academy 2.

Division Three leaders Torre Vikings opened up a nine-point lead at the top, a Chris Garner scoring a maximum in the 7-3 victory over NA Hawks. In Division Four, a Ken Ramsden maximum helped NA Ospreys to a 6-4 victory over Torbay Academy 6. Both Lewis Lavery and Robert Excell were unbeaten as Torre Gladiators defeated NA Vultures 7-3.