Final places confirmed in the South Devon League

The curtain has closed on the most exciting Torbay Clearance Services South Devon Football League season in years.

With the playing of the final league games of the season, the last of the promotion and relegation spots can be confirmed.

Premier Division: Ilsington Villa are champions for the first time in their history by a margin of 16 points, having only lost one league game all season. Morley Rangers take the runners-up spot, having only been in the SDFL for two seasons, the Plymstock-based team pipped Buckfastleigh Rangers on a goal difference of 12. Three of last seasons promoted Division One teams finished in the top five.

At the bottom, Brixham AFC and Watts Blake Bearne are relegated to Division One and both will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

Division One: Newton Abbot Spurs are champions after rejoining the league following a short stay in the football pyramid at step 7, they finished three points ahead of Paignton Saints, who also had the same journey and will join them in the top division, between the two teams they scored 231 goals in 22 games.

Both of these teams were pushed all the way by Totnes and Dartington and Ivybridge Town and only took over the top two placings in the final nine days of the season.

At the bottom, Buckfastleigh Rangers 2nds and Babbacombe Corinthians will be glad to see the back of a tough season in Division One, both will do a lot better in Division Two and taking that one step back will allow them to regroup and enjoy winning games again.

Division Two was settled some weeks ago by Bovey Tracey, who have continued to progress through the leagues. What looked like being the perfect season came to a stop when they lost the last game of the season.

Bovey won the division four points ahead of Newton Abbot Spurs 3rds, who themselves only lost twice and both of these teams will contribute to what will be a tough Division One.

At the bottom, the reserve teams at Waldon Athletic and Brixham Town will have a better season in Division Three. Waldon were just one point from safety and fair play to Brixham Town, who volunteered last season to fill a vacancy at short notice but completed the season with just one win.

Division Three was not confirmed until Tuesday evening, when Watcombe Wanderers 2nds were presented with the champions trophy following a 2-2 draw against a Waldon Athletic 3rd team that were trying to spoil the party.

Watcombe finish ahead of Liverton Utd, who pipped Ashburton on a goal difference of nine to gain a second promotion in a row.

At the bottom, Kingsbridge and Kellaton Utd and Teign Village will be relegated to Division Four, where they wanted to play last season but as there were 10 new teams, it was not possible. There is also a question in this division around Waldon Athletic 3rds, who finished fourth from bottom but cannot play in the same division as their second team, they may be required to step down a division, another case of one step back to take two forward.

Talk about going to the wire, Division Four went to the second last game of the season. Elburton Villa crushed local rivals Drake FC by eight goals to nil on Tuesday and were due to play Watcombe Wanderers 3rds on Wednesday but a trip to Plymouth on a school night proved a journey too far for the Greens, who conceded the game, effectively handing Villa the Division Four title ahead of Liverton Utd 2nds.

The two promoted teams have finished 10 points clear of Kingsteignton Athletic 2nds in third place and Drake, who led the division for most of the season, finish fourth in their first season in adult football.