Sharks circling in South Devon table tennis

Brixham Sharks, in action twice, picked up a win and a draw to climb up the first division table in the South Devon Table Tennis League.

The points were shared as the Sharks battled back from 2-5 down against NA Eagles whose Mark Burridge was unbeaten in his singles. The Sharks then defeated Halwell A 6-4, despite a fine maximum from Halwell’s Mick Mercer.

In another tight affair at Brixham, the Trawlers avoided defeat for the first time this season as they drew with NA Owls, the Trawlers’ Alan Maynard picking up the man of the match award.

Grove Guerrillas have opened up a five-point gap at the top of the second division following their impressive 7-3 victory over second placed NA Raptors. NA Ravens made it five wins in five as they defeated Brixham Pirates 7-3 helped by an Ollie Malin maximum.

Mark Smith was undefeated as Halwell B shared the points with Dawlish Aces. A Martin Dilkes maximum for the Taverners halted a run of defeats for the Taverners as they shared the points with NA Falcons.

It’s all change at the top of the third division with Torbay Academy 4 moving to the top following their 7-3 victory over NA Kites, Ionel Ichim and Kevin Payne with maximums for the Academy.

Previous leaders Brixham Gulls suffered a setback when they were beaten 3-7 by a Bill Keywood inspired Torre Vikings. A Jackie Whitehorn maximum led the way for NA Kestrels as they stay in the hunt at the top following a 7-3 victory over Dawlish Renegades. Torbay Academy 3 beat NA Harriers 7-3 thanks to maximums from Peter Moretta and Andy Harris.

There are new leaders at the top of the fourth division as NA Ospreys, with an excellent maximum from Mark Dulling, had a 6-4 win over NA Merlins which puts them a point ahead of Torre Spartans in second.

An Aleksandra Treder maximum for her Torbay Academy 6 team was not enough to halt Grove Tigers progress as the Totnes side squeezed home 6-4. The Tigers, with six wins out of six and with games in hand, are in third spot and are in a strong position to attack the top two.

Dawlish Delinquents put in a great performance against NA Vultures winning 9-1, David Sanders and Hayden Boatman with maximums for the Delinquents. A Sacha Edwards maximum helped Brixham Seals to a 6-4 victory over Torbay Academy 7.