Battle for second in South Devon table tennis

It looks like the battle in the first division will be for the runners-up position as the leaders, NA Buzzards, have opened up a 21-point lead at the top following their whitewash victory over Brixham Trawlers.

Sonja Ryland, Kevin Nicholls and Simon James were in control throughout just dropping a couple of games in their 10-0 victory.

Brixham Sharks got the better of NA Batmen in the battle for second place, despite an excellent maximum from the Batmen’s Rory Harries. The Sharks victory takes them above the Batmen but they still trail NA Eagles in the runners-up spot by five points.

Both Mick Mercer and Dave Wadling were unbeaten, as Halwell A defeated Brixham Trawlers 8-2. Halwell’s second game of the week didn’t go so well, as they were beaten 6-4 by NA Condors, a Terry Parkins maximum for the Condors the difference.

With the top two not in action in the second division this week, third placed NA Raptors missed an opportunity to put pressure on the leaders, going down 7-3 to the David Davies inspired Dawlish Aces.

Mark Smith was undefeated for Halwell B as they defeated Brixham Pirates 8-2. Two excellent wins from Torbay Academy 4 this week have got them to within five points of the leaders Torre Vikings, but the matches are running out and the Vikings have games in hand.

Torbay Academy 4 got the better of NA Harriers 9-1 and NA Kestrels 6-4, Ionel Ichim was unbeaten in both matches, Matt Laws just dropping one singles against the Kestrels.

Torre Vikings, Steve Russell, Chris Garner and Bill Keywood, had a comfortable 10-0 victory over Torbay Academy 5. A Kevin Ayling maximum for Brixham Gulls was not enough to avoid defeat as the Gulls lost out 6-4 to Torbay Academy 3.

Torre Spartans’ lead at the top of the fourth division has stretched to 16 points following their 7-3 victory over Torbay Academy 6, Dylan Sadler with a maximum for the leaders. A Ken Ramsden maximum helped NA Ospreys up to second in the table with a 7-3 victory over Dawlish Delinquents.

Still looking good for the runners-up spot, with games in hand, the Grove Tigers defeated Brixham Seals 7-3 with the help of a Jeff Cornish maximum. Picking up just their second win of the season, basement team NA Vultures secured an 8-2 victory at Torbay Academy 7, Albie Andrews was undefeated for the Vultures.

In an all-Newton Abbot Handicap Doubles Quarter Final, the NA Kites team of Fin Humphreys, Nick and James Kitchen defeated NA Ospreys 24-12.