The two top teams tussle for dominance in a thrilling South Devon battle

This week’s matches in the Torbay and South Devon Table Tennis League sponsored by Albany Florists included the clash of the two best teams in the top flight.

Early pacesetters Brixham Sharks travelled to current champions NA Buzzards and an epic encounter ensued.

At 3-3, the match could have gone either way, the Buzzards then stepped up a gear, winning all the remaining games to take a 7-3 victory. Some superb table tennis was seen, as both Kevin Nicholls and Simon James recovered from two games down to win thrillers 11-9 in the fifth. Herbie Sage also claimed one of his victories 11-9 in the fifth.

Division One new boys Grove Guerrillas bounced back from their defeat last week with a fine 6-4 win over the experienced Halwell team, Colin Butterworth secured a maximum for the Guerrillas.

NA Owls, Jim McIvor, Mark Morley and Pawel Juraszczyk, got their season off to a flying start with a whitewash victory over NA Eagles.

Brixham Trawlers continued their fine start in the second division with a 7-3 victory over NA Raptors, the Shipley twins, Stuart and Nicholas, in fine form were unbeaten for the Trawlers.

A Mike Dummett maximum for NA Falcons wasn’t enough for a Falcons’ win as they shared the points with Teignmouth Aces. In another drawn match, Alex Fialho was unbeaten for Torbay Academy 3 as they drew 5-5 with Torre Vikings.

It looks like it’s going to be very competitive in the third division as all four matches were close affairs. NA Harriers currently lead the pack thanks to another Albie Andrews maximum in their 6-4 victory at Torre Spartans.

Early leaders Brixham Gulls suffered a setback in their challenge as they lost out 6-4 to NA Kites, James Kitchen in fine form for the Kites. The Taverners started their campaign with a 6-4 victory over Torbay Academy 4. To round off a quartet of 6-4 results, Torbay Academy 5 defeated NA Kestrels with Gustaw Adamczak man of the match for the Academy side.

The early leaders in Division Four, Grove Tigers, were held to a draw at Teign School by NA Merlins, whose Doug Morgan was unbeaten. The Teignmouth Delinquents team of David Sanders, Hayden Boatman and Andy Clitheroe, got the Delinquents campaign off to a terrific start with a whitewash victory over Brixham Seals.

A Phil Jewell maximum helped his Torbay Academy 6 team to a 7-3 victory over NA Vultures. NA Ospreys, with Rob Ferguson and Ken Ramsden unbeaten, defeated Torbay Academy 7, 8-2.