HELLAND A increased their lead in Division One of the North Cornwall
Table Tennis League with an impressive 7-3 victory at second-placed
Budehaven A last Thursday night.
The Bodmin-based club went into the game with a four-point cushion
from their hosts, and had doubled it by the end of the night as
Ritchie Bartlett won all three of his encounters; dropping just two
games in the process.
Mike Fisher and Ingus Abolnieks were also in fine form in beating
Helen Murgatroyd and Denis Hough, although home skipper Dave Salisbury
did grab two of their points in the singles, including grinding out a
five-game victory over Fisher.
Salisbury and Murgatroyd also won the doubles in straight games,
however it was Helland who made the long trip home the happier.
The other match in Division One saw North Hill A pick up their first
win of the season by beating Crackington A, 8-2.
North Hill had their strongest trio of Shirley Luckhurst, Bob Thompson
and Martin Hynes available for the first this season and it showed, as
they cruised to victory despite the best efforts of Frank Barnes who
beat Luckhurst and Hynes.
In Division Two, Budehaven B and Whitstone Wanderers warmed up for
their vital clash this evening with comfortable victories.
Budehaven B beat their C team 9-1 with Ashley Taylor and Nathan Jukes
enjoying 100% evenings while Jukes managed to go through the night
without even losing a game.
The chance for a third 10-0 win of the season was thwarted in the
final game as Anthony Ward beat David Sillifant in straight games.
Whitstone who have also yet to lose, comfortably beat Altarnun at
Whistone Village Hall.
Barry Stearman made it 15 wins from 15 matches so far while Doug
Genini and Rob Woodhouse grabbed two victories apiece.
Visiting skipper, Paul Burden picked up both of Altarnun’s points in
matches that went the distance.
Whitstone, who have a game in-hand on Budehaven B, are 17 points
behind and know that they can’t afford to lose if they are to catch
them in the race for the title.
Launceston shared the spoils for the second time this year as they
drew 5-5 at North Hill B.
The gritty Stephen Parsons won all three of his outings for the
visitors, including getting the better of his opposite number Michael
Kinger in a five-game battle in the final match of the night.
Parsons also won the doubles with Karen Horrell, who also earned their
final point.
For North Hill, David Aplin and Trevor Luckhurst both enjoyed a brace
of successes, in what proved to be long, drawn-out affairs.
Crackington B remain in fourth after an 8-2 win at Bridgerule A on Friday night.
Despite missing captain, Keiron Chatterjea, who was playing for
Blisland in the Mid-Cornwall Table Tennis League in St Austell,
Crackington proved too strong despite the best efforts of Alan Quilter
who continues to battle away.
Quilter beat Robin Evans and James Ellis but lost in four games to Ross
Paynter, who was unbeaten all night.
Nick Brewer made his Division Two debut instead of Ray Bewes and won a
couple of games.
In Division Three, the bottom two lost heavily.
North Hill C lost 4-1 at home to Budehaven D, who were boosted by the
inclusion of Tim Orchard, who has been the best player in the division
so far in playing for the E team. He and skipper John Gillin won both
of their singles encounters but lost in the doubles to Helen Aplin and
John Parker — the latter of whom only played in the doubles.
Helland C bounced back from their 5-0 defeat at Budehaven E a week
previously by thrashing Budehaven F by the same scoreline.
Rob Summerfield and Tracey Oke were in excellent form, although Oke
had to come from 2-0 down to beat the improving Ezra Jukes.