BLISLAND are now in pole position to win Division One of the North Cornwall Table Tennis League after a 6-4 home victory over Budehaven A.

The visitors, who surprisingly turned up with just two players, did well as Helen Murgatroyd beat both Kevin Tarling and Jim Rickwood.

However, that didn’t stop Robert Thompson ousting both Murgatroyd and Dave Salisbury while Rickwood gained revenge on Salisbury for his semi-final defeat in the David Viggers Tournament.

Near neighbours Helland A remain second following an 8-2 victory at Crackington A.

Ritchie Bartlett won all three games, including beating the dangerous Frank Barnes in four sets, while Barnes just managed to get the better of Ingus Abolnieks and Mike Fisher in the home team’s only successes. Helland sit two points behind but only have one match remaining.

The other game of the week saw North Hill A just about remain in title contention after beating Torridge 6-4. Shirley Luckhurst was victorious in all three of her outings while Martin Hynes chipped in with two wins himself.

Pete Freeburn (2/3) was the visitors star player home side just scraped home. North Hill sit seven points adrift of Blisland and are still to play each other.

In Division Two, Crackington B require four points from their final fixture at Launceston to avoid finishing last.

Keiron Chatterjea’s men earned a 5-5 draw at home to North Hill D, which confirmed the visitors safety.

Chatterjea won all three games while opposing skipper Michael Kinger and Trevor Luckhurst earned two points apiece.

The comeback of the night went to Jack Flockton who came from two-sets down to beat James Ellis.

Budehaven B are now just three points ahead of Crackington, as they lost 8-2 at home to Budehaven C in their last game of the season.

Owen Salisbury and David Sillifant both enjoyed perfect evenings as well as the winning the doubles together. The Ward brothers, Anthony and Andrew, earned the B team’s points.

Launceston are now guaranteed to not finish bottom after a 6-4 victory at third-placed Altarnun.

Paul Burden won three from three for the home side, but apart from the doubles, they failed to pick up another point as Karen Horrell, Lois Atkin and Stephen Parsons all picked up two victories apiece.

In Division Three, previous league leaders Bridgerule A lost 4-1 at home to Budehaven D.

Alan Quilter finally lost his 100% winning record  as Nathan Jukes, who has only lost twice himself, beat him in four sets.

Steve Dawber also played well in beating Jimmy Rickett.

North Hill kept up their end of the bargain with a routine 5-0 victory over Bridgerule C leaving them needing just one point to claim the championship.

The evening’s other match saw North Hill D beat Bridgerule B 5-0.