TORRIDGE came out on top in the battle of the top two in Division One on Thursday night as they won 8-2 at North Hill A to extend their lead to seven points.

David Streak kept up his 100% winning start to the season by winning all three with Steve Cragg and skipper David Stone each contributing two. Stone got the better of both Shirley Luckhurst and Martin Hynes in deciding ends.

The home points came through Luckhurst and Bob Thompson as they beat Cragg and Stone respectively.

Champions Helland got back on track with an 8-2 victory over Budehaven B at Helland Village Hall.

The home side went 1-0 down thanks to Ashley Taylor’s victory over Ingus Abolnieks before Helland reeled off seven straight games.

Taylor fought back from two ends down to defeat Mike Fisher before Abolnieks finished proceedings by beating David Sillifant to make it 8-2.

Ritchie Bartlett won all nine ends he played, although he was tested in a number of them.

With Crackington B versus Whitstone Wanderers rescheduled for later in the season, the only other game saw Budehaven A make the short trip to Crackington A and come away with a 7-3 success.

Frank Barnes won all of the home side’s points although he was taken to five ends against both David Ewen and Dave Salisbury.

Owen Salisbury picked up his first wins of the season although he was pushed all the way by Ross Wilmshurst.

In Division Two, Budehaven D made it four wins from four with an 8-2 victory over Crackington C.

Sam Jennings was again too good for his opponents in claiming all three while Robin Worden and Tim Orchard provided solid support in winning two. Jennings and Orchard also combined to win the doubles.

Crackington’s points were shared by James Ellis and Simon Patterson.

Budehaven C are their nearest challengers although they were held to a 5-5 draw against North Hill B, which means they are six points behind.

North Hill’s Adrian Davis was the player-of-the-match after being undefeated all night in both the singles and doubles with Michael Kinger. Kinger won their other point defeating Gary Bickle, who picked up his solitary victory by beating Trevor Luckhurst.

Budehaven’s other points came from Anthony Ward and Chris Mill with a brace apiece.

On a good night for the Budehaven teams, Budehaven E picked up their first victory of the season with a 6-4 victory over an understrength Bridgerule A side, who were missing Alan Quilter and Mick Menzies.

Ian Westaway kept up his good form to claim a treble while Ezra Jukes earned his first ever points in the second division. Ian Edwards also beat Audrey Bewes with the visitors’ response coming from Jay Brewer (2) and Allan Richardson, who also triumphed together in the doubles.

Launceston fell to their third 6-4 defeat of the season as they lost at home to Altarnun A.

Visiting skipper Paul Burden won all nine ends on the night while Alex Whitfield contributed two points, including winning a decider against Stephen Parsons. Malcolm Tulip marked his first appearance in Division Two by beating Lois Atkin.

Karen Horell was the home team’s best player as she defeated Whitfield and Tulip as well as combining with Parsons to win the doubles.

In Division Three, there was just one match as North Hill C beat Bridgerule B 4-1.

John Parker and Jill Diggory both beat Raymond Dymond and Ray Bewes although the visitors did claim the doubles.