TORRIDGE require a maximum of eight points from their final two fixtures to claim their first ever Division One title after another imperious performance last Wednesday night.

They thrashed last year’s champions Helland 9-1 at North Tamerton Village Hall with only captain Mike Fisher registering a point for the visitors after he defeated Steve Cragg in a decider.

Peter Freeburn and David Streak enjoyed perfect evenings for the home side with both only dropping one end apiece.

Budehaven B strengthened their position in second with a 10-0 victory at Whitstone Wanderers. Doug Genini went the distance with the father and son duo of Dave and Owen Salisbury, but couldn’t quite get over the line. Mark Beaumont was also in great form in winning all three.

North Hill A are ten points back in third with a game in-hand after beating bottom side Crackington B 10-0.

While Shirley Luckhurst and Bob Thompson had an easy night’s work, Martin Hynes had to show his battling qualities from 2-0 down to prevent Robin Evans from earning his first win of the season.

The one close match up of the night came at Budehaven School as Crackington A won 6-4 against Budehaven B.

Frank Barnes was the star of the show in winning all three while he also combined with Ross Wilmshurst to take the doubles. Their other points came from Wilmshurst and Judith Cook after they won deciders against Brandon Forsyth. Budehaven’s points came from Ashley Taylor and David Sillifant with two apiece.

After several cancellations in recent weeks, leaders Budehaven D finally squared off with their C team counterparts and prevailed 7-3. Sam Jennings kept up his record of losing just once all year while Tim Orchard and Robin Worden provided solid support with two.

After winning the doubles. Anthony Ward and Gary Bickle grabbed consolation points to keep the scoreline respectable.

Across the hall, Altarnun A kept up their recent revival with a 7-3 victory over Budehaven E. Paul Burden was undefeated all night in both the singles and doubles while Alex Whitfield chipped in with two and Geoff Hale with one.

The home side’s points came from Ian Westaway (2) and Ian Edwards.

North Hill B are now two points ahead in second after a 6-4 win over Launceston.

Stephen Parsons did well for the visitors with two wins in the singles and in the doubles with David Hughes in the doubles, Adrian Davis was too good for all three of the visiting players while Trevor Luckhurst contributed with two.

The other scheduled clash between Crackington C and Bridgerule was postponed.

In Division Three, John Parker made it a perfect 20 wins from 20 in the singles as North Hill C won 4-1 at Budehaven F. He was pushed close by the quickly-improving George Reilly-Hawkins but prevailed in four ends.

Sunday saw Division One sides Budehaven B and Crackington B battle it out in the last 16 of the Team Handicap Knockout after it was postponed due to the snow earlier this month.

With the match at 4-4 with David Sillifant winning all three for Budehaven after starting adrift, Ashley Taylor took on Zach Parker in a best of three race to 21 with Parker starting 7-0 up, despite the Crackington player winning their league meeting in January.

Parker won the first end 21-16 and looked set to ease home. However, Taylor showed admirable courage to claw his way back into contention, winning the second game 21-18.

By now his serve was causing Parker plenty of problems, but just as if it looked like he may catch him with a little to spare, Parker would produce an excellent shot.

However Taylor got to 20-19 but then incredibly produced two unforced errors to give Crackington the win by the tightest of margins.

The quarter-finals take place this week with Crackington going to North Hill C, while there are three Division One versus Division Two clashes as Torridge entertain Budehaven E, Budehaven A welcome Crackington C and Altarnun A make the short trip to their North Hill counterparts