THERE are new leaders in both divisions of the Okehampton and district table tennis league. Tavistock A lost top spot in division one to The Young Ones and North Wyke replaced Moretonhampstead as leaders of division two.
In division one The Young Ones unbeaten run continued as they breezed past bottom place Anchorage B to secure a 10-0 win and gained an additional bonus point which was enough to move them to the top spot. The Young Ones scorers were George Haskell (3), Edward Haskell (3). Andy Moppett (3). Anchorage B scores were John Watson (0), Jenny Gilbert (0), Colin Jones (0). The Young Ones also won the doubles.
Despite beating The J Team 6-4, Tavistock A slipped into second place — one point behind The Young Ones. Tavistock A's Roger Bowkett did well to beat Nick Jackson in five sets 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 9-11. Naomi Jackson took all three singles to maintain her unbeaten record and Nick Jackson beat Tavistock A's Peter Hicks leaving Tavistock 5-4 up with the doubles to play. Nick and Naomi (so far unbeaten in doubles this season) took on Fred Phillips and Roger Bowkett to try and get the draw. However, Fred and Roger came through in four sets 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11 to give Tavistock A the 6-4 win. The J Team scores were Naomi Jackson (3), Nick Jackson (1), Frank Cockburn (0). Tavistock A scores were Fred Phillips (2), Roger Bowkett (2), Peter Hicks (1).
In the other division one game, third place Bridestowe were away at Academy A and secured a 9-1 win. Academy A player Tom Pearce saved the whitewash by beating Bridestowe's Phil Down 11-7, 11-9, 12-10. Ben Hill took Phil all the way just losing in the fifth. Mark Tancock and Phil teamed up to take the doubles against Tom Pengelly and Tom Pearce in four sets. Academy A scores were Tom Pengelly (0). Tom Pearce (1), Ben Hill (0). Bridestowe scores were Francis Griffiths (3), Mark Tancock (3), Phil Down (2).
In division two, North Wyke went to the top of the table following their 5-5 draw away at Milton Abbot. Milton Abbot's Theo Cousins secured a fine maximum but had to work hard to beat North Wyke's Steve Granger in five sets 11-2, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5. Steve went on to win both his other games against Michael Blatchford and Ian Osborne (both in five sets) and North Wyke's Dave Scholefield had to work hard to beat Michael Blatchford in the fifth.
With North Wyke 4-5 up Milton Abbot's Theo and Ian took on Paulo Dumont and Steve Granger in the doubles and earned a draw on the night winning a close and hard fought game 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 17-15. The draw now gives North Wyke a five point lead at the top of division two. Milton Abbot scores were Michael Blatchford (0), Theo Cousins (3), Ian Osborne (1). North Wyke scores were Paulo Dumont (2), Steve Granger (2), Dave Scholefield (1).