NEWTON Abbot Buzzards, the champions of Division One in the South Devon & Torbay Tennis League, completed their fixtures with two comfortable 9-1 victories taking them 26 points ahead of Brixham Sharks in the runners-up spot, reports Tony Halse.
There were maximums from the leading two players in the averages, Herbie Sage and Kevin Nicholls in both matches. Brixham Sharks, with Joseph Edwards and Aarish Maharjan unbeaten, were also 9-1 winners over NA Owls.
NA Condors, in their second match of the week, bounced back from their heavy defeat by the champions to whitewash Brixham Trawlers. It wasn’t as easy as the 10-0 scoreline suggests as Curtis Sage, Terry and Bob Parkins all had to fight for their maximums.
Pictured are the NA Batmen duo of Naomi Jackson & Fin Humphreys against NA Buzzards’ Herbie Sage & Sonja Ryland.
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Grove Guerrillas, 18 points clear at the top of the second division, only require a couple of points in their final fixture to clinch the title. The Guerrillas’ latest victory was an 8-2 win over Brixham Pirates- Colin Butterworth (top of the averages) and Andrew Gilhespy with maximums for the Totnes outfit.
NA Ravens, in second with two games to play, remain unbeaten but the chance of the title is slipping away.
Torre Vikings, Division Three champions, only fielded two players for their match against NA Harriers but that was enough to take a 6-4 victory thanks to a Steve Russell maximum for the Vikings.
Peter Chadwick was unbeaten in both matches as Dawlish Renegades played twice to catch up with their fixtures. The Renegades were 7-3 victors against Brixham Gulls but lost out 4-6 to Torbay Academy 3.
Another James Kitchen maximum helped NA Kites to a share of the points at Brixham against the Gulls who also had a busy week. The NA Kestrels team of Rob Williams, Jackie Whitehorn and Fred Wakefield were 10-0 victors over Torbay Academy 5.
Elliott Glasser secured a maximum as Division Four champions Torre Spartans completed their campaign with a 7-3 victory over Torbay Academy 7. Ben Jeffs was unbeaten as Torbay Academy 6 defeated NA Vultures 8-2. Brixham Seals defeated Dawlish Delinquents 7-3 helped by a Sacha Edwards maximum.
Talking of the Spartans’ title win and they secured this the week prior without even playing! Grove Tigers played twice and won twice but this still wasn’t enough to secure the Spartans who now can’t be caught at the summit.
Three Newton Abbot teams progressed in the cup competitions, which are reaching the final stages.
In the team singles handicap event NA Kites, Nick and James Kitchen with Fin Humphreys reached the final with a convincing 28-8 win over clubmates NA Owls. They will meet either Torre Spartans or NA Falcons in the final. The Falcons, Louis Wilshire, Andy Guy and Keith Haslam, just beat NA Condors 19-17 in a nail-biter.
Similar teams are doing well in the doubles event too. NA Kites and NA Owls have to battle it out again in one doubles semi-final following the Owls, Jim McIvor, Ed Thompson and Ben Hoare, narrowly defeating Torbay Academy 4, 20-16. While the other semi-final features Torre Spartans, who will play the Taverners.