North Devon Table Tennis League latest round-up

HOLSWORTHY X produced a fine performance to see off club rivals Holsworthy A in Division One on Tuesday night (December 10).

The X side were put together last minute over the autumn due to a lack of teams across the division, but the trio of Nathan Jukes, Pete Freeburn and David Streak have rallied superbly to claim a 6-4 success and move into mid-table in the six-team league.

Jukes beat his old Budehaven team-mate Aleks Worth in the night’s opener before Peter Freeburn edged out Jeremy Skelton in a decider.

It was 3-0 as the in-form Streak saw off David Sillifant in straight games before Jukes and Streak rounded off a blistering start with comfortable wins to ensure they couldn’t be beaten at 5-0.

David Sillifant stopped the rot by defeating Freeburn in four, although it was soon 6-1 as Streak eased past Skelton for yet another treble.

Sillifant got the better off Jukes in four sets to deny him a deserved treble, and when Worth beat Freeburn in straight games – his first victory over the veteran – it was 6-3.

The match of the night was the doubles encounter as Jukes and Streak fought back from two sets down to force a decider against Skelton and Sillifant.

However, after passing up multiple match points, it was the A team duo that prevailed in sudden death – 19-17 – to add a sense of respectability to the scoreline.

Both the B and C sides were in action in Division Two.

Holsworthy B headed up to Instowaways on Monday night and were beaten 7-3.

The trio of Barry Stearman, Jeremy Rickman and Ollie Long all defeated Andrew Fowler, but that was as good as it got.

The C side welcomed Chulmleigh Braves on Tuesday and also lost 7-3.

Julia Cornish bagged a brace with the other point coming via Ezra Jukes.