TORRIDGE have claimed their first ever Division One title with a game to spare after whitewashing Crackington A at Crackington Institute last Thursday night.

The North Tamerton-based club have dropped just 20 points from a possible 130 in their 13 matches, and will head into their final clash at Budehaven A tonight looking to go through the entire season unbeaten.

At Crackington, Torridge dropped just three ends with Frank Barnes winning two of those in his three singles and one with Judith Cook in the doubles. However, David Streak, Peter Freeburn and Steve Cragg, as always, proved too strong.

Budehaven A cemented their grip on second place with a 10-0 victory over bottom side Crackington B at Budehaven Sports Hall. The home trio of David Ewen, Owen Salisbury and Dave Salisbury, conceded just a couple ends between them.

The other two fixtures also saw convincing scorelines.

North Hill A beat two-man Budehaven B 9-1 with Shirley Luckhurst and Bob Thompson proving far too good for Ashley Taylor and David Sillifant. The visitors at least avoided the whitewash in the final match of the evening as Sillifant beat skipper Martin Hynes.

Although Helland have failed to defend their title, the Bodmin Moor-based club have a number of games in-hand and eased to a 9-1 victory over Whitstone Wanderers at Helland Village Hall. Doug Genini upset the odds to beat Ingus Abolnieks for the visitors’ point but Mike Fisher and Ritchie Bartlett were undefeated all night to go alongside Abolnieks’ brace.

With the title race in Division One all but decided, Budehaven D aren’t far off doing the same in the second-tier.

On Thursday night they thrashed Launceston 5-0 in the semi-final of the Division Two Knockout Cup and also now require just 11 points from their final three fixtures to guarantee the crown following the other results and their 8-2 win at Bridgerule A on Friday evening.

While Bridgerule skipper Alan Quilter pulled off excellent results against Tim Orchard and Robin Worden, as is usually the case, Sam Jennings proved too good.

Mid-table Launceston finished off their league campaign on Wednesday night as they drew 5-5 at home to Crackington C, despite having just two players.

Stephen Parsons ground out three wins as well as winning the doubles with Lois Atkin, who pulled off an excellent victory over James Ellis.

Simon Patterson and Trevor Dean gathered Crackington’s points to go alongside the three forfeited.

Second-placed Budehaven C welcomed fourth-placed Altarnun A on Thursday night, and in the end neither side could be separated.

For Altarnun, Paul Burden kept up his record of losing just twice all season in another 100% effort in the singles, while he received solid support from Alex Whitfield who managed a double.

The home points were separated around as Chris Mill (2) and the Ward brothers — Andrew and Anthony — both managed one apiece. Mill and Andrew Ward won the doubles.

Third-placed North Hill B were also in Bude to face off against Budehaven E and emerged 6-4 winners with David Wilson to the fore.

After Ian Westaway edged a thriller against Trevor Luckhurst to put the hosts 1-0 up, the visitors reeled off four of the next five to go 4-2 ahead. However, Budehaven battled away to make it all square, before Wilson and Luckhurst ensured they took the spoils.

For North Hill, Wilson was undefeated in the singles with Luckurst (2) and Michael Kinger providing support. Westaway claimed two as well as the doubles with Ian Edwards who also gained a point.

After leading the league from the outset, North Hill C were crowned champions of Division Three on Thursday after beating Bridgerule B 4-1. John Parker remains on course to go through the season unbeaten in the singles with just one game left.

They now lead Altarnun B by 13 points with Altarnun having just two games remaining.

Altarnun were also in action and won 5-0 at Budehaven G with Malcolm Tulip and Dave Jones in excellent form.

The rest of the season is now for catching up on any outstanding league fixtures as well as the latter stages of the Handicap Team Knockout and each division’s Knockout Cup before the end of season championships which take place on successive Thursdays on March 21 and March 28.