Everyone played their part in a tremendous battle, full of brilliant rallies, incredible defence and terrific power hitting.  

With Kris sitting out, playing the coaches role, would the Buzzards have a sniff?  

Jakub’s impressive opener against Jon set the tone, so the Buzzards knew even without their star man the Academy first team were still the very best in the league. 

With Patrik in imperious form, he was able to hit through Kevin’s defence, eventually!  0-2

New Buzzard, Herbie Sage, got one back for the Buzzards defeating Lenard. 

And with Kevin’s defence just getting the better of Jakub the scores were level. 2-2

The Buzzards edged ahead as Jon defeated Lenard, only for Patrik to pull it level again in a brilliant encounter with Herbie. 3-3

Kevin got the Buzzards in front again defeating Lenard.  Then the match of the night, and surprisingly enough, the only set to go to five, saw Herbie come from behind to beat Jakub 11-7 in the fifth. 

The Buzzards 5-3 up, the last singles saw Patrik defeat Jon to record a fantastic maximum. 5-4

So the Academy required the final doubles to draw the match, up stepped the coach to join maximum man, Patrik. The Buzzard’s captain resisted the temptation to do likewise and bring in herself and Tony for the doubles, which proved to be a fatal error, as the Academy stormed through the doubles to secure the draw.

A brilliant evenings table tennis enjoyed by a large crowd at Teign school.

Well done to all the players for a very entertaining evening.