NEWTON Abbot Buzzards are leading the way at the top of the South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League first division, as they attempt to retain the title they won last season.

The latest victory saw an emphatic 10-0 victory over NA Condors with Kevin Nicholls, Simon James and Herbie Sage dominant throughout. The Buzzards’ closest challengers at this early stage of the season are NA Eagles who had a comfortable 8-2 victory over NA Owls, Mark Burridge and Paul Davey with maximums for the Eagles.

NA Raptors are the early leaders in division two and were held to a 5-5 draw by Halwell B with Paul Hine unbeaten for the Raptors. The Taverners' first match of the season, following their return to Division Two, did not go so well, as they were beaten 7-3 by NA Ravens whose Ollie Malin was unbeaten.

In the third division, Dawlish Renegades were too strong for NA Harriers running out 9-1 victors, Pierre Doutreligne and Stanley Grim with maximums for the Dawlish outfit.

Torre Spartans currently lead the fourth division following a 10-0 demolition of Brixham Seals, Lewis Lavery, Dylan Sadler and Elliott Glasser were rarely troubled by the Seals. The Grove Tigers, just a point behind with a game in hand, also had a whitewash victory, Jeff Cornish, Pete and Francis Daly seeing off an inexperienced Torbay Academy 7.

Torbay Academy 6 edged out NA Merlins 6-4 despite a fine maximum from the Merlins’ Lee Raymond.

So after these latest fixtures, the Buzzards and Eagles are the leading duo in the top tier despite having played one less game than the third-placed Owls. Next comes the Condors and then Batmen, Halwell A, Brixham Sharks and Brixham Trawlers are the bottom four, although all have games in hand.

The same can be said for Division Two with Brixham Pirates yet to play and at the foot of the table, with the Taverners and Dawlish Aces having only played once each also. At the other end, NA Raptors are a single point ahead of Grove Guerrillas.

Three Torbay teams are in Division Three with the 4th team in second, the 3rd in eighth and the 5th in ninth. NA Kestrels are on top with 18, two ahead of Torbay Academy 4 who have just a single-point lead over Torre Vikings.

Lastly to Division Four and the winless trio are Brixham Seals, NA Vultures and Dawlish Delinquents. Four points separate the top five and despite winning three from three, the Grove Tigers currently find themselves in second behind Torre Spartans.