WITH the league matches all completed it was the turn of the handicap team cups to be decided in the South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League.

There was a semi-final still to be played in the doubles cup which saw the Taverners, who have been struggling at the foot of the second division for most of the season, playing Torre Spartans, the runaway leaders of the fourth division. Despite giving away an average of four points per game, the Taverners’ team of Geoff Read, Colin Harrop and Martin Dilkes were comfortable winners 25-11 to earn a final place against NA Kites who had reached both finals.

The NA Kites- Nick Kitchen, James Kitchen and Fin Humphreys (pictured)- had struggled in the third division for most of the season but had some excellent results recently as the team improved dramatically through playing at the higher level.

It was the Challenge Cup team handicap singles at the start of the week which was against the Torre Spartans, with the handicaps negligible, the Spartans generally having just a small start.

Two 4-0 set wins in the first four sets for the Kites’ juniors, James & Fin, set the Kites up for a fine 23-13 victory to lift the Challenge Cup.

On to the Doubles final against the experienced Taverners side and with a start of three or four points in each game, the Kites dominated, despite losing the first set, eventually triumphing 28-8 to complete an excellent cup double.

Many thanks to Torre Table Tennis Club for staging the finals and umpires David Davies, Peter Moretta and Chris Harper for officiating.

It’s on to the end of season tournament at Torbay Leisure Centre and the Awards and Finals night at Stover School now to round off the season.