This week saw players returning to action following the festive break with the cup competitions progressing towards the final stages.

In the division one scratch Dartmouth captain Phil Harris produced the performance of the round to knock out Ivybridge A captain Howard Mattacott 2-0.

Harris’s teammate Noel Ed­monds was made to scrap hard to get past Colin Finch of Halwell B by the same score, while John Wood (Regal) and Steve Cairns (Woodlands) progressed to the last eight courtesy of byes.

Mark Hembry (Ivybridge B) saw off the challenge of Dave Nicholls (Dartmouth) 2-0 and Mike Collins (Modbury) went through by the same score at home to Adrian Rendle (Woodlands).

Derwyn Morris (Ivybridge A) was the last name into quarter-finals as opponent Colin Drury (Woodlands) withdrew.

In the preliminary round of the doubles handicap there was a shock as the finalists in the last two seasons, Steve Cairns and Colin Drury of Woodlands, crashed out 2-1 to Mike Buckpitt and Geoff Holt of Halwell G.

Despite giving away a 38-point start in each frame, the Woodlands duo would have been hoping to make it through to regain the trophy which they lost in last season’s final.

The other tie saw the Modbury pairing of Steve Caithness and Mike Collins progress 2-0 against George Banfield and Robert Vaughan of Mill C, Caithness and Collins making light work of the 39-point give away.

In the individual handicap competition there were wins for Colin Finch, Steve Caithness, Mike Collins, Phil Harris and Dave Nicholls, with Barrie Taylor, Noel Edmonds and Jonny Harris all progressing due to their opponents withdrawing.

In the Bob Jerwood Cup, Regal ran out 287-179 winners against Mill C despite giving up a 125-point handicap, and will now surely have their sights set on lifting the trophy in its inaugural year.

Halwell B enjoyed a comfortable 50-point winning margin against Halwell G with a score of 234-184 to secure their spot in the last four.

Totnes A squeezed past Mill B 137-119 in a very closely fought encounter. Totnes were giving up just 10 points, and with confidence high from their league campaign this season, they will fancy their chances of getting to the final.

The final tie of the round between Halwell K and Mill A is yet to be played.

Next week teams return to league action, although sadly division one is now just eight teams strong after Totnes B withdrew from the league.