ILMINSTER Saints have left any relegation fears far behind them and gate-crashed the top half of the Ark Removals Taunton Table Tennis League premier division by winning two games inside four days.

Steve Joel and Paddy Shephard both hit maximums against No Saints and Joel also took centre stage in a narrow win over Saints Valiants.

John Crabtree and Chris Whale, with two wins each, kept the Saints alive, and Dave Adeniji put them 16-15 ahead in set nine with a win over Jara Hubacek, only for the Joel Shephard partnership to claim a 3-1 victory in the double to take the match by a single point.

Ed Martin and Geoff Potjewyd were unbeaten as reigning champions Saints Raiders picked up 28 points against Saints Sabres. Alan Stone added two to the total, beaten only by Mike Hurley.

Jon Hughes (3) and Vince Jackson (2) kept Trinity Kings on the heels of the leaders with a win over Ark Angels, for whom Mike Crook won twice and Jackie Crook had a fine 11-5, 11-9, 11- 13, 5-11, 11-8 success over John Troke.

Mark Morley hit a nine game possible in TMCA Reds win over No Saints.

Dave Yarde added two singles, beaten only by Chris Norman, who hit two for the Saints.

Premier Division – Saints Valiants 17, Ilminster Saints 18; No Saints 14, YMCA Reds 21; Ark Angels 13, Trinity Kings 25; Saints Sabres 8, Saints Raiders 28; Levellers 20, YMCA Old Stars 15; Ilminster Saints 26, No Saints 7. Division One – Saints Spinners 30, Monday Knights 4; YMCA Marauders 30, Monday Knights 3.