NATLAND TOP DIVISION 1 TABLE
Natland A head the Division 1 table in the Kendal and District League, however last season’s runners-up Ibis and defending champions Glaxo A hold five games in hand.
Natland earned their eleventh victory of the season in a 9-1 demolition of strugglers Dallam A. In the first half of the tie, Natland forged an unassailable 5-0 advantage, with Dallam unfortunate not to get on the score-sheet when Lawrence Duncan was edged out by Mark Ashburn 11-9 in a tense fifth set. Natland’s dominance continued into the second period, as Harry Carter completed a hat-trick of victories. Duncan was once again unlucky as he was defeated by the narrowest of margins, 11-6 in the deciding set against Fearon. Fearon went on to complete three wins, while Dallam’s persistence paid off when Criag James eclipsed Ashburn 11-9, 12-10, 11-6 to finally haul his side onto the score-sheet and produce a result of 9-1 in Natland’s favour.
Burton A hold second place, 13 points behind Natland A with a game in hand, after scraping past Crook A 6-4. Phil Swift helped earn Crook a slender 3-2 advantage, as he defeated Martin Wakelin, then edged out Julie Stitch 11-8 in a final set showdown. In the second period, Crook’s Mike Taylor and John Howarth scored victories against Wakelin to double Crook’s points total to four, however Chris Knowles’s three wins, in addition to Stitch’s double successes and a straight sets victory in the doubles, helped Burton limp over the line 6-4. This defeat now leaves Crook seventh in the table.
In Division 3, Natland E and Burton G were involved in a pulsating 5-5 stalemate. Danny Jackson and George Pickering both won two matches apiece, while Mark Stitch chipped in with a 12-10 success in the fourth set against Edward Pickthall. Natland had Richard San Jose to thank for helping his side salvage a draw, as he remained unbeaten with three victories, while George Pickthall eased to victory 3-0 against Stitch, in addition to a win in the doubles, to see Natland home for a draw.
Natland D are teetering over the relegation zone, as they lie third from bottom in imminent danger, following a 10-0 defeat against league leaders Dallam E. Dallam’s Elliot and Max Webster, as well as team mate Sam Horrocks showed no mercy in their demolition of Natland, as each player earned three successes. Fiona Thompson however was unfortunate not to defeat Horrocks, as she narrowly lost out 11-3 in a thrilling deciding set. Natland now find themselves 40 points above the relegation zone, while Dallam hold a huge 78 point cushion at the summit of the table.
