DEFENDING CHAMPS MAKE MOVE

Last season’s Division 1 champions Glaxo A are slowly gaining ground on the leaders Natland A, as the Kendal and District League’s top flight title race intensifies.

This week Glaxo moved up to fourth in the table, still with an advantageous five games in hand, following a crucial 8-2 win against third placed Burton A. Julie Stitch and Chris Knowles got Burton off to a flying 2-0 lead, after 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7 and 1-9, 12-10, 12-10 victories against Callum Dymond and Paul Ackred respectively. Glaxo then demonstrated why they are the current defending champions by winning the next eight matches in succession. Burton could consider themselves slightly fortunate after Glaxo’s Callum Dymond lost out 11-7 and 11-6 in dramatic five set thrillers against Knowles and Stitch respectively. The result leaves Glaxo 30 points behind leaders Natland A with five games in hand.

Third placed Ibis have made themselves slight favourites for the title, following a three game winning streak, which has seen them gain 38 points. The winning run began with a 9-1 demolition of Natland B, with Peter Rushton’s four set defeat to Roger Pimblett being the only blemish on a near perfect result. In their second match, the Kendal side eclipsed Burton B 10-0 and then produced a fine display to overhaul Burton A 9-1. This string of three results has left Ibis only eight points off the leaders, with three games in hand.

In Division 2, Dallam B have opened up a healthy nine point cushion at the table summit, having a game in hand, after a 9-1 demolition of Kirkby Stephen B. Eric Robinson was the thorn in Dallam’s side with a four set success against Tom Jackson. Dallam team mates James Parkinson and George Pearson were unstoppable with three wins apiece.

Dallam C remain in second place with a narrow 6-4 victory against Crook C. Phil Hyman proved his highly rated credentials by scoring the maximum three victories, while team mate Tom Carling chipped in with wins against Tony Cousins and Paul Metsers. Crook had Ed Lister to thank for keeping them in the game, as he netted two triumphs against Carling and Alex Hyman.

Kirkby Stephen A’s promotion dreams were kept alive, as they swept aside Grayrigg A 7-3. Dave White and Peter George helped the Eden Valley side to their tenth victory of the season, which sees them lying in third place, four points from a coveted promotion position.

Meanwhile, in Division 3, Dallam E lead the table by a 41-point margin from second placed Dent B, followed closely by third placed Burton G.