DIXON SHINES IN TOURNAMENT SHOWPIECE

Steve Dixon confirmed his rating as the Kendal and District League’s number one player by winning no fewer than five events at the annual tournament finals night on Tuesday.

A large crowd at Ibis Sports and Social Club witnessed Dixon begin his winning streak with a flattering 11-5, 13-11, 12-10 success in the Veterans Singles against a valiant Bob Bagot. The Ibis maestro’s second triumph of the evening came courtesy of an 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5 success in the Open Doubles with team mate James McGrath against Burton’s Peter and Stephen Baxendale. The titles continued to flood in for Dixon as he added the Mixed Doubles and Handicap Singles crown to his ever increasing trophy haul. In the Mixed Doubles event, Dixon had successfully teamed up with Louisa Bevan to defeat Natland’s Mick Taylor and Louise Thompson, while in the Handicap Singles, Dixon overcame a large points deficit to defeat Dent’s Pete Hawley. Surely, the most coveted prize of the evening was the Band 1 Singles title, which pitted Dixon against Ibis team mate James McGrath. In a blistering final, in which every game went to deuce, Dixon prevailed 13-11, 8-11, 13-11, 14-12 in the closest four set encounter you are ever likely to see. Impressively, Dixon overcame McGrath’s awkward counter-attacking style by generating huge topspin drives, helping him along the path to victory.

Burton’s Stephen Baxendale also had a night to remember as he was crowned Junior Singles champion with a 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-5 victory against Dallam’s Lawrence Duncan, after fighting back from a 1-0 sets deficit. Baxendale maintained his winning form by taking the Junior Doubles title with Dallam’s Lawrence Duncan, as they dispatched Tom Carling and Tom Jackson 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3.

Colin Pratt beat Dave White 11-5, 4-11, 12-10, 11-8 to win the Band 2 Singles crown, while Dallam’s Max Webster snatched glory in the Band 3 singles event, by triumphing 9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 against Natland’s Richard San Jose.

Louisa Bevan continued her excellent record in the Ladies Singles event by winning the title from club mate Louise Thompson