IBIS GO SIX CLEAR AT THE SUMMIT

Last season’s top flight defending champions Ibis have forged a six point lead at the top of the Division 1 table after demolishing lowly Natland C 9-1 in a top versus bottom encounter.

Ibis went into the match in championship winning form, having maintained a one hundred percent winning record, with opponents Natland awaiting their first victory of the season. The table topping Kendal side flew out of the starting blocks, opening up an early 5-0 lead. Andrea Jorkish was unlucky not to get Natland onto the scoresheet, narrowly losing out to James McGrath in the fifth set 11-6. Ibis continued to dominate the tie at 8-0, with Trevor Nicholson and McGrath earning three wins apiece. Natland’s gritty disposition finally paid dividends in the final singles match when Louisa Bevan conjured up a major upset, defeating Steve Dixon 11-8, 3-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7. Ibis went on to win the doubles to complete the 9-1 success. The defeat leaves Natland C rooted to the foot of the table, three points from safety.

Glaxo B moved up into third position, 11 points behind the leaders, with a comprehensive 7-3 triumph away at Dallam B. James Parkinson earned two wins for Dallam, adding to team mate Lawrence Duncan’s triumph against Keith Mallinson. Duncan was unlucky not to score another point for the young Milnthorpe side, losing out in five thrilling sets to Tony Whitehouse 11-4. Whitehouse went on to complete three victories, complementing Les Shaw’s wins against Duncan and George Pearson.

Natland B have risen to fifth in the table following an 8-2 success against Dallam A. Bernard Pickthall and Roger Pimblett remained unbeaten for Natland, while replacement Richard San Jose scored an impressive 15-13, 11-8, 11-3 success against Phil Hyman. Dallam’s points came courtesy of Craig James and Paul Gosling’s victories over San Jose.

Burton B’s progress appears to have slowed a little, as they dropped to fourth despite a thrilling 5-5 draw with their A team. Chris Knowles and Julie Stitch helped Burton A into a 2-0 lead, thanks to their victories against Peter Baxendale and Chris Jones respectively. Burton B hauled themselves back into the match and even went ahead at 4-3 thanks to the Baxendales and Jones’s victories against Martin Wakelin. Burton B looked certain to take victory when Stephen Baxendale edged out Julie Stitch 11-8 in an exciting fifth set, however Burton A fought back for a draw at the death when Knowles and Stitch recorded wins against Stephen and Peter Baxendale respectively.

In Division 2, Kirkby Stephen A are up to third in the table after inflicting leaders Crook B with their first defeat of the season in a 7-3 scoreline. Dave White and Pete George won all three matches for Kirkby, while Crook’s trio of John Wood, Tony Cousins and Ed Lister could only muster up one win apiece against Tom Walton. The result leaves Crook still in pole position with a five point advantage.

Dallam D occupy the other promotion position in second place, as they swept aside Kirkby Stephen B 8-2. Dallam’s Matt Neal scooped the man of the match award, netting three wins, while team mates Peter Duxbury and Mike Jackson chipped in with two victories against Chris Horn and Gerry Baines. Kirkby’s points came courtesy of Eric Robinson’s triumphs against Jackson and Duxbury.

Crook C have an 11 point cushion at the top of Division 3, as they eclipsed Grayrigg B 30-3, making it six wins from as many matches for the league leaders. Crook’s Ben Metsers once again earned the man of the match award for his dominant display.

Natland E lie only 11 points behind the leaders in second place and have a game in hand over their rivals. Natland’s fourth win in five attempts came thanks to a 25-16 triumph against Dallam E, with only James Neal remaining unbeaten for Dallam. Natland’s Rinaldo Colombi and Gavin Lowe impressed for Natland, winning matches against Bruce Carnaffin and George Duxbury. Anthea Bevan also chipped in with an 11-8 victory in the fourth set also against Duxbury.