SMASHING OPENING TO LEAGUE SEASON
The 2012/2013 Kendal and District Table Tennis League season got underway this week, as 29 teams spread across three divisions battle out a season-long campaign for championship honours.
Natland B and Burton B kick started Division 1 proceedings with a thrilling 5-5 draw. Roger Pimblett and Luke Biggins helped Natland forge a dream 4-1 advantage courtesy of their early two victories apiece. Burton fought back gallantly to 4-3 when Stephen and Peter Baxendale defeated Bernard Pickthall, adding to Stephen Baxendale’s sensational four set success against the hard hitting Luke Biggins. Burton achieved the impossible when they hauled the scoreline back to 4-4 thanks to Ian Brotherton’s heart stopping 11-8 triumph in a dramatic final set encounter with Pickthall. Despite Pimblett edging out Peter Baxendale 11-9 in the final set, Burton held on for the draw with victory in the doubles.
Last season’s runners up Glaxo A will be hoping to go one better this time around and must be content with a comprehensive 9-1 victory against Crook A. Glaxo’s Keith Dymond and Alan Turner were masterfully impressive with three wins apiece, while Crook’s only highlight in a poor night came when John Howarth swept aside Paul Ackred 11-3, 11-7, 11-8. Phil Swift was unfortunate not to double the Crook points haul, as he toppled to an 11-9 defeat in a drama filled final set showdown with Turner.
Burton A made a solid start to their campaign with an 8-2 win against Natland C. Julie Stitch and Peter Baxendale recorded three wins apiece, with team mate Martin Wakelin chipping in with victories against Peter Taylor and Richard San Jose. Natland’s two points came courtesy of Louisa Bevan’s three set demolition of Wakelin as well as victory in the doubles.
Glaxo B recorded the perfect start to their season, netting a 10-0 whitewash away at Dallam A. Glaxo’s Tony Whitehouse, Gareth Brunton and Les Shaw certainly look a force to be reckoned with this season.
In Division 2, Kirkby Stephen A got off to a winning start with an 8-2 win against Dallam C. Dave White and Pete George remained unbeaten, although White was pushed to the brink of defeat against Peter Duxbury, with the Dallam player only losing out 11-6 in the deciding set. The Milnthorpe side finally got on the scoresheet when Norman Philbey and Duxbury defeated Mike Sunderland. There were also 6-4 victories for Crook B against Dent B, Burton D against Kirkby Stephen B and Burton C against Natland D.
The only match to take place in Division 3 was Crook C’s narrow 18-15 triumph against Dallam E. Ben Metsers produced a man of the match winning performance for Crook, but was made to work for this three wins, as young James Neal pushed him to a fifth set decider, where Metsers triumphed narrowly 11-9. Paul Metsers also impressed with a brace of victories against Anna Parkinson and Nina Duxbury.
