BURTON E SET EARLY PACE IN DIVISION 3

Burton E made it two wins from two matches as they beat Dallam F 21-13 to head the Division 3 table.

Aidan Branch, Brian Gourlay and Dave Salmon helped Burton into a 3-1 lead after Dallam’s Norman Philbey stormed to victory 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 in the njght’s opening tussle. Philbey once again proved to be a class apart when he dispatched Gourlay 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 and Aidan Branch in similar fashion.  Burton though had too much strength in depth and won the tie comfortably as the Burton trio each beat Nina Duxbury and Anna Parkinson to maintain a one hundred percent winning start.

Grayrigg B got their season off to a winning start as they swept aside Natland F 26-9. Natland never recovered after losing the opening three matches, although a welcome respite arrived when Tim Marris eclipsed Patrick O’Reilly 11-6, 11-8, 11-3. Despite this minor setback, Grayrigg returned to winning ways when Kevin Hunter and Margaret Dixon won their three matches. Dixon was lucky to come through her game against Marris unscathed, as she edged a thrilling match 11-5 in the fifth set. John Quinne added another win to the Natland haul after scraping past O’Reilly 11-9 in yet another fifth set decider, though this was not enough to prevent Grayrigg storming to victory.

An experienced Crook C side have flown out of the starting blocks after triumphing in their opening match of the season 24-13 against Kirkby Stephen C. Chris Horn won all three matches for Kirkby, taking the man of the match award. Crook masterminded their opening day victory with two wins apiece for the wily trio of Andy Gilchrist, Paul Metsers and Chris Mowat against Kirkby’s Andrew Wells and Tom Ellis.

In Division 1, Natland A started their campaign for championship honours with a brutal 9-1 victory against their B team. Harry Carter and Roger Pimblett recorded a hat-trick of victories, although Carter was made to work for a five set victory against an unfortunate Biggins. Biggins made amends when he edged John Fearon in a five set classic, 11-7 in a hard hitting decider.

Defending champions Ibis climbed to the familiar position of top spot after beating Natland C 7-3. Trevor Nicholson and Steve Dixon won all three matches for the Kendal side, with Natland’s points coming from Ibis’ inability to field three players.

Burton B netted their first win of the season with a 10-0 demolition of Dallam A. Burton’s Alan Holt came through two five set thrillers against Tom Jackson and Thomas Parkinson 13-11 and 11-6 respectively both in the exhausting fifth set. To add further salt to the wound, Burton produced a stinging 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11 victory in the doubles to complete the whitewash.