BURTON PULL CLEAR AT DIVISION 3 SUMMIT

Burton E hold an eighteen point advantage at the summit of Division Three, after a stunning 19-17 victory over Crook C made it six wins from seven matches for the table toppers.
The scoreline was locked at 2-2 after the first four matches as Srikanth Gandavaram and Dave Salmon got Burton off the mark with victories against Chris Mowat and Bev Abley, while Mowat and Andy Gilchrist opened Crook’s account with successes against Sruthi Rajakarier. Burton then went 4-2 in front when Salmon beat Gilchrist and Gandavaram beat Abley 11-9, 11-4, 11-4. Crook though fought gallantly and pulled the final score back to a respectable 19-17 defeat when Abley and Gichrist beat Rajakarier and Gandavaram respectively, while Mowat edged out Salmon 12-10 in a fifth set showdown.
Third place Grayrigg A are moving up fast on their B team after an 18-14 win against Dallam E. Stephen Troughton kept Dallam in the tie at 3-2 early on with his triumphs against Ben Littlewood and Doug Baxter. Troughton went on to win all three matches, although Grayrigg steered themselves to victory as each of their three players won two matches apiece.
In Division Two, Dallam D are up to second in the table, seven points behind leaders Crook B, after sweeping aside Natland E 8-2. Sam Horrocks and Paul Capstick-Newell netted the man of the match award with their three victories, though Capstick-Newell only just scraped beyond Glen Allen 11-6 in a dramatic fifth set. Natland’s points came courtesy of Allen and George Pickthall’s wins against Jack Horrocks.
Burton D have momentarily risen to third place following a narrow 6-4 away win over Natland D. George Pickering won all three matches, including a breath taking 13-11 triumph against an unfortunate Liam Hogan. Rinaldo Colombi was the star performer for Natland, as he bagged two victories against Srikanth Gandavaram and James Burton.
In Division One, Dalton CC A occupy top spot in the table courtesy of a resounding 8-2 away victory against Burton. Twelve points behind Dalton CC A are their B team, who this week mauled Natland B 9-1, with Luke Biggins’ four set success against Keith Mallinson the only joy in a miserable night for Natland.
At the opposite end of the table, Dallam A are still without a victory, having lost 10-0 against Crook A, while Natland C occupy the second relegation place.