NATLAND MOVE INTO SECOND AS TITLE RACE HOTS UP

Natland A maintained their one hundred percent winning start to the season with a resounding 9-1 win against Dalton Cricket Club B in Division One of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League. This latest victory-Natland’s fifth win in as many games- lifts them up into second place in the table, only five points away from leaders Dalton A with an all-important game in hand.
Natland started the night in brutal fashion as they raced into an 8-0 advantage courtesy of John Fearon and Roger Pimblett’s three victories. Fearon came through two five setters, 12-10 and 11-7 against Tony Whitehouse and Keith Mallinson respectively, while Harry Carter also squeezed past Mallinson in the deciding set 11-8. Dalton finally hauled themselves deservedly onto the score-sheet when Whitehouse defeated Carter 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, only for Natland to win the doubles and secure the 9-1 success.
Dalton A held onto top spot as they disposed of Crook A 9-1. Keith Dymond and Ryan Smith remained unbeaten, while Crook’s solitary point of the night came when John Howarth beat Paul Ackred 11-5 in an exhausting five set thriller. The win leaves Dalton top by five points, having played one game more than their rivals Natland A, while Crook move into sixth.
Burton A climbed into fifth place after eclipsing Dallam A 10-0. Burton’s Martin Wakelin, Chris Knowles and Ian Brotherton hardly had to break sweat in their third triumph of the season.
At the opposite end of the table, Burton B and Dallam B played out a 5-5 classic. Dallam’s Paul Gosling and Craig James won two games apiece, beating Tony March and Ian Brotherton, with James only just defeating Brotherton 11-7 in a dramatic final set showdown. Burton managed to salvage a well-earned draw thanks to Peter Baxendale’s three wins and Brotherton’s straight sets success against Jon Cooper.
Natland C have momentarily climbed out of the relegation zone, despite losing 6-4 to Crook A. Louisa Bevan was in fine form for Natland, as she swept aside Phil Swift and Mike Taylor, while team mates Mick Taylor and Andrea Jorkisch chipped in with single victories apiece against Taylor and Swift respectively.
Crook B continue to lead Division Two , with second place Kirkby Stephen A only seven points behind. Meanwhile, in Division Three, Burton E maintain their table topping position as Grayrigg A and B make up the chasing pack in second and third respectively.