Riley dominates Closed Championships
The annual Kendal & District Table Tennis League Tournament took place at the Dallam School Sports Centre on Sunday, March 17th. Thirty players from 6 clubs participated in a great day’s table tennis. Two events, the Ladies Singles and the Mixed Doubles, were played to a conclusion. The Ladies Singles was won by Natland’s Louise Thompson who defeated both Shelley Rhodes and Sarah Tyson in a round robin competition. Thompson was again victorious in the mixed doubles, partnering Roger Pimblett to victory against James Burton and Sarah Tyson. All other events were played through to the final and will be completed on Finals Night, which will take place on Tuesday, March 19th at Natland & Oxenholme Table Tennis Club. The blue riband event, the singles event for Division 1 players, was extremely competitive and two engaging semi-finals saw Crook’s Phil Riley despatch Ibis’ Steve Dixon in straight games whilst in battle of the brothers Peter Baxendale edged past younger brother Stephen in 4 tight games. The shock of the day saw ex Sheffield player, Dennis Hooley, recover from 2 games down to rub salt in the wounds of an already wounded Steve Dixon and take his place in the final of the Veterans Singles. The junior events were dominated by Natland players with Devun Whitehead and Archie Catnach featuring in the final of both singles and doubles. Overall, however, the tournament was dominated by Crook’s Phil Riley who made it to all three singles finals.
