4:25pm Thursday 4th February 2010
THE fight for Division 1 survival in the Kendal and District League is hotting up, with four sides - Crook B, Kirkby Stephen A, Natland C and Burton B - all in danger.
Natland C, who have only recorded one victory all season, earned three vital points in a 7-3 defeat against Glaxo B. Natland welcomed back Lancaster University student Roger Pimblett he made an immediate impact, defeating Keith Mallinson and Aidan Ranftler 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.
Andrew Hudson was unfortunate not to add to Pimblett’s haul after losing a nail-biting encounter with Ranftler 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, 4-11.
Despite Pimblett capping a remarkable night with an 11-8 triumph in the crucial fifth set against Tony Whitehouse, the Glaxo trio maintained the upper hand with two wins apiece, including an 11-4 success in the fourth set in the doubles. The victory leaves Glaxo in mid-table position, while Natland C remain in the drop zone equal on points with Kirkby Stephen A.
Newly-promoted Burton B have been dragged back into the relegation quagmire after an 8-2 defeat by Crook A.
Crook swept aside their recent poor form as Mike Taylor and Phil Swift earned their side an early 2-0 lead.
Peter Baxendale appeared to have supplied Burton with a glimmer of hope with an 11-5, 11-5, 4-11, 11-5 triumph against John Howarth.
This hope evaporated quickly as Taylor completed his three wins, while Howarth bounced back from his early defeat to crush Martin Wakelin and Ian Brotherton.
In a crucial final singles match, Brotherton doubled the Burton advantage, edging out Swift 11-9 in a tense final set.
Burton C continue to lead Division 2 after their tenth victory of the campaign - 8-2 against Natland D.
Graeme Wheelhouse and Stephen Baxendale earned a hat-trick of triumphs for Burton, while Bryan Rhodes supported ably with wins against Dave Ratcliffe and Rob Clarke.
Natland’s points came courtesy of Peter Taylor’s 11-2 success in the fifth set against Rhodes and a 3-1 sets victory in the doubles.
Burton are 12 points ahead at the summit of the table, with Dallam A having two games in hand.
A passionate derby between Dallam A and Dallam B, resulted in Dallam A earning the bragging rights with an 8-2 success over their rivals.
Both sides seemed to block out the arctic conditions in the Milnthorpe venue, but the A team got into their stride the quickest opening an unassailable 4-0 lead.
Joseph Alaimo and Paul Capstick pulled two points back for Dallam B with victories against Phil Hyman, the highlight being Capstick’s 12-10 success in the final set against the Kirkbie Kendal School head teacher.
However, Dallam A maintained their perfect record of ten wins from as many games, when Jonathan Hyman and Craig James completed three wins apiece to leave the Milnthorpe side within striking distance of top spot.
Dallam D look overwhelming favourites to take the Division 3 championship after a 12th straight victory - 30-2 against Natland E.
Dallam’s Tom Jackson, James and Tom Parkinson looked untroubled in a straightforward night for the champions elect.
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