LAST season’s defending champions Ibis made it three wins from three games as an 8-2 mauling of Natland B helped the Kendal side hit top spot in Division One.

Roger Pimblett got Natland off to a flying start by sweeping aside Trevor Nicholson in three straight sets.

But Ibis reacted immediately when Steve Dixon and Nicholson defeated Bernard Pickthall with ease, while James McGrath increased the lead to 3-1 thanks to a four-set success against Luke Biggins.

Ibis continued to dominate proceedings as the tie entered the second period. Steve Dixon remained unbeaten, although the Ibis maestro was lucky to come through his game with Biggins unscathed after being pushed to the fifth set.

Pimblett doubled Natland’s points haul with a sensational 11-9, 13-11, 10-12, 11-7 victory against McGrath, although the division’s defending champions secured an 8-2 triumph when McGrath and Nicholson completed two wins apiece.

Last season’s runners-up Glaxo A maintained their 100 per cent winning record as they triumphed over their B team 8-2. Glaxo A raced to an unbelievable 5-0 lead, although Callum Dymond was fortunate to defeat Gareth Brunton in a match that went to a deciding set, which Dymond closed out 11-7. Glaxo B finally got themselves on the scoresheet when Brunton and Tony Whitehouse defeated Alan Turner but the night belonged to Glaxo A thanks to Keith and Callum Dymond’s hat-trick of victories.

Natland A moved into third place courtesy of a 9-1 drubbing of their C team. Natland’s Harry Carter and Mark Ashburn remain unbeaten, while Natland C’s only highlight of the night came when Louisa Bevan beat Roger Pimblett.

Burton B remain unbeaten thanks to a hard-fought 5-5 draw with Crook A. John Howarth and Phil Swift ensured Crook started solidly with victories against Stephen Baxendale, while Ian Brotherton and Peter Baxendale levelled the tie at 2-2 with successes over Brian Tigg. Despite Howarth’s narrow fifth set victory against Brotherton, Burton held on for the draw courtesy of a straight sets victory in the doubles.

Crook B held onto pole position in Division Two following a 7-3 victory against rivals Burton D while in Division Three, Natland F and Crook C lie in first and second places respectively.

Natland F hit top spot thanks to a 28-6 success over Grayrigg B, while Crook C edged past Natland E 20-15, with Ben Metsers finishing as man of the match.