SURPRISE package Burton B continued their excellent start to the Kendal and District table tennis season thanks to a 10-0 whitewash of Dallam A.

Dallam’s John Fitzgerald and Craig James both lost out in the deciding fifth set to Ian Brotherton and Peter Baxendale 13-11 and 11-9 respectively.

Glaxo A head the pack by eight points courtesy of a 10-0 triumph over Natland C.

Defending champions Ibis made it four wins from four games as they annihilated Natland A 9-1. Steve Dixon and Trevor Nicholson remained unbeaten, while Natland’s solitary point came courtesy of Harry Carter’s four set success against a disgruntled James McGrath.

Crook B opened up a 10-point cushion at the top of Division Two following a 10-0 demolition over Kirkby Stephen B, with Colin Pratt and John Wood looked decisive throughout. The defeat leaves Kirkby in ninth place, one point above the relegation zone.

Dallam D climbed into second after sweeping aside Burton D 10-0. Dallam’s Mike Jackson, Matt Neal and Stuart Allan were hardly troubled in a routine night.

Mid-table Dent A and Kirkby Stephen A played out a thrilling encounter, with the Eden Valley side eventually edging it 6-4.

Pete George and Dave White propelled Kirkby into a 2-0 lead with victories against Steve Hawley and Eddie Smith respectively, while Wayne Gardner and Hawley’s successes against Tom Walton ensured Dent entered the second period only 3-2 down.

Kirkby Stephen took control of the tie when White and George completed their three victories, though Dent pinched the doubles 11-6 in a last-gasp final set.

Grayrigg A’s first taste of victory was cruelly taken away from them as they were narrowly defeated 6-4 by Burton C. Jon Cooper recorded impressive wins against Daniel Herd and Tony March but Burton’s class shone through as Graeme Wheelhouse defeated Kevin Hunter and Doug Baxter in three sets. Despite Cooper’s three wins, March and Herd beat Hunter late on, adding to a four-set success in the doubles.

Natland E and F occupy the top two places in Division Three of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League, with Crook C chasing close behind.

Mid-table sides Dallam E and Burton E played out a sensational 19-19 draw. Burton raced into an early advantage after Mark Stitch and Brian Gourlay defeated Anna Parkinson.

Burton went further in front when Lynne Herd edged out Nina Duxbury 11-8 in a frenetic deciding set.

The young Milnthorpe side battled tirelessly and were rewarded with three wins for an impressive James Neal, including a pulsating four-set victory over Stitch to secure a well-deserved draw.