DALLAM A and B teams look to be facing a season-long relegation survival battle in Division One of the Kendal and District League as the two struggling sides locked horns this week.

Dallam A looked to be running away with the tie as they built an early 5-0 lead. The B team’s Tom Jackson was unfortunate to lose out in both of his matches in the deciding set 11-3 and 11-6 to Craig James and Paul Gosling respectively.

John Fitzgerald completed the solid opening with another five set victory, this time 11-7 against Lawrence Duncan.

In the second period, the tide turned in favour of Dallam B, who got on the scoresheet thanks to Duncan’s victories against James and Gosling.

The B team pulled back further to 4-5 when Tom Parkinson edged out James 14-12 in a nerve-wracking fifth set.

Despite a win in the doubles for Parkinson and Duncan, Dallam A took the win 6-4 when Fitzgerald eclipsed Jackson 11-8, 11-8, 11-8, lifting his side out of the relegation zone.

Natland C are awaiting their first win of the season as they were whitewashed 10-0 by Glaxo A. Glaxo’s Paul Ackred, Callum Dymond and Alan Turner have forged an eight point lead at the summit of the table.

In Division Two Dent B were unlucky not to earn their maiden success of the season after losing narrowly 6-4 to Natland D.

Natland had Liam Hogan to thank for pulling them through this tricky encounter as he earned a clean sweep of victories.

Richard San Jose was also impressive for Natland, netting wins against Danny and Ben Smith.

The result leaves Dent second from bottom, one point from safety, while Natland D climb to seventh in the table.

Grayrigg A remain bottom of the table after they lost 6-4 to Burton C. Jon Cooper earned maximum victories for Grayrigg, while Burton’s Graeme Wheelhouse and Tony March excelled with two victories apiece.

At the opposite end of the table, Crook B head the pack and have built up a 10-point cushion after a 10-0 drubbing of Kirkby Stephen B.

In Division Three Crook C lead the table by six points from Natland E, while at the other end of the table Dallam F scored their first win of the campaign with a tremendous 22-15 success against their E team. Jack Horrocks earned the man of the match award for his three wins, while team mate Ben Varey chipped in two points with wins against Anna Parkinson and Nina Duxbury.