GLAXO A’s title aspirations were dealt a severe blow in Division One of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League as they were defeated 6-4 by Natland A.

The tie was evenly matched at 2-2 early on, with Callum and Keith Dymond eclipsing Mark Ashburn, while Natland responded with victories for Harry Carter and John Fearon against Keith Dymond and Alan Turner respectively.

The encounter remained balanced moving into the second period following Carter’s outstanding 11-9 and 11-7 victories against Callum and Keith Dymond, though Glaxo held on with 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 11-7 and 11-8, 11-2, 11-9 wins for Turner and Callum Dymond against Ashburn and Fearon respectively.

It was left to the doubles to decide the tie, which Natland won 12-10 in the tense fourth set to edge a crucial 6-4 victory.

The win leaves Natland in third place, while Glaxo A remain second.

Ibis clinched their eighth win in as many matches with a tight 6-4 success against Burton A.

The league leaders faltered throughout the match, though James McGrath’s three wins, including a deciding-set 11-6 success against Chris Knowles, steered the Kendal side to victory.

Burton fought valiantly and were rewarded when Chris Knowles claimed the scalp of Steve Dixon 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9 before defeating Trevor Nicholson in similar fashion.

Burton’s Julie Stitch and Martin Wakelin played a pivotal role, with both players beating Nicholson comfortably. Ibis now hold a 13-point advantage at the summit, while Burton have climbed to fourth position.

Glaxo B and Natland B fought out a 5-5 thriller, which has left both sides in comfortable mid-table positions.

Roger Pimblett was once again outstanding for Natland, scoring all three victories including a memorable 11-6 success in the exhausting fifth set against Tony Whitehouse.

Luke Biggins chipped in for Natland with a straight sets win against Les Shaw, while a win in the doubles 12-10, 11-7, 15-13, steered Natland towards the draw.

Glaxo looked strong throughout thanks to Whitehouse’s two victories against Biggins and Bernard Pickthall, while Shaw contributed to the Glaxo account with an impressive 11-3, 11-9, 11-5 victory against Pickthall.

In Division Two, Dallam D are only five points away from the leaders and have a game in hand over their rivals, despite losing 7-3 to Natland D.

Mick Taylor played an instrumental role in Natland’s success, earning his side all three victories, while Liam Hogan chipped in with two wins, including an 11-7 victory in the fifth set against Peter Duxbury.

Dallam’s points came courtesy of Mick Jackson’s wins against Hogan and Richard San Jose, adding to Duxbury’s four set success also against San Jose.

The win leaves Natland with a three-point cushion at the summit of the table.