SECOND-placed Glaxo are now only 11 points behind leaders Ibis with a game in hand after a crushing 10-0 victory against Crook in Division One of the Kendal and District League.

Crook were unfortunate not to haul themselves onto the scoresheet in the penultimate and final matches of the encounter.

At 8-0 down, Crook’s Phil Swift lost 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11 to Paul Ackred in a dramatic fifth set duel, while team mate Mike Taylor was defeated in similar fashion against a relieved Keith Dymond in the last singles match of the night.

Glaxo rounded off the 10-0 whitewash with a 14-12, 11-6, 11-7 success in the doubles.

Natland consolidated their third place position with a resounding 9-1 triumph against strugglers Dallam B.

Dallam’s only taste of victory came when Tom Carling eclipsed Mark Ashburn 11-7, 11-9, 11-8, while Natland’s Harry Carter and Luke Biggins remained unbeaten with three wins apiece.

The victory leaves Natland one point behind Glaxo having played one match more, while Dallam B are second from bottom, one point from safety.

Burton strengthened their fourth place position after a comprehensive 8-2 triumph over Natland C.

In Division Two, leaders Natland D and third placed Burton C played out an evenly matched 5-5 draw.

Natland’s Mick Taylor won all three matches, including 11-5 and 11-8 victories in exhausting fifth set marathons against Tony March and Graeme Wheelhouse respectively.

Richard San Jose also chipped into the Natland account with two four set wins against Wheelhouse and Daniel Herd.

Burton’s points came courtesy of one win apiece from March, Herd and Wheelhouse, as well as an 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 victory in the doubles.

Crook B remain fourth thanks to an 8-2 mauling of Dent B.

Pete Hawley got Dent on the scoreboard early to level the tie at 1-1 thanks to a thrilling 12-10 success in the marathon fifth set against John Wood. From this moment on Crook looked too strong as Brian Tigg earned all three victories and was supported by Ed Lister and Wood’s two victories.

Dent doubled their points total when Hawley swept aside Lister 11-3, 11-6, 11-3.

Kirkby Stephen B have gone one point above their A team in fifth place following an impressive 5-5 draw with Burton D.

Eric Robinson and Gerry Baines won two games apiece for Kirkby, while Burton’s Bryan Rhodes won all three matches.

In Division Three, Natland F’s George Pickthall, Ed Pickthall and Glen Allen head the table by 12 points from second placed Crook C.

Natland E’s Tim Marris, Rinaldo Colombi and Gavin Lowe are following closely in third place.