Kirkby Stephen turn on the style to crush Crook as table tennis title race heats up (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kirkby Stephen turn on the style to crush Crook as table tennis title race heats up

10:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport By Scott Kirk, Reporter

KIRKBY Stephen A moved into joint-second in Division Two of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League after crushing rival promotion chasers Crook B 9-1.

The Eden Valley side’s 10th victory started off in explosive fashion as they raced into a 4-0 lead. Crook hauled themselves onto the scoresheet in the second period when Tigg beat Ben Lindridge but this was as good as it got for Crook. Kirkby’s Dave White and George went on to triumph in all three matches, with Lindridge winning two more matches to give Kirkby a 9-1 success.

Natland D moved into second place following a 7-3 victory against Dent A. Steve Hawley got Dent off to a flying start as he beat Rinaldo Colombi 13-11 in the fourth set. Natland then transformed a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead as Andrew Hudson beat Pete and Steve Hawley, while Richard San Jose and Colombi claimed victories against Danny Smith. In the second half San Jose and Hudson netted a hat-trick of wins. Dent reclaimed points through Pete Hawley, who won 11-4 in a pulsating fifth set against Colombi, and a victory in the doubles.

Burton C and Burton D played out an entertaining 5-5 draw. Bryan Rhodes scooped the man of the match award with his three victories. Teammate Dave Salmon won one game 11-6 in a marathon fifth set against James Burton, while Shelley Rhodes was unfortunate not to bag a win against James Burton as she went down 14-12 in the fifth set. Burton C’s points came courtesy of Tony March and Daniel Herd’s two wins and Burton’s earlier victory against Shelley Rhodes.

In Division Three, Crook C are odds-on favourites to win the division as they hold a 10-point cushion with a game in hand.

Second-placed Natland F wrapped up their eighth win of the season 24-12 against Dallam F. Natland’s Glen Allen contributed with a man of the match winning performance as he swept to three victories. Teammates George and Ed Pickthall won two matches apiece, with two of Ed’s games going the full distance. Dallam’s wins came from Jack Horrocks’ three set victories against the Pickthalls.

Bottom side Grayrigg B earned their fourth victory of the season against Dallam E, winning 20-18. Dallam’s James Neal was inspirational for his side, netting all three victories. Jay Hunter and Ben Littlewood won two games for Grayrigg against Stephen Gosling and Nina Duxbury, while Sam Housego chipped in for Dent with a triumph over Gosling.

At the bottom of Division One, Natland C prop up the table after a heavy 10-0 defeat to leaders Ibis. Steve Dixon and James McGrath looked comfortable throughout, although Natland’s Andrea Jorkisch was unlucky not to beat Trevor Nicholson, losing 11-3 in a thrilling final set.

Dallam B occupy the other relegation place and are still without a win as they were mauled 10-0 by Burton A.

Clubmates Dallam A are one place above the relegation zone after a thrilling 5-5 draw with Natland B.