HEAVYWEIGHTS Dalton Cricket Club A and Natland A clashed this week in Division One of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League, with the top two playing out a 5-5 draw.

Second-placed Natland A raced into an early 3-0 lead before Dalton pulled the scoreline back to 3-2 after Tony Whitehouse and Keith Dymond beat Harry Carter and John Fearon respectively.

Natland increased their advantage to 4-2 as Roger Pimblett edged out Ryan Smith 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 6-11, 12-10 after letting a two-set lead slip.

Dalton maintained their interest as Whitehouse and Dymond won two five-setters 11-7 and 14-12 against Pimblett and Fearon respectively to take the score to 5-4.

The crucial doubles encounter was won in straight sets by Whitehouse and Dymond to ensure the honours finished even, leaving Dalton one point ahead of Natland who have a game in hand.

Defending champions Ibis still retain a title interest following a 10-0 thrashing of lowly Dallam A to remain in third position, four points off the lead.

Steve Dixon, James McGrath and Trevor Nicholson ensured Ibis strolled to their eighth win of the season, leaving Dallam A rooted to the bottom of the table, twenty-one points from safety.

Burton A are up to fifth in the table following a narrow 6-4 success against  Crook A with Martin Wakelin, Chris Knowles and Alan Holt winning two games apiece.

Natland C occupy the second relegation position and now have a four point deficit to close after a convincing 7-3 defeat to their B team, while Burton B were mauled 9-1 by Ibis.

In Division Two, Crook B made up ground on leaders Kirkby Stephen A with an 8-2 victory over Natland D – their seventh win of the campaign.

In the lower reaches of the table, Dent lie second-bottom and three points from safety after losing 8-2 to Dallam D.