Burton C have once again taken over top spot in Division Two of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League following a narrow 6-4 victory against third placed promotion rivals Dallam C.

Thomas Parkinson’s early triumphs against Tony March and Aidan Branch, coupled with Mike Jackson’s 6-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-6 win also against Branch, edged Dallam into a slender 3-2 advantage. Burton moved up a gear courtesy of Graeme Wheelhouse’s 11-5 and 11-9 victories in the crucial fifth set against Jackson and Parkinson.

Burton extended their lead to 6-3 after Branch beat Stuart Allan in straight sets, while March netted a last-gasp 13-11 triumph in the fifth set against Jackson.

A four set success in the doubles could not prevent the Milnthorpe side slipping to their fifth defeat of the season.

Burton have a two point lead in first position, whereas Dallam have slipped thirteen points behind second place.

Fourth placed Burton D recorded an 8-2 success against Kirkby Stephen B, however a promotion place looks out of reach.

James Burton earned the man of the match award for Burton with three wins, although he looked far from comfortable in a narrow five set success against an unfortunate Chris Horn.

Burton team mate Shelley Rhodes won two matches in the deciding set 12-10 and 11-3 against Horn and Mike Sunderland, while Peter Hunt also chipped in with a brace.

Kirkby Stephen deservedly got on the scoreboard when Eric Robinson beat Rhodes and Hunt 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5 and 11-7, 7-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-6.

In Division Three, Dallam D head the table by what looks like an unassailable seventy point margin following a 27-6 thrashing of Burton E.

Dave Salmon and Jack Wheelhouse beat Stephen Troughton, however this was as good as it got for Burton, as Bradley Varey and Stephen Gosling remained unbeaten.

In Division One meanwhile, Natland A hold a three point cushion at the top of the table, having two games in hand over their rivals.