Table Tennis: Ibis hot on Burton heels in title quest (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Table Tennis: Ibis hot on Burton heels in title quest

10:30am Thursday 22nd December 2011 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

IBIS are hot on the heels of Burton A at the top of Division One of the Kendal and District League.

Sitting just seven points behind and with three games in hand, Ibis are within striking distance but Burton moved into pole position this week with a shock 6-4 win against defending champions Glaxo A.

Glaxo made the brighter start as Alan Turner edged out Chris Knowles 11-5 in a drama-filled final set, while Paul Ackred doubled the Ulverston side’s advantage with a straight sets triumph against Martin Wakelin.

Burton made a valiant fight back in the next two singles matches when Julie Stitch and Knowles eased beyond Keith Mallinson in three comfortable sets to leave the tie balanced at 2-2. Despite Turner and Mallinson’s three-set wins against Wakelin, Burton dominated the tie in the second period, as Stitch completed a hat-trick of wins, supported by Knowles’ two wins, to give Burton the narrow 6-4 success.

Natland A are in third place after winning their seventh match of the season 10-0 against Crook B.

Natland’s replacement Luke Biggins faired well, triumphing in all three matches in similar fashion to his team mates Harry Carter and Mark Ashburn, leaving them three points behind Ibis.

At the other end though, clubmates Natland C need to close a 10-point gap if they are to survive this season, while Burton C are even further in trouble as they are cut adrift by a huge 14 points.

In Division 2, Dallam B hold a 16-point cushion at the top of the table, followed in second place by Dallam C, while at the opposite end of the table, Burton E have slipped into the relegation positions.

In Division 3, Dallam E head the table, with Dent B 40-points behind in second place.