Badminton: Branthwaite end Arnside's unbeaten record (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Badminton: Branthwaite end Arnside's unbeaten record

12:10pm Thursday 5th January 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

With Arnside and Branthwaite both winning against St Lukes and Dalton the scene was set for Arnside to put their unbeaten record on the line against their main rivals for the title as they squared up to Branthwaite.

Branthwaite started well by taking the first two games before splitting the second pair and by the end of the third pairs Branthwaite led 5-1.

The cross over doubles were split which left the match at 7-3 to Branthwaite.

The Branthwaite ladies then took both the top ladies doubles, 25-23 and 21-18 to leave them requiring just one more game for victory and this was achieved when the top men’s doubles were then spilt to leave the match at 10-4.

Arnside were now playing to try and keep the defeat down to as low as possible but losing both the second ladies games meant Branthwaite went up 12-4.

It was now imperative that Arnisde won the remaining men’s doubles which was achieved to leave the final score 12-6 to Branthwaite, who are now in poll position to take the title.

The other big movers were Bowness who beat Kendal and Kirkby Stephen to move up to relative safety but Dalton are now adrift at the bottom.

Branthwaite A continued their good form in division two with wins against Strickland, Branthwaite B and previously unbeaten leaders Ambleside to take over the top spot.

Burneside and Branthwaite B are beginning to lose touch at the bottom and need some good results to stave off relegation.

The leaders in the third division, Kendal A, consolidated their position with wins of 16-2, and 15-3 against their third team and a 17-1 win at Sedgwick. Sedbergh have given themselves a chance of staying in the division with wins against Kendal B and Strickland A.

Division 4 looks to have now turned into a two horse race with Strickland B and Heversham A well clear but Bowness B have a game in hand and could still have a say.

Results: Div 1: Arnside 12, St Lukes 6; Kirkby Stephen 14, Dalton 4; Kendal 8, Kirkby Stephen 10; Branthwaite 18, Dalton 0; Branthwaite 12, Arnside 6; Bowness 12, Kendal 6; Bowness 12 , Kirkby Stephen 6.

Div 2: Grange 13, Heversham 5; Branthwaite A 13, Strickland 5; Ambleside 13, Branthwaite B 5; Burneside 2, Grange 16; Heversham 7, Ambleside 11; Branthwaite B 1, Branthwaite A 17; Strickland 13, Burneside 5; Ambleside 8, Branthwaite A 10; Strickland A 8 , Grange10.

Div 3: Sedgwick 1, Kendal A 17; Kendal B 2, Kendal A 16; Sedbergh 13 , Strickland A 5; Kendal B 7, Bowness A 11; Bowness A 10, Kendal B 8; Kendal B 7, Sedbergh 11; Kendal A 15, Kendal B 3.

Div 4: Bowness B 5, Heversham A 13; Grange A 6, Kendal C 12; Sedbergh 0, Strickland B 18; Heversham A 11, Strickland B 7.