Natland see hopes of a victory gone for a Burton in table tennis (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Natland see hopes of a victory gone for a Burton in table tennis

9:00am Saturday 6th October 2012 in Sport

THE 2012-13 Kendal and District Table Tennis League season got underway as 29 teams spread across three divisions battled it out.

Natland B and Burton B kick-started Division One proceedings with a thrilling 5-5 draw. Roger Pimblett and Luke Biggins helped Natland forge a 4-1 advantage but Burton fought back gallantly to 4-3 when Stephen and Peter Baxendale defeated Bernard Pickthall, adding to Stephen Baxendale’s sensational four-set success against the hard-hitting Biggins. Burton achieved the impossible when they hauled the scoreline back to 4-4 thanks to Ian Brotherton’s heart-stopping 11-8 triumph in a dramatic final set encounter with Pickthall. Despite Pimblett edging out Peter Baxendale 11-9 in the final set, Burton held on for the draw with victory in the doubles.

Last season’s runners-up Glaxo A picked up a comprehensive 9-1 victory against Crook A. Glaxo’s Keith Dymond and Alan Turner were masterful with three wins apiece, while Crook’s only highlight came when John Howarth swept aside Paul Ackred 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.

Phil Swift was unfortunate not to double the Crook points haul, as he toppled to an 11-9 defeat in a final set showdown with Turner.

Burton A made a solid start to their campaign with an 8-2 win against Natland C. Julie Stitch and Peter Baxendale recorded three wins apiece, with teammate Martin Wakelin chipping in with victories against Peter Taylor and Richard San Jose.

Glaxo B recorded the perfect start to their season, netting a 10-0 whitewash away at Dallam A.

In Division Two Kirkby Stephen A got off to a winning start with an 8-2 win against Dallam C. Dave White and Pete George were unbeaten, although White was pushed to the brink against Peter Duxbury, with the Dallam player losing 11-6 in the deciding set. The Milnthorpe side got on the scoresheet when Norman Philbey and Duxbury defeated Mike Sunderland. There were also 6-4 victories for Crook B against Dent B, Burton D against Kirkby Stephen B and Burton C against Natland D.

The only match in Division Three was Crook C’s narrow 18-15 triumph against Dallam E. Ben Metsers produced a match-winning performance for Crook, but was made to work for this three victories as young James Neal pushed him to a fifth set decider, where Metsers triumphed 11-9. Paul Metsers also impressed with a brace of victories against Anna Parkinson and Nina Duxbury.