It was a very good week for Natland A in Division One of the Kendal & District Table Tennis League as they defeated Ibis 6-4 in a very competitive encounter.

Five of the 10 matches went to the fifth and final game. Once again, Roger Pimblett led the way, with three wins in the singles and victory in the doubles in partnership with Harry Carter. Highlight of the night was Pimblett’s four-game defeat of Steve Dixon, a player he has lost to in a succession of major finals.

Crook A, with a 6-4 win over Dallam A currently sit second, but Ibis and Dalton A, with two games apiece in hand, are handily placed to challenge the leaders.

Burton B, with a crushing 9-1 demolition of Dallam B, leaped to the top of Division Two. Bryan Rhodes and Dennis Hooley, with three wins each, and Shelley Rhodes with two, were ruthless in their defeat of the Milnthorpe side. An out of form Paul Gosling won Dallam’s solitary point with a four game victory over Shelley Rhodes.

Kirkby Stephen A moved up to third with a 7-3 win against Crook B. Mike Taylor, returning from hip surgery, scored three creditable wins for Crook, included a pulsating 6-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10 win over the up and coming Jake Haygarth. It was all Crook could muster. The early season pacesetters, Burton C and Natland D clash this week, with the victor likely to return to the top of the table.

In Division Three, Grayrigg A moved to within 14 points of leaders Crook C, with the merciless thrashing of their own B team by 30 points to 2. Doug Baxter, Steve Hawley and Ben Smith were all unbeaten on the night.