IBIS beat third-placed Burton A to establish a slender one-point lead at the top of Division 1 in the Kendal and District League.

Ibis raced to a 4-1 advantage, courtesy of Steve Dixon’s straight-sets victories.

Trevor Nicholson consolidated Ibis’s lead before Chris Knowles got Burton off the mark.

The Kendal side continued to dominate as Nicholson once again claimed victory from the jaws of defeat with another five-set victory, while McGrath and Dixon chipped in two straight-sets wins against Baxendale and Knowles.

Despite an 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 12-10 success for Stitch in the penultimate singles clash, Ibis snatched victory in the doubles and a fine overall 8-2 match victory.

Defending champions Glaxo A are in hot pursuit after an 8-2 triumph against Burton B.

A whitewash looked likely as Glaxo steamrolled their way to an unassailable 4-0 lead. Peter Baxendale finally kick got Burton up and running with a pulsating three-set success, but a comeback failed to materialise.

Ian Bortherton was unfortunate with two five-set defeats as Glaxo arrived at the doubles with a somewhat flattering 8-1 lead.

A final flurry of inspiration saw Burton duo Baxendale and Brotherton win to produce a final scoreline of 8-2 in Glaxo’s favour.

Second-placed Dallam E are within touching distance of top spot in Division 3 George Pearson scored a hat-trick of victories in their 25-10 triumph against Kirkby Stephen C.

Dent B claimed their sixth win of the season, courtesy of a 20-14 success against a battling Natland F side.

Despite George Pickthall’s impressive three wins for Natland, Dent’s overall quality shone through as Ben Smith and Wayne and Tom Gardener earned two victories apiece.

Results: Division 1: Burton A 5-5 Natland A; Burton B 2-8 Glaxo A; Glaxo B 7-3 Dallam A; Ibis 8-2 Burton A; Crook B 2-8 Ibis.

Division 2: Burton E 9-1 Burton D; Dallam B 10-0 K. Stephen A; Dent A 4-6 K. Stephen A. Division 3: Dallam E 25-10 K. Stephen C; Natland F 14-20 Dent B.

;