DALLAM A PREVAIL IN BASEMENT BATTLE
Dallam A and B teams look to be facing a season-long relegation survival battle in Division 1 of the Kendal and District League, as the two struggling sides locked horns this week.
Dallam A looked to be running away with the tie, as they built an early 5-0 lead. The B team’s Tom Jackson was unfortunate to lose out in both of his matches in the deciding set 11-3 and 11-6 to Craig James and Paul Gosling respectively. John Fitzgerald completed the solid opening with another five set victory, this time 11-7 against Lawrence Duncan. In the second period, the tide turned in favour of Dallam B, who got on the scoresheet thanks to Duncan’s victories against James and Gosling. The B team pulled back further to 4-5 when Tom Parkinson edged out James 14-12 in a nerve wracking fifth set. Despite a win in the doubles for Parkinson and Duncan, Dallam A took the win 6-4 when Fitzgerald eclipsed Jackson 11-8, 11-8, 11-8, lifting his side out of the relegation zone.
Natland C are awaiting their first win of the season, as they were whitewashed 10-0 by Glaxo A. Glaxo’s Paul Ackred, Callum Dymond and Alan Turner have forged an eight point lead at the summit of the table.
In Division 2, Dent B were unlucky not to earn their first win of the season, after losing out narrowly 6-4 to Natland D. Natland had Liam Hogan to thank for pulling them through this tricky encounter, as he earned a clean sweep of victories. Richard San Jose was also impressive for Natland, netting wins against Danny and Ben Smith. Dent’s points came courtesy of two triumphs for Ross Sedgwick and one win apiece for the Smiths against Anthea Bevan. The result leaves Dent second from bottom, one point from safety, while Natland D climb to seventh in the table.
Grayrigg A were another side unlucky not to earn their first success of the season with a 6-4 defeat against Burton C. Jon Cooper earned maximum victories for Grayrigg, while Burton’s Graeme Wheelhouse and Tony March excelled with two victories apiece. The result leaves Grayrigg rooted to the foot of the table, with Burton C climbing to third position, two points off a promotion place.
At the opposite end of the table, Crook B continue to head the pack and have now built up a ten point cushion with a 10-0 drubbing of Kirkby Stephen B, while Kirkby sit perilously just above the relegation zone.
In Division 3, Crook C lead the table by six points from Natland E, while at the other end of the table Dallam F scored their first win of the campaign with a tremendous 22-15 success against their E team. Jack Horrocks earned the man of the match award for his three wins, while team mate Ben Varey chipped in two points with wins against Anna Parkinson and Nina Duxbury. Dallam E’s points came from James Neal’s two wins in addition to Parkinson’s 11-4 success in the deciding set against Stephen Troughton. Dallam E are now fifth in the table with club mates Dallam F close behind in sixth place.
