BURTON CONSOLIDATE TABLE TOPPING POSITION

Division Three heavyweights Burton C and Grayrigg B clashed this week as first met second in a top of the table thriller.
Aidan Branch, Dave Salmon and Brian Gourlay fired Burton off to an unassailable 3-0 lead after their wins against Kevin Hunter, Margaret Dixon and Patrick O’Reilly. Gourlay’s match with O’Reilly went the full distance, with the Burton player sneaking it 11-7 in the fifth set. Hunter and Dixon hauled Grayrigg on the score sheet with victories against Salmon and Gourlay respectively, although Branch’s two further victories against Dixon and O’Reilly kept Burton in front. A late three set triumph for Hunter against Gourlay could not prevent Burton taking the doubles in a tight final set showdown and overall victory 22-15.
Grayrigg A have moved into third place after recording their first win of the season 22-15 against Kirkby Stephen C. Chris Ellis and Chris Horn fired Kirkby off into a 2-0 lead with wins against Doug Baxter and Ben Littlewood. Grayrigg suddenly found a higher gear and went 3-2 in front when Baxter and Sam Housego beat Bev Knowles and Littlewood edged out Chris Ellis 12-10 in a dramatic final set showdown. With this momentum behind them, Grayrigg continued to dominate and won the tie thanks to Littlewood and Housego’s late victories against Knowles and Ellis.
Crook C made it two wins from three games as they sneaked past Dallam E 21-17. Dallam’s Bradley Varey won two five setters 11-8 in the deciding set against Andy Gilchrist and Paul Metsers and went on to win all three matches. Team mate Stephen Troughton won two matches against Metsers and Chris Mowat, while Crook’s Gilchrist masterminded the team win thanks to his two victories. This latest success lifts Crook into fourth place, having played one game fewer than their rivals.
In Division 1, Natland A made it two wins from two matches to maintain their one hundred percent record after dispatching Burton B 10-0. The closest Burton came to getting on the score sheet was Alan Holt’s narrow 11-7 defeat in the fifth set against a fortunate Luke Biggins. Harry Carter and Roger Pimblett were unstoppable for Natland as they won their three games with ease.
Crook A recorded their best result of the season as they held Ibis to a remarkable 5-5 draw. Ibis’ Steve Dixon once again won all three matches, while team mate Trevor Nicholson beat Bob Bagot and Mike Taylor. John Howarth was in excellent form for Crook winning two matches against Nicholson and Pete Rushton. Howarth was bitterly unlucky to lose out 11-7 in the fifth set against Dixon in what was the night’s headline match. Howarth’s team mates Bagot and Mike Taylor beat beat Rushton to salvage an outstanding 5-5 draw for Crook.