CROOK CRUMBLE AS KIRKBY MOVE INTO THIRD

Kirkby Stephen A moved into third position in Division Two of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League after crushing rival promotion chasers Crook B 9-1.Kirkby are now equal on points with second placed Natland D, with a promotion place tantalisingly within their grasp.

The Eden Valley side’s latest victory- their tenth of the season- started off in explosive fashion as they raced into a 4-0 lead. The opening match was the highlight of the first period as Pete George overcame Brian Tigg 11-7 in an exhausting final set showdown. Crook hauled themselves onto the scoresheet in the second period when Tigg beat Ben Lindridge 11-8, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6. This was as good as it got for Crook, as Kirkby’s Dave White and George went on to win all three matches, which included a thrilling five set victory for White against an unfortunate Tigg. Lindridge won two further matches with victories against Ed Lister and John Wood to lead Kirkby Stephen to the 9-1 success.

Natland D moved into second place in the table following a 7-3 victory against Dent A. Steve Hawley got Dent off to a flying start early on as he beat Rinaldo Colombi 13-11 in the fourth set. Natland then transformed a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead, as Andrew Hudson beat Pete and Steve Hawley, while Richard San Jose and Colombi claimed victories against Danny Smith. In the second half of the tie, Natland continued to dominate as San Jose and Hudson netted a hat-trick of wins, while  Dent’s further points came from Pete Hawley’s thrilling 11-4 victory in a pulsating fifth set against Colombi and a victory in the doubles.

Burton C and Burton D played out an entertaining 5-5 draw. Bryan Rhodes scooped the man of the match award with his three victories. Team mate Dave Salmon won one game 11-6 in a marathon fifth set against James Burton, while Shelley Rhodes was unfortunate not to bag a win against James Burton, as she went down 14-12 in the fifth set. Burton C’s points came courtesy of Tony March and Daniel Herd’s two wins and Burton’s earlier victory against Shelley Rhodes. Burton C are up to fourth in the table, four points from a promotion place, while Burton D remain in eighth place.

In Division Three, Crook C are odds on favourites to win the division, as they hold a ten point cushion with an all important game in hand over their rivals.

Second placed Natland F wrapped up their eighth win of the season 24-12 against Dallam F. Natland’s Glen Allen contributed with a man of the match winning performance as he swept to three victories. Team mates George and Ed Pickthall won two matches apiece, with two of Ed’s games going the full distance. Dallam’s wins came from Jack Horrocks’ three set victories against the Pickthalls.

Bottom placed Grayrigg B earned only their fourth victory of the season 20-18 against Dallam E. Dallam’s James Neal was inspirational for his side, netting all three victories. Jay Hunter and Ben Littlewood won two games for Grayrigg against Stephen Gosling and Nina Duxbury, while Sam Housego chipped in for Dent with a single triumph over Gosling 11-5, 11-2, 11-5.

At the relegation end of Division 1, Natland C prop up the table after a heavy 10-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Ibis. Steve Dixon and James McGrath looked comfortable throughout, although Natland’s Andrea Jorkisch was unlucky not to beat Trevor Nicholson, eventually losing out 11-3 in a thrilling final set.

Dallam B occupy the other relegation place and are still without a win as they were mauled 10-0 by Burton A.

Club mates Dallam A are one place above the relegation zone after a thrilling 5-5 draw with Natland B.