CROOK SCALE DIVISION SUMMIT
A 26-11 triumph over Dallam E has lifted Crook C to the summit of the Division 3 table in the Kendal and District Table Tennis League.
Miraculously, this was Crook’s twelfth straight victory of the season and a result that has earned them a thirteen point cushion at the top with a game in hand over their rivals.
In their latest victory against Dallam E, things did not go to plan for Crook early on as James Neal helped the Milnthorpe side snatch the opening match 11-9, 10-12, 11-0, 11-8 against Chris Mowat. Crook were not under the cosh for long as wins for Ben Metsers and Mowat against Anna Parkinson, in addition to Paul Metsers’ five set success against Nina Duxbury, eased Crook into a 9-6 advantage. Moving into the second period, Crook continued to dominate thanks to Ben Metsers’ three wins. Mowat and Paul Metsers chipped in with another victory apiece against Duxbury and Parkinson to leave Crook 23-10 up with only the doubles to play. Crook completed the 26-11 success when they took the doubles 11-3, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5.
In Division 1, Ibis lead the table from second placed Natland A by a nineteen point cushion, following a crushing 8-2 victory against Natland B. The table topping Kendal side raced into a 5-0 lead, as Natland had few answers to their skilful opponents. An 11-8 success for Ibis’ James McGrath in a thrilling fifth set was the highlight of the first half. Natland B eventually got themselves onto the score-sheet when Roger Pimblett beat Trevor Nicholson 11-7 in the fourth set, while Luke Biggins also beat Nicholson in a mirror image four set triumph. Ibis secured their twelfth consecutive league win when Steve Dixon and McGrath completed a hat-trick of wins then teamed up in the doubles to triumph in four sets.
Natland A are momentarily in second place thanks to a comprehensive 10-0 victory against their C team. The match of the night was Harry Carter’s mammoth 11-5 victory in the fifth set against Andrea Jorkish, a match which lasted a record breaking fifty-five minutes.
Third placed Glaxo A are only two points behind Natland A with two games in hand following a 7-3 success against their B team. Gareth Brunton got Glaxo B off to a flying start with a sensational 11-7 victory against Keith Dymond in the dramatic fifth set. Brunton doubled the B team’s points total with an 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 win against Alan Turner. Glaxo A however, turned on the style in the second period as Callum Dymond remained unbeaten with three wins, while team mates Turner and Keith Dymond netted two wins apiece. Glaxo B dealt the final blow at the end of the match when Keith Mallinson and Brunton overhauled Keith Dymond and Turner in the doubles, but this was not enough to prevent Glaxo A’s 7-3 win.
Burton B are now level on points with their A team following an evenly matched 5-5 draw with Crook A. Mike Taylor earned the man of the match award after his inspired victories against the Baxendale brothers and Ian Brotherton. Taylor’s stand out victory was his exciting 11-9 success in the fifth set against Stephen Baxendale. Team mates Phil Swift and John Howarth chipped into the Crook account with one success apiece. Burton’s points came courtesy of Peter Baxendale’s two victories and one win apiece for Brotherton and Stephen Baxendale. Burton also won the doubles 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.
In Division 2, Dallam D hold a seven point cushion at the summit of the table, despite a 6-4 defeat to their C team. Dallam C’s Phil Hyman won all three matches including an 11-8 win in the fifth set against Peter Duxbury. Sam Horrocks was also impressive for the C team with two victories against Duxbury and Stuart Allan.
Natland D remain in second place, seven points behind the leaders, while Crook B remain in third despite a 6-4 defeat at the hands of an impressive Burton D.
