BIG WIN KEEPS DALTON IN TITLE CONTENTION
After finishing as runners-up in last season’s Division One table, Dalton CC A hope to go one better this time around and a huge win this week against strugglers Natland B gave the title challengers a glimmer of hope.
Natland B shocked their higher ranked opponents early on as Rinaldo Colombi and Mark Ashburn defeated Ryan Smith 11-4, 6-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8 and 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4 respectively to level proceedings at 2-2. Keith Dymond steadied the Dalton ship thanks to his four set victories against Ashburn and Louise Thompson. Dalton regained full control over the encounter when Dymond and Paul Ackred completed their three victories, while Smith recovered from his earlier setbacks to beat Thompson 12-10, 11-4, 11-9. An 8-2 victory for Dalton was confirmed when Dymond and Ackred teamed up in the doubles to beat Thompson and Colombi 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9. The success leaves Dalton in fourth place seven points off top-spot, while in contrast Natland lie one position and three points above the relegation zone.
Natland A continue to head the top flight table by a three point margin, with nearest rivals Burton A in second place having played one game more than their rivals. Burton secured their sixth triumph of the season courtesy of a 10-0 mauling of Dallam A. Burton’s Graham Coupe, Chris Knowles and Peter Baxendale won each of the ten encounters comfortably with only two matches going beyond three sets. The defeat-Dallam’s eighth in nine matches- saw the Milnthorpe side drop into the relegation places, three points from safety.
In Division Two, Natland C have an eight point cushion at the top of the table with second placed Burton C having played one match fewer than their rivals. Natland D still have an outside chance of promotion, lying in third place six points short of the promotion positions.
At the opposite end of the table, Kirkby Stephen C and Grayrigg A occupy the relegation positions. The struggling Eden Valley side are eighteen points adrift of safety, having played one match fewer than their nearest rivals Burton D.
In Division Three, Dallam D have forged a healthy thirteen point cushion at the summit of the table. This week the young Milnthorpe side secured their eighth win in nine matches thanks to a 29-8 success against Burton E. Dave Salmon got Burton off to a flying start courtesy of his 11-4 victory in the fifth set against Stephen Gosling. Burton’s Jack Wheelhouse was also unfortunate not to beat Stephen Troughton, narrowly losing out in five sets. Bradley Varey and Troughton remained unbeaten for Dallam, scoring three impressive victories. The defeat leaves Burton E in sixth place.
Dent A consolidated their third place position with a 20-13 victory against an ever-improving Natland E. The young Natland side put up a valiant battle and produced an excellent overall team result against higher ranked opposition.
