DALLAM BATTERED AS IBIS TAKE OVER POLE POSITION

Ibis have momentarily overtaken Dalton CC A to head Division One by eight points in the Kendal and District Table Tennis League.

The Kendal based defending champions recorded their thirteenth victory of the season with a 10-0 whitewash against lowly Dallam B. Ibis’ Steve Dixon and James McGrath steamrollered their way to three victories, with every game being completed in three straight sets, while Trevor Nicholson’s wins against Craig James and Paul Gosling were the only encounters that went beyond three sets. Ibis now have an eight point cushion over Dalton CC A, having played one game more than their rivals.

Third placed Natland A remain in the title hunt- having played two games fewer than Ibis- after demolishing Dallam A 10-0. Natland’s trio of Harry Carter, John Fearon and Roger Pimblett swept to a comfortable victory, only dropping two sets in a one sided affair. Natland now lie thirteen points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

In Division Two, Kirkby Stephen A remain the pacesetters after their eleventh consecutive win came thanks to an 8-2 defeat of Dallam C. The tie was evenly poised early on at 2-2 courtesy of Francesca Currie and Peter George’s victories against Peter Duxbury and Stuart Allan, while Dallam opened the night’s account thanks to young James Neal’s wins against Currie and Dave White. In the second period, Kirkby Stephen demonstrated why they are the runaway leaders in this division, by winning the next six points, which included a marvellous five set victory for White against Allan. The result leaves Kirkby with a massive fifteen point cushion at the top of the table, while Dallam C are perched one place above the relegation zone.

Second placed Crook B look favourites for the second position spot, as they narrowly navigated beyond Dent A 6-4. Dent gave a great account of themselves as Wayne Gardner and Steve Hawley beat Tony Cousins and Ed Lister. No one though could find a way past Crook’s Bob Bagot who won all three matches. Crook’s victory was completed when Bagot and Cousins teamed up in the doubles to triumph 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 against Gardner and Hawley.

Third placed Dallam D beat Burton C 7-3 to keep their slim promotion hopes alive. Bryan Rhodes won all three games for Burton, but was fortunate to scrape beyond Matt Neal 13-11 in a tense final set. Dallam netted victory though, thanks to a brace of wins apiece for Paul Capstick-Newell as well as Matt and James Neal.

Meanwhile, in Division Three, Grayrigg A remain the leaders by a tight two point margin, while Burton E and Crook C make up the chasing pack.