CROOK SMASH KIRKBY FOR SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON

Crook A claimed only their second victory of the season in Division One of the Kendal and District Table Tennis League this week, as they whitewashed struggling Kirkby Stephen A 10-0.

Winless Kirkby came into the match having scored two points in three matches and were unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet when John Howarth edged out Francesca Currie 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5. Currie was once again unlucky not to earn a victory for Kirkby when she lost out 11-9 in the crucial fifth set against Phil Swift. The Crook trio of Swift, Howarth and Mike Taylor went on to run out 10-0 victors with a four set success in the doubles. The victory now leaves Crook in seventh position, while Kirkby are rooted to the foot of the table.

Burton B secured their second win of the season with a 7-3 success against Dallam A. Burton raced into a 4-1 lead thanks to victories from Alan Holt and Martin Wakelin against John Fitzgerald and Phil Goymer’s straight sets triumph against Jon Cooper. Paul Gosling hauled Dallam back into the tie when he beat Wakelin and Alan Holt, while team mate Cooper also beat Wakelin 11-9, 11-9, 11-7. Burton sealed the commanding win 7-3 when Holt and Goymer beat Cooper and Fitzgerald.

In Division 2, Natland C and Natland D played out a thrilling derby encounter which the C team won 6-4. The C team’s Andrea Jorkisch won all three matches including a five set success against Liam Hogan. Team mate Bernard Pickthall contributed two points to the C team haul with victories against his son George Pickthall and Mick Taylor. Hogan was the D team’s main threat as he won two matches against Pickthall and Pete Taylor, while Mick Taylor also chipped in with a four set win against Peter Taylor.

In Division Three, Natland E are still without a win as they were mauled 30-3 by Dent A. Natland’s Archie Catnach and Devun Whitehead nearly produced a shock in the doubles when they were just and so defeated 11-4 in a thrilling final set against Ben and Danny Smith. This is as near as it got however as Steve Hawley and the Smiths won the other games at a canter. The win leaves Dent in fourth place, while Natland E are rooted to the foot of the table in seventh.