THE NEW season kicked into life in the Kendal and District Table Tennis League with the format returning to three divisions.

A larger 'Woolwich' league will absorb last year's fourth division for a junior set-up of almost 50 teams.

As you were appeared the order of the day as reigning champion Ibis a dispatched Queen Katherine B 8-3.

Queen's did have the satisfaction of seeing two rising stars, Harry Carter and David Wood, secure wins over David Phillips, but Ibis's Trevor Nicholson and Steve Dixon were untroubled.

Last year's runners-up, Queen Katherine A, had an impressive 7-3 opening victory against Ibis C.

Both Zeke Dixon and David Archer had excellent wins over highly-ranked Simon Ledgwick and their their team look to be principal challengers to Ibis.

Relegated Crook B and Natland B both made fine starts in Division 2.

Crook B took apart Burton B, Phil Swift and Mike Taylor in a different class with Ed Lister also showing solid form in a 9-1 victory.

Natland won by the same scoreline against Dallam A.

Charles Usher picked up the winning thread, making it 12 months since he lost a game, although there was a scare from Helen Murgatroyd before she lost 24-26 in the third.

Usher was ably supported by Andrew Hudson, while Mark Ashburn's tight win over Bernard Pickthall was a crumb of comfort for Dallam.

Crook C had a convincing 9-1 win over Staveley a thanks to three wins apiece from Roger Hartley and Matthew Marshall and a brace by David Marshall.

Queen Katherine E and Staveley B slugged out a 5-5 draw, Craig Casswell and Matthew Clinton winning twice for Queen, while Bill Goslin and Ron Ainsworth triumphed for the visiting team.

Experienced Crook D swept aside newcomers Crook D in Division 3.

Burton C received a fright after racing into a 6-0 lead with Chris Taylor recording two good wins and well-supported by Tom Riley.

Staveley's trio of Louisa and Anthea Bevan and Geoff Phillips never gave up, takign the last four games to add respectability to the scoreline.

Results

Division 1: Ibis A 8, Queen Katherine B 2; Queen Katherine 7, Ibis C 3.

Division 2: Queen Katherine E 5, Staveley B 5; Staveley A 1, Crook d 9; Natland B 8, Dallam A 2; Burton B 1, Crook B 9.

Division 3: Crook D 10, Queen Katherine H 0.