In the top of the table Kendal women's squash team once again lost out 2-3 to league leaders Carlisle.

Starting the match in second place, Kendal's only realistic chance of overtaking the league leaders was to register a resounding victory.

This proved beyond them as Carlisle were clear victors and in taking 16 league points to seven, increased their grip on the championship.

Carlisle's No. 1, teenager Victoria Bell, rated the top under 15-year-old player in the country, proved too accomplished for Kendal's Jacqui Walker, and comfortably took the game in straight games with the loss of a handful of points.

At No. 2, Bridget Wedderburn was decidedly off form and failed to get into the match against Linda Reay in another 3-0 to Carlisle.

Pam Henderson got off to a promising start at No. 3 against Dorothy Boyd, a canny player whose precision drops can infuriate opponents. The Carlisle player kept her cool and out-thought a more powerful opponent to win 3-1.

At No. 4, Penny Hitchin capitalised on Donna Peugniez's mistakes to take the first two games, but then errors set in to level the match at 2-2.

An exciting, deciding fifth game saw the lead switching but Hitchin managed to squeak home 10-9 .

Irene Wharton was characteristically composed at No. 5 as she got the measure of a determined Kath Coulthard.

Her masterful low cross court drives, brought Wharton a 3-0 win to maintain her unbeaten record.

Details: Kendal lost to Carlisle 2-3: Jacqui Walker lost to Victoria Bell 1-9, 1-9, 4-9; Bridget Wedderburn lost to Linda Reay 1-9, 4-9, 5-9; Pam Henderson lost to Dorothy Boyd 9-5, 8-10, 4-9, 5-9; Penny Hitchin beat Donna Peugniez 9-7, 9-4, 5-9, 2-9, 10-9; Irene Wharton beat Kath Coulthard 9-6, 9-2, 9-5.