WITH TOP place in the Cumbria Womens League definitely out of reach, second-placed Kendal took on third-placed Penrith at Kendal on Monday.

Missing their regular No. 2, three of the Kendal players moved up to order to give Mary Ockendon her debut at No. 5.

In a scrappy match, the debutant did not quite get into her stride but nonetheless had the measure of her teenage opponent and clinched the match in three games.

At No. 4 Irene Wharton maintained her unbeaten record and cruised through for another assured three-love victory.

So with two matches completed, Kendal looked to be set up for a decisive result, but Penrith's powerful hitters, Kath Gray and Kath Ellis had other ideas.

At No. 3 Ellis went two games up before Penny Hitchin adapted her game and, using some effective lobs and lob services, pulled it back to 2-2. Ellis resumed control midway though the fifth, however, to take the match 3-2.

Meanwhile the No. 2 players were slogging it out and, with Pam Henderson unable to get into the match, Gray took it in three.

Poised at two all, the result hinged on the top game. This pitted Jacqui Walker against the veteran Vera Jackson.

The Kendal player was slow to start, and the Penrith player's tenacity and running won her the first game.

This was to be her only reward once Walker had warmed up and got into a rhythm, taking the match 3-1.

A 3-2 victory gave Kendal 16 league points tot Penrith's seven.

Details: Kendal beat Penrith 3-2: Jacqui Walker beat Vera Jackson 8-10, 9-3, 9-5, 9-2; Pam Henderson lost to Kath Gray 7-9, 3-9, 2-9; Penny Hitchin lost to Kath Ellis 5-9, 8-10, 9-2, 9-7, 4-9; Irene Wharton beat Kerry Newton 9-7, 9-6, 9-3; Mary Ockendon beat Hayley Watson 9-2,10-8, 9-2.

League placings: Carlisle played 11 played, 200 pts; Kendal 11, 179; Penrith 12, 149; Wigton 10, 138; Whitehaven 10, 89; Cockermouth 9, 70; Windscale B 10, 35.

n KENDAL Men's C team's promising season continued with a win at home against Penrith B in the semi-final of the Cumbria League Cup B Competition for teams in Leagues 1 and 2.

With Penrith playing in League 1 and Kendal in League 2, the visitors perhaps started favourites, but Kendal, boosted by their current top of the league status, saw it differently.

Ian Dillon started confidently to win the first game easily but found himself having to battle to stay in front against John Postlethwaite. He held his nerve well to win 3-1.

Sean Doran, no doubt inspired by the visit to the National Championships in Manchester, ran his socks off to frustrate Hat Thoede and win 3-0, in a match that might have been a lot closer if Sean was on anything other than top form.

Chris Greenwood just missed out on the first game then crashed to go two down against Doug Hugson. Some wise words from injured team-mate Tony Dixon and a mental re-grouping saw Chris get his act together and take the next three games for a solid 3-2 win.

John Alexander started well to take the first game but let a determined Darren Tallantine in to edge the next three and lost 3-1.

At No. 1 Lee Read impressively powered his way to a 2-0 lead and looked unbeatable. His opponent Graham Siburn began to find his range and omit the errors. Under pressure, Lee made mistakes and let his opponent back in for a 3-2 win.

In a cup match the points do not matter and a 3-3 win means a delighted Kendal go through to the final at Windscale on April 1.