REIGNING Westmorland Badminton League champions Arnside suffered a double shock when beaten twice at home 10-8 by Bowness and Kirkby Stephen.

The defeats left the door open for main rivals Kendal to take over the top spot after their comprehensive 17-1 win away against Dalton.

The outcome was affected by Dalton conceding four sets after two of their players pulled out with injuries.

Kirkby Stephen also won at Dalton 10-8 and remain unbeaten in their three games so far.

Strickland look to be struggling at this early stage and are starting drift away in bottom spot.

St Lukes continue to dominate in Division 2 with wins over Strickland A (17- 1) and Branthwaite A (15-3) and Grange (13-5).

Heversham , Grange and Branthwaite A are the three teams battling for the runners-up position.

Branthwaite B remain unbeaten in Division 3 after a hard-fought 10-8 win against Kendal B followed by easier 14-4 win against Sedgwick.

Burneside closed the gap at the top, recording big wins of 14- 4, 17-1 and 15-3 against Strickland B, Kendal B and Bowness B respectively.

Bowness A beat their team B team 14-4 to keep them rooted to the bottom of the league.

Heversham A top Division 4 as they had good wins of 16-2 against Kendal C and Bowness C.

Natland and Sedbergh both remain unbeaten and have games in hand over Heversham A, which will make the title race into a three-cornered battle. Bowness C are adrift at the bottom after picking up penalty points.

Results: Division 1: Arnside 8, Bowness 10; Strickland 1, Kendal 17; Dalton 8, Kirkby Stephen 10; Dalton 1, Kendal 17; Arnside 8, Dalton 10.

Division 2: Strickland A 1, St Lukes 17; St Lukes 15; Branthwaite A 3; Branthwaite 9, Grange 9; Kendal 5, Heversham 13; Heversham 15, Strickland 3;Grange 11, Ambleside 7; Grange 5, St Lukes 13.

Division 3: Bowness B 4, Bowness 14; Burneside 17, Kendal A 1; Strickland B 4, Burneside 14; Branthwaite B 14, Sedgwick 4; Sedgwick 10, Bowness A 8; Kendal B 9, Branthwaite B 9; Bowness B 4, Strickland B 14; Strickland B 6, Bowness A 12; Sedgwick 15, Kendal 3; Burneside 15, Bowness B 3.

Division 4: Burneside A 8, Bowness C 10; Heversham 16, Kendal C 2; Kendal C 9, Natland 9; Sedbergh 13, Grange A 5; Bowness C 2, Heversham A 16; Grange A 16, Burneside A 2.