ROWNTREE Park have opened a sizeable 20-point gap at the top of the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League and hit the milestone of 500 games won by the half-way point of the season.

Wigginton’s Ben Walker and Jason Whiting claimed a rare 7-5 win over division one hotshots Steve Spaven and Sam Davies to no avail, as captain James Denmark and Pete Jones proved unbeatable with 3-29 in another 9½-point Park triumph.

Five teams now jostle for second place, including Poppleton who handed reigning champs David Lloyd their third defeat of the season.

York enjoyed a double over Copmanthorpe.

In division one, John Moore and Olly Gardner’s 3-27 proved the foundation of a nine-point win at Cop, while in division eight, York 4 won a thrilling first against second showdown 7-5 against leaders Copmanthorpe 2.

Cop 2 actually won five out of the nine rubbers at York, including 3-23 from openers Mark Dadvar and Graham Garbutt, but York shaved the team bonus by 56-52 thanks to 27 games won against a make-weight third pair.

All three Sutton-on-Derwent pairs bagged points in a narrow 55-53 win despite Pete Smith and Paul Kaye nailing three 8-4 rubbers for visitors Boston Spa.

Division three leaders Starbeck were unexpectedly ousted at Stamford Bridge who welcomed back both James Hunt and a return to form of first pair Robin Bedford and Chris Bowles who topped with 3-28.

Knaresborough went top thanks to Andy Cousins and Alex Kragiopolous’s 3-27 against lacklustre visitors Wigginton 2.

In division three, Wilberfoss posted a whopping win at Rufforth to leapfrog their hosts into second.

There was a close call at Strensall, with the first six rubbers all shared six-all between Wigginton 4 and division six leaders Sutton-on-Derwent 2.

Sutton’s Paul Burbidge and James Sweeting claimed the match with a final 9-3 rubber for a crucial 56-52 away win, keeping them top.

With just 3½ points separating them, four teams are jockeying for a promotion place behind runaway leaders Cawood in division seven.

Selby dropped to fourth after losing a crunch tie at home to Bubwith 2. Bubwith’s Dave Booth and Steve Pinnion were tops with 3-26.

Strensall produced a second win on the spin, with all three pairs proving too good at Pocklington 2 in division eight. Alfie Stevens-Neale was paired with James Whitwell for 3-25.