LEADERS Coneysthorpe 'A' defeated second-placed York RI 'A' 8-2 to move 26 points clear at the top of the Time Communications York & District Table Tennis League first division.

The champions now look unstoppable in their bid to retain the title.

RI’s Filip Wojtkowiak took the first two games against James Rule but Rule fought back to win 3-2 and preserve his 100 per cent record for the season.

Martin Lowe also maintained his 100 per cent record.

Jon Wooldridge was undefeated and Joe Wright and Nathan Taylor won two each in Bootham 'B'’s comfortable 8-2 defeat of York RI 'B' for whom Jake McCarthy won two.

Joel Wright won his three singles matches in straight sets and Paul Young and Tom Needham won two each for Coneysthorpe 'B' in their 8-2 defeat of bottom-of-the-table Clarence 'B' for whom Martin Hood won two.

In a close mid-table clash, Aiden Ranftler was man-of-the-match with three wins for Clarence 'A' in their 5-5 draw with York RI 'C'.

Third-placed University 'D' inflicted the first defeat of the season on York RI 'D' to close the gap at the top of division two. Calum Goodwin won three and Martin Brown two for the students in the 6-4 win, while Luke Blackburn won two for RI.

Second placed York RI 'E' defeated Bootham 'C' thanks to maximums from Tim Smith and Ady McClaren.

Shepherds 'A' kept their promotion hopes alive with a 6-4 win against Poppleton thanks to three wins from Ian Williams.

Bootham 'B' enjoyed a narrow 6-4 victory over bottom-of-the-table York RI 'G'.

Strensall and Clarence 'C' fought out a close 5-5 draw - a result that helps Strensall in their battle against relegation.

Ryedale at RI and University 'B' are tied at the top of division three.

Ryedale defeated BT 'A' 9-1 thanks to maximums from Stephen Temple and John Flintoft while Razvan Ababei won three to help University to a 6-4 win over Clarence 'D'.

Paul Greenwood and Marcin Ziolek won three each for York RI 'H' in their 6-4 defeat of Shepherds 'B'.

Jason Chinnian and Paul Seekings scored maximums for Bootham 'D' as they beat Wigginton & Haxby 'A' 8-2.

South Bank 'A' lost only the doubles as they recorded an important 9-1 win over Clarence 'E' in their efforts to avoid relegation.

In the only match in division four, York RI 'I' extended their lead at the top of the table with a 10-0 win over Wigginton & Haxby 'B'.