THE new York Badminton League season started badly for University Staff Club Ladies with 9-0 defeats against Clifton and York RI in Ladies Division One.

Helen Robinson and Lucy Smith topscored for Clifton with 90-29, while Nicky Hilsted and Ros Ellis led the way for the RI Ladies with a total of 90-23.

Men's Division One results saw York RI whitewash RI Tuesday/Thursday 'A' with father and son combination Richard and James Pauw taking three straight wins for a total of 90-30.

Riverside edged out Selby/Drax 'A' 5-4 with Craig Dobson and Geoff Oxley making the difference with three straight wins for a total of 90-30. John Fowler and Chris Swift swung the match with a last rubber 2-15 15-8 15-10 win over Jeremy Bowman and Dave Hearn.

RI Tuesday/Thursday 'B' beat Fulfordgate 'B' 8-1 then pipped Shepherd 'B' 5-4 in Men's Division Three.

A Foster and M Edwards took a 90-48 return against Fulfordgate, while Ian Sanderson and Col Brooks took the vital win against Shepherds with a six and nine win over D Piercey and Alan Cocker. Sam Watson and Tony Bebbington gained three Shepherds wins.

Selby/Drax 'A' visited Riverside 'A' in Mixed One and were good value for a 7-2 win.

Scott Anderson and Michelle Hall took the only Selby/Drax maximum for a total of 90-47, including a seven and 11 over Geoff Oxley and Alison Hyde who won twice for Riverside.

Selby/Drax 'B' ran out 6-3 winners against Easingwold in Mixed Two with Rex Pocklington and Sharon Ross starring for Selby/Drax with three straight wins for 90-35.

Phil Young and Kate Baragh played well for Easingwold and recorded an away win after some tough sets.

Nestl 'A' kicked off their Mixed Two season with a 9-0 win over Pocklington 'A'. Phil Grant and Helen Shepherd continued their good understanding with a total of 90-35.

University Staff Club 'B' had mixed fortunes in Mixed Four - a narrow 5-4 home win over Riverside 'B' followed by a 6-3 home defeat over Selby Jubilee 'B'.

Updated: 10:54 Friday, October 15, 2004