TADCASTER won the battle of the leading two teams in division two of the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League with their win against rivals Wigginton to take top spot.

They followed it up with another win against relegation-threatened Wheldrake with new pairing John Rutherford and Lorraine Pearey top scoring in both their victories.

The relegation issues were resolved in division one when Civil Service went down to last year's champions York, who fielded their City of York champions Steve Smith and Wendy Stirke, but were out-scored by Andy Cooke and Margaret Whitehead.

Poppleton stayed in second place with a win at Fulford second team and the rearranged match between the top two will decide the title.

Fulford need only one more point in division four to gain promotion after Richard Pears and Evelyn Atkinson won 30 games to head the scoring in their victory against Dunnington which saw them go back to the top.

Tollerton will be relegated after their loss at Stillington for whom Ken Stirk and Christine Cookman were unbeaten. Wilberfoss have ensured that the second relegation spot will go to the last week of the season after they beat Appleton Roebuck with Mark Tebbutt and Chris Oldfield in good form.

Sutton-on-Derwent have taken one step closer to promotion in division five. Led by top scorers Dave Nowell and Sally Simpson, they defeated Cliffe, who are weighed down with relegation worries.

Wigginton seconds lost ground on the leaders after their loss at Wistow, whose effort was spearheaded by Neil Richardson and Janet Falkingham.

James Walker and Julie Noonan won their last rubber 10-2 in Wigginton thirds' last-gasp win against second-placed Cawood to boost their divisional status.

Cawood are looking to complete a double with their second team going to the top of division six following victory at Sutton on Derwent led by top-scorers David Welsh and Lorraine Bishop.

Fulford slipped to third place after James Mason and Dee Robinson led Poppleton to a much-needed win.

Jonathon and Judith Evans won 30 games for Rufforth to capture promotion from division seven with a win against Civil Service. They consolidated the victory with another success against Rowntree Park, led by Phil Telfer and Sue Yoward .

York dented Wheldrake's hopes of the second promotion spot with a win against their rivals with Roger Burton and Rosemary Littlefair remaining undefeated.

Next Generation have completed a rare double promotion season with their first team taking the division ten title after defeating relegated Tollerton. Damon Deamer and Trish Telfer won 33 games just ahead of Martin Telfer and Chantal Lancaster.

Stamford Bridge need just one more point from their remaining matches to take the second promotion spot after Keith Westmoreland and Sally Cammidge led their side to a win against Stamford Bridge.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, July 27, 2004