UNBEATEN Dunnington are on the brink of clinching the Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League with three matches left to play.

Their defeat of nearest challengers Poppleton opened up a massive ten-point margin.

Dunnington's three pairs scored 21, 22 and 23, the latter from Trevor Loten and Andy Peeke-Vout. Ashley Dearing and John Moore scored half of Poppleton's 42.

Wheldrake improved their ranking in their first season in the top flight with a modest win over bottom club Riccall.

Graeme Taylor and Paul Gowland scored 20 of Wheldrake's 58, while Rex Pocklington and Johnathon Sharp scored 21 in reply.

Rowntree Park's 67-41 victory over Wigginton moved them up to second place. Ian Macaulay and Richard Masters scored 25, but Wigginton's cause was not helped by an injury to Ed Barker-Wyatt which cost them 24 games.

Strensall's position at the top of division two looks precarious after losing 72-36 to Boston Spa.

Boston's Trevor Hughes/Pete Smith and John Develley/Dennis Hobson scored 26 as the team only lost one set.

Knaresborough had a great success, gaining their first points with a 62-46 win against Appleton Roebuck, led by 25 from Justin Crowe and Paul Wigglesworth.

Copmanthorpe beat Civil Service 69-39 in which 25 games from Dave Dearing and Rob Abbot proved Copmanthorpe's best, while again Phil Sinton and Andrew Crockett scored 21 of the 39.

Castlegarth continued their dominance of division three with a moderate 60-48 win at Cawood. Despite Cawood's first pair Eddie Burton and Derek Andrews top-scoring with 23 unbeaten, it was a team effort which won the match.

Wigginton II's 80-28 at York II keeps them in a strong second place. Andy Walker and Ken Storey were best of the week with 33 games. Roger Burton and Roger Stocks won York's only set.

Division four leaders Sherburn had a steady 63-45 win over New Earswick with 24 from the Caslake/Eddison pairing.

Second-placed Rufforth, seven points behind, beat Heworth 61-47, 26 coming from Andy Goodchild and Phil Telfer. Alan Bradshaw and Keith Scoullar held Heworth together with 21 games, but the team could manage only ten of the last 36 games.

Wilberfoss's 64-44 win over Poppleton III moved them into third place to open up the promotion race.

In division five, Sheriff Hutton moved above Nestl after beating them 60-48. Chris Burnham and Kevin Fairclough scored 23 but Nestl's Clive Christison and Matt Lowery scored 24.

The battle at the bottom ended in a 77-31 win for Cliffe at Selby, but even this win, with 29 from John Letham and Dave Hall, gives them only the slightest chance of avoiding the drop.

Appleton Roebuck II were back on form in division six scoring 81 against Bishopthorpe II, who could raise only four players.

Next Generation continued their inconsistent season by beating Civil Service II 71-37.

Updated: 10:00 Tuesday, July 29, 2003