HEWORTH have reclaimed top spot in division six of the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League after their 67-41 win against Poppleton.

They lead by games difference from three teams all on 12 points with Cawood just one point behind.

The defeat pushed Poppleton down to fifth place.

Wigginton have jumped from fourth into second place after beating Cawood 61-47. Fulford dropped into third place after losing to Dunnington, who eased out of the relegation area with their 57-51 win.

Poppleton extended their games difference at the top of division one after winning 82-26 at Stillington and now have more than 108 games in hand over second-placed York, who beat third-placed Dunnington 60-48.

Andy Cooke and Wendy Shepherd were unbeaten for York, winning 24 games, and were matched by team-mates Steve Smith and Jenny Ashley. Dunnington's Paul Birch and Suzie Booth won 19 games.

Poppleton are the new leaders of division two after beating Civil Service 60-48 and Rowntree Park 55-53.

Poppleton had a good first round against Rowntree but were pegged back in the second round and, in the final rubbers, Poppleton's unbeaten John Anderson and Hilary Spencer won 9-3 to take the points.

Wigginton are in second place after their win at York thirds, which leaves York fighting with Civil Service to avoid the second relegation place.

Wigginton had to make several selection changes but Ian Tooms and Sue Espiner were unbeaten with 27 games.

Dunnington exchanged places with York seconds after winning a 55-53 thriller. Dunnington's Mike Taylor and Denise Bolam scored 23 games.

York seconds bounced back with a win over relegation-haunted Civil Service to remain in the promotion hunt.

Another nail-biting 55-53 win in division three saw Castlegarth beat rivals Tollerton to move into third place after the teams went into the final round all-square.

Both teams in the relegation zone beat bottom club Poppleton, Bishopthorpe winning 64-44 and Riccall 63-45.

Division four leaders Dunnington are one of only four unbeaten teams in the league. Their latest victims, bottom club Cawood, were despatched 70-38.

Wheldrake remained in the second automatic promotion place after their 72-36 win at Strensall, which was led by Dave McDermott and Helen Roe's haul of 27 games.

Selby are just two points behind Wheldrake following their victory over Appleton Roebuck in which Francis Milivgevic and Pam Campbell won 28 games.

Fulford have regained the lead in division five after their 62-46 win against Wistow 62-46, ousting Sutton-on-Derwent, who lost 64-44 to Wistow.

Neil Richardson and Val Bell won 25 games to earn Wistow's second win of the season.

Copmanthorpe joined Sutton on the same points after their 59-49 win at New Earswick and stay in the promotion hunt. Copmanthorpe's Graeme Butcher and Karen Hornby were the top pair with 25 games.

Relegation and promotion issues will go down to the final week in division seven as Civil Service lost 66-42 at Rufforth after being one of the latest teams to concede games due to injury. Rufforth's Andy Ivel and Judith Evans won 28 games.

Rufforth then slipped to third place after suffering a 74-34 defeat at New Earswick, whose Keith Pearson and Sandra Burley won 27 games.

David Moore and Jane Parkin led Bishopthorpe to a 62-46 win against Tollerton, with Nick Waters and Chris Smith weighing in with 23 games.

Sutton-on-Derwent put together two wins against Sheriff Hutton (70-38) and Strensall (64-44).

York have a six-point lead in division eight after beating Wistow 56-52 but then losing 57-51 at Dunnington, who ended York's unbeaten record.

Riccall closed up after their 59-49 win at Bubwith thanks to Dave Badger and Judith Bray's 24 games.

Their side climbed further up the table with a 69-39 win at Wilberfoss where Mark Harris and Joan Oxtoby led the scoring.

Wilberfoss' first pair of Ged McTernan and Roz Latham won 25 games in their side's 57-51 win against Tadcaster.

Appleton Roebuck moved off the bottom of division nine by beating Tollerton 65-43 to send Tollerton into the relegation area. Roebuck's Adrian Shakeshaft and Emma Almgill won an impressive 28 games.

Wigginton and Civil Service contested the only draw of the league, which kept the teams below leaders Fulford and Cliffe.

Nestl stayed on course for the title at the first attempt after a 86-22 win at New Earswick, who had only two couples.

Stillington are hot on their heels after beating Sutton-on-Derwent 65-43, while Wistow moved up a place after winning 67-41 at Wilberfoss. Wistow's Martin Kyle and Pat Lyons were unbeaten, winning 27 games.

Updated: 12:23 Tuesday, July 16, 2002