Wigginton'S desire to return to division one in the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League started with a good 66-42 win against newly-promoted Civil Service.

Despite the absence of League sponsor Ian Tooms, Wigginton had Nestl family men's doubles champion Phil Langley in good early form with partner Danni Baker topping the scoring with an unbeaten 25 games.

Sue Espiner, runner-up in the Nestl ladies doubles, was also unbeaten with young partner Olive Gardiner and they were well supported by Denise Crane and Ken Storey.

Nestl ladies doubles winners Kathryn and Christine Place were in the losing side of a close encounter as Poppleton beat York 56-52.

Richard and Di Ekers, who retained their Nestl husband and wife title, successfully topped the scoring in newly-promoted Fulford II's 59-49 win against Stillington in division one.

Dunnington had an even closer match against Civil Service running out 57-51 winners thanks to Paul Birch and Suzie Booth, who were unbeaten despite the best efforts of Service's Chris Sorby and Wendy Cook who won 18 games.

Bubwith started their division three campaign with a big 78-30 win, led by Cliff Harrison and Jill Schofield.

They won 31 games and were well supported by Shaun Pinchbeck and Anna Airaksen.

Relegated Sutton on Derwent played promoted York and ran out 57-51 winners thanks to top-scorers Paul Swift and Goldie Raley, who won 23 games with York's Howard Pallister and Julie McNeil winning 22.

Wheldrake and Wilberfoss met in division four with Wheldrake running out 74-34 winners, led by Mark Bland and Helen Roe who won 28 games.

Andy Peeke-Vout and Sheelagh Stephenson were Dunnington's leading pair in their 64-44 win at Appleton Roebuck and they were well backed up by Phil Spencer and Alex McHenry with 22 games.

Another couple to win 30 games were Selby's Chris and Kirsty Godwin in their win at Cawood.

Riccall had a narrow 55-53 win in division five against visitors Sutton on Derwent thanks to an 11-1 scoreline by Rex Pocklington and Margaret Stanford.

Fulford had a 71-37 win against relegated New Earswick with Steve Price and Katie Hargreave winning 27 games.

The first draw of the season was between Cawood and Appleton Roebuck in division six. Cawood made a good comeback after being behind after both previous rounds.

Heworth found the carpet court of Dunnington to their liking, running out 66-42 winners led by Ron Barnett and Louise Haritakis, who were unbeaten with 24 games.

Civil Service gained their revenge for two defeats last season by Sutton on Derwent by beating them 56-52 in their first match in division seven. Jimmy Carter and Zoe Manton were unbeaten for Service.

Tollerton's first two couples, Stephen Yorston and Ann Thompson and Chris Mitchell with Ali Thompson both won 24 games when they entertained Sheriff Hutton and won 69-39.

Rufforth's Andy Ivel and Judith Evans were in unstoppable form leading their team to a 66-42 win at Strensall.

Bubwith had a good 76-32 win against Dunnington in division eight with Chris Cobley and Liz Bramley winning 27 games - a figure matched by Jim and Linda Tennant who were also unbeaten.

Wistow racked up a solid 62-46 win against Tadcaster. Unbeaten Steve Falkingham and Sue Hudson won 26 games.

Selby's Andy White top scored in both opening matches in division nine with his respective partners.

Firstly White and Debbie Godwin led the way with their 62-46 win at Wheldrake before he then partnering Sarah Pearce to win 28 games on the visit of Wigginton.

Fulford travelled to Tollerton and came away with the points in their 71-37 win. Fulford's Terry Haw and Jean Loadman won 26 games with Mark Cook and Catherine Smith matching their efforts after previously beating Wigginton 84-24.

Escrick opened their division ten season with a win against Wilberfoss. The match was affected by the rain but Escrick managed to get a winning advantage before the heavens opened with the score at 72-15.

Keith Bickerdike started with an impressive 31 games and was well supported by Steve Smowton and Isobel Harrison, who followed this with a good win against Wistow 84-24.

Nestl will be hoping to be in with a shout for the title and started with a 74-34 win against Wilberfoss in a good team effort. Clive Cristison and Elizabeth Langley won 26 games as did team-mates Ken Drake and Kerry Rafton.

POPPLETON Tennis Club's Under-15 girls recorded an excellent 5-0 win away to Hallamshire on Saturday in the National Junior Club League.

With Kate Empson unavailable, young Fay Garland once again stepped up from the Under-11s and recorded an impressive 6-4 6-1 straight sets win.

Top seed Jade Mullarkey edged the first set of her singles match 6-4 before cruising the second 6-2 while Alexa Sowden was never troubled, running out an easy 6-0 6-0 winner.

Mullarkey and Sowden ensured a whitewash when they won the doubles 6-2 6-2.

The win means that Poppleton have suffered just one defeat in four matches leaving them well placed to mount a serious challenge for the regional league title.

Updated: 11:47 Tuesday, May 07, 2002