DRAX Ladies scored two good wins in their quest to take second spot in division one of the York Badminton League, writes Paul Hobman.

A 7-2 away win over St John's was followed by a comprehensive 9-0 home win over Rowntrees. Julie Smythe and Gayle Bradley took Drax maximums in both matches for a six rubber return of 180-49.

Huntington visited Market Weighton in Ladies Two and came away with a 5-4 win.

Bev Tebbutt and Angela Hobman set the Huntington standard with three wins for 102-53, including a 15-10 12-15 15-3 over Weighton's opening pair of Linda McDonagh and Carol Gilpin.

Rowntree's men's team played host to RI Tuesday/Thursday 'A' and won 7-2 in division one. Ian Turner and Geoff Whittaker put in the best confectionery return with three straight wins for 90-58.

YUSC marked their visit to Drax 'B' with a 6-3 win in men's division three. Andy Brown and Keith Locker were the University Staff Club winners with three successes for a total of 93-75 and included a tough 17-15 1-15 15-13 over Adam Prescott and Shaun Firth.

Clifton 'B' proved too strong for Fulfordgate and won 9-0. Mark Screeton and Stuart Roberton put in the best Clifton display with three straight wins for a total of 90-31.

Riverside gained a valuable 5-4 away win over Clifton 'B' in mixed division one. Dan Woolfson and Kath Wilson put Clifton in with a chance after taking all three for a total of 102-62 but Tricia Fowler and Chris Swift swung the match in the away team's favour with an 11 and 3 over Sandra Robinson and Colin Ness.

Selby 77 scored a 6-3 home win over Millthorpe in mixed two. Millthorpe, who were a pairing short, still managed the best return of the match with Simon Watson and Anne Casper taking all three Millthorpe wins for 100-49.

Selby Jubilee 'A' had mixed fortunes in mixed three losing 0-9 away at Pocklington 'A' and then beating Rowntrees 'C' 9-0 at Selby. Mark Burrows and Pam Palmer top-scored for Pocklington with three wins for a total of 90-49, while in Jubilee's match against Rowntree's Neil Richardson and Val Bell top-scored with a straight games maximum for a return of 90-28.

Drax 'C' entertained Clifton 'C' and were good value for a 7-2 win. Andrew Neal and Pat Gregory put in the best Drax display with three wins for 90-40.

St John's pulled off a shock 9-0 away win over Tadcaster in mixed four.

All three student teacher pairings played well but George Noble and Sarah Manser topped their averages with three wins for a total of 90-43.

Fulfordgate 'B' pulled off a rare win in mixed five with a 5-4 home win over Market Weighton.

Updated: 12:09 Thursday, April 18, 2002