Dunnington have been relegated from division four of the Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League on games difference.

Their fate hinged on the outcome of their final match against fellow strugglers Sheriff Hutton with the losers destined to join Poppleton in division five.

Both clubs were level on points going into the last fixture and a nail-biting match ended 54-54 which was enough to send Dunnington down on games difference.

Dunnington got off to a flying start with captain Barbara Plummer and Liz Stacey winning 10-2, Sandra Evans and Rena Boorman 8-4 and Caryl Raven and Ann Murray 7-5 to put their team 25-11 up after the first round of games.

Sheriff Hutton scored two 8-4 victories in the second round as Dunnington's lead was trimmed to 42-30 going into the final round of matches.

Sheriff Hutton's top couple, Jo Johnson and Pauline Hull, pulled out all the stops to whitewash their opponents in the third round and were backed up by a 7-5 win for Jill Hodges and Debbie Hamilton.

The third game saw Raven and Murray win for Dunnington, but Ellie Batty and Andrea Pitman won five games which was enough to force the draw to keep their side up.

Fulford, defeated on grass the previous week, made home advantage count when the teams met again in a 58-50 victory. Jeanne Loadman and Mary Kemp top scored with 24 games.

Champions Riccall lost their 100 per cent record by failing to turn up at Strensall, who collected the two league points and moved into fourth place behind Fulford.

Dot Macintosh and Sue Jacklin were in good form as division two champions Castlegarth beat Rowntree Park 71-37.

Lorraine Pearey and Debbie Young were the only couple to enjoy three wins as Tadcaster beat Bishopthorpe 63-45 in division one.

Julie Reilly and Jackie Heels reeled off 9-2 10-2 and 11-1 victories as Fulford won 69-39 at Poppleton. Kate Hargreaves and Linda Irving won 24 games as Fulford moved into second place behind champions York.

- IT Sports Ladies Doubles holders Wendy Stirke and Louise Lister defend their title next month. Entries can still be made to Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League secretary Terry Haw.

- No IT Sports York and District Mixed Tennis League report was submitted this week. The final report and tables will be published next Tuesday.

Updated: 11:46 Tuesday, August 28, 2001