Dunnington beat Bishopthorpe to stay top of division one of the Fulford Ladies Invitation League.

Injury struck struggling Bishopthorpe in the first rubber when Jane Parkin dislocated her ankle, conceding 31 games as Dunington ran out winners 78-30.

Sue Yoward and Fran Critchley gave Dunnington a lesson in not giving up when they had three good rounds.

They won 8-4 and 7-5 but lost 5-7 to Suzie Booth and Denise Bolam, Dunnington's number ones.

York beat bottom-placed Knaresborough who are still looking for their first win of the season. Top scorers were Kate Rorrison and Helen Leach winning 30 games.

Poppleton had a good win at Bubwith 60-48. They couldn't beat Jill Schofield and Viv Williamson but won five of the rubbers, top scorers for Poppleton being Kath Halliday and Hilary Spencer winning 22 games.

Castlegarth had a comfortable win over bottom club Strensall to go four points clear at the top of division two. Top scorers in this match were Alison Cooper and Dawn Steel winning 28 games.

Appleton Roebuck and Cawood had the closest match despite another injury to Amber Hickman in the final round leading 5-1 when the pain was too bad to continue. Appleton Roebuck won 55-53.

Cliffe stayed unbeaten in division three after beating Wistow 73-35 but they are being pushed hard by second-placed New Earswick, who had a close 57-51 win at Dunnington. Betty Bainton and Sandra Burley top scored with 24 games.

Civil Service are on a good run and beat Wigginton, who found Wendy Catchpole and Jackie Ritchie too hot to handle as they only dropped four games in a 71-37 victory.

Riccall have opened a six-point gap at the top of division four but were pushed all the way in a match at Poppleton. Seven rubbers were close but Margaret Stanford and Joan Oxtoby, along with Jenny Tongue and Carol Hearn, both had an 8-4 win to make the difference for a 58-50 victory.

Fulford had a close match against Sheriff Hutton. Madeline Hatfield and Pat Hickson were unbeaten, winning 22 games in a 57-51 victory.

Sutton-upon-Derwent beat Dunnington, whose Angela Bush and Alison Day were unbeaten. They won 24 games to help their team to a 64-44 win.

Appleton Roebuck beat Bishopthorpe in division five 65-43.

Wheldrake defeated Selby to go into second place in the table after Jenny Grant and Lynetta Brammar won 33 games.

Updated: 12:12 Wednesday, July 04, 2001