THIRTEEN-year-old Alex Fowler enjoyed a fine York and District Badminton League debut - even though he ended up on the losing side.

He teamed up with Craig Dobson and they were unlucky not to take all three rubbers for Riverside in the 6-3 home defeat against Selby/Drax 'A' in Men's One.

Selby/Drax 'A' had earlier crashed 9-0 at Clifton 'A' whose new pairing Kevin Davison and Adam Clelland top scored with three straight wins for 90-36.

In Men's Two, Jubilee lost 8-1 at Tadcaster 86 but beat Selby/Drax 'B' 7-2 the next evening. Tadcaster's Phil Zealand and Alan Ward headed the home averages with 92-38 but Jubilee's Neil Richardson and Pete Lund hit back against Selby/Drax 'B' with three straight wins for 90-38.

University Staff Club lost both their opening matches in Men's Division Three 6-3 to RI Tuesday/Thursday 'C' and St John's. RI's new pairing of Barry Woodward and Paul Forth excelled for 90-46, while George Noble and Steve Lawson had a clean St Johns sweep for a total of 90-46.

York RI 'A' proved the selectors right after a 6-3 win over their 'B' team clubmates. Tim Jarvis and Nicky Milsted took all three for the 'A' team, while Richard Johnson and Sandra Pauw played well to take two RI 'B' wins.

Fulfordgate Ladies made a mixed start to their division two campaign with a 6-3 win at St Johns and defeat by the same score at Market Weighton.

Anne Geilen and Sarah Critchley took all three St John's points for a total of 90-20, while mother and daughter combination Laura and Sue Durston amassed 90-41 for Market Weighton.

York RI 'B' opened their Mixed One account with a 6-3 victory at newly promoted Shepherds. Jo Ladds and Mark Harris led the way with three wins, while Dave Simpson and Chiara Secchi took two points for the home team.

Sheriff Hutton lost 6-3 at Clifton 'B' in Mixed Two but bounced back to beat Pocklington 6-3 when Jo Wade and Chris Schofield hit 90-53. Kevin Davison and Gerry Screeton had starred for Clifton with a 101-33 return.

RI Tuesday/Thursday 'A' hit good form to register a 6-3 home win over YUSC 'A' in Mixed Three. Sheila Mackerel and Lim Eng-Kiat took two Staff Club wins, but lost out 13-15 15-11 13-15 to Institute pair Ian Sinker and Marlene Woodward.

Updated: 09:25 Thursday, October 27, 2005