RUFFORTH coasted to their 12th win of the season to take the points and secure the division four title in the Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League.

Top scorers were Kate Lewis and Liz Powell, who only dropped two games, but the other couples also contributed well to the team score of 75.

Cliffe remain on course for the second promotion spot after they beat Bishopthorpe 2 in a good team performance.

Sutton-on-Derwent are in third place but with a match in hand after they completed a similarly comfortable win, Goldie Cosby and Sally Simpson taking 32 games. Copmanthorpe 2’s defeat consigned them to division five along with Heworth next year.

Rowntree Park sprung a surprise 55-53 defeat on previous leaders Pocklington 2 in division three.

There was little between the teams, the only difference being the extra two games scored by Park’s third couple of Sandra Robinson and captain Breeda Gallagher.

Although the title is not yet decided, the win means Starbeck are promoted along with Pocklington 2.

At the other end of the table, Riccall’s Rachel Clark and Sue Warren scored 25 games in a 70-38 win over Poppleton 2 to keep their survival hopes alive with five matches to play.

Poppleton 2 were relegated.

In division two, Copmanthorpe 1 beat Fulford 2 70-38 to take two vital points in the battle for survival. Laura Simpson and Jane Harding won 29 games to move Copmanthorpe off bottom.

Castlegarth 2 picked up a good win against Boston Spa 1 after Marise Richfield and Sophie Woon teamed up for the first time to take 29 games.

Fulford 1 have been relegated from division one despite beating Bishopthorpe 1 64-44.

Jill Rounce and Jill McCreedy notched 33 games but, although this secured the win, David Lloyd 1’s narrow success over York 2 was enough to guarantee their safety. Debbie Holman and Helen Larkin’s 26 games proved the difference.

Dunnington 1 are now up to second after a tough match against Poppleton 1, whose Belinda and Rebecca Turnbull top-scored with 30 games.

Dunnington 1 showed greater consistency as they won 55-53.

Bubwith helped their bid to avoid the drop from division five by beating Sheriff Hutton 69-39. Anna Airaksinen and Diana Longthorp took 27 games.

Division six is also still open with Bishopthorpe 3, Stamford Bridge and Wilberfoss all battling for the title and promotion spots.

Bishopthorpe top the pile and they had the most comfortable win, 80-28, after Lee Kirkland and Katie Harvey racked up 30 games, backed up by Katie Lewis and Kathryn Dickinson with 28 games.