Dunnington dramatically snatched the division two crown off leaders Bubwith with 20 points from their final two matches in the Tyke Petroleum Mens Tennis League, and will be promoted automatically to division one.

After despatching depleted Harlow, Dunnington all but whitewashed Sutton-on-Derwent in a midweek match, under floodlights at York. A tremendous effort from youthful Brad Swainston and Tom Loten who remained undefeated in both matches, winning 5½ points and 56 games.

“We’ve rebuilt our team from home-grown club juniors, and they’ve improved far more quickly than expected”, enthused captain Paul Birch.”Division one will be the real test for them”. Dunnington are 14 times mens league champions, so expectations might be impossibly high for the fledgling first divisioners.

Knaresborough have completed their season and confirmed their division three title with a 100% record after another comprehensive win ‘away’ to Stamford Bridge. The hosts had elected to play the match at Knaresborough, because their grass court had become unplayable.

Alexes Kragiopolous and Wilkins were the week’s top scorers with 3-31 for ‘Boro. The play-off for the third promotion place up to division one, will be between Bubwith and Starbeck. Home advantage goes to the team scoring the most points in the league. With one match each to play, Bubwith are three points up, but with a tough last fixture at Harlow.

Title favourites Harrogate Racquets suffered a sensational defeat at third-placed Appleton Roebuck, meaning that the division four shield is once again up for grabs. Ever-improving Geoff Bullock paired with Paul Dadvar for an unbeatable 2½-23, as ‘Buck restricted Racquets to just 3 points. Appleton Roebuck will host second-placed Academy in what could prove a title-deciding final match.

Appleton Roebuck 2 harvested a mighty 21 points from two matches on successive mornings in division six, which guarantee them promotion up to level three in their inaugural men’s league season. Mark Baxter and Andy Howat led the way at home to Wheldrake, whilst David Luscombe and James Pittaway stormed the barricades for ‘Buck at Bishopthorpe 2. Rivals Wigginton 3 were gifted a big win with New Earswick fetching up a pair short. With two matches remaining, Wigginton 3 require 13 points for promotion and 20 points to claim the division six cup.

Fulford needed a favour in their final attempt to stay at the top table, but didn’t get one as Poppleton fetched a team boosted by the returning Jack Hannah and Tom Cantrell, and for which hotshot Liam Earnshaw again maxed with Nick Turnbull. Fulford battled hard for a heroic four points, affording them only a slender advantage over relegation rivals Wigginton who have a final fixture at Copmanthorpe.

Heworth started slowly but came back a storm at home to division five champs Sherburn. A 21-game final round wasn’t quite enough as Sherburn ended their successful year with the narrowest of wins. Heworth’s points from this match confirm that Alne & Tollerton are relegated to level four and will play in division eight next year.

Cup-winning Copmanthorpe brothers Luke and Matt Blackburn signed off their season in style with a bang-tidy (an impressive) maximum and 30 games at Strensall in division eight.