STARBECK Tennis Club firsts clinched the final say in the Tyke Petroleum Men’s League.

The Starbeck ranks beat Bubwith in a level two play-off to gain coveted promotion to division one.

Bubwith are former league champions, winning for the only time in their history in 2008, while Starbeck have never featured in the top-flight since first joining the league 13 years ago.

Home advantage went to Starbeck by virtue of scoring more points than Bubwith in the league season proper – 128 to 121½ - but in a gusting gale the Bogs Lane courts were some of the most challenging of all to play.

Both sides struggled to track the ball, but the standard of tennis was still remarkably good.

Starbeck captain Malcolm Titchmarsh and Dave Tripp proved unbeatable, with 20 games for 2½ points.

They were bettered by team-mates Tom Collyer and John Roe who won all three rubbers for 26. Jon Longthorp and Daryl Young top-scored for Bubwith with 15 games, but points as well as the ball, eluded them in the gusts.

Starbeck will join neighbours Knaresborough and also Dunnington in division one next year, while Fulford as the third team relegated from the top table, will replace Starbeck in division three.

The men’s league annual general meeting and presentation evening iwill be held at Dunnington Sports Club on Thursday, November 6.

Details are on the www.tyke-mens.btck.co.uk website.