YORK made a statement of intent as they opened their 2015 Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League division one campaign with a crushing win over promoted Dunnington.
Division two champions Dunnington took only half a point from the match as York, led by captain Pete Goodall, target their first title win in the 35-year history of the league.
John Moore and new acquisition Pete Hall were on top form, winning 30 games in a 76-32 romp against a Dunnington side facing a steep learning curve.
Poppleton 2 pinched a 55-53 win thanks to a final 9-3 by Popp stalwarts John Anderson and Phil Sinton, after visitors Sutton-on-Derwent had led 38-34 after two rounds in division three.
The simultaneous division six fixture between Poppleton 3 and Sutton 2 saw dad and son Edwin and Max Knighton win 25 games to edge Andy Greenall and son Robbie with 24 for Popp.
Division six champions Appleton Roebuck 2 had a tough start at on-song Bishopthorpe in level three.
A haul of 3-27 from Bish third pair Mick Miller and Sam Watson complemented captain James Parker’s 3-28 with Jamie Winspear.
Back at home, John Giles and Paul Harrison bagged a maximum and 24 games for Appleton Roebuck 1 in a whitewash defeat of unlucky Rufforth.
There was a clean sweep of wins for David Lloyd against Wigginton, winning 25 points from three matches.
Lloyd firsts edged to a 58-50 win on their indoor carpet as captain Angus Smith and Andy Holmes maxed with 23 games.
Outdoors in the division seven clash, Wigginton 4 won 5½ points from the six rubbers played, but a missing pair meant they were defeated by David Lloyd 3.
Wigginton 3 failed to close out all but one rubber in a tight scrap against David Lloyd 2 in division five. Matt Kneafsley and Phil Mutter returned three points from only 22 games won for Lloyd 2.
Division eight cup-holders Copmanthorpe 2 took the laurels at division seven shield winners Cawood in their division five clash.
Newbie captain Graham Bond was unbeaten partnering Chris Abbott to 2½-22 for Cawood, but saw his team capitulate 57-51.
Academy 2 won four of their first five rubbers, but were forced to hang on as hosts Sheriff Hutton stormed back to take 3½ of the last four points.
Sheriff sharp-shooters Richard Reynolds and Damian Galloway had a target of ten games to win the match in the last rubber, but were pegged back to eight by Nick Boyd and Dave Edgar for a narrow Academy 2 win.
Rich Norris and Jack Newton- Taylor got it right for Pocklington in division seven, nailing an unbeaten 2½ points from only 20 games won against visitors Heworth 2.
Up-and-coming stars Oscar and Alfie Hubble shone brightly for Dunnington 2 at home to New Earswick with 3-28, narrowly beating their own captain Rob Rhodes partnering Jack Batchelor.
New team Alne & Tollerton 2 hosted their own first team on their debut, but Matt Pearson partnered his dad Dave to a merciless 3-32 for the firsts.
Only Matt Herbert and Lawrence Hair could get on the board to give the newcomers their first point.
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