NEW Tyke Petroleum Men’s league leaders Poppleton cleared their first big hurdle with a stupendous result at title hopefuls York.

York had the better first round but, without their captain, collapsed to a hefty defeat.

Poppy were boosted by new player Nik Rohlfing scoring a decisive 3-24 with Pat Evans.

It was even at second-placed Rowntree Park until the last round, which David Lloyd pinched with three 7-5 rubbers for a title-turning nine point win.

Knaresborough fought back with a 22-14 final round to take their vital mini-league tie against neighbours Starbeck. Across the Nidd at Bogs Lane, Rowan Brookes and Chris White restored honour with 3-30 as division seven leaders Starbeck 3 overcame Knaresborough 2 by a similar margin.

Bubwith had little to trouble division two leaders Racquets, who are now the only team in the league with a 100 per cent winning record.

York 2 had to face a full strength Harlow with Chris Milne and Steve Shipley claiming 3-26. Wigginton 2 took a step towards division two safety, racking up a double-digit points win at home to Fulford 2. Only captain Paul Ruff and Alex Herriott could get on the board for the visitors.

Academy hit the top of division three with a big match-in-hand win at Fulford 1. Mark Roberts and Matt Waters, with 2½-26, were one of two unbeatable Academy pairs.

A rare win for Sherburn has plunged Rowntree Park 2 into a desperate contest with Fulford for the last division two berth next year.

Big wins saw Boston Spa and Appleton Roebuck 1 close to within three points of division four leaders Bishopthorpe.

Geoff Bullock and Ed Ziegler were joint top scorers with 3-33 as ‘Buck firsts dismantled York 4.

Appleton Roebuck 2 didn’t do their first team any favours, conceding the whole twelve points at Boston Spa.

David Lloyd 2 played their division five table-top tie against Heworth indoors - ending Heworth’s 100 per cent winning record.

Another casualty was Nick Latcham and Oliver Hicks’ unbeaten 2015 record, after a first round 7-5 loss to former division one Lloyders Trevor Watson and Nick Pears, who proved unbeatable with 2½-20. Heworth’s David Hicks and Jason May battled to 2-19 and, despite losing, Heworth’s four points assured their elevation to division three next year.