POPPLETON started the defence of their Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League title in style by not losing a single rubber against Starbeck.

Captain Nick Turnbull and Nikki Rohlfing rattled off 29 games for the champions in a 70-38 win.

Wigginton were narrow 55-53 victors against David Lloyd after Jason Whiting and Ben Walker had won 22 of the final 24 games.

Mark Hinchcliffe and Bill Brown (3-30) were the top performers as last year’s division two winners Harrogate Racquets settled into top-flight life with a victory over York.

Promoted division three champions Academy, meanwhile, could only garner a point, courtesy of Philippe Bourgois and Mark Coombes, against 2014 league victors Rowntree Park.

In division two, Bubwith secured a 9-3 points triumph over Copmanthorpe despite only winning 59 games.

Bub captain Rob Jackson claimed 3-25 with partner Dan Busby.

In division three, Sherburn also wrung nine points from only 55 games on their way to defeating Boston Spa.

Tristan Gretton and Kevin Holdstock (3-24) inspired the victory, along with Phil Brember and Stephen Duree (3-25).

Heworth lost to Rowntree Park seconds after going up as division five winners, although Oliver Hicks and Nick Latcham (3-28) offered some resistance.

Dave Bradley and Paul Dadvar’s 7-5 final-rubber win against David Lloyd seconds’ star pair Dave McKenzie and Marc Jones earned Appleton Roebuck a narrow 56-52 win.

In division four, Starbeck thirds comfortably beat Poppleton thirds with Andy Guise and John Berger (3-29) in fine form.

York thirds boasted Howard Pallister and newcomer Jamie Winspear as an unbeaten first pair with 2½-25 during a straight-forward triumph over Racquets seconds.

Mick Miller and James Parker also excelled with 3-28, but could not spare Bishopthorpe from defeat at Fulford seconds.

In division five, a final round of 25-11 saw new Wilberfoss captain Alex Gurnell get off to a winning start against Starbeck seconds.

Youngsters Joel Hancox and Luke Crowther, meanwhile, gave Rufforth a battering, returning 3-26 for Cliffe, only for their hosts to claim the match.

In division six, new Academy seconds boss Nick Boid partnered Piers Foster to 3-26 in a solid win over Boston Spa seconds.

Riccall’s Pat Woodward and George Lintott contributed 3-33 in a division seven whitewash of Bishopthorpe seconds.

With a late cry-off, Rufforth seconds could only muster four players for their loss to York fourths.

In division eight, Will Gibson and Sam Pratt were unbeatable with 2½-23 for new team David Lloyd fourths at Selby.

Selby captain Colin Fone led from the front with 2-27, partnering Paul Murden.

Alne & Tollerton ruthlessly dismantled Knaresborough seconds, with star pairing Josh Hunt and Charlie Price claiming 3-30.

Dave Crane and Les Almond’s 3-27 for Wigginton thirds saw them see off their David Lloyd counterparts.