POPPLETON consolidated top spot in the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League, inflicting on Racquets their biggest defeat of the year.

Pat Evans scored 3-28 with Jack Hannah for the champions, while Dom Shread meshed well with captain Nick Turnbull to hit 3-30.

York handed title hopefuls Rowntree Park a surprise walloping.

Pete Hall and Alistair Johnson were unstoppable with 3-29 against the depleted Parkies. Academy relished their first carpeting at David Lloyd, pinching a close tie with a 21-15 final round, as number ones Mat Parry and Adam Rider starred with 3-25.

Wigginton's Ben Walker and Ben Storey had a ball at Starbeck, narrowly defeating Jasper Jacob and Tom Collyer 7-5, and going on to 3-28 in a nine-point romp.

Division two’s top-four showdown went the way of the top two.

A close contest at Fulford was edged by leaders Bubwith, whose Rob Jackson led the way with an unbeaten 2½-23 partnering Jon Clay.

Copmanthorpe captain David Beattie and Jonny Kay also ended unvanquished with 2½-24 at cup contenders Dunnington, who played with a scratch third pair.

Sutton-on-Derwent broke their duck, after 3-23 in the final round stole them the match at home to Poppleton 2.

David Lloyd 2 still top division three, but now only on games won, after defeat at second-placed Sherburn.

Lloyd’s Nick Pears and Trevor Watson shocked the domineering Phil Bremner and Stephen Duree 7-5, but were dazzled by new bright lights Tristan Gretton and Kevin Holdstock, who lamped everyone to return 3-30.

Big guns Ivan Dechovsky and Chris James hit 3-31 to garner Harlow their first win this year, against neigbours Boston Spa 2.

Auspicious debuts for Anthony Chester and Steve Walker, both unbeaten with 22 games, helped Rowntree Park 2 to a big haul against York 2, avenging the shock division one reverse.

Starbeck 3 still top division four.

An unbeaten innings from captain Colin Lefley and Carlos Gabaldon with 2-23, stole them the points at winless Appleton Roebuck 2.

York 3 continue to press, scoring 20-plus games per round against third-placed Fulford 2. Bishopthorpe won a close derby at Copmanthorpe 2 thanks to Chris Sharples and Sam Watson extracting 2½ points from just 20 games won.

A curious first division five success saw Strensall glean only 8½ points, despite winning a colossal 73 games at home to one-pair wonders Starbeck 2. Josh Cole and Simon Holian were irrepressible with 3-24 for the visitors, but their team-mates only added 11 further games.

Boston Spa 2 trounced Harlow 2 to stay atop division six. Steven Lewis and Chris Gilman maxed with 3-26.

Academy 2 are half a point behind, after they ended Pocklington’s winning streak.

Nick Boid and Piers Forster enjoyed their morning with 3-27.

Cawood kicked on into contention, with Graham Bond and Chris Abbott bagging 3-25 at Bubwith 2. Eights points adrift, they have two matches in hand over the leaders.

Riccall’s division seven lead borders on the ridiculous. Third-placed York 4 dispatched four newbies to face them at the Regen centre, returning with just half a point.

Phil Anderson and York City under-14s' Alistair Clothier nailed a maximum and 27 games for Wigginton 4, who narrowly beat a Wheldrake side rejuvenated by the spirited participation of the Murtagh family.

Dave Pearson and Rob Proudley soaked up the points at Selby to keep Alne & Tollerton 1 at the shoulder of division eight leaders Wigginton 3 with matches in hand.

Benefiting from the visit of David Lloyd 4’s stars-of-the-future, Wilberfoss 2 now also find themselves in contention.