POPPLETON have defended the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League title – completing their triumph in style with a whitewash of Harrogate Racquets.

Nikki Rohlfing and Pat Evans turned it on with 3-30.

Defeat confirmed that Racquets, without the breadth of talent to contend in a tough division one, will be joining neighbours Starbeck in relegation.

The Academy will be Harrogate’s only representative in the top flight in 2017, after completing the double over David Lloyd, despite Ben Orton and Mark Bland’s unbeaten 2½-23 for Lloyd.

It was all change again in division two as Dunnington stormed ahead with a shock demolition of cup favourites Copmanthorpe.

Brad Swainston and Will Peeke-Vout remained unbeaten in the six matches since Peeke-Vout’s return to the club, romping to 3-27 at Cop.

Bubwith stayed in the promotion hunt with a whopping win over captain-less Fulford, who plunged into the relegation mire. Rob Jackson and Andy Gosling were the week’s top scorers with 3-32.

A final round comeback win at home to Wigginton was not enough to see Knaresborough escape relegation.

In the division three title shoot-out at home to chasing Sherburn, David Lloyd 2 were boosted by the league debut of 2001 Auckland Open men’s doubles champion Marius Barnard.

He partnered Marc Jones to 3-26, which included a narrow 7-5 defeat of usually unbeatable Sherburn captain Steve Duree and Phil Bremner.

The win pushed Lloyd 13 points ahead of Sherburn who have a match in hand.

Ollie Hicks and Stephen Jones battled to 2½-25 at Appleton Roebuck but it was not enough to save Heworth from defeat, or the drop. Roebuck went second, well-placed to take the trophy.

Starbeck 3 claimed the division four title and sole promotion slot despite defeat at home to Appleton Roebuck 2.

Roebuck can now avoid the three relegation places with two to play.

Copmanthorpe 2 won their derby at Bishopthorpe, Mark Blackburn and Rob Abbott taking the plaudits with 3-29.

Cliffe conceded their match at leaders Wetherby 1 who thereby win the division five trophy, to join Starbeck 3 in division three next year, with one match yet to play. Cliffe have withdrawn from the league and their results to date rescinded.

Sheriff Hutton’s loss at Wilberfoss confirms they finish bottom and will play in division seven next season.

Rufforth, Wetherby 2 and Strensall now fight it out to avoid the drop into the bottom level and division eight.

Pocklington clipped the lead of runaway division six frontrunners Academy 2 as Ross Gleig teamed with Dave Gamble for 3-23.

Cawood battered Bubwith 2, Chris Abbott and Graham Bond again unassailable with 3-29.

Division seven champions Riccall have rewritten the records in their final match.

They’ve won 152½ out of a possible 168 points from 14 matches played, winning 106 rubbers and 1,077 games - benchmarks which may never be bettered.

Pat Woodward and Scott Anderson signed off with 3-27 at York 4.

Sutton look set for second despite having played two fewer matches than the chasers, after a big win at home to Alne & Tollerton 2. Jon Los and Ken Ridley finished took 3-25.

Wigginton 3 climbed out the bottom level with a big win over Knaresborough 2. Veterans Mal Pringle and Stu Langley saved their best till last with 3-31.