YORK avenged their defeat by Pocklington last season as they hammered them 77-31 as the Fulford Ladies Invitational Tennis League, again sponsored by Ryedale Brakes of Malton, began in spring sunshine.

The two newcomers to division one, meanwhile, met at David Lloyd with visitors Wigginton taking the plaudits. Eleanor Bradshaw and debutant Emma Foster stood out, claiming 30 games in their 61-47 win.

Mother-and-daughter pairings were the theme as Dunnington’s Emma and Nicola Loten and Alex and Denise Bolam led them to a comprehensive victory over Bishopthorpe.

Elsewhere, York 2 edged past Castlegarth 56-52.

Rufforth are the early leaders in division two after battering Poppleton 75-33, aided by a 31-game haul from captain Kate Lewis and Christine Edmund.

Castlegarth 2 sneaked past promoted David Lloyd 2 56-52 and Boston Spa won by the same score against Pocklington 2. Fulford 1 put in a solid team performance to defeat Starbeck 60-48.

In division three, Sarah Ginnell and Rachel Booth logged two 12-0 scores in Dunnington 2’s defeat of Bishopthorpe.

Copmanthorpe and Knaresborough saw off Boston Spa and Bubwith respectively, while Fulford 2’s Sarah Richards and Charlotte O’Shea racked up 29 games in their team’s 72-36 win at Wistow.

Rowntree Park started life in division four with a 62-46 win against Sutton, Laura Robson and Sandra Pauw bagging 27 games.

Tollerton top the table after beating Appleton 71-37, oe game ahead of Wigginton 2 who defeated Riccall.

Cliffe struggled against Heworth, for whom Captain Helen Gray and Monica Haritakis took 24 games as they cruised to a 64-44 victory.

Wilberfoss top division five after a resounding win against Copmanthorpe 2, inspired by a 31-game haul from Chris Oldfield and Jennifer Hunt.

All three New Earswick couples scored 18 games against David Lloyd 3 so ensured the two teams could not be separated. Poppleton 2 eased past club-mates, Poppleton 3 75-33.

York 3 look like they mean business in division six as they stormed past David Lloyd 4 71-37, Sarah Hughes and Michelle Wall top-scoring with 30 games.

Consistent scores from all three couples saw Cawood to a 61-47 victory over Rufforth 2.

All were close matches in division seven. Angela Rothery and Karen Anderson ensured Stamford Bridge’s victory over Sheriff Hutton, while Appleton 2 scraped past Dunnington 4 and newcomers Rufforth 3 recorded their first-ever victory when beating Wilberfoss 2 58-50.