Poppleton claim Men’s Tennis League division one title (From York Press)

Poppleton claim Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League division one title

9:25am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in Sport

Poppleton I have won the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League division one title for the tenth time after a superb 8½-3½ win in their final match at David Lloyd.

Nick Turnbull and captain John Moore, who has now led the team to three successive titles, were undefeated with 2½ points from 25 games won on the indoor courts.

On this performance, Poppleton would have won the league by the start of August under the old scoring system, but this year they have been pressed to the end, making for a much more exciting campaign.

York’s failure to limit Pocklington to no more than 3½ points in their relegation showdown saw them fall.

Ben Dyer and Nick Robinson were invincible for Pock scoring 2½-25, with Tom Walker and Adam Harvey adding another 1½.

Rowntree Park boasted two top-gun pairs in captain Paul Adams, partnering James Denmark, and Ian MacAulay with Ed Martin, who both returned 3-32, as they slaughtered an inexperienced Poppleton 2, who bowed out of the top tier by 90-18.

Dunnington got the better of Fulford , whose Sean Evans and Richard Parker returned points for Fulford with 3-31.

A fourth win in a row saw Wigginton wrap up a very tight division two.

Stamford Bridge’s first two pairs took the battle to their hosts, but with three balanced pairs, Wiggy narrowly took the bonus 57-51, with 26 games won against Bridge’s third pair, for a 7½-point win. Bubwith again won the rubbers, but lost a closely-fought match to York, this time by 53-55 for five points to seven.

York now need ten points at Boston Spa in their final match to steal promotion off Castlegarth.

Copmanthorpe need just four points from their two remaining matches to seal the division three trophy after a huge win at Wilberfoss.

All three Cop pairs were unbeaten with Dave Atkinson and Matt Blackburn returning a maximum and 28 games.

Joining Rufforth in division four next year will be Boston Spa 2, whose debutants could not plug the gaps, affording Sherburn an 11-1 home romp.

Rowntree Park 2’s third pair could not get on the board against three strong Appleton Roebuck pairs.

Gary Payne and Tom Shouksmith finished unbeaten for Appleton with a decisive total of 2½-22.

Bishopthorpe opened an 11-point gap to third-placed Starbeck 2 in division four after winning the derby at Copmanthorpe 2.

Three points and a huge 28 games from Bishopthorpe’s Jonny Kay and Rob Williams clinched the 67-41 win.

David Lloyd 2 sealed their third promotion in a row, as Riccall, without Andy Woodward, failed to bag a point.

First blood went to Castlegarth 2 in their relegation face-off against Sutton-on-Derwent 2.

Applegarth’s Ripley brothers claimed 2½ points and 25 games to underpin a 9-3 win, taking them off the bottom, and within sight of safety. The two teams now meet on Sunday in a relegation decider.

In division six, Poppleton 3 lost a point in each round at home to Wilberfoss 2, who were battling for safety, before eventually posting a respectable 9-3 win.

Bishopthorpe won every single rubber at home to York 4 for an imperious 82-26 total and an unassailable 12 points.

Poppleton and Bishopthorpe will play in division five next season, but Wilberfoss 2 were relegated.

Despite a second successive reverse, Wheldrake won promotion from division seven.

Two strong pairs were not enough to win as Boston Spa 3 stole the team bonus by 56-52. But Spa’s 6½-point haul failed to steal second place enabling Wheldrake to make the ascent.