DEFENDING champions York 1 avenged last season’s defeats by Dunnington as all three couples made a positive contribution to their opening 63-45 victory in the Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League.

The top scorers were Popp’s Catherine Baker and Rebecca Turnbull, who claimed 30 games to ensure their team got off to a winning start at Castlegarth.

League newcomer Wendy Wong contributed 21 games with partner Anna Baker in Fulford’s 67-41 win over fellow promoted side Starbeck.

Newly-promoted Appleton started their division two campaign with a 59-49 victory over Bishopthorpe, with Judy Marriott and Emma Cashmore notching up 24 games.

David Lloyd 1 opened their season with a 65-43 win over Pocklington 2.

In division six, Wilberfoss again benefited from the high-scoring partnership of Gerry Screeton and Michelle Helm, who contributed 29 games in their 69-39 triumph over David Lloyd 3.

Meanwhile, Poppleton scored a resounding win over Dunnington 4, while the league’s newest team, Bubwith 2, went down 62-46 to Sheriff Hutton.

Division four saw David Lloyd 2 complete a comprehensive 72-36 victory over Knaresborough 2, which included a 25-game haul from Barbara White and Sarah Cussons.

Cop 1 had a comfortable 70-38 win at Sutton.

Bubwith 1 started their season in division five with a 68-40 win over Cop 2, while Dunnington 3 recorded an emphatic 71-37 success over Fulford 3.

The two teams that dropped into division three met in the first week of the season, where Fulford 2 came out victorious with a 65-43 win over Knaresborough 1.

Jane Pemberton and Nikki Jackson scored 25 of Cliffe’s 57 games to defeat Riccall, while Wistow overcame Wig 1 58-50.