THE Academy secured promotion to the York Men's Tyke Petroleum League's first division with a huge final-tie win against Sutton-on-Derwent.

That result meant they topped the seven-team division three with Mat Parry and Adam Rider claiming a maximum 3-27.

At Sutton-on-Derwent 2, Nick Boid and Rob Bowles were also unbeatable with 2-19 helping Academy 2 seal the double-header in division six.

Heworth ended their campaign with a huge win at York 3 to claim the division five cup, but fell just shy of the men’s league record of 140 points.

Matt Stearn and Stephen Jones took the honours for Heworth with 3-24.

There was high drama, meanwhile, as division six cup-winners Poppleton 3 failed to win a single point at third-placed Sheriff Hutton, leaving promotion-chasing Wilberfoss 2 with a 12-point mountain to climb when they visit Sheriff in their final match.

Giving debuts to three youngsters, Popp captain Steve Fenton lamented injuries and holidays for depriving his team of a fitting finale to an otherwise impeccable season.

Division eight leaders Harrogate Racquets 2 were also humbled in the local derby at lowly Harlow 2.

Andy Riley and Andy King carded an unbeaten 2-21 as the hosts battled furiously to a season-concluding 9-3 victory.

Unbelievably, Racquets 2 are now in peril of being overtaken at the last by Strensall, who helped themselves to ten points off Bishopthorpe 2, thanks to top-gunners James Whitwell and John Long with 3-30.

Racquets' first team claimed revenge in their division two mirror-fixture, although jack-in-the-box Harlow proved their toughest opponents this year, pegging the leaders back to only eight points.

Harlow’s Ivan Dechovsky and Steve Broughton could not be beaten with 2-19.

It was a case of better from A to Z, as Steve Arnold and Ed Ziegler's 3-24 sent Appleton Roebuck top after inflicting a third-in-a-row defeat on long term division four leaders Bishopthorpe.

James and Nick Edmond claimed 3-26, while their teammates also ended unvanquished, in a gutsy performance at Appleton Roebuck 2 to ensure that Rufforth stay in the division.

Cliffe claimed the last promotion spot out of division seven with a huge win at David Lloyd 3. Dave Tomlinson and Joel Hancox were the day’s joint top-scorers with 3-30.

Local rivals Riccall could only field two pairs at Heworth 2, although they still managed to claim five points.

Cliffe will now play in division five next year.