BRITISH National League table tennis is coming to York this weekend.

For the first time since central venues started, the Minster city is to host a top level event with junior internationals and top national players competing in four rounds of fixtures in divisions three and four.

The two-day event will be held at the York Railway Institute gymnasium, Queen Street, today and tomorrow.

Two strong teams from Guernsey, Ravenscroft, currently lead both divisions.

In second place in division four, and providing local interest, are Derwent, who are so far unbeaten.

They have Richard Moss and Robert Owen returning to play for them and, along with young talents Nathan Taylor and Jacob McCarthy, have high hopes of further progress.

Derwent line up against Ravenscroft II this afternoon while tomorrow morning they will face another tough test against third placed Blitz Table Tennis Club led by Paul Johnson.

Tomorrow's fixtures start at 10.30am and Sunday's at 9.30am. Spectators are welcome, with information available from Richard Crowther on 01904 758990.

Meanwhile, champions Coneysthope 'A' are pulling away from the pack in SLT FM Solutions Ltd York & District Table Tennis League division one after a 9-1 thrashing of Bootham 'A'.

James Rule and Martin Lowe retained their unbeaten records, although Jon Wooldridge played well to beat Ashley Hodgson.

Despite a superb unbeaten performance from Aidan Ranftler, Clarence 'A' slipped to a 7-3 defeat to York RI 'A', while Chris Londesbrough and Joel Wright prived too good as Coneysthorpe 'B' posted a 7-3 victory over York RI 'C'.

Andy Kirk played well to pick up his first top-tier wins as York RI 'B' cruised to an 8-2 victory over York RI 'D'.

Jake McCarthy and Jane Cohen were untroubled for the 'C' team and Luke Blackburn recorded his first win of the season for the 'D' team.

In division two, Bootham 'C' edged a close encounter with Shepherds 'A' 6-4, while new signing Chris Hatton starred as University 'A' beat Bootham 'D' 7-3 for their first victory of the season.

Ryan Hood underlined his improvement with an unbeaten effort as York RI 'F' beat BT 'A' 7-3.

After a quiet start to the season, York RI 'E' gained an excellent 6-4 victory at Wetherby with the experienced Rich McCarthy ending the 100 per cent record of Joe Wright.

New club Strensall had a fine 8-2 win against Ryedale at RI but then had to settle for a 5-5 draw in a rearranged match against an improving University 'A'. Dave Quinlan continued his fine run of form with maximums in both fixtures.

Title favourites Clarence 'B' thrashed Bootham 'B' 9-1 but Bootham’s Steve Milner raised his game to clinch a fine victory again Mick Kenyon.

Burnholme 'A' remained at the top of division three but had to settle for a 5-5 draw against Bootham E, with in-form Jan Suchecki contributing three wins for Bootham.

Clarence 'C' thumped Wigginton & Haxby 9-1, while Lewis Harrison starred for York RI 'H' as they secured a 6-4 victory against Clarence 'D'.

Promoted Bootham 'F' continued their good start to the season by holding a strong Shepherds side to a 5-5 draw, and a treble from Adrian Church allowed Burnholme 'B' to gain a similar share-all against BT 'B'.

In their first match of the season, University 'B' went down 6-4 to York RI 'G' with veteran defender Peter Smalley unbeaten.

In the fourth division, University 'C' thrashed York RI 9-1 but it was memorable night for 12-year-old Arthur Sorley who claimed his first-ever win in the York winter league.

Russ Scott continued his rich vein of form with a maximum haul as his Clarence 'F' side fought out a tough 5-5 draw with club-mates Crescent 'E'.

Despite the unbeaten efforts of Mark Antrobus, Trustmarque prevailed 6-4 against York RI 'J', while Paul Lodder and Mike Belton were too good as Clarence 'G' cruised to an 8-2 victory over Shepherds 'C'.