“JUST too difficult” was vice-captain Dave Tripp’s summary after Starbeck conceded 92 games at home to Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League leaders Poppleton.

Nikki Rohlfing and Pat Evans for Pop were the day’s joint top-scorers with 3-32.

Rowntree Park fall behind, able to win only three rubbers at home to Academy, but drawing a fourth and winning the bonus for a narrow win. Adam Rider and Mark Coombes claimed 3-25 for the visitors.

Racquets thought they’d finally struck gold, taking 3-22 in the first round at York. However, an Ali Johnson and Pete Hall inspired fightback bagged the match 55-53 for a cheeky home win.

Returning Millfield student Angus Bradshaw did for David Lloyd, scoring 3-25 with Wigginton coach Ben Walker.

Suddenly it looks like Cop’s cup in division two, as Bubwith raised barely a smile in the top-two showdown at Copmanthorpe, returning home with half-a-point. Luke Blackburn and Rob Abbott couldn’t be beaten with 2½-21 against the season-long division two leaders.

Dunnington are looking good for elevation with two matches in hand, after James and Kevin Todd beat Fulford’s young stars, Josh Beavers and Tom Craddock, whilst Paul Birch and Greg Ashcroft ended unbeaten with 2½-23 as Dunn replace Fulford in third place.

Boston Spa have done it again. The strugglers have now won only three matches this year, but each one has been against the division three leaders. Having scaled the summit last week, it was Sherburn’s turn for the Spa treatment, returning home with just 2½ points. Simon Hughes and Dave Aspland starred for Spa with 2½-23.

Rowntree Park 2 take over at the top, losing just one rubber at division five champs Heworth. Jamie and Steve Spaven were the day’s joint top scorers, with 3-32 for the Parkies.

With no match, division four tearaways, Starbeck 3 were finally toppled but only on games won after bottom team Racquets 2 did themselves and their neighbours a favour with defeat of new leaders York 3.

Starbeck 3s' main worry now must be Bishopthorpe after their convincing home defeat of Fulford 2. Chris Sharples and Mick Miller hammered their cross-river rivals, 3-31 in Bish’s ten-point promotion booster.

Sheriff Hutton are still looking for their first win after a competitive local derby at Strensall in division five.

James Whitwell and Ben Brown were unassailable for Strennie with 3-28, whilst Andy Frank and Rory McMillan were top-shots for Sheriff with 2-18.

There was a predictable intra-club result as Wetherby 1 thrashed Wetherby 2 at home. Jeremy Reddish and David Corbyn were resigned to allowing their club-mates a consolation half-point, to Josh Bayles and Luke Green.

Starbeck 2 thwarted promotion-chasers Wilberfoss, by boosting their team with players from Starbeck 3. Andy Guise and Colin Lefley showed their 2nd team betters the way home at ‘Foss with an unbeaten 2½-22.

The top two in division six trade places as Academy 2 comfortably saw off Boston Spa 2. Matt Waters was the difference for Academy, nailing all three points and 23 games with Marcus Hewlett. With a second penalty for a default, Cawood now look out of the running.

It was a mixed morning for Bubwith 2 captain Dave Booth who partnered Liam Moore to a 3-28 romp, only to see his team lose 53-55 to visiting Heworth 2. Will Ellis and Richard Knighton scored the 9th rubber 7-5, to win the tie.

Riccall notch a record-breaking 77½ points from the first half of their season, after their third 12-point win of the year, this time at home to Bishopthorpe 2. Paul Elmhirst and John Lintott topped out for them this week with 3-31.

Alne & Tollerton 1 took one giant leap toward the division eight trophy, dropping just a half-point at Knaresborough 2.

Josh Hunt and Charlie Price were imperious with 3-31. Nick Bentley and Oscar Hubble’s 3-24 for Dunnington 2 dented visiting Wilberfoss 2’s promotion chances, and threw into sharp-focus their own team-mates’ more modest contributions.

All three of David Lloyd 4 pairs got into double figures for the first time this year. Lee Brayford and Will Turner returned 1-16 whilst Will and Dave Gibson just bettered them with 1-18.