RETURNING students Liam Earnshaw, Pat Evans and Dom Shread helped Poppleton to a 12-point final match drubbing of third-placed Wigginton as they capped their Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League division one title success in style.

The result boosted Pop to their highest points total since the league went to 12-point scoring, surpassing even their 2012 success when they finished with a 100 per cent record.

“It’s our strongest side of the season,” boasted captain Nick Turnbull.

In division two, Jack Wood and comeback kid Johnny Kay bagged 3-30 as Copmanthorpe enjoyed a big win at Fulford, but it came too late as Dunnington, 14 times league champions, trounced Bubwith to confirm their return to the top flight as tier winners.

The result also condemned Bub, the 2008 champs, to another year in the second tier.

Poppleton 2 completed their club’s unbeaten double-header at Wigginton 2, only dropping three drawn rubbers in a 10½ point romp.

Wigginton 2 now need all 12 points from their final match to avoid the drop.

The three title contenders in division three all battered their opponents in the race for the trophy.

Leaders David Lloyd 2 concluded their season by shoehorning 10½ points from 64 games won in a tough match at Rowntree Park 2 to guarantee promotion. Talented new player Mark Izatt partnered Marc Jones to an unbeaten 2½-23.

Former frontrunners Sherburn had three unbeaten pairs at York 2, only conceding three drawn rubbers, for 10½ points from 66 games won.

It included a late seasonal debut for Dwight Brown, who scored 2-19 with Imran Jahangiri.

Appleton Roebuck took no chances, drafting in Rob Jones to help them demolish now-relegated Harlow. Geoff Bullock and Tom Shouksmith took the honours with 3-27.

Appleton Roebuck and Sherburn will face off in the final match, with Burn playing for promotion and Buck for the cup.

Racquets 2 boosted their hopes of beating the drop with a huge win at home to champions Starbeck 3, conceding just one rubber, for 9½ points.

Poppleton 3 got a glimpse of what might have been as Robbie Greenall, in a rare appearance, partnered Ben Crick to 3-28 at Appleton Roebuck 2.

With two to play, Racquets 2 could yet condemn Bishopthorpe or Appleton Roebuck 2 to relegation in their place.

Stuart Turner and George Hobson took 3-34 for division four promotion favourites Sutton-on-Derwent 2 in a whitewash of Wheldrake.

Selby’s Jason Clark and Mark Hodge shone with 3-31 at home to Dunnington 2.

Knaresborough 2 had six players on court at home to David Lloyd 4 but had to forfeit because their own first team had failed to "call up", preferring to concede their division two match.

In division five, Strensall will join neighbours Sheriff Hutton back in the bottom tier after being condemned by Wilberfoss. Captain Alex Gurnell and Kieran Screeton hit Strennie for 3-27, to edge Foss a close result.

First-teamer Matt Waters with 3-29 helped Academy 2 claim their first trophy, the division six cup, with a big win at Bubwith 2.

The result garnered Academy four additional points as Bub had conceded the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Promotion chasers Boston Spa 2 and Cawood also both won.