CHAMPIONS Coneysthorpe 'A' started the defence of their Time Communications York & District Table Tennis League title in ominous form.

James Rule, Martin Lowe and Ashley Hodgson whitewashed York RI 'B' 10-0 to send them straight to the top of the standings after week one.

A fine treble from evergreen Graham Hatfield could not prevent Clarence 'A' suffering a 6-4 reversal against a youthful Bootham 'A'.

Joe Wright played well on his top-flight debut, contributing a brace, with further marks from Nathan Taylor (2) and Adam Ridley (1).

Paul Robertson and Filip Wojtkowiak were unbeaten as last year’s runners-up, York RI 'A', cruised to an 8-2 triumph over Coneysthorpe 'B'.

In the second division, Bootham 'B' showed no mercy as they thrashed promoted York RI 'G' 9-1 with Steve Milner and Garth Bryning untroubled.

Lewis Harrison underlined his continuing improvement as he thrashed top veteran Joe Suchecki in straight sets to pick up the sole point for RI.

Strensall had Dave Quinlan to thank as they edged a close encounter against a determined Clarence 'C' 6-4.

Simon Prins played well for Clarence to record two good wins against Dave Robinson and Nigel Reeson.

New club Poppleton shared the spoils 5-5 with Shepherds 'C'. Ian Williams starred with an unbeaten performance for Shepherds but Russ Barton claimed two fine wins on his debut for the villagers.

Richard McCarthy was on song as York RI 'E' claimed a 6-4 victory in a tight match against Bootham 'C'.

Jan Suchecki and Peter Corner are two of the top players in division three and they were both unbeaten as Clarence CIU thrashed South BT 'B' 9-1.

Paul Greenwood posted a maximum but this was not enough to prevent Shepherds 'B' recording a 6-4 victory over York RI 'H'.

Title favourites Rydale@RI had a tough start to life in the third tier as they slumped to a 7-3 defeat against BT 'A'. Dave Simpson and Howard Broadbent were unstoppable for BT.

South Bank 'A' and Clarence 'E' fought out a tense 5-5 draw with a treble from Chris McLuskie being the highlight of the evening.

There were just two fixtures in division four, Clarence 'G' whitewashing Bootham 'E' 10-0 and Shepherds 'E' beating a depleted York RI 'J' 6-4.