UNIVERSITY 'A' are now clear title favourites in Time Communications York & District Table Tennis League division two after crushing Poppleton 9-1.

Calum Goodwin and Martin Brown were untroubled for the students, while Russ Barton played well for the villagers, securing an excellent win over Ishan Bairoliya.

A treble from Ian William saw Shepherds 'A' defeat Bootham 'C' 7-3, while Ady McClaren and Rich McCarthy starred as York RI 'E' thumped Bootham 'B' 9-1.

Ryan Hood was the difference as York RI 'F' edged a close encounter with struggling Strensall 6-4, while Clarence 'C' increased the pressure on Strensall with Simon Prins and Rob Farmery unbeaten in an 8-2 triumph over York RI 'G'.

Runaway division one leaders Coneysthorpe 'A' beat Clarence 'A' 7-3 thanks to maximums by star men Martin Lowe and James Rule.

Second-placed York RI 'A' thrashed their 'B' team 9-1, while Paul Young, Joel Wright and Tom Needham were on top form as Coneysthorpe 'A' whitewashed York RI 'C'.

The key match in division three was won by Ryedale@RI as the evergreen John Freeman and John Flintoft inspired them to an stunning 7-3 victory over promotion rivals Clarence CIU.

University 'B' look certain to clinch the title after maximum hauls from Jack Taylor and Yankui Feng laid the platform for a comprehensive 9-1 victory over Bootham 'D'.

The bottom two teams both scored surprising victories. A treble from Peter Taylor could not prevent BT 'B' recording a 6-4 win over Clarence 'D'. and Naz Hosseinian was on top form as Wigginton & Haxby 'A' defeated York RI 'H' 6-4 to register their first victory of term.

Shepherds 'B' edged Clarence 'E' 6-4 thanks to Mick Surtees. and South Bank 'A' and BT 'A' drew 5-5.

York RI 'I' are back on top of division four after trashing second-placed Clarence 'F' 8-2, Arthur Sorley and Mark Antrobus leading the way.

Trebles from Dom McHugh and Ollie Bailey saw Trustmarque beat University 'C' 7-3.

To cap a superb week for the club, Wigginton & Haxby 'B' thumped Bootham 'E' 8-2 with Russ Broadbent undefeated. Three fine wins from student Thomas Swann could not prevent Clarence 'G' pipping University 'C' 6-4, while a depleted York RI 'J' battled to a 5-5 draw against Bootham 'E'.