AIDAN RANFTLER bagged an excellent treble for Clarence 'A' as the 2017/18 York & District Table Tennis League season got underway.

However, this was not enough to prevent last season’s division one runners-up, York RI 'A', emerging with a 6-4 victory.

Champions Coneysthorpe saw off York RI 'C' 7-3 with braces for Tom Needham, Paul Young and Joel Wright, Mick Wilcockson responding in kind for the Railwaymen.

New club Topspin York slumped to a 7-3 defeat to York RI 'B', for whom Mikey Arnold was unbeaten.

Division two favourites Clarence 'B' thrashed a depleted Bootham 'A' 9-1 while stablemates Clarence 'C' triumphed 7-3 over Poppleton with Graham Hatfield too classy.

Dave Quinlan was on top form as Strensall 'A' edged a close encounter with Ryedale@RI 6-4, and a treble from Mark Blackburn proved decisive as York RI 'D' prevailed 6-4 against Shepherds 'A'.

In the third division, a revamped Wigginton & Haxby 'A' laid down a marker as they whitewashed Clarence 'D' 10-0.

Howard Broadbent was too strong for new team Strensall 'B' with his treble making the difference in a 6-4 victory for BT 'A'.

A fine unbeaten effort from junior Arthur Sorley was the highlight as York RI 'H' shared the spoils with an experienced Shepherds 'B' team. Jacob Martindale supported well with a brace and this was matched by Shepherds’ Mike Surtees.

Relegated York RI 'G' had Peter Smalley to thank as they recorded a convincing 8-2 win over Clarence 'E'.

A maximum from the continually improving Paul Seekings was the standout performance as Clarence CIU 'B' defeated Clarence 'F' 6-4.

Gary Bunce and Jan Suchecki were untroubled as Clarence CIU recorded an 8-2 win over a two-man South Bank 'A'.

In the fourth division, the experienced Robert Plant was on song although his treble could not prevent his Clarence CIU 'C' side suffering a 7-3 reversal against Wigginton & Haxby 'B'.

A maximum from Nigel Baker allowed Shepherds 'C' to secure a 5-5 draw against BT 'B' and South Bank 'B' thrashed a depleted Clarence 'G' 10-0.