Clifton ‘B’ opened their ladies division two account in the York Badminton League with a purposeful 6-3 home win over Tadcaster ’86.

Quian Noble and Leanne Welford showed good early-season form for the league favourites with three straight wins for 127-75.

RI Tuesday/Thursday Ladies’ inaugural season in the league started with a 5-4 home defeat by Huntington.

Claire Forth and Sheila Mackarel were solid for the Institute with all three for 126-77, but Joanne Maule and Lorraine Gregory snatched the win with a 19 and 14 victory over Jenny Wan and Rachel Simister.

Selby/Drax ‘A’ suffered two early defeats in men’s one.

They went down 5-4 at Riverside and were then thumped 9-0 at home by RI Monday/Tuesday ‘A’. Mark Harris and James Pauw were in great form for the Institute visitors with three straight wins for 126-61.

York RI Monday/Wednesday ‘B’ had mixed fortunes in men’s two.

They lost 6-3 to Clifton ‘C’ but then rallied to win 5-4 at Tadcaster ’86.

Dave Preece and Loz Smith played consistently well in both matches for the Institute to take six from six for a total of 263-173. Their best win was 21-15, 15-21, 23-21 over Tadcaster’s opening pair of John Greenhaulgh and Kevin Trail.

Tadcaster ’86 suffered a further reverse when they travelled to Shepherds and lost 6-3.

James Pearson and Paul Nichol continued their good understanding as Shepherds’ opening pair and were awarded for their good play with three straight wins for 126-86.

Tadcaster ’86 had earlier visited RI Tuesday/Thursday ‘C’ and won a tight match 5-4.

Brian Morley and Ian Sinker took three Institute wins for 126-93, but Kevin Trail and Ben Stables won the match with a last-rubber 21-8, 20-22, 21-19 victory over Tony Kirkman and Bill Clemmit.

Fulfordgate continued their winning sequence in men’s three with an 8-1 home win over Terry’s.

Matt Hobman and Steve Walker were best for the home side once again with three wins for 126-69. They were well supported by Alan Roberts and Garry Hall, who took three for 177-154.

York RI Monday/Thursday ‘A’ proved the seedings correct in mixed one after an 8-1 win over their ‘B’ team club-mates.

Chris Hunt and Kate Jackson emphasised their opening pair status for the Institute with three wins for 127-78. Mike Gray and Ann Stephenson picked up the consolation with a 17 and 19 win over Nicola Coggins and Mack Harris.

Riverside ‘B’ suffered a 7-2 defeat to Clifton ‘A’ in mixed two.

Dennis Clerry and Quian Noble were in great form for the visitors, only being extended by Ian McInay and Sue Sharp before winning 21-12, 25-23 and then going on to take all three in straight sets for 130-75.

The battle of the Selby-based clubs saw Jubilee ‘A’ win a close match at Selby/Drax ‘A’ 5-4.

Scott Anderson and Michelle Hall took three Drax wins for a total of 128-91, but June Murphy and Andy Hatfield took the vital last rubber for Jubilee with a 15 and 18 win over Lisa Ward and Phil Brunyard.

RI Tuesday/Thursday ‘B’ look to be the form team in mixed four after a 7-2 home win over Huntington ‘B’ and a 9-0 home win over their ‘C’ team club-mates.

Paul Forth and Rachel Simister were the top Institute pair against Huntington with all three for 126-69, while Chris and Jenny Wan topped the averages against the ‘C’ team with 126-81.

Pocklington opened their account with a 6-3 home win over Middlethorpe.

Martin Waller and Hazel Quarrie took two wins for the visitors, but lost 16 and 14 to Derek Burt and Yvonne Neave, who took the best Pocklington return of 126-95 from three straight wins.