There was a shock first defeat for division three Pocklington 2 in the Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League as they were conquered by Appleton Roebuck 1.

It was a close match but Appleton Roebuck benefited from their consistent team selection to win 58-50 with second couple Marilyn Almgill and Chris Howat leading the way with 24 games.

Pocklington 2 still head the table from Starbeck, who easily won their match at Poppleton 2 after Lisa Jacobs and Helen Halsall notched up another 33 games.

Boston Spa 2 were reliant on Sue Watson and Luci Milne, their only pairing to remain unbeaten, as they overcame higher placed Wistow.

However, Pocklington 1 kept up their unbeaten record in division two as they beat Castlegarth 2 66-42 with both Mel Duncan and Liz Jones and Helen Whilesmith and young Rebecca Hill taking 24 games.

Boston Spa 1’s promotion hopes are back on track as they beat bottom team Copmanthorpe 1, Sue Watson playing her second match of the day to score 25 games, this time teaming up with Lorraine Pearey.

Alex Sijpesteijn and Fran Bakes top-scored with 29 games as Knaresborough 1 raced to their second win of the season against Dunnington 2, while Lisa Garland and Pam Campbell scored 25 games in Fulford 2’s win at Wigginton 1.

There was a double celebration for Fulford as the third team had a comfortable win against Copmanthorpe 2, the ever-reliable Evelyn Atkinson and partner Su Watson took 27 games including a 12-0 rubber.

Leaders Rufforth got back on track as they won at Heworth, but Sutton-on-Derwent managed to close the gap on the promotion places by beating nearest rivals Cliffe 60-48, Lucy Collier and Sally Simpson top-scoring.

Tollerton edged past Bishopthorpe 2 in the tightest match of the week.

Stamford Bridge continue to dominate division six, not having dropped a match since their defeat on the opening weekend.

This time Poppleton 3 were the victims as Karen Anderson and Sheila Nicholson racked up 31 games in a 67-41 victory.

Their tally was bettered by the consistent partnership of Lee Kirkland and Katie Harvey for Bishopthorpe 3, who only dropped two games against Dunnington 4.

Appleton Roebuck 2 had another good all-round team performance in their win over David Lloyd 3, while Wilberfoss moved into third by taking the points against Wigginton 2.

York 1 are the only other unbeaten team and they comfortably saw off their second team 79-29. Chloe Lister stepped up to the first team and contributed 24 games with partner Sasha Taylor.

Division one newcomers David Lloyd beat a weakened Dunnington 1 to move clear of the relegation spots.

Castlegarth 1 and Poppleton 1 are in a battle for second place after wins over bottom teams Fulford 1 and Bishopthorpe 1. Roz Wilson and Judith Evans took 29 games for Poppleton 1.