RACQUETS clinched the Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League division four title with a comprehensive defeat of hosts York 3.

Captain Richard Shannon and Bill Brown with 3-29 were one of two Harrogate pairs to score maximum points for the side who will play in level two next year.

Appleton Roebuck’s aspirations were shot to pieces by visiting Academy’s big guns, although Buck's Paul Dadvar and Rob Jones scored an unbeaten 2-22. Academy are promoted to division three.

Bubwith bagged 53 games but only three points in a close division two contest at Harlow, for whom Jasper Jacobs and Andy Bennett claimed 2½ points from an economical 20 games won.

Starbeck racked up 12 easy points at home to four-handed Stamford Bridge to surpass Bubwith’s points total and claim home advantage in the level two play-off match.

The winners claiming a place in division one next year.

Copmanthorpe took a slender advantage after two rounds but visitors Wigginton took the honours in a see-saw division one contest with a final 22-game round.

Wiggy’s eight points assured them of top-flight trennis next season. Fulford drop to third from bottom and will replace either Bubwith or Starbeck in level two.

Three former York Municipal mens singles champions were on show as second-placed York hosted league champions Rowntree Park.

Steve Smith and John Moore scored all of York’s points, while Rowntree Park’s former champ Steve Spaven partnered son James to 2-17 in the youngster's first league match.

Only four players turned out for Wetherby at Poppleton as they bade farewell to the top tier after one season.

Wigginton 3 were going for gold with big points against a full strength Wheldrake. Andy Crockett and Nick O’Keeffe were imperious with 3-28.

With one final match, Wigginton need 10½ points to take the division six trophy or just three points to clinch promotion to level three.

Bishopthorpe 2 took the division six wooden spoon after slumping to a 58-50 reverse at home to New Earswick, despite a plucky unbeaten 2½-23 from captain David Moore and Alan Wilkinson.

Selby saved their best to last as they clattered Heworth 2 in division seven. Captain Ian Rothery and Dave Stewart were the pick of the Selby pairs with 3-28.