BY DAVE QUINLAN

REIGNING champions got off to a flier in the opening salvo of the SLT FM Solutions Ltd York and District Table Tennis League first division.

Martin Lowe and Ashley Hodgson steered them to a 9-1 triumph over Bootham 'A'. However, the top performance went to Bootham’s Nathan Taylor who, on his division one debut, secured a stunning victory over James Rule.

York RI 'A' needed a treble from Mick Wilcoxon to secure a hard fought 6-4 win over Clarence 'A' for whom Graham Hatfield had a notable victory over Paul Robertson.

Jane Cohen and Jonathan Chabry were undefeated in a 7-3 win for York RI 'B' against Coneysthorpe 'B'.

York RI 'C' underlined their division two title favourites status with a 9-1 thumping of Bootham 'D', Jeff Cohen and Andy Fletcher posting maximums.

Bootham 'B' overcame promoted Wetherby 7-3, with Dave Rawlings starting the season in top form. For the losers, Neil Lynch played well to defeat Rachel Greener.

Bootham 'C' were too good for a depleted York RI 'D', Gareth Bryning excelling with wins against both Mark and Luke Blackburn in a 7-3 success.

Debutant Stephen Temple led Ryedal@RI to an 8-2 win over Shepherds 'B' for whom Paul Kozyra played well to defeat John Flintoft.

In the third division, Mikey Arnold contributed three wins for two-man York RI 'F' but could not prevent a 6-4 victory for BT 'A',.

A fighting performance from Shepherds 'C' failed to halt a 6-4 loss to Bootham 'F', whose Richard Collyer was on top form, while Bootham 'E' cruised to an 8-2 victory over promoted Burnholme 'B' thanks to Pete Corner and Jan Suchecki.

York RI 'H' underlined their division four title ambitions with an emphatic 8-2 win against Crescent 'F' with Paul Greenwood and Peter Griffiths untroubled.

Trustmarque posted the same score-line against York RI 'I' thanks to Ollie Bailey and Dom McHugh.

* There are still places available in teams for players of all abilities, particularly divisions three and four. For further details phone D Atkinson on 01904 704743.