YORK II have finally won their first match in division one of the IT Sports York Mixed Tennis League.

They beat fellow strugglers Tadcaster with Tito Latoja and Karen Retief clocking up 31 games.

Michael Binns and Belinda Turnbull recorded a perfect 36 against a Dunnington team who could only field one regular pairing.

Castlegarth demolished Dunnington to make themselves firm favourites for the division two title. Civil Service opened up a six-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack for the second promotion place with a win at Selby.

The top three teams in division ten will play each other over the next three weeks to sort out the promotion picture. Third-placed Next Generation, who beat Wilberfoss last week, play Heworth tonight. Next week Fulford travel to Heworth.

Wilberfoss have opened up a gap at the top of division seven of the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League after wins against closest rivals Wheldrake and Civil Service.

John Heads and Dinah Burke were Wilberfoss's leading scorers against Wheldrake but they were surpassed by team-mates John Huffington and Aileen Hunt at Civil Service.

Wheldrake bounced back with a win at Sutton-on-Derwent scoring heavily in the first round to stay in the hunt for promotion.

Nestl won easily against Rowntree Park, amassing enough games for the win after the second round.

Division seven will probably go to the final week to resolve both promotion and relegation as the top four teams play each other and likewise in the relegation zone.

Fulford and Dunnington have opened up a six-point gap at the top of division eight after Fulford beat Bishopthorpe. Cliffe climbed out of the relegation places with a win against Escrick and Bubwith took over third place with a last-gasp win at Tollerton.

Heworth stayed top of division five after defeating Wigginton III who conceded games after an injury to Stuart Langley. Second-placed Wigginton II's James Langley and Sue Espiner led their team to victory against Tollerton.

Cawood are also in the promotion picture after their win at Wistow led by Chris Abbott and Anne Talbot.

Anthony Downing and Jane Boddy won 35 games for Stamford Bridge in division nine against Appleton Roebuck to help keep their team at the top.

Next Generation were pushed all the way by Selby but the unbeaten John Major and Faye Garland won their final rubber 11-1 to clinch victory. Kevin Fairclough and Jo Anderson won 27 games for Sheriff Hutton against Stillington.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, July 05, 2005