The relegation places in division one of the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League already look to be settled after champions York beat their second team despite the absence of some players.

York have been without Steve Smith and Wendy Shepherd - the holders of many City of York titles between them - through injury.

It didn't hinder their team, though, as Gareth Adams and Wendy Stirke, winning all three rubbers 10-2, led them to victory.

Tomorrow night York visit their main title threats, Poppleton, who, led by county player Belinda Turnbull, have a good youthful team.

John Moore has returned to the city and if available will give York a stern test, but Poppleton too have their share of injuries to their first team squad.

Sutton on Derwent moved into third after Paul Colbeck and Helen Wilesmith led the scoring against Sherburn with team-mates Chris Hobson and Rosie Hodgson also remaining unbeaten.

Paul Cook and Catherine Postlethwaite led Bishopthorpe to a win against previously unbeaten York in division four.

Another team to put in a good all-round performance were Wilberfoss to go into the second promotion place after beating a depleted Stillington side who have dropped to bottom.

Wistow won their first match in division five following the welcome return to the first team of Steve Falkingham who with Jill Marsden was unbeaten. The win by Wistow means the bottom five teams are separated by only two points.

The top of the table clash in division six saw unbeaten Fulford lose to York in a close match. The win puts York in top spot.

Rufforth won an important match against Appleton Roebuck with husband and wife combination Paul and Sue Yoward winning all three rubbers. Strensall moved into third with a convincing win against Poppleton. The two losing teams in the matches now prop up the division.

Top scorers of the week were Alan Barker and Justine Gray from Bubwith in their heavy defeat of Bishopthorpe in division eight. Bishopthorpe did well to field a team on the night.

Newcomers to Tollerton, Howard and Pauline Brown, were unbeaten but could not save their team from defeat against Escrick and change places.

Next Generation were made to fight hard against Sheriff Hutton and came back from a first round deficit to win by two games and move above Hutton in the table.

Alne, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season, are leading the division 11 battle but were pressed all the way by Poppleton. Wheldrake kept their unbeaten run but were pushed to the limit by Wigginton and shared the points.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, June 21, 2005