FULFORDGATE Ladies entertained Pocklington in ladies division two of the York Badminton League and eventually won 5-4 in a close match.

Anita Wilkinson and Sue Jackson kept their nerve in the final rubber to beat Lucy Roberts and Kate Mallandar 4 and 2 to give the home team the win bonus points.

Pocklington Ladies bounced back with a 5-4 away win over St John's at the Lord Mayor's Walk campus. Lucy Smith and Pippa Riley took three student wins, but Cate Hyde and Wendy Arnold sealed the match over Lenka Menkyna and Claire Reed.

Clifton 'A' hit good home form to register an 8-1 win over IT Sports in men's division one. Ian Shore and Richard McIntosh top-scored with three straight wins for 90-43, while Saf Grey and Mike Milsom took the consolation with a 4 and 5 over Dave Bloomfield and Dilip Eapera.

In men's two Knavesmire beat hosts St John's 6-3. George Noble and Liam Whittington took all three home wins for 100-43, including a 15-3 10-15 15-8 over Alistair Jewison and John Major.

Tadcaster continued their push for promotion with a rousing 9-0 away win over University Students 'B'. Andrew Cooper and Fraser Clark put in the best display with three straight wins for an aces total of 90-37.

Shepherd's good home form in men's three continued with a 7-2 win over a resurgent RI Tuesday/Thursday 'C'. Keith Dixon and Paul Forth were the pick of the home pairs once again with three straight wins for a total of 90-31.

Clifton 'A' recorded a 7-2 away win over York RI 'B' in mixed division one.

Kevin Davison and Shelagh Barker, mixed doubles partners for many years, hit top form yet again to record a straight games maximum for a total of 108-69.

University Students 'A' entertained Rowntrees 'A' and ran out 8-1 winners.

Justin Rich and Kate Marchbank took the student honours with three wins for 90-49. Phil Grant and Helen Shepherd took the confectionery consolation with 10-15 15-6 15-10 over Philip Pap and Sarah Jones.

Sheriff Hutton finally opened their mixed two account with a 6-3 home win over Knavesmire. Chris Schofield and Jo Wade led the Sheriff charge with three wins for 96-64, including a 15-13 6-15 15-4 over Mark Hopwood and Joy Wilson.

Clifton 'B' scored a narrow 5-4 away win over RI Tues/Thursday 'A' in mixed two.

Dan Woolfson and Gill McIntosh made the Clifton difference with three wins for 105-56, including a 15-4 15-17 15-11 over Marlene Woodward and Ian Sinker who took two Institute wins.

Clifton 'C' recorded two mixed four wins - an 8-1 home win over St John's followed two days later by a 7-2 triumph over University Students 'C'. Dave Bloomfield and Lorraine Ellis took straight-game maximums in both matches for a six-rubber total of 180-61.

The battle of the Selby-based clubs in mixed six saw top-placed Drax 'D' visit second-placed Selby Jubilee 'C' and win an exciting match 5-4.

Adam Prescott and Sue Hardy took the match-winning Drax maximum for a total of 105-61. This included a 15-17 15-4 15-13 over Andy Hatfield and J Wilkinson who took two Jubilee wins.

Updated: 09:55 Thursday, April 01, 2004