IT'S tight at the top of divisions two and three of the Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League.

Wheldrake head the second division on games difference after beating Copmanthorpe 76-32 with Helen Roe and Helen Hadfield romping to 12-0 12-0 and 9-3 wins.

Castlegarth's four-game winning start to the season was ended by a 57-51 defeat at York.

Knaresborough's Judy Cook and Thelma Ottaway won 26 games as their team moved in to third place with a 74-34 victory over Rowntree Park.

However, Park earned their first win of the season by defeating York 62-46 with Sandra Pauw and Ronnie Davison notching an 11-1 win in the last round.

Poppleton, Cawood and Wistow are joint leaders of division three with Dunnington and Cliffe just a point behind.

Sue Hudson and Justin Vickers collected 25 games as Wistow beat Poppleton.

Cliffe didn't drop a single rubber as they hammered Selby 81-27, Christine Stratton and Jane Hinchcliffe amassing 31 games.

Heworth's Helen Larkin and Louise Haritakis have not dropped a rubber in their last six matches and stormed to 11-1 12-0 10-2 wins against Castlegarth as Heworth went to the top of division four.

Tollerton edged out Sheriff Hutton 56-52 in a thriller. Sheriff went in to the final round of matches a game in front. Ed Hope and Sandra Jennings (Tollerton) won 10-2, Sandra Meads and Ellie Batty responded with a 9-3 win but Jane Corda and Sybil Glover clinched the points for Tollerton with an 8-4 win.

Ann Mead and Sarah Wilson (Wigginton) won all their rubbers 7-5 but still lost 70-38 to Wheldrake.

Kate Jenkins and Jane Longbottom won 24 games to help division five leaders Dunnington to victory over Appleton Roebuck.

Fulford's first string Evelyn Atkinson and Georgina Worley won 29 games at Bishopthorpe where 14-year-old Chloe McLaren made her league debut alongside Sue Scott. They started with a 10-2 win and went on to win 23 games in Fulford's 76-32 win.

Fulford also gave a chance to another youngster, Katherine Ekers, who marked her debut with partner Pam Mason with 22 games in the 72-36 win over Selby, who have several good young players of their own, in division six.

New Generation lead the pack after beating Dunnington 77-31 with Nicky Shaw and Susie Fothergill chalking up 26 games.

York ended Dunnington's unbeaten run in division one as the champions flexed their muscles with a 74-24 win in which Julia Lister and Helen Leach finished with 27 games.

Fulford beat Bubwith 77-31 without dropping a rubber, Di Ekers and Anna Baker top scoring with 29 games.

Civil Service came out on top when they met fellow promoted side Bishopthorpe, Wendy Cook and Jackie Ritchie contributing 24 games in a 63-45 victory.

Poppleton captain Hilary Spencer and Sarah Cooke led from the front with three wins in their 65-43 victory over Tadcaster.

The closing date for the Wheldrake Asthma Tennis Tournament entries is tomorrow.

The competition is being staged on Saturday, June 20.

For further information contact Caroline Hadlington on 01904 448765.

Bridge build up decent lead

BOROUGHBRIDGE have a clear three-point lead in the first division of the Slazenger Harrogate and District Tennis League.

Victories over Thirsk (6-2) and at Spa (6-3) stretched their unbeaten run from the start of the season to six matches.

Thirsk are joint second with Harrogate Racquets with eight points.

Thirsk 'B' are the only side in the league with a 100 per cent record, having won all their games in division five.

Updated: 09:19 Wednesday, June 11, 2003