York are still top of IT Sports Mixed Tennis League division three after a week clouded by rain interruptions.

Despite the poor weather, almost all of the division's games were completed and a comprehensive win over Bubwith, where Wendy Shepherd and Neil Giltrap led the way with 30 games, kept York on top.

Wheldrake found Sutton on Derwent's grass to their liking, while Wilberfoss got back to winning ways against Bishopthorpe after losing a very competitive game at Bubwith.

Bubwith's husband and wife winners Anna Airaksiren and Shaun Pinchbeck were the only couple on the night to win all their three rubbers.

Bev Tebbutt and John Rennison led the scoring for Wilberfoss in a match where five rubbers ended 6-6.

Riccall finished with a flourish against Rowntree Park to take the points and their first win.

York are also on top in division one after playing their second string and open up a gap on games difference ahead of main rivals Poppleton, whose Belinda Turnbull and Rob Jones won all three rubbers 11-1 to be the week's top scorers at Castlegarth.

That loss leaves newly promoted Castlegarth at the bottom along with Civil Service after they lost at Dunnington.

Ann Mead and Simon Drake led Wigginton to victory against Sutton on Derwent and the top of division four in the only match in the division to survive the wet weather. Their team mates Sue Espiner and Simon Ewing were unbeaten.

Fulford stay top of division five without lifting a racket after Katy Fowler and Graham Cookman ensured Stillington beat Fulford's closest rivals Cawood.

York were too strong for Wigginton, and, with Poppleton beating Tollerton, five teams are on four points and separated only on games difference.

Wilberfoss lost the chance to go top in division six when going down to New Earswick. They recovered from a poor first round but Earswick claimed their first win, with Chantal Lancaster and Mark Sessions digging deep in their final round.

Cliffe's Liz Boville and John Leetham proved too good for Strensall to record their first win.

Only one game separates the top two teams in division seven after leaders Fulford had a tough battle against Poppleton and then Ruth Jackson and Andrew Howatt led Appleton Roebuck to the points in a close match against Sutton on Derwent.

Civil Service earned their first points in division eight with a win against Next Generation after drawing a blank last season.

But they then blotted their copy book by having to concede last week against Bubwith.

Sandra Robinson and Bob Shread won half of Rowntree Park's games but ended up on the losing side against Escrick.

Stamford Bridge head the division after winning at Bubwith.

Poppleton power to victory

POPPLETON enjoyed a valuable 67-41 win against Dunnington in division one of the Tyke Men's York Tennis League.

Rob Jones and John Moore's 28 provided a good start, with promoted Paul Turnbull and John Anderson supplying 24.

Trevor Loten and Will Peak-Vout were Dunnington's best players, with 19 games.

Bubwith stayed top with a 57-51 win at Strensall despite an unbeaten 27 from Govind Baker and James Whitwell.

York prolonged Wigginton's poor start by winning 79-29 with Howard Pallister and Steve Smith's 29 stealing the show from Giles Webster and Bob Audsley (27).

Castlegarth scored 57 at Civil Service to head division two, with Mike Butterworth and Brian Manson's 22 enough to win a tight match.

The 60-48 win by Knaresborough over lowly Dunnington II was based on solid all-round scoring to overcome 26 from Kevin Todd and Mike Taylor.

Appleton Roebuck have taken the lead in division three after a 62-46 win at Wheldrake, where Paul Harrison and Adrian Shakeshaft's 29 was the deciding factor.

Copmanthorpe II's 56-52 win at Wilberfoss secured second place after a 14-game lead in the first rubber. Dave Smillie and John Latham were top scorers with 22 but finished on the losing side.

Bishopthorpe's 57 games earned their first points against Sherburn, whose Jonathon Sharp and Phil Bremner scored an heroic 26.

Nestl went top in division four as their 65-43 win against Rufforth was eased by Paul Yoward's injury conceding 24 games.

Dunnington III clung on to top spot in division five despite being beaten by a Stamford Bridge side strengthened by the return of Antony Downing, who scored 34 with Tim Hunt.

Alne and Tollerton's 73-35 victory against Civil Service II earned them top place in division six. Howard Thompson and Phil Tomlinson (28) were outshone by team-mates Dave Pearson and Nick Thompson (30).

Fulford are fine as rain hits others

WET weather affected 17 matches in the latest round of Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League games.

In the only match in division one, Dunnington found Fulford duo Eleanor Crooks and Jill Rounce in sparkling form, winning 32 games.

Nicola Loten and Joyce Rhodes had an 8-4 win, Dunnington's only success in a 70-38 defeat.

Wigginton's top pairing Kate Rorrison and Julie Noonan had two 12-0 victories and a 7-5 win at Heworth in their team's 69-39 victory which put them top of division two.

York II beat Civil Service 75-33, with first string Annette Williams and Christine Smithard scoring three straight wins for 29 games.

Castlegarth won for the third time on the trot in division three when they beat Pocklington.

Kate Durkin and Sylvia Johnson gained 8-4, 7-5, 9-3 wins and were well supported by Rachel Hill and Ann Jones, who took 23 games in a 67-41 match win.

Cawood scored their first win of the season, 69-39 at Wistow, with Jill Marsden and Jane MacDonald winning 10-2 in the final round.

Division six match, newcomers Starbeck went top of the table with a 72-36 victory at Dunnington IV. Ann Dobson and Diana Lang racked up three 12-0 wins for a maximum 36-game score.

Updated: 09:42 Tuesday, May 23, 2006