Shepherds ‘C’ have built up a significant lead at the top of division three of the Northern Powergrid York and District Table Tennis League after successive victories.

Three wins from Jay Wong were not enough to prevent them overcoming third-placed University ‘B’ 6-4, and then the Shepherds’ crew thumped a depleted RI ‘G’ 9-1.

RI ‘F’ have not given up the chase in second however.

They thrashed Holgate ‘E’ 9-1, with Ivan Guilliat and Rich Leafe unbeaten.

University ‘B’ overcame Bootham ‘D’ 7-3 with Adam Schober-Thomson maintaining his position at the head of the averages.

Bootham ‘D’ have made ground into fourth after their two-man team valiantly forced a draw with BT ‘B’, before Matt Ayres guided them to a 7-3 success over Shepherds ‘D’, who had earlier edged out Bootham ‘E’, despite three wins from Robert Plant.

The losers recovered with a 6-4 success over Aviva ‘A’.

RI ‘J’ are the division four champions after dismissing Hartrigg Oaks 9-1, where Andy Whitehead was unbeaten, and then hammering Holgate ‘F’ 8-2.

David Dunn is second in the averages after winning his singles in both games.

He is lying behind the undefeated veteran Trevor Percival, whose Thornton-le-Clay side are in second after an 8-2 win over Hartrigg Oaks and a narrow victory at Bootham ‘F’.

RI ‘H’ could yet grab the runners-up spot after whitewashing University ‘C’ and overcoming RI ‘K’ 8-2, where Matty Roberts was too good.

Tom Lines, pictured, was the top player, but his Holgate ‘F’ side were beaten 6-4 by Aviva ‘B’, where the doubles proved decisive.