IN their drive for promotion to the top flight of the Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League, the chasing pack in division two only found neutral.

Without their captain, second-placed Fulford left it too late to get into gear as hosts Sutton-on-Derwent held out for the win.

Sutton captain Max Los and Nick Ridley proved match-winners with 3-24.

Starbeck had the chance to make up a position, but had first to get past Poppleton 2, whom they'd previously seen off by a wide margin.

Popp were without driving force Dave Jones but the high-revving James Silson replaced him and left Beck standing as he and Tom Cantrell sped away to 3-28 for an unexpected away victory.

David Lloyd 2 held their nerve to round backmarkers Appleton Roebuck.

Rob Gray and Nick Sandham, with 3-28, outperformed their more regular team-mates to get Lloyd over the winning line by a whisker.

With their captain back, Sherburn were in full throttle and race to victory in division three. Quickly up through the gears, Steve Duree and Tristan Grettan reached 3-27 at third-placed Wigginton-2, who now find the pit-lane starters, with two matches in hand over them, filling their mirrors.

Academy-2 were streets ahead of Appleton Roebuck-2, but with two matches to play, fell tantalisingly half-a-point short of claiming the division four trophy.

Jarrod Robinson and Chris James could have done little more with 3-28 for the Academy, who'll now look to wrap up the title at chasing Copmanthorpe 2 on Sunday.

A whitewash of Boston Spa 2 by division five champions Wilberfoss has them favourites for the top points haul in the men's league this year.

Foss's band of brothers are looking good too for the targets of 100 rubbers and 1,000 games won in a season, with Ben Alport and James Hunt top guns against Spa with 3-32.

Spa bounced back against Riccall, who gave veteran Paul Elmhirst a holiday call-up.

Matt Saxon also returned for Spa, scoring a commendable 1½-17 at third pair with Peter McCreesh.

York 4's three debutants all returned points in their inter-divisional match against David Lloyd 4.

Jack Catchpole bagged a maximum, and 23 games won, with fellow newbie Harvey Lyon. Jamie Geddes got off the mark, scoring a point with Bradley Austin.

With their only success last year being a walkover, David Lloyd 4's next generation have come on loads this year, bowing out with three wins on merit this season, and garnering nearly three times the points haul.

Dave Gamble returned to score 3-24 with Richard Hart, keeping Pocklington in the hunt for a division five start next year, despite a disappointing reverse at home to division six's Cawood.

Having bettered all-comers in division eight, Strensall took their inter-divisional rivals down a peg, boasting two unbeaten pairs at Cawood. With 3-24, captain Ryan Gale and Ben Brown were the vanguard.

Strensall also inflicted just the second defeat on division six supremos Harrogate Spa as James Whitwell hit 3-26 with Mark Howarth.

Strensall need just another point in their final match at Harrogate Spa to ensure promotion.