WIGGINTON 1 retained top spot in the Tyke Petroleum York Men's Tennis League with a 68-40 win over York 1 - but only just.

Division one rivals David Lloyd York are just half a point behind after beating visiting Copmanthorpe 1, with imperious first pair Dale Fawcett/Jack Batchelor dropping only one of their 36 games.

Sherburn 1 could only field two pairs in their 81-27 defeat to David Lloyd Harrogate 1. Relegation-threatened Sherburn’s first pair of Stephen Pearce/Stephen Duree drew all three of their rubbers 6-6. Harrogate Racquets 1 are also in danger following their 64-44 home defeat to Poppleton 1.

Boston Spa 1 dropped to second following a 60-48 defeat to Wigginton 2. Fulford 1 went top, beating David Lloyd York 2 59-49, thanks largely to 20-scores from from Govind Baker/Richard Parker and Arran Tate/Leo Knighton.

Strugglers Rowntree Park 1 lost 68-40 to Wetherby 1, whose Roger Fawcus/Jeremy Reddish, James Landau/Marcus Kaiser and Nigel Williams/Rich Whaley all returned scores in the twenties.

Second-placed in division three, Sutton-upon-Derwent 1 won 62-46 at Appleton Roebuck, thanks in large part to a 25 from first pair George Hobson/John Kay.

David Lloyd Harrogate 2 were in blistering form against local rivals Harrogate Racquets 2, registering a 74-34 win. All three pairs of Sam Earley/Sam Couchman, Mike Sokol/Dave Whitelaw and Nick Boid/Jonny Kay scored north of 20.

Newly-promoted Alne & Tollerton risk an immediate return to the fourth tier following an 83-25 defeat to table-toppers York 2.

Wetherby 2 took advantage of division four leaders Wigginton 3's week off to narrow the gap at the top with a 56-52 win over Strensall 1, who still climb out of the bottom two. Harrogate Spa 1 convincingly won 68-40 over mid-table rivals Copmanthorpe 2 and, now second-bottom, Starbeck 2 drew 54-54 with Rowntree Park 2.

In division five, second-placed Heworth 1, hoping for an immediate return to the higher echelons, travelled to promotion rivals Selby and came away 57-51 winners.

Leaders York 3 made the short trip to Rufforth and had a comfortable win, cementing their place at the division’s summit but causing their hosts to slide towards the relegation quagmire. Each of the visiting pairs scored heavily, ​Dave Duffy/Chris Hughes with 26, Bradley Austin/Jack Lewis 31 and Dean Brazenhall/James Hirst 27.

David Lloyd York 3, placed third in the table at the start of play, entertained bottom club Appleton Roebuck 2 and triumphed 62-46, despite a defiant 21 from the visiting first pair of Mark Baxter/Steve Temple.

Riccall prevailed 59-49 over Fulford 2, with a 23 from first pair Andrew Dunning/Scott Anderson. A battling 22 from Fulford’s Graham Cook/Alan Wilkinson was not enough to prevent their side slipping into the relegation places.

The promotion race in division six is wide open, with only eight points separating the top four clubs at the start of the weekend. Two of the top four, Wigginton 4 and Wilberfoss 2, met at the Wiggy's Strensall ground. The hosts, seeking back-to-back promotions, came out on top 61-47, with first pair Ali Clothier/Stuart Langley leading the scoring with 23.

Boston Spa 2, second in the table at start of play, had a convincing home win over bottom team Bishopthorpe 1, an outcome that leaves the latter 20 points short of preserving their division six status.

Sutton-upon-Derwent 2 lost to leaders Pocklington and relegation-threatened York 4 lost 58-50 to fellow strugglers Poppleton 3, despite a splendid 23 from first pair Ciaran Sullivan/Finley Richardson.

Leaders of division seven, Sheriff Hutton made the long trip to Harrogate Spa 2, but only two pairs travelled and the Harrogate side won 80-28.

Bottom of the table Heworth 2 entertained promotion-seeking Harlow and turned the form book upside-down with a 59-49 triumph.

Cawood and Wheldrake started the day level on points. The former have now forged ahead following their 68-40 win, featuring a fine 25 from second pair Adam Raistrick/Eddie Burton.