LEADERS Fulford and close rivals Copmanthorpe both drew in their latest matches in division three of the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League.

Jenny Rowland and Dave Bradley clawed back the deficit for Fulford with a 10-2 at Sutton on Derwent after Sutton's Adele Pryce and Paul Swift started with an 11-1 win.

Karen Hornby and Graeme Butcher won all three rubbers for Copmanthorpe at York to help their side to the points and then were held to the draw at Bubwith who took the opportunity to take the third place on games difference with a win against relegation-threatened Civil Service.

Top scorers were Stillington's Sara Cook and Tim Madgwick, who lost only five games at Rowntree Park to ease away from the relegation area. Liz Burdett and Adrian Streetley chipped in with 27 games.

Civil Service had to change their partnerships for their match at Poppleton and Helen Leach teamed up with Andy Potter to win 26 invaluable games to keep their side in the promotion hunt. Selby's Godwin family were the mainstay of their win at neighbouring Riccall with daughter Kirsty and John Matthews top scoring just ahead of her sister Lucy and Francis Milivojevic and parents Debbie and Chris.

Wilberfoss have gone back to the top of division four with victory against Poppleton in a week badly effected by the rain. Poppleton were unlucky to have to concede a rubber.

Appleton Roebuck moved out of the relegation zone with a hard-fought win against Cawood.

Heworth's rearranged fixture against promotion rivals Cawood took them to the top of division five and then consolidated their position by winning at Tollerton with a new partnership of Louise Haritakis and junior Ben Leftwich starring.

Judith-Peeke Vout and Nick Holbeck kept Dunnington in the division eight title hunt with a win at Tollerton after Cliffe kept their divisional status hopes alive with a win at neighbours Bubwith.

Escrick are just behind Bubwith on games difference after their win against Cawood.

Stamford Bridge marched on in division nine after they swamped Strensall despite the best efforts of Strensall's Toby Conyers-Kelly and Lesley Rennolf.

Jeanne Loadmann and Terry Haw helped Fulford to the points in division ten against a spirited Wistow side and take over top spot.

Sheelagh Stephenson, who has made a welcome return to the tennis courts after illness, partnered Peter Thirsk in Dunnington's win and change places with their opponents New Earswick.

Updated: 08:40 Tuesday, July 12, 2005