GARETH Adams teamed up with York newcomer Nicola Mooney to win 29 games in the 76-32 IT Sports York and District Mixed Tennis League victory against Fulford.

Their performance even outshone experienced colleagues Andy Cook and Wendy Stirke and augurs well for the champions this season.

Aidan Richardson and Belinda Turnbull led Poppleton to victory but lost their rubber to Dunnington's Trevor Loten and Sue Sumner.

Richard Ekers, who has qualified for the Nestl Family Mixed Doubles, teamed up with Jill Rounce to win 24 games to help Fulford II scrape home 55-53 at Wigginton, whose Phil Langley and Danni Baker didn't drop a rubber.

Copmanthorpe started their campaign in division three thanks to Graeme Butcher and Karen Hornby winning 26 games against York.

Fulford's Dave Bradley defied a shoulder injury, which restricts his serving, to win all three rubbers with promising youngster Jenny Rowlands against Sutton on Derwent. They were well backed up by Daniel Bruce and Eleanor Crooks.

Bubwith's Anna Airaksinen partnered new player, Johnathan Lonetorpe, and won all three rubbers against Civil Service. With regulars Doug Smith and Liz Bramley also winning 25 games, Bubwith proved too strong for Service, who are playing on the carpet courts at All Saints School in York this season.

Cawood started with a close encounter in division four against Appleton Roebuck and sealed the points with all their couples winning 9-3 against Appleton's third pair.

Stillington had an equally tight match at Poppleton, with Tom Parker and Christine Cookman winning their second rubber to open up a winning margin.

Wigginton and Heworth enjoyed another close fixture in division five, with Heworth's Ron Barnett and Louise Haritakis taking full advantage of their hosts' carpet courts to win the points.

Rufforth's first venture in division six saw them lose 69-39 at Fulford. The experienced Anna Baker and Andrew Lowson won 27 games for the hosts while both other Fulford pairs won 21 games. Andy Ivel and Judith Evans won Rufforth's only rubber.

Brother and sister Nick and Aimee Linfoot, playing together for the first time in the league, won 20 games, as York snatched victory at Cliffe with a last-gasp final round push after trailing in both first and second rounds.

Steve Smowton and Isobel Harrison led Escrick to a convincing win at Cawood in division eight with all three couples remaining unbeaten.

Beryl Bean and a youthful Fulford side enjoyed their visit to Bishopthorpe, with Kath Ekers and Paul Ruff being among the week's top scorers.

Leading the way were Fulford's Terry Haw and Sue Scott, who piled up 31 games against Dunnington in division ten.

Wistow have withdrawn from division eleven.

Some clubs have failed to make any player nominations for the season and if in doubt they should check with the league match secretary.

If no nominations have been made the first two named, women and men, have been recorded.

Updated: 11:08 Tuesday, May 10, 2005