ST John's Ladies opened their York and District Badminton League division two account with a 6-3 away win over luckless Pocklington.

Kate Franzke and Emma Nickson hit top form for the students with three straight wins for a total of 92-54.

York RI used home advantage to score a 7-2 win over University Students 'A' in men's division one. Russell Binns and Craig Liversedge took the only Institute maximum for a total of 102-48 including a 12-15, 15-8, 15-11 over Chris Woodruffe and Ed Clark, who took both points for the students.

Riverside had to thank Craig Dobson and Geoff Oxley for their 5-4 win at RI Tuesday/Thursday 'A' in men's one. Dobson and Oxley returned 112-87, including a marathon 17-14, 14-17, 17-14 over Ian Sinker and Wasten Siallagan.

Selby/Drax 'A' and RI Tuesday/Thursday 'A' reverse fixture results saw two wins for the Selby - 6-3 and 7-2.

The Institute home fixture saw Ian Sinker and Wasten Siallagan take all three home wins for a total of 101-98. The same players took both Institute wins in the away fixture, but lost three and four to the in-form Scott Anderson and Dennis Bradley.

Men's two saw Nestl score a comfortable 7-2 home win over Knavesmire. Phil Grant and Mark Barker headed the confectionery team's returns with three straight wins for an aces total of 90-25.

Shepherds 'B' opened their men's three account with an 8-1 home win over St John's. Alan Cocker and Dave Nelson were the pick of the home pairs with three wins for a total of 100-65, while Dave Dearsley and Joe Bartholomew took the student consolation with a 2 and 11 over Sam Watson and Dave Piercy.

University Students 'A' still head mixed one after a 6-3 home win over Clifton 'A'. Manik Chakravarti and Kate Marchbank took the student honours with three straight wins for 90-30.

Selby/Drax 'B' managed a 5-4 victory at Easingwold in mixed two. Mike Hourston and Alison Monk took three Easingwold wins for a return of 90-39, but John Prichett and Aileen Graham kept their nerve in the ninth rubber to beat Phil Young and Kate Barugh 8-15, 15-4, 15-5 to give Selby the overall win.

RI Tuesday/Thursday 'B' scored a 7-2 home win over Huntington 'B' in mixed three. Lisa Turner and Clive Debenham took both Huntington wins in a good display, but had to give way to Institute's Caroline Newnham and Brian Morley who won out 15-13, 17-14.

The battle of the top clubs in mixed four saw Riverside 'B' snatch a 6-3 win at Selby Jubilee 'B. Jackie Wright and Nick Feakes grabbed the only Riverside maximum to return 101-73. Lynne Redman and Simon Benson took two Jubilee wins but lost six and two to Wright and Feakes.

Updated: 11:31 Wednesday, January 05, 2005