NEXT Generation are the first team in the IT Sports Mixed Tennis League to gain promotion this season.

Their 60-48 defeat of promotion rivals Alne, followed by victory over Fulford, the only team who could catch them, saw them go up from division 11.

Zoe Green and Tom Denton were Generation's top scorers.

Angie and Dave Pearson scored 26 games against Generation for Alne and repeated their games haul in the 58-50 win against Fulford.

That result takes the second promotion place to the final week when Alne play Wigginton, another promotion hopeful.

Appleton Roebuck are finishing with a flourish after wins against Sutton on Derwent and Poppleton.

Castlegarth's hopes of promotion have received a serious setback in division two after losing both matches to rivals Tadcaster and Wigginton.

Tadcaster retain top spot with Lorraine Peary and John Rutherford taking a match-winning 25 games and Wigginton's Danni Baker and Phil Langley chalked up 22 games against Castlegarth to keep their side in the hunt for the title.

Judy Marriott and Adrian Shakeshaft took Appleton Roebuck away from the relegation fight in division four after a competitive match at Dunnington, who fought back after a poor first round but were unable to overhaul Roebuck.

Bev Tebbutt and John Heads helped Wilberfoss move out of the automatic spot with a good win against Stillington.

Fulford stayed second on games difference behind leaders Copmanthorpe after their win at Stillington where one game separated all three couples. The title decider could be between Fulford and Copmanthorpe next week.

Poppleton changed places with Dunnington in a last gasp 55-53 win with top scorers Vicki Binns and Rob Williams winning their last rubber 8-4.

Sutton on Derwent are looking for promotion yet again after Sally Simpson and Dave Nowell won 34 games to end Heworth's hopes of promotion in division five. They then edged out Wigginton III in a 55-53 win.

Wigginton then reversed the scoreline at Wistow to keep their divisional status alive.

Danni Courtine and Peter Finlay won 26 games for York in division seven at promotion rivals Wheldrake to open a gap between the leading two teams.

Bubwith beat promotion rivals Cawood to move into second place in division eight on games difference led by unbeaten Justine Gray and Chris Cobley and well supported by Jane Thompson and Alan Barker.

Division Nine is another division that will go down to the final matches. Sheriff Hutton boosted their status with a win against Dunnington, after Suzanne Eastwood and Edward Marsden won 26 games. That relegated Dunnington to bottom place on games difference.

Wilberfoss completed the double over Wistow in division ten, playing both matches last week with Wistow unable to find the answers to Wilberfoss's Dinah Burke and John Latham who won 31 games in both matches.

Updated: 08:28 Tuesday, July 20, 2004