DRAX 'B' lost out 3-6 at Rowntrees in men's division two of the York Badminton League.

But the three points gained by the visitors edged the confectionery side out of second spot with Drax replacing them.

Phil Grant and Mark Barker had the best home return with three wins for 90-30.

Men's three champions Tadcaster maintained their 100 per cent record with a close 5-4 away win over Shepherds 'B'.

Sam Watson and John Fitch put in the best home display with three wins for 114-111, but Mark Hanson and Leon Young sealed the Tadcaster win with a 4-15, 15-2, 15-5 win over Paul Forth and James White.

York RI Tuesday/Thursday 'C' kept up their improvement in form with a 5-4 home win over Selby Jubilee 'C' and a 9-0 away win over Market Weighton. Colin Brooks and Mark Stenson took Institute maximums in both matches. These included a 6-15, 15-10, 15-5 over Simon Benson and Paul Newnham.

YUSC sealed second place with an 8-1 home win over Selby Jubilee 'B'.

Andy Brown and Paul Waites top-scored for the Staff Club with three straight wins for 90-32, while Simon Benson and Paul Newnham took the Jubilee consolation with a 15-13, 15-5 success over Dinesh Vaswan and Eng-Kiat Lim.

York RI 'A' completed their domination of mixed one with a 7-2 away win over University Students 'B'.

The best rubber of the match was Chris Woodruffe and Heather Turner's 16-17, 15-13, 15-13 win over the Institute's Nicola Coggins and Nick Brodie.

Pocklington 'A' scored a last gasp 5-4 home win over Knavesmire 'A' in mixed two.

Chris Kunkel and Sally Howat had their best series this season with three wins for 110-79, the highlight being the match-clinching ninth rubber, where they beat Andy Limbert and Heather Richardson 15-6, 10-15, 17-16.

Drax 'E' used home advantage to beat Fulfordgate 'A' 7-2 in mixed four. Adam Prescott and Sue Hardy were in great form for the home side with three straight wins for 90-40, while Garry Hall and Hazel Winfield took a point for the visitors with a five and 12 success over Pat Gregory and Jeremy Bowman.

However, when Drax 'E' visited Pocklington 'B' with only two pairs they lost 2-7. Sheila Fixter and Bob Atkinson took two Pocklington wins, including a 10 and 5 over John Donnelly and Sue Hardy who took both Drax wins.

University Students 'C' scored two further wins in mixed five. Away to second placed Market Weighton the Students won 5-4.

Four days later they visited Knavesmire 'B' and again won 5-4. Kate Haydock and John Shearer swung the match against Weighton with three wins for 99-56.

Haydock, this time partnered by Peter Robinson, also top-scored in the Knavesmire match.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, May 21, 2003