A GALLANT effort by University Students failed to stop Focus Fireplaces York and District Table Tennis League division one reigning champions Sessions 'A' from winning 8-2.

Chris Nicholls won three for Sessions and for the University Rob Hudson played well to win two.

John Farmery was unbeaten as his team Strensall 'A' beat Coneysthorpe 'A' 6-4.

At the other end of the table two of the lower teams, York RI 'C' and Poppleton 'B', drew 5-5. Mark Blackburn won three for RI, and Rob Pulleyn won two for Poppleton.

A depleted Poppleton 'A' team lost 9-1 to York RI 'B', whose Richard Crowther and Brian Quinn were unbeaten.

Vic Smith's three wins helped York RI 'A' beat Groves Associates 'A' 6-4.

Groves Associates 'B' still have a good lead in division two after their 7-3 win over BT 'B'. Pete Harpham was unbeaten for Groves.

Strensall 'B' move into second place after their 5-5 draw with Groves Associates 'C'. Ed Wardman was on top form for Strensall to win three.

BT 'A' had a close 6-4 win over Northern Electric. Brian Milner was unbeaten for BT.

Bootham Conservative Club 'C' have a huge lead in division three. Poppleton 'D' move into second place after their 7-3 win over Strensall 'C'. Richard Collier played well for Poppleton to win three.

York RI 'F' are in third place. They beat Shepherds 'B' 7-3 with Rob Pocock winning three for RI.

Strensall 'D' move up the table thanks to a 7-2 win over Police with three wins apiece from Pete Taylor and Steve Wands.

Norwich Union 'A' beat Coneysthorpe 'B' 6-4. Malcolm Haswell won three for Coneysthorpe.

Groves Associates 'D' are still the leaders in division four. Second -paced Shepherds 'C' drew 5-5 with York RI 'J', whose Gareth Stott won three.

York RI 'I' had a 10-0 win over Sessions 'C'. Stuart Plowman's three wins helped York RI 'K' beat Poppleton 'E' 7-3.

Monday, January 20 is the closing date for entries into the York and District Table Tennis Association Closed Table Tennis Championships to be played at the York RI gymnasium, Queen Street, on Saturday and Sunday, February 1 and 2.

The York Closed Championships Junior Singles to be played on on Sunday, February 2, will start at 1pm and not as is published on the Entry Form in the handbook.

Updated: 12:29 Thursday, January 16, 2003