NESTL Rowntree Ladies looked likely to score a 9-0 win at Riverside in division one of York Badminton League.

But they had to concede two rubbers due to an injury and ended up 7-2 winners with Joan Emmerson and Emma Andrews having three straight wins for 90-26.

University Staff Ladies also won 7-2 against Market Weighton in division two with Rachel Adamson and Sue Scott enjoying three victories for 90-49 return. Linda McDonagh and Carol Gilpin were the pick of the Weighton pairs after a 12 and five win over Ming Jiang and Li Zhang.

Riverside Men won their opening match in men's one with a 7-2 home win over Drax 'A'. Geoff Oxley and Nigel Stainforth proved to be the top Riverside pair with 92-54, including a tough 15-13 17-16 triumph over Phil Brunyard and Steve Parr.

Selby Jubilee celebrated their promotion to men's two with a 7-2 home win over St Johns as Neil Richardson and Pete Lund amassed 90-40 in three wins. They were well supported by Roy Cannon and Andy Hatfield, who had to survive a close 6-15 15-8 17-16 match against James Bourne and Bob Metcalfe before taking three Jubilee wins.

Knavesmire opened their men's division two account with a 7-2 victory at Millthorpe. Dave Brogden and Andy Limbert took three Knavesmire wins for 90-46, including a 0-15, 15-10, 15-6 success over Sam Watson and Paul Forth, who earned both Millthorpe wins.

Drax 'B' played whitewashed Market Weighton in men's division three, John Formby and John Prickett easing to 90-17. J and M Watson equalled Formby and Prickett's return to take another three Drax wins.

Clifton 'C' scored a 5-4 home win over Shepherds, newly promoted to mixed three. In a see-saw match, Kate Wilson and Simon Christian finally sealed the match with an eighth rubber nine and 12 over Judith Eaton and John Bradey. Lisa Metcalfe and Sean Ogley took two Shepherd's wins, but lost out 2-15 15-8 12-15 to Ronnie Davison and Stuart Robertson.

Shepherds lost their second match when they went down 6-3 to Pocklington 'A' whose Mark Burrows and John Dykes scored 90-65, including a 14 and 10 win over Lisa Metcalf and Sean Ogley, who won twice for Shepherds.

University Staff Club 'B' returned from Market Weighton in mixed division five with a 9-0 win. The match was closer than the final score suggests with four rubbers going to a deciding end. Garry Turner and Sue Scott took the University honours with three straight wins for 95-65.

Updated: 11:27 Friday, October 19, 2001