THE 12th IT Sports Ladies doubles tournament starts with players battling for the Ian Tooms Trophy at eight different centres around the York area on Saturday.

Holders Louise Lister and Wendy Stirke have been drawn at New Earswick, while other top seeds Julie Reilly and Jackie Heels are in a tough group at Bishopthorpe.

Rosie Cantrell and Sue Peach are at Civil Service while another pair expected to do well, Helen Leach and Karen Reteif, are at Cawood, where Selby couple Liz Bramley and Jill Schofield are expected to push them to the limit.

Hilary Spencer and Kath Halliday will be favourites to win at Fulford while Riccall could be the most open venue with Jackie Ritchie and Wendy Cook tipped to do well.

Dunnington's new carpet surface is expected to suit the seeded Jill McCreedy and Anna Baker.

The winners of each group play the final stages at Fulford at 1.30pm on September 22.

The full draw:

Civil Service: N Twigg/B Sorby, J Loadman/M Kemp, K Durkin/S Johnson, J Williamson/J Dunwell, R Cantrell/S Peach, R Gourley/J Hare.

Selby: D Edwards/P Campbell, L Bramley/J Schofield, P Brisbane/M Hessay, A Murray/C Raven, D Neary/H Hadfield, S Simpson/C Hetherton.

Fulford: B Bean/E Lavender, K Godwin/D Godwin, D Wriglesworth/L Molloy, L Minto/J Hodges, H Spencer/K Halliday, J Sykes/B Linfoot.

New Earswick: S Burley/B Bainton, V Williamson/J Thompson, L Brammah/J Grant, J Jaram/S Robinson, L Lister/W Stirke, K Hornby/J Davis.

Bishopthorpe: G Mackenzie/L Moore, J Reilly/J Heels, V French/S Whilesmith, A Airaksiners/L Tennant, J Johnson/S Meads.

Dunnington: C Martin/J Jackson, S Elcock/L Savage, S Jennings/C Lancaster, J McCreedy/A Baker, S Leak/C Stratton.

Riccall: S Shouksmith/J Alstead, J Ritchie/W Cook, M Smith/M Huddlestone, A Appleton/J Haw, A Talbott/S Jinks.

Cawood: G Worley/L Irving, J Jackson/K Smith, J Marsden/J Vickers, H Leach/K Reteif, J Rossington/S Triffett.

Updated: 11:45 Tuesday, September 04, 2001