CIVIL Service toppled Fulford Ladies Invitation League division three leaders Cliffe in the last match to win the championship.

Cliffe's consolation is that they finished as runners-up and will also be promoted.

Wendy Catchpole and new partner Julie Affleck and Brenda Sorby and her new partner, Natasha Twigg, had three good close wins and with Dee Robinson and Barbara Leopard picking up a good 7-5 win in the final stages, Civil Service took the title with a 60-48 victory.

New Earswick beat Tollerton to finish their season winning 11 matches to take third place.

Wigginton beat Wistow in the basement clash but it still left Wigginton short on games difference and Dunnington will stay up to fight another season.

Castlegarth are champions of division two after beating York 63-45. Top scorers Sue Jacklin and Dot Mackintosh, who have had a splendid season, had another three wins 9-3, 10-2, 10-2. York's top scorers were Carmel Parry and Catherine Smithard with 18 games.

Wheldrake made sure of the second promotion spot with a 67-41 victory over Strensall, who suffered an injury in the second round and had to concede at least 18 games.

Copmanthorpe claimed second place in division four by beating relegated Poppleton in convincing style 85-23. Karen Hornby and Jenny Davis only dropped three games for Cop, who will be promoted with champions Riccall.

Sutton-on-Derwent gave Fulford a lesson on grass court tennis, especially Sam Lockman and Goldie Raley, who only dropped one game to help Sutton win two valuable league points to keep them safe from relegation.

Pocklington had a close match against Heworth whose second string, Claire Grant and Lucy Collier, won 11-1 in the first round.

In the second round Pock were thankful that Judith Wood and Carol Hetherton won 9-3 to give them a two-game lead going into the final round. Alison Ward and Sadia Griffiths won 9-3 for Heworth but it was not enough as Pock maintained their leadership with a 58-50 victory.

Stillington conceded their third match of the season and gave Wheldrake two points to stay just one point behind Pocklington.

Appleton Roebuck moved two points behind Heworth into fourth place with a convincing 80-28 win at Copmanthorpe.

Ann Musgrave and Trish Davis were in sparkling form winning 11-1 11-1 9-3. Ruth Jackson and Pauline Connolly had three wins finishing with 27 games including a 12-0. Kate Ziegle and Susan Russell completed the big victory by winning 22 games.

Division one champions York won at Bishopthorpe, who could only field two couples. Fulford beat Bubwith who also had a player out ill having to concede her three rubbers.

Tadcaster and Poppleton were all square going into the final round. Pop's first string, Rosie Cantrell and Kath Halliday, changed the match with a 11-1 win, and Sarah Cook and Sue Paver had a great 7-5 win against Jane Firn and Debbie Young.

Updated: 11:50 Tuesday, August 21, 2001