Nigel Skelton and Jackie Heels (Fulford Tennis Club) retained the Fulford Spring Cup by beating Andrew Loadman and Barbara Leopard (Civil Service) 6-3 in the final.

Picture: David Harrison

The 22nd annual competition attracted 40 players, some of whom are pictured above, and the level of tennis improved with each round.

The shock result in the first round saw Dunnington's Kevin Todd and Denise Bolam beaten 7-0 by Peter Rose and Julie Reilly, while Chris and Val French (Pocklington) beat Mark Cook and Madeline Hatfield 5-2.

Home club Fulford chalked up six wins to the visitors' four in round one, and again in the second round when Brian Clayden and Christine Place (Rufforth) had a narrow 4-3 win against Andrew Holmes and Linda Irving.

Highlight of the third round was Patrick Atkinson and Jeanne Loadman's 5-2 win over Tadcaster's Richard Hayes and Jane Firn as the group scores finished level at 5-5.

There were some close matches in round four with players from visiting clubs winning 6-4. Peter Smye and Jackie Williamson (Wheldrake) and Richard and Rosie Cantrell (Poppleton) both enjoyed 6-1 win.

Visiting players also won the last round 6-4 with the Cantrells beating Chris Prantono and Beryl Bean 4-3 as the group scores were levelled at 25-25.

Skelton and Heels topped Group A and beat Group B runners-up Graham and Pam Campbell (Selby) to go in to the final.

Loadman and Leopard beat Steven Collins and Jill McGreedy in their semi-final.

Trophies were presented by Terry Haw, chairman of Fulford Tennis Club.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.