LEADERS York dropped their first Fulford Ladies Invitation Tennis League point of the season when they were held 54-54 by Knaresborough in division one.

York duo Louise Lister and Wendy Stirke edged out Anne Albats and Alex Kaars Sijpesteijn 7-5 in the first round. Knaresborough were on the wrong side of the next four rubbers, going down 7-5 in each match as York built a 40-32 lead going into the final round.

The home side roared back with Lizzie Farley and Sue Coutuve winning 9-3, leaving Albats and Kaars Sijpesteijn to win 10-2 and share the spoils.

Division two leaders Castlegarth also drew with second-placed Copmanthorpe, whose lead going in to the final round slipped away.

Wendy Cook and Jackie Richie dropped only two games as Civil Service beat Dunnington 69-39.

Heworth got back to winning ways after a couple of defeats by beating Rowntree Park 66-42 with Helen Larkin and Louise Haritakis amassing 33 games.

Pocklington took over at the top of division four on games difference from Tollerton after a big win against Sutton on Derwent, who could only field two couples.

Escrick lost their 100 per cent record in division five as they went down 63-45 at Appleton Roebuck, where Mary Jane Murray and the experienced Ann Musgrave won 22 games.

Knaresborough's Margaret Walker and Christine Noddings won 9-3 9-3 10-2 in the 58-50 victory against Fulford, whose Eileen Lavender and Pam Mason won 19 games.

Next Generation beat Dunnington to move into second place behind Dunnington, who they play next week.

Dunnington won their first match in division six by beating Bishopthorpe 74-34 with Sara Grinnell and Sharon Davidson winning 26 games. Simone Rhodes and Emma Willetts also won 9-3 7-5 9-3.

Strensall won the only Tyke Petroleum Men's Tennis League division one match, beating Boston Spa 70-38. They lost only one set with their three pairs contributing 24, 23 and 23 games to move them to mid-table safety.

Neil Johnson and Graham Cook with 27 games ended Civil Service's lean spell with a 63-45 win against Wheldrake in division two. Adrian McClaren and Andy Potter halved all three of their matches while Wheldrake's Colin Brooks and Graeme Taylor halved two and won the third.

Knaresborough moved closer to a promotion spot in division three by beating second-placed Castlegarth I 57-51.

Castlegarth II, still without a point, made Cawood work hard for their win 58-50. Cawood were never behind but the addition of six in the last rubber made victory certain.

In division four, Bishopthorpe beat Rufforth 64-44 with father Alan Yoward beating his son, Paul, 25-16. However, Bishopthorpe stay next to bottom with a match in hand. Sutton II's Dave Nowell and Mark Price scored 28 in the 76-32 win over Boston Spa II.

Nestl beat promotion rivals Sheriff Hutton 58-50 in division five. Luke Pollard and Alex Smith scored 24 for Nestl but were matched by Kevin Fairclough and Chris Burnham. Fulford stay four points clear after taking 83 games from Dunnington III.

Heworth, the highest team in action in division six, retained a slight hope of promotion by beating Selby 64-44. Alan Bradshaw and Tony Gudgeon's 25 provided the platform and although Andy White and Steve Parr replied with 23 Heworth's lowest score of 18 was conclusive.

Next Generation's Richard Tasker and Andy Holmes' unbeaten 26 earned a tight 59-49 win despite Wheldrake's final 21 game flourish.

Fulford II leapfrogged Wigginton III to second place in division seven, beating them 58-50. Mark Cook and Simon Hardisty (24) and John Clare with Govind Baker (21) beat anything that Wigginton could offer.

Updated: 10:07 Tuesday, July 19, 2005