MELANIE Knowles and Joyce Palmer led the charge with three straight wins as Nestl beat University Staff 8-1 in York and District Badminton League ladies two, writes Paul Hobman.

Their return of 92-38 included a 15-11, 17-14 win over Jo Wade and Sheila Mackarel, who took the staff consolation point.

University Staff Ladies had earlier scored a convincing 9-0 home win over Pocklington. The overall match return of 180-72 emphasised the domination of the home club who took every rubber in straight sets.

Tadcaster 86 opened their men's two account with an 8-1 home win over Selby/Drax 'B'. Bill Marley and Russ Overton top-scored for Tadcaster with 90-47.

Terry's Men's team are finding the going tough in men's three. They went down 9-0 at home to Knavesmire and then lost by the same margin at University Staff club. John Major and Alastair Jewison were in top form for Knavesmire and recorded 90-15, while Andy Brown and Simon Fletcher headed the University Staff averages with 90-21.

The mother and son pairing of Sandra and James Pauw helped York RI 'B' to a 9-0 home win over Nestl 'A' in mixed one. Their return of 92-68 included a 15-12, 17-16 victory over Phil Grant and Helen Shepherd who played well for the confectionery team.

Riverside 'A' edged a 5-4 home win over Selby/Drax 'A' in their opening mixed one match. The best display came from the visitors' Scott Anderson and Michelle Hall who took three wins for 106-52, but Riverside sealed the overall win when Geoff Oxley and Margaret Sinclair beat Phil Brunyard and Julie Smyth 15-6, 12-15, 15-8.

Fulfordgate 'A' won 6-3 away at RI Tues/Thursday 'B' in mixed four. Hazel Winfield and Matt Hobman were in great form for the visitors with three straight wins for 90-40.

Shepherds 'B', new to mixed five, opened with an emphatic 8-1 home win over Tadcaster 86 'B'.

Sam Watson and Jeanette Gilbert were the best home pair with three wins for 96-42.

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, October 20, 2005