There was more than just family pride at stake as Ed Ziegler faced brother Will in the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League third division clash between Appleton Roebuck and Boston Spa seconds. Unbeaten leaders Appleton Roebuck were hoping to extend their 100 per cent winning record against their struggling rivals striving to avoid the drop.

Younger brother Ed and Appleton Roebuck had been victorious in the reverse fixture which had kicked off the season, and he claimed a double over his sibling.

But overall it was Boston Spa who ran out 66-42 winners over the previously undefeated leaders.

Both Ziegler brothers scored 20 for their teams.

An impressive 30 games from captain Bob Audsley and Paul Josse for York seconds saw off sorry Civil Service, while Andy Cousins and Alex Wilkin top-scored with 28 games for Knaresborough in a useful win at rivals, Sutton-on-Derwent.

Division one leaders Poppleton, without Rob Jones, had to battle hard to scrape a 59-49 win at David Lloyd. York’s visitors Dunnington were cruising after overturning a narrow first-round deficit to lead 38-34 going into the last round. However, a rousing 9-3 from Ollie Gardner and Paul Whurr, and 8-4 from Phil Langley and Howard Pallister, stole the match back for York by a 55-53 margin. In a whisker-tight second division, leaders Boston Spa did not play, but both their title rivals tumbled to lowly opposition. Second-placed Pocklington were routed 68-40 at strugglers Starbeck, whose Jeremy Reddish and Garry Saunders notched 27 games. Stamford Bridge elected to play their home match at Wetherby Castlegarth and, against the odds, Bridge won 58-50, thanks to a remarkable 12-0 first rubber by captain Tim Hunt and son, James. Sherburn head division four after cruising to a 62-46 triumph over Dunnington seconds.

Starbeck seconds edged towards safety with a monster 71-37 beating of lowly Alne and Tollerton.

The top three all won in division five, but by varying degrees.

Leaders Wigginton were given a walk-over by Cliffe, while Bishopthorpe recorded their biggest win, 92-16, at home to Civil Service seconds, who only brought two eligible pairs. Rowntree Park seconds had to scrap against a full-strength Bubwith seconds, who resisted gamely until the very last round when they finally capitulated 26-10 for an overall 67-41 away win.

Heworth’s winning run also ended in a 57-51 defeat at unfancied Poppleton thirds.

York thirds closed in on top spot, despatching Wheldrake 68-40. Darryl Young scored 31 alongside Richard Dawes as strugglers Selby thrashed a depleted Wilberfoss seconds 89-19.