Half-way into the season and Poppleton are favourites to retain their title, after a comfortable defeat of nearest rivals, Fulford.

Popp’s top-guns, John Moore and Rob Jones, were just shy of a perfect 36, dropping only one game in each rubber.

Only Fulford’s Sean Evans and Govind Baker could manage ‘par’ in the face of the champions’ onslaught, with a final total of 18. It was a clean sweep for David Lloyd against Dunnington. In division one, new players Nils Morozs and Sam Barass continued their successful debut with 27, as Lloyd 1 triumphed 70-38. No problems with outdoor carpet for David Lloyd 2, as they won convincingly 73-35 away to Dunnington 3.

Pairs Richard Tasker and Andy Fields, and Scott Marmion and Al Heath both hit 26, against the division six tail-enders. There were double celebrations too for Pocklington as a tremendous 27-game away debut in division one by Ollie Kaye in tandem with Luke Taylor thwarted Wigginton 1’s hopes of a second win this season.

The 41-67 home defeat leaves Wigginton bottom. In division seven, a mid-match 11-1 by captain Dave Maultby and David Gamble saw Pocklington 2 storm back to take their home match 63-45 against Wigginton 3.

Poppleton’s 63-45 canter at home to Starbeck kept them five points clear in division two.

A superb 31 from Roger Fawcus and youngster, David Woon, gained Castlegarth a 66-42 win at plucky Appleton Roebuck to hold on to second place.

Rowntree Park gained another place after they edged it, 58-50 at home to York 2.

Boston Spa 2 jumped three places to second in division three with an important 67-41 win on Sutton’s grass courts. Richard Whaley and Steve Thompson mastered the damp and drizzle to return 25 for the visitors. Sherburn found little to trouble them at struggling Strensall, where two 25s and a 26 rounded off a solid team performance. Cawood were hopeful of their first win, leading 38-34 at Rufforth, but the hosts rallied for a final round 22-14 to snatch a 56-52 win to cushion them from the drop zone.

With rivals not playing, Rowntree Park 2 hit the top in division four, thanks to a 26-game debut from Rob Triggs, partnering regular James Chantry, in a 74-34 romp at Manor CS.

Bishopthorpe did the double over player-strapped Starbeck.

The division five leaders had little trouble in beating second-placed Starbeck 1 72-36 in the away fixture. In division seven, however, promotion-chasers Bishopthorpe 2, hiccuped at home to Starbeck 2, as Chris Nodding and Tom Hendry led the way with 26 for the visitors.

However, a mid-match 11-1 from Bish 2’s Ed Kirby and John Cragg swung the fixture for a narrow 55-53 home win.

A huge 31 games from first pair, Howard Thompson and Rob Proudley, gave Alne and Tollerton only their second win of the season at home to Sheriff Hutton.

Heworth are on the up after a very useful home defeat of fellow promotion contenders, Sutton-on-Derwent 2.

Youngster Ollie Hicks and Nick Latcham led the charge with 24 games. Heworth are now only two points off second place with a match in hand.

With no match for Harlow, Poppleton 3 take second in division six.

In a tight match at Wheldrake, a final 27-9 surge swept the match Popp’s way to a 64-44 triumph. Stamford Bridge 2 remain clear in division seven after a narrow 57-51 win, despite a mid-match stumble away to York 4.