Poppleton 1 head division one at the midway point of the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League season.

The leaders defeated nearest rivals David Lloyd to maintain their 100 per cent winning record.

Lloyd’s Andy Holmes and Dave Porter were victorious against John Moore and Rob Jones, bagging all their side’s points in a 9½-2½ defeat.

Pop’s Nick Turnbull and Pat Evans put in an unbeaten shift for 2½ points from 23 games. Rowntree Park are in pursuit of the reigning champions after a resounding demolition of Poppleton 2.

Pop 2 captain Tom Cantrell and Richard Moss could only manage a point off imperious Park, for whom Ian Sadler and Emil Erikson won three points from 23 games. Dunnington’s Dave Walton and Tom Jordan won a 10-2 final rubber against Fulford, but Sean Evans and Nigel Skelton then nailed an 11-1 win to square the match 54-54 for six points each. In the reverse division four fixture, Mike Taylor and Kevin Todd were rampant with three points from 29 games as Dunnington 2 caned Fulford 2 8½-3½.

That took Dunnington 2 level on points with Fulford 2, but ahead on games won.

A thrilling division two fixture saw York 2 win five rubbers 7-5 and a share one 6-6, only for hosts Bubwith to pinch the team bonus thanks to a last-gasp 9-3 rubber by Doug Smith and Shaun Pinchbeck. The division five game was less tense as York 3 pummelled Bubwith 2, after Jack Bass and James Pilmoor shot an unbeaten 3-32.

Out-of-action Wigginton lost top spot in division two as Castlegarth saw off Starbeck 8-4 (63-45) thanks to three points and 30 games from David Woon and Nigel Williams. Another unbeaten performance from Alex Wilkins and Mark Davis failed to prevent Knaresborough King James’ slumping to a 9-3 reverse at home to rivals Boston Spa. The big division three match was tit-for-tat as leaders Rowntree Park 2 hosted unbeaten Appleton Roebuck. A mid-match 10-2 win from David Rogers and Ed Martin proved the difference as Park triumphed 8-4 (59-49). Copmanthorpe walloped Wilberfoss 11-1, and are now only 2½ points off the top with two matches in hand. In division four, the top three all won, with Bishopthorpe closing on the leaders after polishing off Copmanthorpe 2. There was a maximum three points for Jonny Kay and Rob Williams from 27 games in the 10½-1½ rout. Wigginton 2’s Matt Waudby and Chris Burnham bagged three from 29 for the leaders at Cawood.

Starbeck 2 pipped visiting Strensall 7½-4½ after taking the team bonus.

A 22-game 2½-point final round, was not enough for York 4 at home to second-placed Bishopthorpe 2, as they narrowly lost 7½-4½ (56-52) in division six.

Runaway leaders Poppleton 3 dropped half a point at Wilberfoss 2, who now drop into the danger zone after Alne & Tollerton won 10½-1½ at Sheriff Hutton.

Starbeck 3 pipped division seven leaders Wigginton 3 to the team bonus, in a see-saw match. Boston Spa 3 went third after a 12-pointer against Wigginton 4.