By Dave Quinlan

IT was honours even as the top two teams clashed in the Red Goat York & District Table Tennis League with Topspin 'A' and York RI 'A' sharing the spoils in a 5-5 draw.

In a high-quality match, Topspin roared into a 3-0 lead with Martin Lowe and John Bramley both losing their unbeaten records to James Atkins and Yoni Caspi, respectively.

But RI showed their class by fighting back to clinch the draw.

At the other end of the table, a treble from Rich Crowther made the difference as York RI 'B' edged a close encounter with Bootham 6-4. Gareth Bryning and Russ Barton played well to pick up two wins each for Bootham.

Shiyi Ling 'A' remain unbeaten after a 7-3 victory over Topspin 'A' with Joe Wright, Bryan Birkbeck and Arthur Sorley each contributing two wins.

A maximum from Aidan Ranftler was not enough to prevent Clarence 'A' suffering a 6-4 reversal against Shiyi Ling 'B'.

In division two, the pick of the week’s matches was between York RI 'C' and Wigginton 'A'. The villagers got off to a flying start, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead but the railwaymen responded in style, winning the final doubles set to secure a deserved 5-5 draw.

Tom Thorp and Lewis Harrison were untroubled as unbeaten Shiyi Ling 'C' cruised to an 8-2 win over Clarence 'C' while Will Beedham and Ian Williams were unbeaten as Shepherds 'A' beat Ryedale 'A' 7-3.

University 'A' made it back-to-back wins by thrashing York RI 'D' 9-1 thanks to Laone Kgakole and Antoine Mokoko.

Mark Hodgson and Alberto Nidasio starred as Wigginton 'A' beat Strensall 9-1 with Ian Oxborough paying up from the third division playing superbly to contribute two wins.

In the third division, Tony Fairburn and Rich Bayliss recorded maximums as leaders Wigginton 'B' crushed University 'B' 9-1.

Shepherds 'B' whitewashed Wigginton 'C' 10-0 while BT beat Wigginton 'D' 6-4 thanks to an unbeaten effort from Jan Suchecki.

A superb treble from Mike Jackson helped his Shiyi Ling 'E' to a 5-5 draw versus unbeaten Ryedale 'B'.

Clarence 'E' defeated their 'D' team 7-3. Terry Nicholson, Mark Matthams and Bob Young all contributed braces for the 'E' team, with Tom Lines responding in kind for the 'D' team.

In division four, it was a memorable competitive debut for Connor Hicks with his two wins supporting the unbeaten Dom Horsley in a 7-3 victory for RI 'E' over University 'C'.

Topspin 'D' beat Clarence 'G' 6-4 despite three wins from Graham Hood.

Clive Pottage and John Hunt excelled in a 9-1 win for Wigginton 'E' over Topspin 'C' while Toni Iordache and Steve Webster steered Shepherd 'C' to a 9-1 victory against Clarence 'G'.