York RI A and defending champions Topspin A are battling it out at the top of Division 1 of the York and District TTA Winter League.

The RI team are seven points ahead with both teams having four matches to play, one of which is against each other during the final week of the season.

RI A thrashed their B team 10-0 but were held to 5-5 draws by both Shiyi Ling B and Shiyi Ling A. Filip Wojtkowial was unbeaten in two of RI’s matches.

Meanwhile James Atkins won all of his singles matches for Topspin A in their wins against Clarence B (8-2) and University A (9-1).

Joe Wright won his singles for Shiyi Ling A against both RI A and the 8-2 defeat of University A, as did Phil Bell in their 6-4 win against York RI B.

At the Bottom of the table University A are relegated but they gained a creditable 5-5 draw against Clarence B to ensure that they do not go through the season losing every match.

Second bottom will enter a play-off with the second-placed team of Division 2 and Wigginton A have won two of their last three to close the gap on Clarence B.

The beat Clarence A 7-3 with Jacob Poole winning three, and Topspin B 6-4, with Ethan Scully winning three.

Clarence B also lost 3-7 against Topspin B but are six points ahead of Wigginton with both having four to play.

Elsewhere Martin Lowe won all of his singles matches for Coneysthorpe in their 5-5 draw with Shiyi Ling B and 8-2 defeat of Wigginton A.

York RI C are top of Division 2, having won three of their last four matches, against Ryedale A (7-3), York RI F (9-1) and University B (9-1) with Ian Hilton unbeaten in those wins.

Their only reverse was a narrow defeat against York RI D (4-6) for whom Adam Stone won his three singles. Adam was also unbeaten in his team’s 7-3 defeat of Wigginton C.

Only the winners of this division are guaranteed promotion, with the runners-up taking on second-bottom of Division 1 in a play-off.

York RI C are favourites to fill the automatic place. The battle for second is between Clarence C and Shiyi Ling C, with Clarence C eleven points ahead but having played three more matches.

Clarence drew 5-5 with York RI F, for whom Tim Smith was unbeaten, and beat University B (9-1) and Wigginton B (7-3).

Frank Feng won all of his singles matches in the wins. Clarence C and York RI C play each other this week.

Shiyi Ling C were held to a 5-5 draw by Ryedale A with Mark Blackburn winning his three singles for Shiyi Ling.

At the other end of the table, University B have been relegated after three heavy defeats.

York RI E are favourites to join them, being five points adrift of Wigginton C and having played one match more. They suffered heavy defeats against Wigginton B (2-8) and Shepherds A (1-9).