NICK Turnbull and Nikki Rohlfing narrowly edged Academy aces Adam Rider and Mat Parry – returning 3-27 as defending champions Poppleton extended their lead at the top of the Tyke Petroleum Men’s Tennis League to 20 points.

With three regulars missing, second-placed Rowntree Park still won five of the nine rubbers at bottom team Starbeck but their hosts claimed a dramatic first win of the season as Dave Tripp and Kev Meeks applied the 'coup de grace' with a final round 10-2.

Ben Storey and Andy Withers held York first pair John Moore and Paul Whurr to a draw and went on to an unbeaten 2½-23 for Wigginton as last year’s runners-up close in on the front two.

Harrogate Raquets got the rub of the carpet at David Lloyd with captain Richard Shannon and Mark Hinchcliffe’s 3-29 underlying a close win.

Boosted by a debut for coach Matt Ward, Sutton-on-Derwent scored a dramatic late win at division two leaders Copmanthorpe.

A final round 23-13 stole Sutton their sixth win in a row as they push not only for promotion but, with matches in hand, the trophy itself.

After a six-year hiatus, Will Peeke-Vout partnered Brad Swainston to 2½-28 at home to Poppleton 2 keeping Dunnington in the hunt with plenty to spare. Captain-less Fulford benefited from an early retirement of a visiting Knaresborough player.

Harlow fetched along the big guns to hole Sherburn’s trophy ambitions.

Ivan Dechovsky and Chris James returned 3-28 after edging Sherburn’s Phil Bremner and Steve Duree 7-5.

Steve Shipley debuted to partner captain John Shackleton to 2-24. Their big win takes Harlow clear of the drop zone.

David Lloyd 2 extend their lead to 20 points with a heavy defeat of hosts Heworth. Only Ollie Hicks and Scott Marmion got any joy from the table-toppers, scoring 2-20 for Heworth.

York 3 hit the top of division four despite a battering at Appleton Roebuck 2.

Dave Luscombe and James Pittaway were back to their best with 3-29 for ‘Buck.

A captain’s innings from Dave Dearing, partnering Matt Blackburn to 3-27, as Copmanthorpe 2 enjoyed their morning at Racquets 2, who replace Poppleton 3 at the bottom.

Poppleton welcomed back Robbie Greenall who nailed 2½-25 with Ben Crick for a win at home to Bishopthorpe.

Starbeck 2 inflicted on Wetherby 1 their worst result of the year but it was still a win for the runaway division five leaders, keeping their 100% record intact and maintaining a 20-point gap.

Starbeck’s Gary Saunders and Tom Hendry were the only undefeated pair with 2½-22.

Tim and James Hunts’ 3-27 against Wetherby 2, keeps Wilberfoss in the chase. A second win on the bounce for Strensall propels them away from danger. Mark Howarth and Andy Smith led the line with 3-24 at home to Cliffe.

A defeat of local rivals Harlow 2 extends Academy 2’s lead at the top of division six to 12 points.

Marcus Hewlett and Matt Waters made the difference with 3-23 in a keenly-fought derby.

Pocklington leap to third after comprehensively seeing off visiting Heworth 2.

The first ever inter-divisional match was a close-run thing. A late-season debut for Mark Harris, scoring 3-32 with Andy Corfield, helped edge a narrow win for division six’s Bubwith 2 at home to unlucky division seven match-ups Wheldrake. Both teams benefit from the points they won in this match, back in their separate divisions.

With an away defeat of nearest rivals, Sutton-on-Derwent 2, Riccall are now a staggering 58 points clear at the top of division seven. A huge win at Bishopthorpe 2, lifts Alne & Tollerton 2 to second.

Wigginton 4 held on for a rare win, despite a 20-game final round comeback by hosts York 4.

Alne & Tollerton 1 bust the ton in division eight with a big win at home to Dunnington 2.

Captain Neil Hawkins and Ben Drummond led with 3-28. Geoff Stoakes and Clive Christison grabbed 3-31 for David Lloyd 3 against their own fourth team. Selby graciously conceded the whole first round after turning up nearly 40 minutes late for their match at Wigginton 3.