Slazenger Harrogate and District Tennis League: Harlow, bidding to regain the title they held two years ago, have dislodged Thirsk from their brief stay at the top of Division One in the Slazenger Harrogate and District Tennis League.

In a key top-of-the-table clash Harlow's 5-4 away victory at Thirsk put the former champions a point clear of their rivals at the head of the division. And there was a further blow for Thirsk when they were surprisingly held to a 4.5-4.5 draw at Harrogate Spa.

Boroughbridge, who won the title for the first time last season, are handily place with a match in hand on Harlow and Thirsk after their 6.5-2.4 away win at Harrogate Racquets.

The partnership of Graeme Campbell and Laura Gilbert won two rubbers and halved a third for Boroughbridge while the combination of Ian Grasby and Kate Needham took two victories for 'Bridge.

The best performers for Racquets were Richard Whiteley and Lynne Garnet who won a single rubber and halved a second.

Match scores Thirsk 4 Harlow 5 (Thirsk names first): Graham Parker and Carol Collinson halved with Colin Smith and Sophie Jacob 4-6 6-3; lost to Andrew Carter and Helen Flynn 3-6; beat Roland Hom and Sophie Beattie 6-0 6-0.

Nick Hatch and Debbie Hannam lost to Smith and Jacob 1-6 3-6; lost to Carter and Flynn 4-6 3-6; beat Hom and Beattie 6-2.

Paul Spence and N Lea lost to Smith and Jacob 4-6; halved with Carter and Flynn 2-6 6-5; beat Hom and Beattie 6-1 6-1.

Harrogate Spa 4.5 Thirsk 4.5 (Spa names first): James Turner and Jo Fuller beat Paul Spence and N Lea 6-1 6-2; lost to Graham Parker and Carol Collinson 3-6; beat Nick Hatch and Debbie Hannam 6-3 6-3.

Chris Dight and Nicola Pratt halved with Spence and Lea 2-6 6-3; beat Parker and Collinson 6-5 6-1; beat Hatch and Hannam 6-1.

Richard Bancroft and Linda Down lost to Spence and Lea 5-7; lost to Parker and Collinson 0-6 2-6; lost to Hatch and Hannam 2-6 2-6.

Division One: Thirsk 4 Harlow 5; Harrogate Racquets 1.5 The Academy 1.5; Spa 0 The Academy A 3; Harlow 8 Bedale 1; Harrogate Racquets 2.5 Boroughbridge 6.5; Spa 4.5 Thirsk 4.5

Division Two: Raskelf 4 Dacre 5; Knaresborough 0.5 Harrogate Racquets A 8.5.

Division Three: Boroughbridge A 5 Starbeck 4; Ripon A 1 Harrogate Racquets B 8; Harlow B 0.5 Northallerton 8.5; Wetherby 5.5 Masham 3.4.

Division Four: Harrogate Racquets C 4.5 West Tanfield 4.5; Knaresborough A 6 Harlow C 3; Northallerton A 5 Wetherby A 4; Thirsk B 5 Birstwith 4.

Division Five: Dacre A 5 Ripon B 4.

Division Six: Knaresborough B 2 Ripon C 7; West Tanfield 7 Raskelf A 2; Bedale B 6 Harrogate Racquets D 3; Birsthwith A 0.5 Spa A 7.5; Burton Leonard 4.5 Ripon C 4.5; Dacre B 3.5 Knaresborough B 5.5

Harrogate and District Championships

Harrogate pastor Doug Keen will be bidding for his fourth successive title in the Harrogate and District Tennis Championships which run at Harrogate Racquets Club, Firs Road, from June 13-19.

Keen, whose tennis career started in America where he achieved considerable success, plays for The Academy and is top seeded. He is pastor of a church at Bilton.

Since playing in the Harrogate League Keen's ability has been recognised by a place in the senior Yorkshire county team in County Week at Eastbourne. He has also notched several impressive results while competing in the Ilkley Open, part of the British Tour.

Second seed is Harrogate newcomer Andrew Carter who is in his debut season for Harlow and undefeated in five matches.

Carter, who moved to Harrogate from Nottingham, could be the player to give Keen a challenge to his crown. The women's title holder Rebecca Sowden (The Academy) will not be defending the event which could pave the way for Sophie Jacob (Harlow) to resume her place as title holder. Jacob had a stranglehold on the women's championship until Sowden ended her reign last season.