Harrogate and

District League

Thirsk gained ground on title holders Racquets in the race for the First Division championship after powering to an 8-1 victory against Dacre to secure their third win from four matches. Their only defeat of the season to date came at the hands of Racquets.

Scores (Thirsk names first): Andrew Parry and Carol Collinson beat Paul Ellison and Christine Stringer 6-3, 6-1; bt Chris Robinson and Pauline Hook 6-3; bt Michael Critchley and Christine Goldsborough 6-2, 6-0.

Nick Hatch and Debbie Hannam bt Ellison and Stringer 6-3, 6-1; bt Robinson and Hook 6-2, 6-1; bt Crtichley and Goldsborough 6-0.

Graham Parker and Tes Williamson lost to Ellison and Stringer 2-6; bt Robinson and Hook 6-2, 6-1; bt Critchley and Goldsborough 6-4, 6-2.

Racquets are unbeaten in four matches and head the table with eight points, two points ahead of Thirsk on six.

Bedale are making a determined effort to return to the top flight after being relegated to Division Two last season.

They have a 100 per cent record from five matches, their latest an 8.5-0.5 success against newcomers Wetherby, and lead Division Two with ten points.

Scores (Bedale names first): John Hart and Melanie Couchman halved with David Ward and Sylvia Johnson 4-6, 6-4; bt Doug Crawford and Kate Durkin 7-5; bt Nick Wood and Carol Hall 6-0, 6-4.

Tim Osborne and Althea Draper bt Ward and Johnson 6-4, 6-4; bt Crawford and Durkin 6-4, 6-2; bt Wood and Hall 6-1. Mark Scarlett and Trish Melhuish bt Ward and Johnson 6-0; bt Crawford and Durkin 6-3, 6-3; bt Ward and Hill 6-5, 6-0.

But it is tight at the top of Division Five with the Academy A and Thirsk B both having won five matches with the Academy top because of their better rubbers' average.

And Northallerton go from strength to strength in their debut season in Division Six, a 6.5-2.5 victory against Burton Leonard putting them top of the division after being unbeaten in five matches.

Other results

Division One: Ben Rhydding 6, Knaresborough 3; Harlow A 2, Knaresborough 7; Knaresborough 4.5, Birstwith 4.5.

Division Two: The Academy 7.5, Wetherby 1.5; Racquets A 8, Thirsk A 1.

Division Three: Birstwith A 1, Spa 8; Harlow C 4, West Tanfield 5; Knaresborough A 9, Ripon 0; Masham 1.5, Racquets B 7.5; Spa 8, Masham 1.

Division Four: Raskelf 4, Harlow D 5; Wetherby A 5.5, Bedale A 3.5.

Division Five: Dacre B 2, Thirsk B 7; Dacre B 2.5, West Tanfield A .5; Racquets C 8, Starbeck A 1; Spa A0, The Academy 9; Thirsk B 9, Knaresborough B 0.

Division Six: Northallerton 6.5, Burton Leonard 2.5; West Tanfield B 6.5, Bedale B 2.5