Slazenger Harrogate and District League - Thirsk were pipped at the post by The Academy who are bidding to win the First Division Championship at their first attempt.

In an early season pointer to success Thirsk, runners-up last season to title holders Racquets, went down 5-4 in a keenly contested clash.

Early indications are that Harrogate Racquets, current First Division leaders on rubbers, Harlow and The Academy could be challenging for the title at the end of the season.

But The Academy have already played one match more than Racquets and Harlow.

The three challengers are all on six points, along with Knaresborough in fourth place who have played two more than the leaders.

With two defeats already this season Thirsk have now slipped to fifth place.

Scores - Thirsk 4 The Academy 5 (Thirsk names first): Andrew Parry and Debbie Hannam lost to Doug Keen and Amanda Finney 0-6, 1-6; halved with Harry Worthington and Julie Abbott 6-6; beat Ross Leventhal and Rebecca Sowden 6-3, 6-2.

Graham Parker and Carol Collinson halved with Keen and Finney 6-5, 2-6; beat Worthington and Abbott 6-3, 6-3; beat Leventhal and Sowden 7-5.

Paul Spence and Brenda Gaunt lost to Keen and Finney 3-6; lost to Worthington and Abbott 1-6, 5-6; lost to Leventhal and Sowden 1-6, 1-6.

In Division Two Boroughbridge, relegated two seasons ago, have made a storming start winning all five matches, their latest success being chalked up by 8.5-0.5 against Harlow B.

The clear-cut victory was achieved despite lacking one of their regular players Simon Eyles.

Currently Harlow B are Boroughbridge's closest challengers, but are now two points behind in second place.

Scores - Boroughbridge 8.5 Harlow B 0.5 (Boroughbridge names first): John Rowe and cathy Farrang beat Mark Finer and Jo Douglas 6-2, 6-4; beat Alex McNaby and Helen Flyunn 6-1, 6-0; beat Alex Rymer and Jane Moorhouse 6-1.

Ian Grasby and Maureen Wilkinson beat Finer and Douglas 6-4; beat McNab and Flynn 6-3, 6-1; beat Rymer and Moorhouse 6-1, 6-3.

John Pape and Suzanne Lodge beat Finer and Douglas 6-4, 6-2; halved with McNab and Flynn 6-6; beat Rymer and Moorhouse 6-4, 6-3.

Meanwhile in Division Six the Northallerton A team's success story continues.

The league newcomers now top the table with four straight wins and are a point ahead of Wetherby.

Burton Leondard felt the full force of Northallerton's runaway start to the season going down 9-0.

With the bubble showing no signs of bursting Northallerton were powered to success by Bill Charlton, Marion Archer, John Hallett, Mary Pearson, Simon Quarmy and Debbie Pearson.

In Division Five Nothallerton first team, who won promotion at the first attempt last season, are still unbeaten in four matches, but are a point behind top of the table Thirsk B who have played a match more.

Division One: Harlow A 7.5 Dacre 1.5; Thirsk 4 The Academy 5; Knaresborough 3.5 Thirsk 5.5.

Division Two: Boroughbridge 9 Thirsk A 0; Ben Rhydding 5 Wetherby 4; Harlow B 6.5 Spa 2.5; Harlow B 0.5 Boroughbridge 8.5; Thirsk A 1 Ben Rhydding 8; Wetherby 2 West Tanfield 7.

Division Three: Starbeck 4 Masham 5; Harrogate Racquets B 4.5 Masham 4.5; Dacre A 6.5 Starbeck 2.5; Knaresborough A 6 Harrogate Racquets B 3; Masham 6 Harlow C 3; Raskelf 6.5 Dacre A 2.5; Starbeck 5 Birstwith 4.

Division Four: Ripon 8 Harlow D 1; The Academy A 6.5 Boroughbridge A 2.5; Boroughbridge A 5 Harrogate Racquets C 4; Ripon A 7 Harlow D 2.

Division Five: Knaresborough B 2.5 Dacre B 6.5; Thirsk B 9 Spa A 0; Masham A 4.5 Starbeck A 4.5; Birstwith A 6 Knaresborough B 3.

Division Six: Thirsk C 3 West Tanfield A 6; Harrogate Racquets 3.5 Thirsk C 5.5; Northallerton A 9 Burton Leonard 0; West Tanfield B 1 West Tanfield A 8.

l More than 80 competitors are involved in the current Harrogate and District Championships with the finals scheduled for Harrogate Racquets Club, starting at 2pm on June 16.

l NORTH Yorkshire player Laura Gilbert upset the form book in a big way to clinch the Under-12 title in the Trafford Press Doncaster Junior Open Championships.

She soundly defeated favourite Victoria Bullock (Leics) 6-2, 6-4.

Slightly built Bullock never fully got to grips with her rival.

Gilbert, from Boroughbridge, forced a number of errors from Bullock and hit the ball much harder than the favourite, registering a notable and deserved victory.

The event attracted entries from across the country and officials were full of praise for the Boroughbridge player who showed tenacity in achieving her against the odds triumph against the top seed.

Shotley and Benfieldside Tennis Club

Junior tournament

Results - Under-16 boys: Winner David Cassidy, runner-up Harry James.

Under-16 girls: Chantelle Handy, Fiona Johnson.

Under-12 boys: Thomas Killeen, Steven Boyle.

Under-12 girls: Emily Davies, Josie Philp.

Under-10 boys: Peter Westgarth, William Major

Under-10 girls: Ashley Atess, Jayne Hansom.

Active Sport - Mini tennis tournament at Annfield Plain Park on May 31

Boys: Steven Boyle, James White.

Girls: Caroline Cleary, Megan Thompson.