Harlow's hopes of winning the First Division title were given a major boost when they defeated nearest rivals Thirsk to open a five-point lead at the top.

Harlow had to battle hard for a 5-4 verdict against Thirsk. But the four-pointer win makes the league leaders clear favourites to regain the championship they last won six years ago.

Both sides were slightly below strength, Glen Robinson standing in for Thirsk and Pauline Knight for Harlow.

Still unbeaten this season Harlow have yet to play the return match against The Academy who have two matches in hand on the leaders and are seven points adrift in third place.

But if Harlow can repeat the form which saw them to an 8-1 win against The Academy earlier in the season they will be virtually home and dry in the title race.

Scores from Harlow's 5-4 win over Thirsk (Harlow names first): Simon Daly and Sophie Jacob halved with Graham Parker and Carol Collinson 6-4, 4-6; beat Nick Hatch and Debbie Hannam 6-4; beat Glen Robinson and Julie Abbott 6-1, 6-0.

Colin Smith and Gaye Wright halved with Parker and Collinson 6-4, 5-6; lost to Hatch and Hannam 5-6, 4-6; beat Robinson and Abbott 6-2.

John Tindall and Pauline Knight lost to Parker and Collinson 4-6; lost to Hatch and Hannam 5-6, 2-6; beat Robinson and Abbott 6-2, 6-1.

Bedale underlined their potential to return to Division One with a 7.5-1.5 away win over neighbours West Tanfield. Bedale top Division Two with just one defeat this season and are two points ahead of Raskelf.

Scores - West Tanfield 1.5 Bedale 7.5 (Bedale names first): John Hart and Melanie Couchman halved with Chris Chapman and Kate Halliday 6-4, 5-6; beat Edward Lambert and Judith Abel 6-5, 6-1; beat Simon Phillips and Charlotte Ash 6-2.

Mark Scarlett and Helen Broadwith beat Chapman and Halliday 6-1; lost to Lambert and Abel 4-6, 5-6; beat Phillips and Ash 6-3, 6-1.

Paul Swian and Althea Draper beat Chapman and Halliday 6-1, 6-2; beat Lambert and Abel 6-4; beat Phillips and Ash 6-5, 6-0.

Division One: Harlow 5 Thirsk 4; Knaresborough 0.5 Harrogate Racquets 2.5.

Division Two: Harlow B 7 Harrogate Racquets A 2; West Tanfield 1.5 Bedale 7.5; Raskelf 5 Masham 4; Ben Rhydding 2.5 Harlow B 0.5; Harrogate Racquets A 3 Dacre 0.

Division Three: Harrogate Racquets B 8.5 Thirsk A 0.5; Knaresborough A 4.5 Dacre A 4.5; Wetherby 0.5 The Academy A 2.5; Harlow C 1.5 Ripon 1.5.

Division Four: Starbeck 6 Harrogate Racquets C 3; Thirsk B 3.5 Ripon A 5.5; Starbeck 5 Birstwith 4; Birstwith 2 Wetherby A 1.

Division Five: Northallerton A 6.5 Masham A 2.5; West Tanfield A 5 Starbeck A 1; Harlow D 7 Birstwith A 2.

Division Six: Harrogate Racquets D 3.5 Bedale B 5.5; Ripon C 0 Wetherby B 3; Spa B 5 Thirsk C 4; Ripon B 6 Burton Leonard 0.