Champions Bedale came a 3-0 cropper in a top-of-the-table clash.

Defeat at the hands of Harrogate Squash II dislodged Bedale from the Division One leadership - to be replaced by their winning rivals.

It was the second defeat of the season for Bedale, who have won only two of their four opening matches.

They are now six points behind Squash, who have a 100 per cent winning record from three outings on 36 points.

Knaresborough are third on 24 points.

A much closer encounter had been forecast when Bedale hosted Squash in a clash which included a fascinating encounter between Harrogate's Martin Wickenden and Phil Martin.

The Bedale player had beaten Wickenden last season to win the North Yorkshire individual title. But Wickenden gained revenge, taking a 9-5 9-6 1-9 5-9 9-4 victory.

Harrogate's other rubbers came courtesy of Bob Peacock and Stuart Ross, who was making only his second appearance for the side.

Peacock beat Dave Smiley 9-0 10-8 4-9 9-0 with Ross defeating Alan Peirson 10-8 9-7 4-9 9-3.

Harrogate Squash II won the championship three seasons ago and have made a fine start in a determined bid to recapture the silverware.

Division One: Bedale 0 Harrogate Squash II 3

(Martin Wickenden, Bob Peacock, Stuart Ross); Harrogate Squash 3 (Dave Townsend, Mark Harding, Nigel Heward) Pateley Bridge 0.

Division Two: Boroughbridge 3 (Stuart Rennison, Joe Royle, Nigel Wick) Wensleydale III 0; Catterick Garrison 2 (Tim Jones, Rob Hammond) Bedale III 1 (Mike Lumley); Bedale II 2 (Dave Horner, Mike Richardson) RAF Leeming 1 (Clyn Williams).

Division Three: Pateley Bridge II 3 (Dave Mann, Bill Hannay, Andy Balsdon) Thorp Perrow 0; Harlow III 2 (Jim McGuinness, Rob Bickerdike) Thirsk III 1 (Mike Pointon).