Squash and Tennis: Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire League

Catterick Garrison have been accepted as a late entry into Division Three. First matches in the new season are just just getting under way. League secretary Chris Lennox said it was a return to league action for Catterick who were members of the league 15 years ago.

"The side folded simply through lack of organisation and loss of players. But I believe they will be a powerful force to be reckoned with. The side will have two squash courts at their disposal," he said.

Brian Atherton is taking charge of the side which is aiming for promotion to Division Two at the first attempt.

The league's website for the new season can be found on: www.chrislennox.co.uk/nysl.htm

Harrogate and District League

A North Yorkshire police inspector's dash from duty helped to produce victory for a Harrogate squash side.

Tony Nowakowski took to the court with his Harrogate Squash Club side level at 1-1 all in the home clash against Nomads in the Kall Kwik Harrogate and District Squash League's First Division.

Nowakowski helped turn the tables for his team, beating Joe Wilson 7-9, 9-2, 9-1, 9-6 as they defeated Nomads 2-1, getting their season off to a winning start.

Meanwhle's Nowakowski's son Adam had been forced to concede his match with a strained hamstring while playing against Andy Hall with the scores at 3-1 in Hall's favour - 9-10, 9-0, 2-9, 0-9.

Harrogate's second win came with a convincing performance by Martin Wickenden who beat John Riley 10-8, 9-2, 9-0.

Newcomers to the league have boosted the number of teams to 35 this season, playing in three divisions. There was a surprise setback in Division One for last season's clear-cut champions Scott Hall, who went down 2-1 at Adel.

Scores (Adel names first): Mark Ambler beat Mark Sellers 3-9, 9-1, 9-4, 10-8; Sean Fleming lost to Scott Wilson 0-9, 0-9, 9-7, 4-9; Jon Hodgson beat Ben Milner 9-3, 2-9, 8-10, 9-7, 9-4.

Newly-promoted Otley found the going too hot to handle against last season's runners-up Moortown, losing 3-0. Seasoned campaigners David Lines, Graham Snowden and Geoff Mortimer were Moortown's winners.

Chapel Allerton, put straight into the First Division by league officials believing they would be too strong to join Division Three, were beaten without winning a game against Ilkley.

Much interest centred on Ilkley's new No 1 Shelley Kitchen who defeated Chapel coach Peter Edwards 9-4, 9-4, 9-2.

League newcomers Bedale were involved in a tense tussle against Boroughbridge II in Division Three, but lost their opening match 2-1.

Team captain John Abbotson was their only winner at first string.

Scores (Bedale names first): John Abbotson beat John Frankland 9-2, 6-9, 3-9, 10-8, 9-6; Andrew Hawkswell lost to Rob Hayhurst 5-9, 8-10, 10-8, 9-4, 5-9; Geoff Coles lost to Colin Leftly 9-7, 4-9, 9-3, 1-9.

There was a new skipper at the helm for Harrogate-based Army Foundation College.

Lieut Pam Buttifant stepped up at first string, battling back for a fine win over Peter Cronin. But her individual success was not enough to steer her Army colleagues to an overall win. They lost 2-1 to Harrogate Squash V in Division Three.

Kall Kwik Harrogate and District League

Division One: Adel 2 (Mark Ambler, Jon Hodgson) Scott Hall 1 (Scott Wilson); Harrogate Squash 2 (Martin Wickenden, Tony Nowakowski) Nomads 1 (Andy Hall); Moortown 3 (David Lines, Graham Snowden, Geoff Mortimer) Otley 0; Collingham 2 (Nick Brown, Anthony Kettlewell) Collingham II 1 (Ken Buckley); Ilkley 3 (Shelley Kitchen, Gareth Hutchinson, Andrew Hutchinson) Chapel Allerton 0; Harlow 1 (Nigel Chambers) Harrogate Squash II 2 (Bob Peacock, Harlow conceded one rubber).

Division Two: Harlow III 0 Moortown II 3 (Nigel Lister, Ed Dabrowski, John Kay); Harrogate Squash III 3 (Nicola Pratt, Steve Williams, Steve Terry) Knaresborough II 0; Collingham III 3 (Andy Shaw, Nick Johnson, Dave Rushton) Harlow II 0; Ilkley III 1 (John Powell) Ilkley II 2 (Neil Cowan, Roger Goodwin-Jones).

Division Three: Ripon 0 Knaresborough III 3 (Andy McMillan, Phil Smelt, Chris Robinson); Army Foundation College 1 (Pam Buttifant) Harrogate Squash V 2 (Bruce Ramsey, Ian Bexon); Pateley Bridge 3 (Ben Bolton, Chris Lennox, Bob Spain) Moortown IV 0; Bedale 1 (John Abbotson) Boroughbridge II 2 (Colin Leftly, Rob Hayhurst); Moortown III 2 (Steve Morley, Phil Maher) Collingham IV 1 (Toby Morton); Otley II 0 Harlow IV 3 (Paul Fairhurst, Sophie Jacob, Dan Lupton).

Fred Perry Tennis Challenge

British Wimbledon Tennis hero Elena Baltacha has backed the launch of the 2002 Fred Perry Challenge.

The Fred Perry Challenge is Britain's largest National Junior Tennis Tournament with over 1,600 youngsters taking part in 2001. The event is unique format offers youngsters aged nine to eighteen, the chance to compete in a leading tournament, for exceptional prizes, whatever their standard.

Nineteen year old Baltacha, the new British number one and the only British lady to reach the third round at Wimbledon Championships earlier in the year, believes the event offers a great opportunity for youngsters to develop their game.

Baltacha said: "The Fred Perry Challenge is a great idea as it encourages kids from all over the UK to take part in a competitive tournament. It is events like these which will help our talented young players develop their game, as well as encouraging less experienced players to play more matches."

Based on a postal format, which allows the early rounds to be played locally at tennis clubs or on public courts, the Fred Perry Junior Tennis Challenge gives a chance for any youngster to compete regardless of their standard. The eventual champions will win Pro Fred Perry clothing contracts, a day out at a Grand Slam tennis event and the opportunity to play alongside the Wimbledon stars at the Fred Perry Junior Challenge Finals, during the prestigious Club Med Cup, which many leading professionals, such as Goran Ivanisevic, Todd Martin, Richard Krajicek and Michael Chang use to fine tune their grass-court game in preparation for Wimbledon.

* Entries for 2002/2003 Fred Perry Junior Challenge close on 5th November 2002. Entry forms can be obtained by calling 0207 862 0078 or downloaded via www.fredperry.com.

Baltacha is currently preparing for the upcoming Great Britain vs USA Maureen Connelly Cup.