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.

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).

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.

* 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.