Squash

Harrogate Squash have now beaten their main title challengers Moortown twice this season, but are still not certain of capturing the championship in Division One.

Following their latest win over Moortown the Harrogate side are in second place with 124 points, having lost just once to current title holders Nomads. Harrogate hold a vital match in hand on league leaders Moortown, who have 138 points.

Even if Harrogate do secure a full 12 points from their spare match they would still be two points short of Moortown so a grandstand finish is on the cards.

The much heralded clash between Harrogate and Moortown never produced the fireworks expected and each clash was achieved with straight game victories as Harrogate won 2-1.

Moortown were without key players Graham Snowden and Geoff Mortimer, securing their lone rubber thanks to third string David Lines, the former Yorkshire Northern Counties' player. He defeated Ross Kneller 9-6, 10-8, 9-7. But Moortown's Phil Davies seemed out of sorts as he was demolished 9-1, 9-0, 9-0 by Tony Nowakowski and Harrogate's Simon Myring dispatched Robin Mannell 9-7, 10-8, 9-6 the most closely contested encounter. Although the hot money is on either Harrogate or Moortown for the championship Ilkley are still lurking in third place on 121 points from 13 matches. And the Wharfedale side kept up their challenge by defeating Harlow 3-0 away.

Scores - Harlow-Ilkey (Harlow names first): Nigel Chambers lost to Gareth Hutchinson 3-9, 1-9, 5-9; John Graham lost to Andrew Hutchinson 5-9, 9-7, 4-9, 8-10; Rob Cunningham lost to Graham Philpin 6-9, 6-9, 5-9.

Wins by Matthew Cooke and Anthony Kettlewell secured a 2-1 away victory for Collingham against Nomads, the latter being a shadow of their form in winning the title last season.

Cooke defeated Steve Trigg 9-5, 2-9, 9-8, 9-2 with Kettlewell posting 3-9, 9-0, 5-9, 9-0, 9-0 scorelines in a bizarre win over Jonathan Round. Richard Leonard was Harlow's only winner defeating Nick Brown 9-1, 7-9, 8-10, 9-4, 9-1. In Division Two the growing impact of Harrogate Squash Club on the league is amply underscored. Squash II are top on 135 points with a 100 per cent return from 13 matches. Collingham II follow on 102 points, having lost three of their 12 fixtures.

Scores - Division One: Harrogate Squash 2 (Simon Myring, Tony Nowakowski) Moortown 1 (David Lines); Nomads 1 (Richard Leonard) Collingham 2 (Matthew Cooke, Anthony Kettlwell); Harlow 0 Ilkley 3 (Gareth Hutchinson, Andrew Hutchinson, Graham Philpin); Harlow II 3 (Tom Ellis, Doug Moffat, Dave McGrath) Otley 0; Ilkley II 2 (Neal Cown, Roger Goodwin-Jones) Headingley 1 (Mari Ambler).

Division Two: Moortown II 0 Squash III 3 (Dave Dodwell, Bernard Palmer, one walk-over; Knaresborough 2 (James Lambley, Peter Bottomley) Harlow III 1 (Dave Allenby); Collingham III 0 Squash II 3 (Dave Townsend, Mark Harding, John Alderson); Collingham II 3 (Charlie Wardroper, Ken Buckley, Brian Manson).

Division Three: Ripon 3 (Tony Rennison, Neil Jackson, Sue Bailey); Squash V 3 (Ian Berrill, John Kneller, Peter Cronin) Army Foundation College 0; Otley II 1 (David Scarborough) Knaresborough II 2 (Phil Smelt, Martyn Gibson); Moortown III 1 (Mark Westmancoat) Boroughbridge 2 (John Frankland, Dave Flintoft).

Youngsters have been taking centre stage at Knaresborough Squash Club in a junior handicap tournament. They produced some good quality squash thanks to volunteer senior members who have given up time handing out tips to the youngsters.

Winners Advanced: James Guildford

Intermediate Group A: Jennifer Taylor

Intermediate Group B: Andrew De Gier

Beginners' team winners: George Hinchcliffe, Richard Smith, Claire Staveley, Steven Booth.

Beginners' runners-up: Philip Benn, Oliver Gotts, Emma Staveley, Elliott Kilvington, Emma Copley.

Fair play awards: Jonathan Taylor, Adam Wyness, Simon Biggs.

l The event was sponsored by Windsor Court Property Management and prizes presented by Rory Stanbridge