Kall Kwik Harrogate and District League

And as more female players become established there's a promise of more setbacks for men next season.

Star woman player this term has been Harrogate Squash Club's Nicola Pratt. Her performances helped Harrogate Squash Club win the First Division championship with nine victories against male rivals in her 15 matches.

Meanwhile in Division Three Sophie Jacob won 13 of her 16 clashes, often playing at first string for Harlow IV who won the divisional title.

There was something of a stir when Ilkley fielded world no 19 New Zealander Shelley Kitchen in four matches where she secured three victories. And had Kitchen played on more occasions it could have played a key role in Ilkley improving on their finishing runner-up spot.

League fixture secretary Dave Cockle said men's initial surprise at having to compete against women in the league had faded.

He said: "I think most men now realise the women who play in the league are quite good players. They might not like being beaten by women but as far as I know they certainly accept defeat with good grace. "Certainly any matches I have seen involving a woman playing against a man has never thrown up any problem," said Cockle.

The push for women to compete in men's leagues was started in Yorkshire more than two decades ago by Wakefield's Suzanne Burgess.

Unable to find enough opposition in the Yorkshire Women's League she campaigned to play in the men's league - a request initially turned down. But presistence paid off and the all-male committee agreed she could compete.

Burgess began lowering the colours of male rivals before going on to win a string of trophies at national and international level in a memorable career.

Meanwhile the Harrogate League is currently in a healthy state and if two more teams want to join next season it could see divisions expanding from three to four.

Already Collingham have indicated they want an additional side.

The club's junior supremo Steve Widdison aims to play himself in a side which will blood juniors already making promising progress in Collingham's young teams.

The gap between Division One and Two continues to remain wide. It was again illustrated by Otley and Collingham II who won promotion to the top flight last season only to be dispatched back to Division Two this time. Newly-established junior leagues continue to thrive and officials are hopeful that more youngsters will progress into the senior ranks as teams become established. North Leeds club Chapel Allerton dominated the junior divisions this season, but Collingham, Wigginton and Harrogate Squash were among their keenest challengers in some sections. Adam Nowakowski, 16, has already established himself in Division One of the senior league for the championshp-winning Harrogate Squash Club side, often playing in the same team as his father Tony.

Adam, who has already won Yorkshire recognition for his success, has a younger brother Alex who is also showing promise.

And teenager Adam Hughes, who plays for Harrogate Squash Club III, has made considerable progress this season. His father Ken also plays for the side.

Division One: Champions, Harrogate Squash Club, runners-up Ilkley

Relegated: Collingham II, Otley.

Division Two: Champions Ilkley II, runners-up Knaresborough. Relegated: Harlow III, Knaresborough II. Division Three: Champions, Harlow IV, runners-up Bedale. Five-a-side cup Main Final: Chapel Allerton 3, Harrogate Squash 1. B Final: Ilkley 4 Collingham 1.

C Final: Bedale 4 Ripon 1. Plate Finals

A event: Nomads 4 Collingham 1.

B event: Harlow B 5 Harlow C 0.

C event: Boroughbridge 4 Moortown 1.

Kall Kwik Harrogate and District Junior League

Under-17: Champions, Chapel Allerton, runners-up Collingham.

Under-15: Champions, Chapel Allerton, runners-up Collingham.

Under-13: Champions, Chapel Allerton, runners-up Wigginton.

Under-11: Champions, Wigginton, runners-up Chapel Allerton.

Junior Grand Prix

Under-17s: Winners Harrogate Squash Club, runners-up Chapel Allerton.

Under-15s: Winners Chapel Allerton, runners-up Harrogate Squash Club.

Under-13s: Winners Chapel Allerton, runners-up Wigginton.

Under-11s: Winners Chapel Allerton, runners-up Wigginton.

A North Yorkshire village-based club has triumphed in one of the country's top squash leagues.

Wigginton from York have romped to success in the IT Sports Yorkshire Men's Premiership. They put the icing on their season's cake by remaining unbeaten in 20 matches this season, rounding off the term in style, beating former champions Heaton 4-1 at York. It means Wigginton end the season with a staggering 370 points out of a possible 400.

And as skipper Matt Lowery pointed out that merely underscored the side's dominance of a league which attracts some of the country's top players, as well as international stars.

Wigginton suffered an eve of match blow when Paul Hargrave, who felt unwell, could not play. But the re-jigged side were still more than a step ahead of their Bradford rivals.

Wigginton aim to retain the Yorkshire Cup when they face an action replay against Heaton at Pontefract on April 30 (7.30pm).

"Winning the league and cup double would mark the end of a remarkable season for us," said Lowery.

"We are absolutely delighted with the way things have gone and we don't want to fall at the final cup hurdle," he said.

Match scores Wigginton 4 Heaton 1 (Wigginton names first): John Rooney beat Paul Lord 13-15, 15-13, 15-13, 15-9; Duncan Walsh lost to Alex Stait 11-15, 14-17, 4-15; Matthew Oxley beat Neil Guirey 15-13, 15-2, 15-7; Jamie Hopwood beat Phil Rushworth 15-9, 15-14, 15-8; Matt Lowery beat Graeme Williams 15-4, 15-1, 15-12.

The victory completed 20 matches unbeaten in the Yorkshire Premiership and takes Wigginton's unbeaten run in the league to 29 matches.

Lowery has already named world No 4 John White (Australia) to lead his side's challenge for the double. He also hopes to field Paul Hargrave, John Rooney, Jamie Hopwood and himself.

Heaton have yet to announce their line up but it is expected to include Nick Taylor, Alex Stait and Neil Guirey.