Squash

Holders Harrogate Squash are through to the semi-finals after beating Northallerton 3-2 away in the Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire Cup.

Harrogate were just too strong for their rivals, although Northallerton's Steve Hodgson chalked up the surprise of the tie when he defeated Paul Hotchkiss. Hodgson's turn up for the books saw him win the match 9-3 in the fifth game.

Harrogate will face their club's second team in the semis on February 27 on their own courts. Harrogate Squash II defeated Bedale 5-O, fielding a strong side led by Adam Nowakowski.

In the other semi-final on the same date Wensleydale, 4-1 victors over Pateley Bridge, will play Otley at Leyburn. The Otley side went through after beating Knaresborough 4-1 away

Quarter Finals: Northallerton 2 Harrogate Squash (holders) 3 (Northallerton names first): John Watson lost to Simon Myring 1-9, 4-9, 3-9; Steve Hodgson beat Paul Hotchkiss 6-9, 10-8, 9-2, 4-9, 9-3; Keith Johnson lost to Dave Townsend 1-9, 9-4, 7-9, 5-9; Ian Hounsome lost to Mark Harding 9-6, 9-10, 6-9, 6-9; Peter Pinkney beat John Alderson 9-3, 7-9, 9-5, 7-9, 9-1.

Bedale 0 Harrogate Squash II 5 (Harrogate names first): Adam Nowakowski beat Phil Martin 9-7, 9-6, 9-4; Martin Wickenden beat Dave Smiley 10-9, 6-9, 9-7, 9-5; Ivan Patchett beat Alan Peirson 9-3, 9-5, 9-7; Nicola Pratt beat Dave Horner 9-4, 3-9, 9-7, 9-1; John Buxton beat Mark Allison 4-9, 9-5, 3-9, 9-7, 9-7.

Pateley Bridge 1 Wensleydale 4 (Pateley names first): Ben Bolton lost to Keith Parlour 9-5, 5-9, 6-9, 10-9, 3-9; Steve Ball lost to Nick Brown 4-9, 3-9, 4-9; Steve Terry lost to Gary Hynes 0-3, retired injured; James Gaston lost to Dave Booth 10-9, 6-9, 4-9, 5-9; Chris Lennox beat Richard Phillips 9-2, 9-7, 9-6.

Knaresborough 1 Otley 4 (Knaresborough names first): James Lambley lost to Rod Erridge 9-5, 5-9, 3-9, 9-7, 2-9; John Evans lost to Matt Wood 7-9, 7-9, 7-9; Tim Russell lost to John Bailey 4-9, 9-6, 1-9, 3-9; Gary Hatch lost to Steve Thackwray 4-9, 0-9, 7-9; Andy McMillan beat Chris Lawton 9-4, 9-2, 3-9, 3-9, 9-5.

In the B Group contest quarter-final results were: Catterick Garrison 5 (Jason Hughes, Emma Hanson, Tim Jones, Brian Atherton, Joe Rawthorne) Knaresborough 0;

Harrogate Squash IV 0 Harlow 5 (Dan Lupton, Paul Fairhurst, Dave Allenby, Martyn Hall, Peter Craddock); Harrogate Squash III 5 (Paul Duncalf, Adam Hughes, Ian Woodhead, Andy Winspeare, Ian Simmons) Thorpe Perrow 0; Harlow III 0 Boroughbridge 5 (Joe Royle, Tony Rennison, Colin Leftly, Dave Flintoft, Nigel Wicks).

In the B Group semi-finals Catterick Garrison will play Harlow and Boroughbridge face Harrogate Squash III.

Harrogate and District League

The growing success of the Harrogate and District League's new junior sections has been widely welcomed.

The venture is unearthing some encouraging talent and should provide an important feeder for the senior league for years to come.

With four divisions now operating, covering age groups from under-11 to under-17, the initiative could well attract more sides next season.

Currently Chapel Allerton head each of the divisions. But Harrogate Squash Club are pushing them hard in the under-17 league.

Chapel Allerton lead on 46 points from six matches and are undefeated. But Harrogate, who have 32 points and eight at stake in their spare match, are well placed for a challenge in the second half of the season.

Adam Hughes, whose father Ken plays in the Harrogate League, Ian Woodhead and Alex Nowakowski have all made major contributions to the successful Harrogate team. Alex is continuing a family squash tradition. His brother Adam and father Tony both play in the Harrogate League.

Harrogate Squash Club are third in the under-15 league on 22 points, 10 behind Chapel Allerton. But in the under-13 division Harrogate are just seven points behind the Leeds side in second place. Both sides have played six matches, Chapel Allerton unbeaten while Harrogate have lost one match.

James Addlestone, Jack Duthie, Matt Hughes, Alex Nowakowski and April Halford have been among the key players for Harrogate so far.

With two matches in hand on leaders Chapel Allerton in the under-11s Harrogate Squash Club will be well placed if they can record two victories. Francis Nelson, James Addlestone, Richard Jones, Richard Hartley and James Wadkin have been aiding the Harrogate cause.

Prince Grand Prix

Harrogate professional Jenny Duncalf reached the semi-final of the Prince Squash Grand Prix at Boston (Lincs).

Duncalf cleared her first hurdle with a 9-7, 9-1, 9-7 win over Cheshire's Sarah Kippax. In the last eight Duncalf advanced with a 9-6 single game victory over second favourite Tania Bailey, who retired through illness before the start of the second game.

In an all-Yorkshire semi Sheffield's Jenny Tranfield, seeded three ahead of Duncalf at No 5, took the match 9-4, 9-3, 9-1.

Academy

Harrogate Academy, title winners two years ago, run the risk of failing to qualify for the play-offs in the Brown Shipley Northern Premier Tennis League this season.

Harrogate suffered a big setback when they were beaten 4-0 by David Lloyd, Teesside, in their latest clash.

It means they must win two of their remaining three matches to qualify for a chance to win the inter-league play off.

Scores David Lloyd 4 Harrogate Academy 0 (David Lloyd names first): Ben O'Connor and Jason Torpey beat Rob Taylor and Jonathan Smail 6-2, 6-0; beat Richard Whiteley and Keith Philpott 6-1, 6-0. Matt Whitaker and Jon Weeks beat Taylor and Smail 6-4, 6-2; beat Whiteley and Philpott 6-1, 6-2.

Harrogate have yet to call on the services of Marius Barnard, the South African player who reached the mixed doubles' final at this year's Wimbledon.

Harrogate are currently fourth in the North East section where Sunderland Invicta are almost certain to qualify.

In the Yorkshire section Leeds Carnegie are also being tipped for one of the two play-off places. They have powered to the top of the table thanks to the services of Jeremy Cowley, the Suffolk county player and Graham Wright, who plays for Northumberand.