A WOMAN came within a whisker of creating history by winning a men's squash championship.

Teacher Nicola Pratt would have run up a bill for additional engraving for the trophy in the Harrogate and District Championships had she taken the title against Ripon player John Bailey.

League secretary Dave Cockle explained: "The trophy clearly says it's for the Harrogate and District Men's Championships.

"Until recent years women never entered the competition, but of course there is nothing to stop them from doing so. Had Nicola won we would have made amendments saying it was the men's and women's trophy".

In a tremendous see-saw battle for the Division Two trophy, Bailey took the match 3-9, 9-4, 10-8, 9-10, 9-3 in a clash where fitness was tested to the limit.

Bailey played a tighter match than his rival in the energy-sapping contest. Some wayward shots cost Pratt dear as Bailey capitalised on his rival's mistakes.

However, there was little to choose between the two players, although Bailey's anticipation proved a decisive factor in his close victory.

Estate agent Simon Myring won the Division One title for the first time, beating Headingley's Mark Ambler 9-5, 9-6, 9-4 in less than 30 minutes.

Holder Cameron McMaster had to surrender his title when work commitments prevented him from competing in the final stages of the event, paving the way for a walk-over by Ambler into the final.

Ripon player Tony Rennison retained the Division Three championship, beating Simon Davies 9-2, 9-3, 8-10, 9-4.

l Bedale face a tough fight in their bid to win the Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire Squash Cup. They have been drawn at home to face holders Harrogate Squash, who whitewashed Pateley Bridge 5-0 in the quarter-finals.

Bedale were skippered to their last eight success by Alan Peirson. Along with Dave Horner and Steve Anderson, he secured the downfall of neighbours Thirsk 3-2. Steve Snodgrass and Nigel Laws were Thirsk's winners.

Wensleydale slumped to a 5-0 home defeat against Harlow, while Harrogate Squash B were given a walk-over by RAF Leeming, who were unable to raise a team for the quarter-final.

The semi-finals will be played on February 22, with Harlow entertaining Squash B and Harrogate Squash travelling to Bedale.

In the Group Two contest, Bedale beat Harlow 5-0 away, with Dave Wheatley, Andrea Offord, John Nattrass, Simon Phillips and Phil Matthews taking the rubbers.

Harlow beat Squash 3-2, while Wensleydale B went through to the semi-final with a 4-1 away win at Knaresborough. Their C team also qualified for the last four with a 4-1 home win against Thirsk.

Group Two semi-finals: Wensleydale B v Bedale; Harlow v Wensleydale C.

l More squash news on pages 25 & 26