Pontefract teams' efforts prove in vain against Yorkshire Premier Squash League title challengers

Pontefract 2 came into the game sitting in a highly respectable fourth place, but their York-based hosts made a flying start as captain Matthew Stephenson and Taminder Gata Aura, playing against his former club, both won with minimal fuss.

Back came Ponte, with Tom Bamford taking advantage of Michael Andrews’ knee injury to record a four-game win and captain Matt Godson making short work of South African Luke McFarland.

That meant the top-string clash between the home side’s veteran Guernseyman Chris Simpson and Adam Taylor was to be the decider and it was Dunnington’s former England international who took it comfortably to seal a 15-6 victory.

Pontefract's 'unexpected dream team' continues progress in Yorkshire Premier Squash League

Pontefract 1 were missing top stars Patrick Rooney and Sam Todd as they went down 15-8 away to title challengers Hallamshire.

The match swung like a pendulum with Stuart Hargreaves gliding to victory and Ben Beachill claiming a gruelling four-game win for Ponte, but Hallamshire grabbing two wins of their own through Jack Cornell, in a marathon five-setter, and Matt Gregory sailing past Ben Hodgetts.

That set up another top string decider and it was Hallamshire’s Adam Turner – playing at number one for the first time this season – who took it in quick time against James Wilkinson, who had also been thrust up the Ponte order.

Defending champions Queens moved level with Hallamshire on 157 points – 16 behind leaders Dunnington – with a 20-4 thrashing of Abbeydale.

Recently-crowned British Junior Open champion Finnlay Withington returned to strengthen Queens’ line-up and their triumphant evening began with a stirring comeback from two games down by Sarah Campion at no.5.

In an epic match, she won the last three games 12-10, 11-1, 12-10 to devastate Ryan Spencer.

It was a little easier for Danny Bray, Stephen Hearst and veteran James Earles further up the Queens order, before the brilliant Withington dismissed Jordan Hardwick with barely a bead of sweat on his young brow.

Doncaster moved level with Pontefract 2 in fourth after increasing Chapel Allerton’s relegation worries with a 18-4 victory in north Leeds.

Isaac Green landed bottom club Chapel A’s only punch by defeating Pontefract-born England junior Asia Harris in four games early in the evening, but it was all Donny thereafter.

Canadian Brett Schille and Kiwi Joel Arscott both won in straight games, Lewis Doughty beat youngster Gabriel Cox in four and at top string Simon Herbet conquered Owan Taylor – who was perhaps jaded after claiming his first ever PSA Tour title last weekend at the Kent Open.

Wednesday’s other fixture saw lowly Harrogate capture only their third win of the campaign by beating fellow strugglers Woodfield 17-4.

Dominic Bayley dropped a game in his victory at no.5 but Alec Fuller, Declan Christie and Temwa Chileshe all strolled to victory in three. Only at top string did Woodfield cause any damage with Ben Smith taking out Lwamba Chileshe in straight games.