Queens demolish Pontefract to claim top spot in Premier league
Queens nudged ahead in the Yorkshire Premier squash league for the first time this season after last week's thrashing of Pontefract 2 secured them a slender advantage over the chasing pack.
The top four, Queens, Pontefract 1, Dunnington and Doncaster, are separated by a tantalising three points at the season's midway point, setting up a thrilling second half when the campaign resumes in mid-January.
Round nine saw 2021/22 champions Queens cruise to a dominant 20-3 home victory over Pontefract 2 with Danny Bray and Kuwaiti national champion Bader Almagrebhi both winning in four games to get the hosts off to a strong start.
Queens' experienced middle order duo of James Earles and Josh Taylor, both former pros, conquered Connor Sheen and Chester Dockray respectively in quick time. That left former British Junior Open champion Finnlay Withington to complete the whitewash by taking care of Ponte's Kiwi debutant Anthony Lepper in four.
Only one of the tightly-packed top four lost on Wednesday night - that was long-time leaders Doncaster. Without their big names Greg Lobban, Simon Herbert and captain Joel Arscott, they went down 19-6 at Abbeydale.
Abbeydale's Phil Scully and Hayden Tetley got the Sheffield side off to a lightning start, and although Canadian
Brett Schille got one back for Donny in an absolute monster of a battle against Stanley Sykes, Abbeydale's top order were just about able to seal the deal.
The home side's number two Jordan Hardwick got the better of Toby Ponting in another five-game epic, before Welshman Elliot Morris Devred toppled Will Salter in the top-string clash to finish things off.
While Doncaster drop to fourth, Pontefract 1 sneak above Dunnington on points difference to claim second spot at the halfway stage.
Ponte triumphed 16-9 but were pushed all the way by dogged Harrogate in a see-saw encounter.
The passage to glory was a lot simpler for third-placed Dunnington, who thumped second-bottomWoodfield201 in rapid fashion.
The battle to avoid relegation could be equally as tight as the title race, although bottom-placed Ferriby Hall look favourites after they were walloped 20-4 by defending champions Hallamshire.