Queens defeated by leaders Pontefract in top-of-table clash
Pontefract One put clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack in the Yorkshire Premier Squash League after winning their top-of-the-table clash against Queens.
Ponte, who are chasing a third successive championship, remained unbeaten and widened their advantage at the summit from 11 to 18 points after only six rounds, although the visitors from Halifax did offer some stern resistance.
The number ones went on first, and England international Sam Todd, making his first club appearance of the season after a busy recent schedule on the PSA Tour, notched a four-game victory over Queens' recently retired pro George Parker.
On the adjacent court, Alex Hodgetts made his first Yorkshire Premier League appearance for eight years and beat Queens veteran Danny Bray in four.
Although Queens halved the deficit through Chris Lea's 3/1 triumph over Adam Taylor, Scotland international Rory Stewart ended any comeback hopes by defeating veteran James Earles in three. Jordan Hardwick won the dead rubber for Queens to reduce the hosts' winning margin to 15-8.
Third-placed Hallamshire have a game in hand on the top two but missed the chance to tighten the gap by losing 14-6 at home to Cleethorpes.
All matches on the night were over in straight games and it was Cleethorpes' lower order, Louie Truman and Peter Dickinson, who gave the visitors a lightning start.
Back came the Sheffield hosts though, with Adam Turner and Kiwi Temwa Chileshe also streaking to rapid victories. It was Nick Wall, back at his boyhood club, who clinched the win for the Lincolnshire side by defeating Charles Keeble at top string.
Ferriby Hall remain winless and bottom of the league after Wednesday's 18-6 home defeat to mid-table Harrogate.
Coulton Hill, Thomas Simpson and former world number 20 Chris Simpson were all victorious for the Straysiders, followed by Londoner Caleb Boy in straight games at second string. Ferriby's number one Ben Smith offered some consolation with a four-game win over Hugo Lafuente Jaen.
It was a rest week for fourth-placed Chapel Allerton, but Dunnington, in fifth, picked up a handy win over Pontefract Two to solidify their mid-table position.
Ponte's early lead, via number five Adam Smith, was promptly wiped out by Marvin Mortenson-Ramlill. The next two ties were also shared; Ponte's number one Lwamba Chileshe triumphing in straight games, and Dunnington's Taminder Gata Aura clinching an epic victory over American Ben Gemma, 16/14 in the fifth.
That set up a decider in which Dunnington's Jamie Brown took the first two games, before being pegged back in a tight third. He breezed through the fourth 11/4 though to seal the York side's 15-9 win.