CHAMPIONS IT Sports Wigginton suffered a devastating blow to their hopes of retaining the Yorkshire Premier Squash League crown as they lost 5-0 to second-placed Chapel Allerton.
Leeds side Chapel Allerton fielded their strongest five players, including four professionals, while Wigginton were hit by injury.
Captain Matt Lowery is out for the remainder of the season with a serious stomach injury, and Wigginton manager Ian Tooms was forced to play with a knee problem.
To add to Wigginton's frustrations, the reliable duo Andy Whipp and Pete Bilson were also suffering from minor knocks.
Chapel were only nine points behind Wigginton going into the match and the victory moved them nine points ahead.
Tooms lined up against the talented Neil Guirey at number four and played some superb winners, but was eventually beaten 3-0.
At number five, Wigginton's Jonny Duffield was always going to have his work cut out against Nick Murrills.
Despite being 2-0 down, Duffield refused to give in and clawed back a game before Murrills' experience showed in a 3-1 win.
Playing at number three, Neil Cordell went down 3-0 to Chapel's in-form Steve Syviter.
The match of the night saw Wigginton's Pete Bilson beaten 3-1 by world number 64 Jon Hartford. Bilson battled against a groin strain to take the first game with some superb kills.
However, Hartford ground down his opponent to win 3-1.
At number one, Chapel called on world number 32 Ali Walker to beat Andy Whipp 3-0.
Wigginton are home to Hallamshire on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, York Next Generation were beaten 3-2 in their Yorkshire League division one top of the table clash with Chapel Allerton A'.
Matthew Stephenson and Alastair England put York 2-0 up, before Nick Robinson and Matt Inglis both lost. Nathan Hill then led Glen Ragou 2-0 in the final game, before losing 3-2.
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