CHAMPIONS IT Sports Wigginton are poised to relinquish their grip on the Yorkshire Premier Squash League title.

The York side slipped further behind leaders Chapel Allerton after a 3-2 loss to third-placed Sheffield side Hallamshire.

An injury-plagued Wigginton outfit put on a good show for a packed audience at Wigginton Sports & Social Club, but all efforts were in vain.

Hallamshire completed a league double over the hosts, who are still looking for their first win in 2008 following a heavy defeat to title challengers Chapel Allerton in their opening game of the new year.

Team captain Matt Lowery was absent and Wigginton were forced to field Pete Billson and Andy Whipp despite both suffering from painful injuries.

Down to the bare bones, Wigginton were looking to pick up as many points as possible, and they were looking for local players Jonny Duffield and Ian Tooms to win at either number four or five.

Duffield, who has become a regular fixture in the side following Lowery's injury, was looking to build on the impressive form he showed at the start of the season.

Duffield took an explosive first game against talented young opponent Alex Cutts, but he lost the second game easily.

In the third game, Duffield blew an opportunity to regain the lead as he squandered opportunities after leading 10-9 and eventually lost the game.

Cutts then had the legs to see the game out, winning 3-1.

Team manager Tooms suffered a similar fate to Duffield as he locked rackets with Hallamshire veteran Mick Stead. Tooms was slow out of the blocks, losing the first game easily. However, in the second, Tooms made a revival and managed to save game balls and see out a 12-10 win to tie the match.

In the third game, Tooms once again got off to a good start, but he had no answer to Stead's winning shots as he went on to seal a 3-1 win.

At number three for Wigginton was Neil Cordell, who was playing Hallamshire's Mark Fuller and looking to avenge a defeat earlier in the season. He got off to a flier, taking the first game for few points. In the second, Fuller retrieved well and stayed close to Cordell and forged into a 2-0 lead.

Fuller mounted a comeback to win the third game, but it was Cordell who looked the better player and eventually won 3-1.

At number two, Billson played despite suffering from a troublesome groin injury, but he lost 3-0 to New Zealand international Martin Knight.

Whipp was looking to get his season back on track against Australian international Scott Arnold.

Whipp, who had a torn ligament in a foot, dominated the first two games as he played some well executed lobs and trademark winners.

He looked to be in control throughout, but the giant Aussie found some form to steal the third and fourth games.

Arnold looked favourite going into the final game but, with the match tied at 10-10 it was Whipp whose clever shots eventually gained him a hard-fought victory.

Wigginton are next in action at Harrogate on Wednesday.