MATT Lowery eased his way into the men's semi-finals of the York Men's Squash Championships last night with another straight sets win, this time over eighth seed Nick Grewer at Wigginton.

Grewer's only resistance came in the opening exchanges with the first set going 9-2 before caving in 9-0 9-0 in the last two sets.

Lowery now faces fifth seed Johnny Duffield in tonight's semi-finals after Duffield upset fourth seed Matt Stephenson in the quarter finals.

The other semi matches 15-year-old England international Neil Cordell with IT Sports Wigginton manager Ian Tooms in what should prove to be a fascinating battle.

The women's final will be between top seed Kathryn Cordell and third seed Andrea Mayne after second seed Diana King conceded the last game of a tight semi-final.

A titanic tussle between Mayne and King saw the second seed admit defeat in the final set after trading sets 9-4 3-9 5-9 9-5.

Cordell's passage to the final was by no means easy either. Lesley Booth, who had earlier beaten Caroline Wyatt 10-8 7-9 9-6 9-4, took the lead and put up a strong fight before eventually going down 4-9 9-7 9-4 9-10 9-7.

York and District Squash Championships

Women's quarter finals: Lesley Booth (4) bt Caroline Wyatt (5) 10-8 7-9 9-6 9-4, Diana King (2) bt Marie Elcock 9-4 9-6 9-3.

Semi finals: Kathryn Cordell (1) bt Lesley Booth (4) 4-9 9-7 9-4 9-10 9-7 , Andrea Mayne (3) v Diana King (2) 9-4 3-9 5-9 9-5 King conceded fifth game.

Plate semi-finals: Ruth Bielby (1) bt Sarah Broadhurst 9-0 9-0 9-6, Alison Elder (2) bt Tracy Moore 9-4 9-7 1-9 9-7.

Men's quarter-final: Matt Lowery (1) bt Nick Grewer (8) 9-2 9-0 9-0.

Tonight's play

7.20pm men's semi-final Ian Tooms (2) v Neil Cordell (3), 7.50pm plate semi-final Kevin Rusling v Tom Pepper, 8.20pm semi-final Matt Lowery (1) v Johnny Duffield (5), plate semi-final Ben Riley v Steve Jobson.

Tomorrow's play

7.30pm Women's plate final

7.30pm Men's main final

8pm Women's main final

Updated: 09:54 Thursday, February 17, 2005