Linda Pepper pushed Emma Clark all the way in the opening round of York and District Ladies Squash Championships last night.

They played a tense four-setter, Clark eventually clinching the fourth set 10-8 despite Pepper threatening to send it to a fifth in the 10-8 9-2 7-9 10-8 thriller.

Linda Craggs had a tough time but broke Jen Spencer in the third set 9-1 after the opening two narrowly went 9-6 10-9, to book a second round tie with sixth seed Debbie Holmes tonight.

Mike Bruce and Kevin Rusling had the closest match of the men's first round, Bruce winning in the fourth set having lost the first 7-9 9-5 9-5 9-5.

Michael Goodwin will take on number one seed Matthew Lowery tonight after beating Mike Pollard 9-3 9-6 9-2.

Updated: 10:28 Monday, February 14, 2005