SEMI-FINAL heartache was suffered by North Yorkshire's queen of clubs Emma Duggleby.

The defending English Ladies Close Amateur Champion lost the grip on her crown when she was beaten in the last four by Shelley McKevitt at the Northamptonshire Golf Club.

Duggleby was beaten by the Reading-based player 2 & 1 in a tight encounter as Duggleby looked to complete her third English title in five years after wins last year and also in 2000.

Ironically, she will link up with her opponent next week for training as key members of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup squad.

The semi-final started brightly for the 32-year-old Duggleby who took the first hole. But by the seventh McKevitt was one ahead and then with three holes to play she was three up. Duggleby rallied to win the 16th and trim the deficit but a solid par four on the 17th clinched victory for McKevitt who was today meeting Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) in the final.

Of her defeat Malton and Norton GC's Duggleby, who had earlier in the day toppled Rotherham's Natalie Hayward 4 & 2 in a comfortable quarter-final triumph, was philosophical.

"I can't really complain with how my form has gone so far this year," the recent beaten Yorkshire finalist and Scottish title winner told the Evening Press.

"I've had a good run. Unfortunately against Shelley I never hit the ball quite as well as earlier in the tournament. It was the first time we had played each other competitively and so it was always going to be a difficult match.

"I played all right, but never putted well enough. Shelley dropped a couple of vital putts while I had a couple that lipped out. But that's the way it goes."

Duggleby added she will be back in McKevitt's company from next Tuesday through to Thursday as members of the Curtis Cup squad who will all be familiarising themselves with Formby GC on Merseyside, scene of next month's clash against the Americans.

Updated: 10:24 Saturday, May 22, 2004