HOLDERS IT Sports Wigginton kept their impeccable 100 per cent record going strong, beating Queens of Halifax 3-2 in the Yorkshire Cup.

Wigginton, who have all but clinched the Yorkshire Squash Premier League title, now move into the last four of the cup.

Now all that stands in the way of a repeat surge into the final is a strong Harrogate side, still smarting to defeat at the hands of Wigginton earlier in the season.

It was not all plain sailing for the York side, who were missing ex-English International Paul Hargraves and York champion Jamie Hopwood.

Playing at number five, team manager Ian Tooms was coasting to a 3-0 victory when opponent Alison Ray retired through injury.

Team captain Matt Lowery was equally ruthless, brushing aside his much weaker opponent Martin Sunderland 3-0.

Matthew Oxley was playing in only his third game this season. He had a difficult opening two games against Madeleine Perry to trail 2-0. But a spirited display in the next three sealed the match for Oxley 3-2 and the tie for Wigginton.

With the match won the pressure was off.

Duncan Walsh, playing at number two, was drawing 1-1 with Ashley Flathers when he retired suffering from exhaustion.

Number one Jon Rooney gave his best shot against an impressive Marcus Berrett, but he ended up the wrong side of a 3-0 defeat.

A date and venue has yet to be fixed for the derby semi-final against Harrogate.

Updated: 08:57 Saturday, March 15, 2003