JOSEPH Rowntree School pupil Neil Cordell has earned the right to call himself Europe's number one 12-year-old at squash following a sensational run at the British Junior Open.

The event, held in Sheffield, is recognised unofficially as the World Junior Open and saw an entry of 481 competitors from 27 different countries cover the four age-groups.

And it was in the Under 13s Boys event which Neil showed his class.

Already the holder of the British U13s title, he got off to a flying start with victories over Devon No2 Jonathon Telford and England No7 Adam Murrils (Cheshire).

The last 16 of the competition saw a change of format, with all the players playing out to a final position.

Neil's first challenge came from Egypt's Karim Samy, but there was no stopping the lad from Wigginton as he won in straight sets.

However, Neil fell foul of another Egyptian in the last eight - losing out to No2 seed Mohamed Said Mahmood.

This defeat meant Neil was now playing for the fifth to eighth spots, with his next match against the European No2 Nicholas Mueller (Switzerland).

After losing the first set, he switched his game plan to overcome his Swiss opponent 3-1 and set up a final tie against the European No1 Petr Martin (Czech Republic).

The York ace then put in his best performance of the tournament against Martin, who was exceptionally quick across the court.

After again losing the first set, Neil began to dominate the Czech player, winning the next three games comfortably.

Although this victory guaranteed him fifth spot, Neil finished as the top European player with Egypt filling the top four places.

His sister, 15-year-old Kathryn also took part in the Open, finishing 20th in the U17s girls' event.

FOOTBALL

The U14 City boys' play Grimsby away this Saturday. Squad: Jamie Gavin (All Saints), Tamin Sherif, Liam Holmes (both Archbishop's), Rob Arnold, Robert Baker, Dean Greenhoff, Jack Rogers, John Atkinson (all Barlby), Liam Gargan, Dan Walton (both Burnholme), Tom Williamson (Fulford), Danny Palmer, James Want (both Joseph Rowntree), Liam Stilgo, Alex James, Jack Clayton (all Manor), Ben Sheehan (Millthorpe), Mark Featherstone (Tadcaster).

The U11 City boys' meanwhile are at home to Hull in a Cup match. Squad: Lewis, Graham (Bishopthorpe), Scott Pallister (Clifton Without), Matthew Tasker, Tom Corner (both St Aelred's), Craig Smith (Woodthorpe), Bradley Swainston (Dunnington), Charles Woodhead, Tom Wilson, Tom Leadhill (all Riverside), Danny Tuite, Ian Astle (both Carr), Chris Green, Rob Whitehead (Lakeside), Jo Lister (Appleton Roebuck), Simon Brown (Headlands), Johnny Smith (Dringhouses), Johnny Donkin (Poppleton Road). Players are to meet at the Wigginton Sports Club for 9.45am for a 10.30am kick-off.

Updated: 10:35 Wednesday, January 09, 2002