SQUASH will live up to its literal meaning with a crowd-busting clash in Wigginton tomorrow night.

Upwards of 100 fans are expected to cram into the Wigginton Squash Club for the Yorkshire League premier division clash between IT Sports Wigginton and their great rivals York.

The showdown has been one of the most eagerly-awaited since Wigginton joined York in the premier division this season - the first time two sides from the city have appeared together in Yorkshire's top-flight.

Currently the sport is undergoing a renaissance throughout York with both clubs boasting thriving sections, a swell of talent that is similarly being experienced at York Railway Institute.

But it is the senior duel between hosts IT Sports Wigginton and their counterparts from Clifton Park that has sharply honed the appetite of York's squash aficionados.

And for tomorrow's hosts the match offers the chance of revenge for the 3-2 defeat inflicted on them in the season's previous encounter at York's Clifton Park base.

Enthused Ian Tooms, Wigginton's driving force and major sponsor: "It has all the makings of a great clash.

"We are confident there will be a crowd of more than 100 for the match, which everyone here has been looking forward to for some time.

"We lost 3-2 last time we met, but I'm confident we can win by at least the same score."

Since that first encounter Wigginton have strengthened their ranks. Among their professionals they number England international Paul Hargrave, John Russell, who is rated in the top 16 of the United Kingdom, and Ireland's number one, John Rooney.

Both sets of rivals know each other well with Tooms regularly training with York captain Jamie Hopwood.

Added Tooms: "It's a great boost for York squash that for the first time ever we have got two teams in the premier division and it's even better that both teams are both near the top of the league.

"We are all mates off the court, but come tomorrow at 7.30pm we will be out there wanting to win."

The escalation of interest was evidence of how the sport was enjoying a new mini-boom, insisted the Wigginton mainstay.

"It's a quick-fix type of sport. Playing a game of squash can occupy just an hour of your time unlike say a game of football, or golf," said Tooms.

"York have a very strong club and here at Wigginton it's also going really well. There's about 80 playing here each Saturday morning, while York RI have a lot of kids there."

Updated: 12:04 Tuesday, December 11, 2001