Pontefract were crowned Yorkshire Premier League champions for the first time in 15 years after Wednesday nights victory at Woodfield sealed the title with two games to spare.

The world-renowned West Yorkshire club have dominated from week one of the season back in October, losing just once in 16 matches. Several players, including world no.56 Patrick Rooney, four-time British Junior Open winner Sam Todd and 17-year-old Chester Dockray, boast unbeaten records throughout the triumphant campaign.

Pontefract went into Wednesdays clash at Woodfield knowing that a maximum 20 points would guarantee the title, putting an irretrievable distance between themselves and second-placed Hallamshire. Despite winning, Ponte only secured 18 points, but once news filtered through of Hallamshires 17-8 defeat at Dunnington, the champagne corks could start popping.

In fact, it was a night of double celebration for Pontefract. Back at base, their second team thrashed Wakefield to secure promotion from Division 1, ensuring that both Ponte teams would be reunited in the top tier next season.

First team skipper Matt Godson said: Id like to thank the efforts of every team-mate who has committed their time this season, from the pro players who have shown their loyalty, down to the club stalwarts who have turned out every week for years.

Id also like to thank Mick Todd, James Willstrop, Vanessa Atkinson, Jayne Robinson and so many others for everything they do to keep our club surviving and thriving.

I would also like to put equal attention on the achievements of the second team. It was a hammer blow last year when they went down as it means a lot to our members to have two teams competing in the YPL and seeing top class squash every Wednesday. If anything, Im more pleased that weve been able to bring that back at the first time of asking!

The platform for Pontes title-clinching victory at Woodfield was laid by early victories for Dockray and Godson. Adam Taylor then sealed the five winning bonus points with a four-game win over Woodfield head coach Alex Cutts.

Gunning for the maximum points they needed, 21-year-old talent Todd cruised past Londoner Caleb Boy, setting up an all-star battle between Rooney and England team-mate Declan James at top string. But it was Woodfields James, resurgent after a long injury lay-off, who took it in four games. Ponte celebrations were briefly on hold until the text came through from Dunnington.

 Victories from Ed Shannon, Taminder Gata Aura and Jamie Brown earned Dunnington a 17-8 win, with Oliver Jones and Temwe Chileshe posting consolation victories for the 2022/23 champions Hallamshire, who were without three-time world champion Nick Matthew due to injury.

At the bottom, the battle to avoid the one relegation place could go to the wire. Cleethorpes remain at the foot of the table by eight points despite a morale-boosting 15-6 victory at home to Ferriby Hall on Wednesday. Straight-games victories for their middle order of Elliot Morris Devred, Toby Ponting and Harry Falconer were enough to earn a fifth victory of the campaign.

Just above the dotted line are Abbeydale, who profited from a contravention of the rules by Doncaster. Last years champions won the fixture 14-8 on the night, but were later docked points due to playing four full-time pro players, transgressing the rule introduced at last summers AGM. Thus, Abbeydale claimed a 15-6 victory after being awarded 3/0 wins at fourth and fifth string in addition to Rhys Evans victory of Joel Arscott at no.1.

That result puts Doncaster 12 points above the drop zone, with Woodfield 10 points and Abbeydale eight clear of danger. But bottom side Cleethorpes victory this week ensures the final two fixtures of the season will be nervy for all four sides.

Wednesday nights other fixture saw Harrogate (joint third with Dunnington) claim a fifth successive win with a tight 14-10 triumph at Queens. Before the climatic no.1 clash, there were two winners but just one surname on each teamsheet Thomas Simpson and Chris Simpon winning for the visitors, and Cory Harding and Lewis Harding for Queens. New Zealand national champion Lwamba Chileshe clinched it for Harrogate at the death, courtesy of a 3/1 win over James Earles.