POPPIE JARAM justified her number one seeding to take the York & District Ladies' Open Squash Championship crown – becoming the youngest ever winner at the age of 15.

Jaram, from Dunnington Squash Club, beat number two seed Louise Moss, from York Squash Rackets Club, three games to nil in the final - although it was much closer than that scoreline suggests.

Jaram took the first game 9-7, after some really good rallies.

Moss was well in the second, leading 7-4 at one stage, but Jaram came back strongly and won it 9-7.

Moss again stayed very much in the third but Jaram eventually won it 9-6.

Jaram, sponsored by Harrow Squash Rackets, has been coached since she was seven and the York & District Ladies Squash League has seen her grow in strength over recent years.

In total, 13 women from various clubs in the league took part in the championships held at the David Lloyd centre in York.

The Plate final saw Rachael Webster, from Wigginton, win 3-1 against a newcomer to the competition, university student Kate Alldestone.

Alldestone took the first game 9-4 but Webster battled back to take the second by the same scoreline.

After some good long rallies, Webster took the third game 9-6. Alldestone was still very much in the match with her extreme coverage of the court and running ability, but Webster's determination won out as the took the fourth game 10-8.

Anne Matwijiszyn, tournament organiser and York Railway Institute squash member, said: “On the whole the week went well for our annual Open Championship and Plate tournament that saw players from David Lloyd, Dunnington, Malton, Wigginton and York clubs compete.

"Good feedback from the players, saying they had enjoyed the week's competition, makes it all worthwhile. It was good to see some new players enter.

"Well done to the winners and thank you to all the players, markers and supporters."

Sue Preston, Y&DLSL committee chair, said: “It is great to see that ladies' squash is still going strong in the York area.

"We had two new teams join the 2015-16 league, giving new players match experience. Sadly we had two drop out at the start of the season due to injury and a lack of players but we hope to increase the number of teams again for 2016-17. We welcome any new teams that wish to join. As voluntary committee members, we are also looking for help and support and work to drive ladies' squash in the area.”

The league season runs from September to the end of March with the following clubs fielding teams in four divisions: David Lloyd York, Dunnington, Malton, Pocklington, Selby, Stillington, Thornton Dale, Wigginton, York RI and York Squash Rackets Club, with teams also fielded by St Peter's Girls and the University of York."

For more information, visit www.yorkladiesquash.co.uk