YORK RI II lifted the Riley Rose Bowl as the curtain came down on the York & District Ladies Squash League season.

RI II beat Dunnington II in the final of the handicap team knockout competition, which formed part of the league’s end of season awards presentation event.

All five matches were a closely fought battle, with York RI II emerging as 239-218 winners at Dunnington Squash Club.

The Riley Rose Bowl was preceded by the final of the three-string competition, a play-off between the winners of the two divisions in the three-string league.

Dunnington, with a team made up of division one players, beat York RI II 135-94.

The league includes 23 teams from 11 clubs from York and the surrounding areas competing in three divisions.

Dunnington I retained their division one title, amassing 252 points, while the runners-up were York Ladies I on 200 points. In division two, Wigginton I came out on top with 206 points, only two points ahead of Pocklington.

Selby, a team returning to the league having struggled to field a team the previous season, won division three with 266 points.

Second spot went to York RI II, who achieved 181 points to finish one ahead of Thornton-le-Dale. Individual achievement awards were also handed out at the presentation evening.

The division one award went to Dunnington’s Kate Fisher, with York Ladies’ Louise Cotter runner-up.

The division two accolade was won by Pocklington’s Elaine Hancock, ahead of Stillington’s Barbara Woodliffe and Dunnington player Liz Stacey.

In division three, Selby’s Davina Niblett took the top award ahead of club-mate Helen Phillips.

Sue Preston, league committee chair, said: “We had a fantastic season and I’d like to thank all the committee members, players and clubs who make the league a success.

“Squash is an excellent cardiovascular workout, with so many benefits to women including strengthening, weight loss, increased flexibility, co-ordination, and stress relief, and the league is also very social. “We are adding a fourth division for the 2013/14 league, which starts in September, and women of all abilities are invited to join us.”

The league season runs from September to the end of March.

Clubs confirmed for next season are David Lloyd, Dunnington, Malton, Pocklington, Selby, Stillington, Thornton-le-Dale, Wigginton, York RI and York Ladies, with teams also fielded by St Peter’s girls and the University of York.

League clubs welcome new members of all abilities, including juniors. For more information about the women’s squash in the York area visit www.yorkladiesquash.co.uk