YORK Squash Club men's team have completed a highly successful season by gaining promotion to the Premier Division of the Yorkshire League.

York were runaway winners of division one with 322, finishing 26 points ahead of nearest rivals Hallamshire II. York won all except one of their matches, going down 3-2 to Hallamshire, but gaining revenge in comprehensive style with a 5-0 win in the return.

The squad of Nathan Hill, Matt Inglis, Nick Robinson, James Buckland, Steve Hodgson and Paul Buckland will also represent York in the premier division next season.

Hodgson, the York coach and former champion, said: "We have decided against fielding professionals because of the cost involved. We simply cannot afford to pay big fees.

"We may well lost many matches heavily next season, but the experience will be good news for the players."

York were in the top flight until May last year when they had three professionals, but after losing sponsorship decided to rely on homespun talent.

The club's youth coaching policy has paid handsome dividends in the past season with Natalie Watson playing for Yorkshire II, Kath Cordell for Yorkshire U17 and U19, Neil Cordell and Michael Goodwin for Yorkshire U15, Chris Ruisling for Yorkshire U13 and Sam Burton for Yorkshire U11.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, May 23, 2003