THE 2018/19 Yorkshire Premier League squash title is virtually certain to stay in Dunnington’s hands after another convincing win for the York club on Wednesday night.

Dunnington’s 4-1 (17-9) triumph at Abbeydale, combined with another damaging defeat for second-placed Hallamshire, means the defending champions now have a 31-point lead with only three matches of the season remaining.

Chris Simpson, straight off the plane from his second-round exit at the World Championships in Chicago, wrapped up the triumph for the champions-elect with a marathon win over Lewis Walters which ended 13/11 in the fifth.

Number two Julian Tomlinson also won an epic, 12/10 in the decider against Adam Turner, while Danny Hockborn and Ed Shannon-Adams were the visitors’ other victors on the night, with Nick Wall Snr grabbing a consolation three points for the Sheffield side.

Abbeydale’s cross-town rivals Hallamshire suffered their third defeat in four games which has seen their title aspirations crumble.

Their latest setback came at lowly Hull & East Riding.

Pontefract 1’s title hopes, meanwhile, are now only notional as they trail the leaders by 40 points. They had to fight back from a shock early deficit against bottom side Chapel Allerton 2 in order to seal victory.