Nottingham In Fifth National Title Bid On Home Courts

Nottingham SRC will be seeking to end an eight-year drought in the National Club Championships this weekend when the club competes in the men's semi-finals of the England Squash event on their home courts at The Park in Nottingham.

Champions in 1977, 1983, 1991 and 1998, Nottingham face Leeds club Chapel Allerton for a place in Sunday's final - against the winners of the other men's semi-final between Bishop's Stortford and fellow Essex club Lexden.

Bishop's Stortford reached the last four after a shock quarter-final victory over holders Colets, of Thames Ditton in Surrey.

Pontefract is also bidding to extend its sequence of victories in the Women's championship. The Yorkshire club clinched the title in 1991, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2003 - and now face Derbyshire's Duffield for a place in Sunday's final. The other semi-final features Birmingham University and Colets.

Nottingham will also contest four other National Club Championships' finals during the weekend: The hosts face holders Colets in the Men's Over 35 Final; Colets again in the Men's Over 45 Final; Kent club Bexley in Men's Over 55 Final; and Woking in the Non County Mixed Final.

Pontefract are bidding for a second title, facing Sussex club Chichester in the Junior Mixed Final.

The Women's Over 35 Final will feature Chapel Allerton and London club New Eltham.

The National Racketball Final will also take place at Nottingham, between Racquets Thame and Lexden.