Horner sees her title disappear

SQUASH

Suzanne Horner, the world No 2, lost her British title after retiring injured in the semi-finals in Sheffield yesterday.

The top-seeded champion was two games and 5-1 up against the sixth-seeded Linda Charman but was in increasing pain from a pulled muscle in the lower back and, after losing the third game, suddenly turned round, shook hands and hurried off.

Charman, who had earlier upset the third-seeded former British champion, Sue Wright, thus won 7-9, 1-9, 9-5, retired, and today will play another surprise finalist, the fourth-seeded Fiona Geaves, who won 9-5, 7-9, 9-2, 10-9 against the World Open finalist, Cassie Jackman.

Another Yorkshire player, Nick Cass, is in trouble for making a gesture to the referee with his racket between his legs after losing a men's quarter- final to Marcus Berrett. He will be reported to the Squash Rackets Association and the World Squash Federation.