advancing through the first match with a 9-5, 10-9, 9-4 win over 15-year-old Steven Smith.

Haworth tore a cartilage during the match and is due to have surgery later this week. The withdrawal gives Mike Harvey, who would have been his next opponent, a walkover to Division II semi-finals today.

Also in Division II, the top match was between Noel Fardy and Russell Titmuss who battled through a seesaw marathon of explosive squash before winning 9-3, 6-9, 9-7, 7-9, 9-7.

In contrast, Murray Brewer demonstrated his serious challenge for this year's title in Division I with a 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 win over Andy MacDougall. In Division III, Nigel Henderson romped past Chris Harvey 9-0, 9-2, 9-4.