Paul Devitt, winner of the Yorkshire Sports trophy in one of the closest finals in the history of the Bradford Billiards Championship, has called it "the most wonderful experience of my billiards life".

The 56-year-old Eastbrook Sports and Social Club member defeated nine-times winner Richard Lodge 500-492 at Undercliffe Cricket Club.

Devitt, who made breaks of 39, 33 and 32 and led 250-223 at the interval, said: "It is a marvellous feeling and the pinnacle of my billiards career, and without a doubt I will be defending my title next year.

"I have been playing in this event for 18 years and have lost in four finals prior to this.

"And when Richard made his 64 break to lead 401-330 after the interval I thought 'Here we go again'. He was just coming good. He had got the speed of the table and everything.

"Fortunately, he just missed a shot and allowed me to get back in with half a chance. But I had to keep my nerve. I went for broke and I did it."

Left-hander Lodge (Cuedos) said: "In all, honesty, I am genuinely pleased for Paul. He is a good player.

"He has been so close so many times before - mostly against me - and has never managed to win it, but has kept coming back. When I made that my decent break in the second half, I didn't think it was enough - not on that table.

"I suspect we both found it easier after the interval because the table had been very heavily ironed before we came to play and the nap was flat and shiny and the ball wasn't biting.

"But as the evening wore on it got warmer in the room and the nap obviously raised and it became a little easier to play."