Bradford's Simon Bedford reckons he is "virtually guaranteed" a place on next season's main tour.

The 23-year-old reached the quarter-finals of UK Tour Event Two Final Stages at Jesters, Swindon - a tournament he won two years ago when he also qualified.

Left-hander Bedford, from Fairweath-er Green, who reached the last 16 of Event One at Oldham, said: "Together that should virtually guarantee my return to the main tour in 2000-01.

"The word is that 600 points, or a semi-final berth in one of the events, should be enough. I have 800 points already."

Bedford, nicknamed the Bradford Blizzard, is playing more like intermittent snow showers at the moment.

"I am trying as hard as I can, but I can't say I am playing well," admitted the Cuedos club member.

He squeezed through 5-4 against Stuart Reardon (Romford) in the first round at Swindon, then beat Philip Williams (Llanelli) 5-0 before losing 5-1 to Jason Weston (Portsmouth) in the last eight.

"Stuart should have beaten me," said Bedford.

"He missed a black off its spot in the decider, and you dream about chances like that in a final frame.

"He must have felt under pressure, because I expected him to pot it. I was lucky.

"Although I beat Philip 5-0, I didn't play like I won 5-0, and Jason was just too good in the quarter-finals.

"I led by 40 in a couple of frames and he made a break of 60 and another of 80."

Bramley's Craig Butler (Clubhouse In Cue Gardens) fell 5-2 in the first round to David Grimwood (Romford).

"I played terribly for the first four frames, and then won the next three," said Butler.

"I felt capable of winning, but he finished me off with a century break and I only had two visits in that frame."

Meanwhile, Wayne Cooper's total clearance of 124 was the highlight of Bradford's 4-2 Yorkshire Inter-District League victory over Huddersfield No 2 at Lilycroft WMC.

He showed superb cue-ball control and made some fine pots in defeating Glenn Wilkinson 144-0.

Cooper had lost the first frame 66-35.

Kevin Firth beat Mark Boylan 80-16 and 68-44. Matthew Holt shared his frames with Jason McMahon 50-31 and 31-66.

Bradford's billiards team lost 5-2, Brian Mullaney being their only winner 200-143 against John Ingleby.

Andy Armitage led Frank Griffin 117-66, but lost 200-139, and Paul Devitt fell 200-191 in a see-saw clash 200-191 against ex-county champion Tommy Donlan.

Both Bradford teams will be unchanged at Lilycroft WMC on Saturday (7.30). The billiards trio face Wharfedale and the snooker side face Castleford.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.