Andy Armitage didn't let two damaged fingers on his bridge hand affect his form for Bradford's billiards team in the Yorkshire Inter-District League.

In fact he had his best game to date against Leeds' No 1 Rodney Sims at Pudsey Conservative Club.

Armitage coped with the fast table better than his team-mates and had a break of 72 on his way to a 200-49 victory.

Neither Brian Mullaney or Roy Pudsey had a break of over 30 in their clash, Mullaney taking a long contest 200-126.

The match between Paul Devitt and Harry Whitby was similar in terms of lack of breaks, Whitby winning 200-184 to cut Leeds' deficit to 4-2.

Not for the first time this season, Matthew Holt was Bradford's saviour in the snooker match.

They were tied at 2-2 when he went to the table , but a 49 in the first and a 65 in the second gave him victories by 95-4 and 66-9 to give the visitors a 4-2 success.

Earlier former professional Alan Trigg (Leeds) had made a break of 93 in taking the first 113-7, Wayne Cooper's 42 helping to give him the second 67-29.

Kevin Firth took the first 68-24 against Martin Wood, a mid-frame break of 30 being crucial, but Wood took the second 92-0, including a break of 38.

Both Bradford sides will be unchanged against Huddersfield No 2 on Saturday at Lilycroft WMC (7.30).

Cooper had an easy job in qualifying for the last 64 of the English Open Champion-ship at the Executive Snooker Club, Sheffield.

Former Bradford champion Sajid Khan was held up by a six-car pile up on the M1 and had to concede his match to Cooper, who then defeated Kuldesh Johal (Huddersfield) 4-1, including a break of 64.

Bramley's Craig Butler (Clubhouse In Cue Gardens) defeated Adam Chalkley (Barnsley) 4-1 to qualify, but Kevin Firth - Cooper's Wibsey Cons clubmate - was beaten 4-1 by England international Luke Fisher, who made breaks of 67 and 50.

Cooper, representing Cue Gardens this time, is also through to the third round of the Bradford Championship after defeating Simon jackson (Regal) 4-1. Darren Milner (East Ward Labour) beat Mick Hall (Undercliffe Cricket Club) 4-1.

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