Richard Lodge has clinched the Bradford Billiards Championship for a record eighth time.

Lodge defeated Brian Mullaney 500-317 and now holds outright the distinction of lifting the Yorkshire Sports Trophy on the most occasions.

He previously shared the record with the late Willie Wilkinson who also won seven finals but now he can claim to be Bradford's most successful billiards player.

Mullaney had the better start to the match and led until a break of 31 by Lodge took him into the lead at 72-63 - an advantage he never lost.

Lodge added further breaks of 38 and 52 before Mullaney had a run of 42 to close the gap at 239-212.

By the interval Lodge led 251-219 and he never seriously looked like losing his grip on the match.

After the interval Lodge took his unfinished break to 79 to extend his lead to over the 100 mark for the first time in the match. He added further breaks of 74 and 31 before running out the winner at 500-317.

The postponed Bradford Snooker Championship semi-final between holder Wayne Cooper and Richard Brooke will be played at Cross Lane Liberal Club next Tuesday (7.45pm) over the best of seven frames.

The winner will meet Chris Melling in the final on Thursday at Lilycroft WMC (7.45pm).

Players are reminded that entries for the Summer Team Snooker Tournament will close this weekend with matches due to begin on Thursday, June 17. Any club wishing to enter should contact Eric Hodgkinson on Bradford 679369. Entry fee is £10 per team.

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