Right On Cue

Bradford No.1's snooker side were successful in finishing the season as Yorkshire Inter District League Champions, adding the Division One title to the UK League title the team won back in November, although the final match was tense.

Starting the weekend 5 points behind leaders Sheffield No.2 but with a game in hand, the team headed to Castleford No.2 and picked up a deserved if hard fought 5-1 victory to put the top two level on points heading into the final match on Sunday night. Gareth Green started the ball rolling and although not at his best was still too strong for Bradley Burrows, winning 68-35 and 68-12. Brother Anthony Green didn't have things his own way as opponent Mike Hodgson was solid throughout their opening frame and took it 86-43 and pushed the Bradford player close in the second, Green taking it 54-27.

Josh Walker then faced Castleford captain Pete Raby and the usually consistent home player never really got going and was punished as Walker picked off a few rare mistakes and ran out a 82-37 and 59-31 winner to give the side every confidence heading to their tough trip to Leeds late that day.

Walker started first at Leeds and played some solid snooker to win the first frame 66-34, but Leeds Captain Stephen Broadhead cleared the colours in the second for a 56-44 frame win and level the tie. Word came through that Sheffield No.2 were also drawing 1-1 at Castleford No.2 which lifted the spirits of Anthony Green who made a break of 42 in his second frame against James Ball, Green triumphing 75-50 and 68-18, meaning that if brother and 5 time champion Gareth could win both frames the side knew they were in with a great chance. Green's potting was outstanding and breaks of 35 in the first (71-28) and 33 in the second (67-51) ensured both frames were taken from Leeds' Tommy Doherty and a 5-1 win for the team, just as news came in that Castleford were 3-1 up on Sheffield which confirmed the Bradford team as league leaders and champions.

The final of the Bradford Snooker Pairs takes place on Saturday at Great Horton Conservative Club with the match starting at 8pm. 5 times champions (playing together) Wayne Cooper and Kevin Firth will play 2005 champions Mark Slater and Jason Murgatroyd. Spectators are welcome to come along and watch the best of 5 frames match.

Entries are still being accepted for the Yorkshire Snooker Handicap second event which takes place on Sunday 13th May at Pockets Snooker Centre in Rotherham. Entry fee is £15 and the format has been changed this season, with group stages allowing players to have more table time and 8 qualifiers will make it through to the final stages on 20th May to join the 8 qualifiers from event one. For more details contact Richard Bakes (07940 651850) but entries and fees must be paid by Friday 11th May.