John Wellham, of Allerton Conservative Club, has made it through to his first Bradford Snooker Championship singles final after a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Undercliffe Cricket Club's Kevin Firth.

Wellham's victory was deserved, a combination of outstanding safety play, coupled with a positive approach to taking his chances, helped him overcome the semi-final barrier.

Nerves were evident from the start from both players, with Wellham taking the first 55-30 and Firth the next two, 63-42 and 72-44.

Wellham levelled with an 89-20 fourth-frame win and secured a 3-2 advantage with a 45 break to take frame five 76-24.

Firth then hit some of the form that has seen him represent the England senior side this season, making a 45 break of his own for an match-levelling 88-2 frame win.

The decider was as tense as expected, Firth running into a 30-point lead only for Wellham to fight back again and take the match into the colours.

Creeping ahead, Wellham held his nerve as Firth needed snookers on the pink and black, and when the opportunity arose took his chance and made the final with a 73-46 success.

Wellham now faces three-time defending champion Gareth Green from Lifeline Leisure on Saturday, May 11 (7.45pm), again at Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club.

Firth has a second bite of a city final when he partners Dave Stirk in the second Bradford Snooker Pairs semi-final next Wednesday at Great Horton Conservative Club (7.45pm), when the 2011 champions take on their clubmates Peter Hamilton and Josh Walker.

The winners will meet defending champions Gareth and Anthony Green.

The Bradford Billiards Championship semi-finals take place on Saturday at Cue Gardens, with Richard Lodge v Steve Wilman at 1.30pm and holder Stephen Kershaw v Mark Hirst at 3.15pm.

The second legs of the Moorhouse Shield Billiards Championships are to be played tomorrow night, with Great Horton Cons hosting Chapel Green Libs and Clayton Rugby A playing Lilycroft WMC.