Right on Cue

There were mixed fortunes for Bradford’s snooker sides in the latest round of Yorkshire Inter-District League fixtures.

Division One leaders and defending champions Bradford No 1 have hit a rocky patch of late, following up their recent home loss to Castleford No 2 with a 3-3 draw against bottom side Ossett at Undercliffe Cricket Club.

Wayne Cooper was in good form for the hosts, a 57 break in his first frame securing an 81-1 success against Dale Mellor which he backed up with a run of 65 in his second to take it 81-8 and put the hosts 2-0 up.

Kevin Firth was trailing Craig Longbottom 30-0 when a series of three consecutive misses on the reds gifted the frame – as per competition rules – to Ossett.

This seemed to affect Firth’s confidence in the second frame, with Longbottom winning comfortably 78-42 to level the match.

Mark Slater was in good nick, winning the first frame 67-14 and then, from 25 behind with one red left, looked to be heading for a decisive clearance.

But after potting the pink for a 30 break, he fell short of position on the black and Ossett player Paul Ellis finally took it after a safety exchange.

Despite this setback, Bradford still head the table by a point from Leeds.

Meanwhile, Bradford No 2 continued their excellent recent form in Division Two with a 4-2 victory at Wakefield No 2.

This was suitable revenge against a side who had inflicted a whitewash in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Wakefield started the brighter, with Craig Spencer taking the opening frame 71-32, but Boover Singh hit back with a 64-17 success to level the contest.

Bradford captain Hanif Rafiq won his first frame comfortably 62-26 against Lee Hart but needed the pink in the next for a narrow 63-48 victory.

Current Bradford champion Gareth Green has been in top form of late and, after falling 42 behind to Yorkshire Handicap runner-up Chris Hall, compiled an 87 clearance to put the visitors 4-1 up.

But Hall is a top-class player himself and secured the last frame of the night 109-14 thanks to a break of 75.

Bradford’s billiards side are in action on Saturday when they entertain Huddersfield No 2 at Great Horton Cricket Club (7.30pm).