ADAM Tipper has become the first winner of the Eric Hodgkinson Trophy.

The Undercliffe Cricket Club player defeated clubmate Sonny Sandhu 3-2 in the final of the Bradford Snooker Handicap at Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club.

Sandhu, playing off 13, made a whirlwind start, compiling successive breaks of 22 and 27 to take the first frame 77-12. A similar pattern occurred in the second, a 22 break securing another impressive frame 72-22 and a 2-0 lead.

But Tipper, off five, fought his way back into the match and his never-say-die attitude reaped frame three 75-47, aided by a break of 28.

The fourth frame was cautious, both players missing chances while playing some excellent safety, and at 44-44 it looked to be heading to the wire. But Tipper found an extra gear when it mattered and ran out an 81-44 winner.

The final frame was also tight but a steady run of 24 helped Tipper take it 60-35 – and with it the honour of being the first winner of the trophy named in memory of the man who ran and organised snooker and billiards in the district for nearly 30 years.

Bill Oates, a close friend of Hodgkinson, presented the trophy and paid tribute to the hard work and commitment that he had given for all those years.

Oates added that Hodgkinson's wife Brenda was proud and delighted that the association had recognised his contribution to the sport in Bradford.

The event was a success with nearly 90 entries and was well run thanks to the efforts of tournament director Eddie Ratcliffe, assisted by David Parrott.