Right on Cue

Princeville's Stephen Kershaw beat Paul Davies of Chapel Green Liberals in the final to win the Bradford Billiards Championship at Queensbury Conservative Club.

The duo successfully came through their semi-finals, played earlier the same day, to set up the clash, with Kershaw defeating defending champion Richard Lodge by 93 points and Davies overcoming Brian Watson by 103.

Kershaw was always in control of the final, gaining a healthy lead early in the contest, and although Davies made a brave fight of things towards the end, Kershaw wrapped up the 500-point target and with it the 2007 title.

He was obviously delighted to have picked up this trophy for the third time, having previously won in 1980 and 2004, but would have liked to have seen more players in the competition.

"Winning this event is fantastic and beating a player of the quality of Richard Lodge along the way was a bonus," said Kershaw.

"Paul is a fine billiards player and deserved his place in the final but there are many other fine players in Bradford that didn't enter and should be encouraged to take part in future championships to maintain a strong and healthy competition that has been running since 1929."

It is anticipated that the championship will go from strength to strength, with sponsorship being sought and new formats to be discussed by the governing association over the close season.

Kershaw also collected the Sunday School Billiards League individual title, having defeated A Stevens of Pudsey.

Other prizes in that league were as follows: League - Winners: Pudsey; runners-up: Bradford Deaf Centre.

KO Cup - Winners: Pudsey; runners-up: Bradford Deaf Centre; highest break: Richard Bowes (Pudsey) 95.

Billiards Pairs - Winners: DL Raw & AL Smith (Pudsey); runners-up: R Bowes & D Smith (Pudsey).

Individual Snooker - Winner: R Frain (Bradford Deaf Centre); runner-up: G Kershaw (Princeville - at 14 years, eight months, one of the youngest to have ever played in either of the league's finals).

The league's annual meeting will be held next Wednesday at Great Horton Methodists (7.30pm).