A frustrating and scrappy night of snooker ended with Bradford No 1 clinching the YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE Division One title at Undercliffe Cricket Club against defending champions Leeds – but they were made to work hard for the triumph.

With Bradford only two points clear of nearest rivals Castleford No 1, it was important they got off to a good start and Wayne Cooper gave them just that, winning both opening frames against Leeds champion Tony Massey 66-23 and 61-31.

Word came through that Castleford’s match had started early and stood at 2-2, so one more frame would guarantee the title heading back to Bradford for the first time since 2008.

Lee Atkinson lost his first 72-33 to John Gillen, who played consistently well throughout, but appeared to be heading for victory in his next, making a break of 39 to take a good early lead.

Unfortunately Gillen clawed his way back and set nerves jangling by snatching the frame 65-46 to level the match.

After hearing that Castleford had won 4-2, it was vital captain Kevin Firth took one of the remaining two frames to guarantee top spot but he struggled throughout his opener against Mark Ball and lost it 64-44.

After losing just four frames out of 30 during the previous five home matches, the unthinkable was suddenly a possibility, but Firth held his nerve well in the final frame of the season to take it 61-15 and clinch the title.

Final positions (all played 12): 1 Bradford No 1 46pts, 2 Castleford No 1 45, 3 Leeds 38, 4 Sheffield No 2 37, 5 Harrogate 36, 6 Sheffield No 1 31, 7 Wakefield No 2 18.

In Division Two, Bradford No 2 ended the season with a 4-2 defeat at promoted Sheffield No 3. Boover Singh and Gareth Green won a frame each, while captain Hanif Rafiq was unfortunate in losing both.

While there are still some fixtures to be played, Bradford look certain to finish third and miss out on promotion to Sheffield and Castleford No 2.

* The first BRADFORD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP pairs semi-final saw Cooper and Atkinson (Laisterdyke Cricket) win 3-0 against Edie Ratcliffe and Chris Richards (East Ward) at Great Horton Conservative Club.

The second semi between Firth and Dave Stirk (Undercliffe CC) and Chris Smith and Craig Davies (Tong Libs) takes place on Wednesday, May 4 at the same venue.

Defending champion Green (Lifeline Leisure) takes on Adam Tipper (Bradford Moor Cons) in the singles semi-finals next Wednesday at Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club (7.30).

The other last-four tie between Cooper and Howard Mawson (QTips) is scheduled for tonight.

* The MOORHOUSE SHIELD billiards draw has paired Eastbrook Hall against Lilycroft WMC in the preliminary round.

This competition starts on May 5 and runs on consecutive Thursdays to a conclusion. Full details will be sent out this week.