Eight-times Bradford snooker champion Wayne Cooper (Laisterdyke Cricket Club) has made it through to yet another local final.

He defeated Howard Mawson (QTips Snooker Centre) 4-1 in a Bradford Snooker Championship semi-final, although the match wasn’t as one sided as the scoreline suggests, with Cooper having to work hard for the victory.

Mawson took an early lead with breaks of 36 and 31 to win the first frame 74-61, but Cooper levelled, making a 43 break off an outrageous fluke on the way to a 91-24 victory.

Cooper then took a scrappy third frame 74-17 before making the tournament's highest break - a superb 127 clearance to go 3-1 in front.

This was a classy effort and came from nowhere, with both players struggling to find top form throughout the match.

Mawson battled on though, looking to find another gear, but a few uncharachteristic mistakes gave Cooper the opportunity to seal the match with a break of 42 and a chance to add yet another title to his growing list.

Cooper's opponent in the final will be either Gareth Green (Lifeline Leisure), who is looking to successfully defend the trophy, or Bradford Moor Con Club's Adam Tipper, who thoroughly deserves his place in the semi-finals and is looking to reach his first major final.

This match is being played tonight and will be reported in next week's column.

Next Wednesday at Great Horton Con Club, defending Bradford Pairs champions Kevin Firth and Dave Stirk (Undercliffe Cricket Club) take on Craig Davies and Chris Smith (Tong Liberal Club) in a semi-final (7.30pm), with the winners to take on Cooper and Lee Atkinson (Laisterdyke CC) in the final on Saturday, May 14 at the same venue.

Bradford youngster Damian Wilks has finished the season on a high after ending up ranked No 1 after stage two of the EASB Regional Amateur Tour.

Having qualified for the second stage, Wilks started it in fine style, winning the opening event in Derbyshire, and followed up with a semi-final appearance in Leeds and a quarter-final placing in the final tournament at Plymouth.

This top placing means that Wilks finished sixth overall and he has a slim possibility of an England call-up for next season.

Wilks was also competing in the Premier Junior Tour throughout the season and finished 20th, while fellow Bradfordian Green finished in sixth, having won Event One and being consistent throughout the six competitions.

The Moorhouse Shield gets underway next week with Eastbrook Hall taking on Lilycroft WMC in the preliminary round of Bradford's billards team knockout competition.