Right on Cue

Bradford champion Gareth Green successfully came through qualifying for the Yorkshire Snooker Handicap at Cue Gardens to book his place in the latter stages on Sunday, November 6.

Green made it to the quarter-finals, where he will face Thomas Wealthy of Leeds, after opening with a 3-0 win over Harold Hall, which included breaks of 96 and 53.

This was followed by a narrow 3-2 victory against Paul Lawson and then a convincing 3-0 success over up-and-coming junior star Oliver Lines.

Lee Atkinson, a member of last season’s Bradford No 1 title-winning side, also made it through to the last eight.

He beat Kurtis Walker 3-0 and England international and Bradford No 1 captain Kevin Firth 3-1.

Atkinson will now play defending champion Daniel Womersley, while Sean Wilkes takes on Ashley Hugill and Lee Brooks meets Lee Roper.

Two Bradford youngsters gave a good account of themselves, with Russell Morgan knocking out Harrogate captain Andy Blamire 3-2 before falling to Brooks.

And Dylan Mitchell saw off the challenge of Daz Hawkins 3-1 before succumbing to quarter-finalist Wilkes.

On a sad note, Bradford is mourning the loss of one of the game’s true gentlemen after Paul Davies passed away suddenly following illness.

The Chapel Green Liberals player will be sadly missed, not only by his close family but by many friends throughout the leagues who held him in high regard.

Davies was a regular player in the South Bradford League for over 20 years and played billiards and snooker for Bradford Moor Liberals, Lidget Green Cons and Chapel Green Liberals among others.

He represented Bradford in the Yorkshire Inter-District League, reached the Bradford billiards final in 2007 and was part of the Chapel Green side that won the Moorhouse Shield billiards team event in 2006.

The game will certainly miss Davies’ presence and condolences go to his family.