Bradford’s Josh Walker won the Yorkshire Snooker Handicap at Cue Gardens at the weekend, defeating fellow Bradfordian, Gerard Smyth in the Final.
Smyth had beaten Bradford No.2 Captain Hanif Rafiq in Round one 2-0, followed by Bradford No.1 Captain Kevin Firth 2-1 in Round two. After 3-2 victories against Kevin Baxter and Michael Whaley, both from Huddersfield, Smyth then defeated 2004 Bradford Champion Howard Mawson 3-1 in the Semi Finals.
Walker progressed to the Final thanks to victories against Sheffield’s Terry Crofts (2-0), a hard fought duel with Undercliffe Cricket Club player Wayne Downey (3-2), a 3-0 success against Andrew Owen, before securing his final place with a 3-1 victory against Lee Roberts.
Both players deserved their place in the Final, having played consistently well through the day and it was Walker who was quickest off the mark, a 78 clearance to black putting him ahead with a 92-22 win. It was soon 2-0, another solid frame from Walker with a 74-38 scoreline, but Smyth had fought hard all day and this was no more evident than his 66-30 third frame win. It looked as though the match was going to level up, but a rare mistake from Smyth let Walker in and duly cleared from brown to snatch the frame 64-52 and with it the title of Yorkshire Snooker Handicap Champion. For full results see HERE
Bradford No.1 travel to Castleford No.2 on Sunday in the Yorkshire Inter District League, whilst No.2 travel to Huddersfield. In Billiards, Bradford travel to Leeds on Saturday.
