Wayne Cooper (left) vs Mark Slater (right) Bradford Singles Championship Final 2015
Great Horton conservative hosted the 2015 Bradford Snooker Championship final last night with two of Bradford’s strongest names battling it out for the 2015 title.
Mark Slater representing Clayton Liberal club bidding for his first singles title after losing in the final back in 2008, He was up against eight times champion and hungry for his ninth Wayne Cooper representing the Undercliffe Cricket club.
First frame got going both players looking a bit nervy both wanting to get that first important frame of the evening, both players had missed chances and it was Cooper who drew first blood edging ahead slightly before his next visit with a superb 90 break contribution to take the opener in typical Cooper fashion 110–0 frame to Cooper 1-0.
Second frame very similar at the start both potting the odd red colour combination before running out of position, Mid-frame nothing much in the scores and Slater produced a marvellous 34 break from under the cosh which gave him a 33 advantage with 35 remaining.
Frame continued a few safety exchanges before Slater was gifted the last red after Cooper miss judged a safety shot leaving it sat over the middle pocket which Slater greatly accepted for 24–65, frame to Slater 1-1.
Third frame just before the mid-session interval got underway both players probably feeling settled, probably the best tactical frame of the evening from my view.
Cooper set off well with a 20 break taking a 36-0 lead only for Slater to peg him back to 36-13 and his next visit pounced on Cooper with yet another 34 break to sneak ahead 36-47 with last red remaining.
Cooper in a difficult position not really seeing any safety shot got down and potted a brilliant long red down the cushion followed by the blue which was nicely negotiated between brown and green to land perfectly on the yellow he then continued to cleared down to black with a 26 break visit and probably steal a frame Slater looked favourite for 62–47 and 2-1 to Cooper.
The frame after the break was just a master class from former professional Cooper who got an early opportunity and made no mistakes as he powered home his second century of the competition a beautifully compiled 101 break narrowly missing the final yellow for a 101-0 frame and a 3-1 advantage.
Fourth frame got going and It was Cooper who was fast out of the traps once again plum in the balls on 23 and took his eye of the black which rattled and went safe leaving Mark a red but nothing after it but a safety.
A couple of safety exchanges and Cooper found home for another long red and followed that up with yet another 20 break giving him a 40 point lead.
Slater was desperately trying to find something to turn this match around potting a few good balls but eventually forced into a safety shot, Cooper not missed much all night potted another red and his third 20 break of the frame finally took him to a 100–14 frame winner and the match 4-1
My summery was Wayne Cooper was pure class throughout with breaks of 101,90 numerous 20+ visits and a deserved winner, commiserations to team mate Mark Slater who did very little wrong all evening and can hold his head up high, playing against one of the strongest players I have ever seen at amateur level there really is nothing anyone could have done.
Great final by both and a big thank you for everyone who supported.
Well done!
Images from the evening below
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