Yorkshire Inter-District League round-up
BRADFORD’S billiards team got their Yorkshire Inter-District League season off to a good start with a 5-2 victory at Huddersfield No 2.
Paul Devitt was first to get away in his clash with Huddersfield captain John Ingleby, making a break of 45 for a 76-62 lead.
But with both players exercising considerable caution, highlights were in short supply and it was Ingleby who eventually saw out the game 200-145.
Steve Wilman led from start to finish against an out-of-sorts Julian Hodge and restored parity for Bradford with an excellent 200-135 victory.
Jezz Ford and Bradford captain Stephen Kershaw then traded 30 breaks early in the final game before two more similar runs from the Bradford player saw him establish a lead which was never challenged and his 200-125 success saw Bradford to a 5-2 overall win.
Bradford are playing their home matches at Great Horton Conservative Club this season and the first of these will be against Harrogate on Saturday (7.30pm).
* Division One defending snooker champions Bradford No 1 backed up their opening 3-3 draw against Leeds with an excellent 5-1 victory at Harrogate.
Wayne Cooper took both frames against Gyles Behbood in a repeat of last season’s Yorkshire final, while captain Kevin Firth did the same against Andy Blamire.
Lewis Walsh won his first frame comfortably’ but opponent Stuart Jauncey made sure the hosts avoided a whitewash by claiming the final frame.
The Bradford team return to action this weekend against Ossett No 1 at Undercliffe Cricket Club on Sunday (7pm).
Bradford No 2 take on leaders Wakefield in a top-of-the-table Division Two clash at Cue Gardens on Sunday (7.30pm). Second-placed Bradford will be keen to build on their 3-3 draw with Ossett No 2 and 4-2 victory last time out at Brighouse.
* The semi-finals of the Eric Hodgkinson Bradford Snooker Handicap has been drawn and both matches will be played on Saturday, November 14 at Great Horton Conservative Club.
Four-time Bradford Championship winner Gareth Green (-47 handicap, Harold Club) takes on Matt Yeadon (5, Baildon Woodbottom), while Josh Walker (-7, Undercliffe Cricket Club) plays Robert Lovett (27, Tong Liberals). The final is provisionally set for Saturday, December 5.
