BRADFORD'S snooker teams head into the Christmas period full of festive cheer, with both sides top of their respective divisions in the Yorkshire Inter-District League following good wins.

Defending Division One champions Bradford No1 opened up a six-point lead at the top with a 4-2 victory over Huddersfield at Undercliffe Cricket Club. Wayne Cooper started well with breaks of 36 and 27, taking the first frame 72-33 against Michael Whaley, which was soon followed up with an 87 break in the next.

Kevin Firth made a rapid break of 34 to put the home side 3-0 up but opponent Jack Ellis-Pownall, who had barely been to the table, knocked in an impressive 57 break to pull a frame back. Lewis Walsh had a solid first frame, making a break of 38 against Chris Thorpe, but the visitors took the final frame with Thorpe winning 81-25.

After being relegated last season, Bradford No 2 – like their No 1 stable mates – are undefeated this season and maintained their good start with a 5-1 win at Leeds No 2.

Gareth Green was comfortable without being spectacular and won both frames against Tommy Doherty. Peter Hamilton, now established and having a fine season, won two black-ball frames against Dave Barker to put Bradford 4-0 in front.

Stephen Broadhead pulled a frame back for Leeds and looked good to take the last when 34 in front with just the colours remaining. However, Hanif Rafiq got the two snookers needed, cleared to pink and stole the frame 57-45.

In billiards, Bradford came unstuck at Great Horton Conservative Club where they faced Huddersfield No 1 and were slightly fortunate to come away with any points.

Bradford's Steve Wilman and Huddersfield's Dave Peaker both struggled but Peaker made a break of 36 which took him across the 100 mark. He then added a couple of runs around 20 to complete a comfortable 200-109 victory for the visitors.

Paul Devitt got off to a bad start, with Matthew Peaker making breaks of 20 and 31 to lead 104-5. An immediate response of 29 offered some hope for Devitt but Peaker replied with 35 and then ran in 56 unfinished for a quick fire 200-43 victory.

The clash between Stephen Kershaw and Steve Whiteley saw both players struggle before a break of 46 from Whiteley looked sufficient for the visitors to inflict a whitewash. However, aided by a bit of luck in the latter stages,the Bradford captain sneaked home by 200-164 to restrict Huddersfield to a 5-2 victory.