THE draw for the first round of the Bradford Snooker Handicap has been made, Joe Hollings (Eccleshill Victoria Cons) starting the defence of his title with a tough tie against Richard Denny at Cullingworth Cons.

First-round draw: C Metcalfe (Windhill Cons) v J Murgatroyd (Clayton Libs), S Renardson (Tong Libs) v D Robson (Shipley Social), R Denny (Cullingworth Cons) v J Hollings (Eccleshill Vic Cons), C Buchan (Windhill Cons) v T Borza (Undercliffe CC), S Rushforth (Tong Libs) v M Pratt (Shipley Social), T Astin (Shipley Social) v C Smith (Tong Libs), R Morgan (Lilycroft) v D Jagger (Girlington Cons), D Norfolk (Tong Libs) v S Harker (Clayton Libs), A Craven (Tong Libs) v G Lund (Baildon Woodbottom), P Gaunt (Undercliffe CC) v M Sharp (Cullingworth Cons), C Davies (Tong Libs) v P Davey (Undercliffe CC).

The remaining 53 players received byes.

Bradford and England team-mates Kevin Firth and Lewis Walsh are in action at the weekend at the Cueball Club in Derby after qualifying for the last 16 play-offs of the Masters after coming through several ranking events.

The format is four groups of four, with the top two in each group going through to the quarter-finals, where the competition reverts to a straight knockout, with the eventual winner crowned Masters Champion next month at the EASB finals weekend.

Bradford No 1 are in action this weekend with two matches against Leeds No 1.

The first is on Saturday at the Northern Snooker Centre (7pm), with the last match of the season on Sunday at Undercliffe Cricket Club (7pm).

The Yorkshire Billiards Championship, which has a £12 entry fee, takes place on Sunday at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

Further information is available from Stephen Crosland on 01943-863883.