Chris Melling's hopes of reaching snooker's main tour next season are still in the balance following the final stages of Event Three on the Challenge Tour.

The 22-year-old from Keighley, ranked 21st going into the tournament at Swindon - the top 16 qualify at the end of the campaign - reached the quarter-finals.

Melling, runner-up in the 1999 Bradford Championships but better known for his pool exploits, defeated Ian Preece 5-3 and Darren Swinburn (Lowestoft) 5-1 before losing to Brian Salmon 5-2.

Bradford's Wayne Cooper bowed out 5-3 to eventual winner Shaun Murphy of Irthling-borough, but was miffed at how the first frame unfolded.

"I was in an inescapable snooker, and the referee definitely cost me the frame," said the 21-year-old from East Bowling. "You have to make a fair attempt to get out of it. A miss was called, even though I only missed the yellow by six or seven inches, and Shaun put me back in."

Despite this 'injustice', Cooper got back to 2-2, but the talented Murphy went to 4-2 with a 50-odd and a couple of 40s before Cooper managed a 40-odd break of his own to pull it back to 4-3. The final frame, as had the others, was decided on the colours.

Cooper is in action on Sunday in the York-shire area qualifying round of the English Open Championship at the Manhattan Snooker Club, Harrogate (11am).

He is already through to the semi-finals in his defence of the Bradford Championship, having beaten Darren Milner 4-0. Other semi-finalists are twice-champion Tony Emmott, who beat James Fisher 4-0, and 1995 winner Shab Ditta, who defeated Paul Young 4-2.

Bradford's Yorkshire Inter-District teams both lost to Huddersfield No 1 at Lilycroft WMC, John Gallagher defeating Firth 73-24, 99-4 in a repeat of last season's Yorkshire final. Howard Mawson levelled by beating Kuldesh Johal 69(38)-30, 87(38)-34, but Robert Read then beat Matthew Holt 55-48, 70(61)-29.

Andy Armitage lost 200-99 to debutant David Peaker at billiards, and Brian Mulla-ney fell 200-127 to Brian Cousen, but Paul Devitt defeated Steve Whiteley 200-127.

On Saturday, Bradford face Wharfedale at The Dragons Health Club, Yeadon (7.30), the snooker team playing leaders Sheffield No 1 at Lilycroft WMC (7.30).