Cooper wraps up unbeaten season (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Wayne Cooper wraps up unbeaten season

5:30pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport By Richard Bakes

Right on Cue

Bradford No 1 brought the curtain down on a title-winning Yorkshire Inter-District League season with a 5-1 victory at Sheffield No 1, condemning their opponents to relegation in the process.

The Division One snooker champions were in no mood to ease off as they looked to finish the campaign unbeaten, with Wayne Cooper in particular looking to wrap up a feat that has not been achieved for many years.

Cooper started brightly, making a 41 break in winning the opener 69-19 against Jason Evans, and backed this up with a break of 49 to take the second 70-32.

This concluded a 100 per cent record, winning all his 20 frames from the ten matches played by the team.

Kevin Firth eased Bradford four up with two solid victories against James Darbell (57-46 and 69-13) – which soon became 5-0 as Mark Slater won comfortably 61-22.

But Mick Sanderson prevented a whitewash by taking the last frame 77-31 for Sheffield.

The Bradford billiards side slipped to another 5-2 defeat, this time away at the hands of Huddersfield No 1.

Steve Wilman retained his place in the side and was on the receiving end of breaks of 40 and 75 in going down 200-80 to Matthew Peaker.

Trevor Kershaw was drafted in at short notice and started well, building up an 85-26 lead, but Brian Cousens responded with an 88 break for the hosts and eventually took the spoils 200-148.

In the final game, captain and Bradford champion Stephen Kershaw took on David Peaker, who made a break of 42 to keep the scores close until Kershaw made a run of 47 and edged towards a 200-148 success.

Bradford’s final match of the season is at home to Doncaster on April 6 at Great Horton Cons.

* The Bradford Snooker Championship semi-final line-up has now been confirmed, with two mouth-watering matches in prospect.

Nine-time winner Wayne Cooper (Laisterdyke Cricket) takes on defending and three-time champion Gareth Green (Lifeline Leisure), while John Wellham (Allerton Cons) meets last season’s runner-up Kevin Firth (Undercliffe Cricket).

Dates have yet to be finalised but matches will be played at a neutral venue, expected to be Eccleshill Victoria Cons Club.

* This season’s Bradford Billiards Championship qualifying date has now been set for Saturday, April 13 at Cue Gardens, with entries accepted up to 11.30am on the day.

The entry fee is £12 and the format will depend on the number of entries, although players will be guaranteed at least three matches.

Details will be sent out to clubs but anyone wishing to enquire further should contact Stephen Kershaw on 07815-014198.

* The quarter-finals of the Hey’s Trophy and Hopkinson Plate competitions take place on the next two Thursdays. Details have been sent out.