Right on Cue

The Bradford billiards team logged another good win in the Yorkshire Inter-District League as they beat Huddersfield No 2 5-2 at Great Horton Cricket Club.

Captain Stephen Kershaw started well, with a break of 37 setting the platform to establish a commanding lead against Jez Ford before running out a 200-120 winner.

John McEachran faced strong opposition from Julian Hodge, who made back-to-back breaks of 39 to lead 80-2.

McEachran fought back with a run of 33 but the game did not quite last long enough for him ever to get on terms and Hodge levelled the match with a 200-152 victory.

The last game produced the best billiards of the night and at first it did not look good for Bradford as Huddersfield captain John Ingleby took an early lead against Paul Devitt with a break of 37.

But Devitt responded with 41, 39 and 36 for a 200-147 victory that wrapped up the overall points.

* The Bradford No 2 snooker side host Selby in the Yorkshire Inter-District League at Cue Gardens on Sunday (7.30pm). Bradford No 1 travel to Castleford No 1 the following week.

* The Bradford Billiards Championship has now been confirmed for Saturday, March 22 at Cue Gardens, with entries accepted up to 11.30am on the day.

All players will be guaranteed at least three one-hour matches. More information will appear nearer the time.

* The Yorkshire Snooker Championship qualifiers get under way at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds on Sunday, with several Bradford players in action.

First-round matches include Hanif Rafiq v Donald Lynch (Selby), Russell Morgan v Chris Hart (Leeds), Damian Bentley v Lee Hart (Wakefield), Kevin Firth v James Dabell (Sheffield) and an all-Bradford tie between Lewis Walsh and Josh Walker.

Players are reminded that the usual dress code applies, as with all Yorkshire tournaments. Contact Richard Bakes (07940-651850) with any queries.

The second qualifying date is Sunday, March 2, which will feature four-time Bradford champion and 2010 Yorkshire champion Gareth Green.

* Howard Mawson the 2004 Bradford champion, is the first player through to the Bradford Snooker Championship quarter-finals after a 4-0 victory over Elliott Glover (Low Moor Club).

Mawson, from Eccleshill Victoria Cons, made the competition’s highest break to date with a superb 102 in the final frame.