Right on Cue

John Wellham put the disappointment of defeat in last year’s final firmly in the locker to lift the Bradford Snooker Championship singles trophy for the first time.

The Allerton Conservative Club player won a hard-fought match against Harold Club opponent Anthony Green 4-2 at Great Horton Conservative Club.

The first frame was tense, as would be expected, with the finalists showing mutual respect before Wellham took it 51-38.

Green made a break of 39 in the second and took it on the black 61-57, before edging ahead at the interval with a 74-44 win in the third frame.

The break in proceedings came at the wrong time for Green, who was just getting into his rhythm.

But Wellham was rejuvenated and, after an early break of 32, stayed in control to level the match with a 79-4 verdict.

The fifth frame was extremely tight throughout but Wellham held his nerve to take pink and black, stealing a 54-51 success.

Wellham took the initiative in the next and made a superb break of 45 to put him 61 in front with 67 on the table.

But Green, who has been outstanding in fighting back this season, put together a 32 break to give him hope of taking the match to a decider.

A number of safety exchanges followed but Wellham eventually potted some crucial colours and ran out a 77-50 winner to be crowned Bradford champion.

* The Bradford Pairs Championship final takes place at Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club on Saturday, starting at the earlier time of 7pm with the venue open from 6.30pm.

The match sees four-times champions Wayne Cooper and Kevin Firth (Undercliffe Cricket Club) taking on 2005 winners Mark Slater and Jason Murgatroyd (Clayton Libs).

* Upper Bolton Cons A tackle Windhill Cons B in the final of the Hey’s Trophy at East Ward tomorrow night (7.45).

The final of the E Rosse Hopkinson Plate is next Thursday at Undercliffe Cricket Club between Clayton Rugby A and East Ward.

* The Yorkshire Pairs Championship has now been fixed and will be played at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds on Sunday, May 25.

The entry fee is £15 payable on arrival, with registration at 10am for matches to start at 10.30am.

A dress code of trousers, shoes, shirt or polo shirt applies. No collarless T-shirts, jeans or casual footware are permitted.