Right on Cue

The World Professional Billiards Championships get underway at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds next Wednesday.

Bradford’s Mark Hirst has been drawn in the group stages with host club player Ian Williamson, Pankaj Advani and 2007 runner-up Chris Shutt, who also qualified from Hirst’s group last year.

Hirst’s first match starts at 3pm on Wednesday against Williamson, with initial group games being played over a two-hour session. Advani is then his second opponent at 7pm.

Shutt was in devastating form in last year’s competition and Hirst will be aiming to gain revenge for his defeat 12 months ago when the pair meet on Thursday at 3pm.

Nine-times world champion Mike Russell looks strong to add yet another title to his name and features in the first set of matches at 11am on Wednesday against Michael Krueziger.

The pick of the games involves Geet Sethi against Peter Gilchrist on Thursday at 7pm.

Eight players will progress to the quarter-finals next Friday, with semi-finals taking place on Saturday and the final on Sunday. These matches will be played at 3pm and 7pm on their respective days.

The competition is free to watch during the group stages and quarter-finals, with a £5 entry fee for the semis and £10 for the final. Tickets can be obtained from the Northern Snooker Centre on 01132-433015.

Yorkshire and Bradford champion Wayne Cooper plays in his last final as an amateur on Saturday before turning professional.

Cooper has made it through to the C&IU NATIONAL final, where he will take on Welsh former pro Wayne Jones at the Wallsgrove Club in Coventry (2pm).

It would be another major achievement for Cooper to lift a title that has eluded him so many times in the past and boost his confidence ahead of the Northern Ireland Trophy qualifiers in Prestatyn next month.

With several trophies under his belt during the last season, coupled with qualification to the main tour and in top form over the last few months, few would bet against him achieving his goal.

He would add his name to an esteemed list of winners which includes legends Steve Davis and Ray Reardon.

The date for the 100th MOORHOUSE SHIELD billiards final has now been set.

Clayton Rugby Club will play Lilycroft WMC on Wednesday, August 6 at Queensbury Conservative Club.