Walton hits top form for Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Walton hits top form for Bradford

11:13am Wednesday 25th February 2009 in Sport By Richard Bakes

Right on Cue

Bradford No 1 wiped out an early deficit to beat title rivals Sheffield No 1 4-2 in the YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE.

The hosts trailed 2-0 in the top-of-the-table clash at Lilycroft WMC but won the remaining points to maintain their fine run of form.

David Birley won both opening frames for Sheffield against Sajid Khan, including a break of 52, but Chris Melling brought the sides level, making breaks of 43 and 44 in the process.

Jason Walton then played his best snooker of the season for the team by easily winning both frames against Mick Sanderson, with the highlight a break of 56.

In comparison, Bradford No 2 went down 5-1 at Castleford No 1 to set back their chances of pushing for the title.

Gareth Green was not at his usual best and lost both frames against county player Pete Fisher, with Boover Singh also losing twice against Micky Tomlinson.

The home side made it five on the trot when Hanif Rafiq lost out in his first frame to John Arnold, although he spared a whitewash by clinching the final frame.

Latest standings (four matches remaining): Sheffield No 1 36pts, Castleford No 1 35, Bradford No 1 34, Sheffield No 2 32, Barnsley 30, Bradford No 2 29, Harrogate 27, Thorne 17.

Bradford professionals Wayne Cooper and Simon Bedford are in action on Friday at the Sheffield Academy for Sport in the qualifiers of the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Cooper, currently 90th in the rankings, is desperate for a good run in the tournament and takes on Scott Mackenzie.

Bedford, ranked 74th and looking to guarantee his main tour place for next season, faces David Grace of Leeds.

The second phase of qualifying for the YORKSHIRE SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS took place at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, with Gareth Green the only representation from Bradford.

Howard Mawson was unable to attend but Green progressed past Scott Croley and David Stevenson, before losing at the qualifying stage to Scott Raper.

Raper is joined in the last eight by Jonathan Bagley (Leeds), Lionel Payne (Wakefield), Robert Reid (Huddersfield), Brett Miller, Adam Chalkley (both Barnsley), John Prime and Ian Glover (both Thorne).

The quarter-final draw will be made at the Yorkshire Association meeting on Monday.

Tong Liberal duo Andy Hodgson and Joe Halliday enjoyed a 3-0 win against Damien Bentley and Tony Rhodes of Wibsey Conservative Club in the BRADFORD PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP.

Players in both the pairs and the singles competitions have until Sunday to complete their matches.