Right on Cue

Bradford No 1 began the defence of their Division One title in the YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE with a 4-2 victory against Leeds at Undercliffe Cricket Club.

Youngster Damian Wilks opened the match with a two-frame victory against Tony Massey, winning 55-42 and 64-37, before England international Kevin Firth put the home side three up.

Opponent John Gillen made a break of 30 but Firth put together a frame-winning 71 to take it 96-30, although Gillen hit back with an excellent 43 to pull a frame back with a 68-37 success.

Mark Slater found Mark Ball in good form in their opener, the Leeds player logging a break of 30 on his way to a 63-42 frame win to pull the match back to 3-2.

But Slater made a telling break of 34 in the final frame to take it 67-15 and wrap up Bradford’s victory.

The defending champions next travel to face Sheffield No 3 on Sunday, while Bradford No 2 play a delayed opening fixture at Wakefield No 2.

* The draws for the BRADFORD CHAMPIONSHIPS have been made as follows: Singles – First round (to be played by December 3): S Horsfall v P Hamilton, M Unsworth v S Khan, D Gallagher v C Buchan, C Hegarty v J Murgatroyd, L Walsh v J Wellham, T Wood v W Crompton, K Firth v C Metcalfe, M Slater v R Hagerty, L Atkinson v G Green (holder), R Bakes v D Parker, P Rawlings v D Stirk. Byes: P Young, R Beckford, H Mawson, D Wilks, E Ratcliffe.

Pairs – Preliminary round (to be played by November 5): M Buchan & I Laycock v W Cooper & L Atkinson. First round (to be played by December 3): R Hagerty & R Beckford v Buchan/Laycock or Cooper/Atkinson (holders), D Parker & P Wood v R Harrison & D Crompton, A Stocks & G Elenor v W Crompton & D Gallagher, D Brown & L Boocock v C Davies & C Smith, C Holt & P Chapman v J & P Wellham, T McDonald & S Sandhu v G & S McCoy, S Phillips & M Ramsden v B & G Doyle, P Barlow & C Brook v R John & C Hegarty, P Young & S Moore v E Ratcliffe & C Richards, R Aspinall & M Wilkinson v K Firth & D Stirk, D & C Tolson v M Sharp & R Duffield, J Murgatroyd & M Slater v A Herdsman & A Ward, B Singh & H Rafiq v A Hodgson & J Halliday, H Mawson & C Metcalfe v R & T Wood, M Hall & P Gaunt v G & A Green; M Unsworth & A Briggs v C & J Buchan.

All details are in the process of being sent out and players are expected to arrange their matches at the earliest opportunity to avoid complications nearer to the deadline date.

* As reported last week, the YORKSHIRE SNOOKER HANDICAP on Sunday, October 23 has now been confirmed and full details will appear in next week’s column.