Right on Cue

Captain Kevin Firth excelled as Bradford No 1’s snooker players earned a 3-3 draw at Sheffield No 2 in a hastily rearranged YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE clash.

Neither side was able to play their intended opponents at the weekend, so Bradford and Sheffield got together to ensure this fixture went ahead instead.

Damian Wilks had to pull out unexpectedly so Jason Murgatroyd stepped in at the 11th hour to make his Bradford debut.

Murgatroyd gave a good account of himself but found highly-rated Dave Portman a tough opponent and lost both of his frames as the hosts made a good start.

The opener was close but, after Murgatroyd could have stolen it, Portman cleared the colours to edge a 65-40 win, before a break of 39 gave Sheffield a 2-0 lead.

Mark Slater, in good form in his previous match, continued in the same manner to comfortably win his first frame 62-25.

But opponent Andy Garner took the colours in their next to take it 63-34 and earn Sheffield an unassailable 3-1 advantage.

Firth brought up the rear and was outstanding against Mick Sanderson to secure a share of the points.

The Bradford skipper won his first frame 63-12, including a break of 38. Then further breaks of 44 and 41 in the final frame of the night clinched it 85-8 and gave his side a deserved draw against a strong home outfit.

* The date and venue for the BRADFORD BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP qualifiers have now been confirmed, with Cue Gardens hosting the event on Saturday, April 14.

Entry forms will be sent out to clubs and players over the coming weeks, with the deadline being Sunday, April 1.

The initial stage of the competition will be on a round-robin group basis and tournament organiser Stephen Kershaw is hopeful the format and new venue will encourage many players to enter and enjoy the experience that Cue Gardens has to offer.

It is expected that all players will be able to compete in three or four one-hour matches for the right to qualify for the last eight or last four, depending on the number of entries.

Further details will appear in this column over the coming weeks but if anyone wishes to find out more in the meantime they should contact Kershaw on 07815-014198.

* Return legs in the second round of the HEY’S TROPHY and first round of the E ROSSE HOPKINSON PLATE take place tonight. Matches are as follows:

Hey’s Trophy: Bradford Irish v Tong Libs A, Upper Bolton Cons B v Windhill Cons, East Ward v Little Horton Unity, Eccleshill WMC A v Harold Club A, Eccleshill Vic Cons B v Northcote Cons, Lilycroft v Laisterdyke WMC B, East Bowling Unity A v Undercliffe Cricket B, Undercliffe Cricket A v Queensbury Cons A.

Hopkinson Plate: Great Horton Cricket v Eccleshill Vic Cons A, Lifeline Leisure v Upper Bolton Cons A, Laisterdyke WMC A v East Bowling Unity B, Queensbury Cons B v Eccleshill WMC B, Harold Club B v Wibsey Libs A, Fairweather Green WMC v Birkenshaw Libs, Tong Libs B v Salthorn WMC, Wibsey Libs B v Great Horton Cons.