WORLD-class billiards comes to Bradford this weekend as Cue Gardens stages the English-Billiards Open Series (EBOS) Bradford Open.

Included in the line-up of 34 for the Level-One ranking tournament is last year's world champion and world No 1 Peter Gilchrist, as well three other members of the top ten – David Causier (2), Robert Hall (3) and Phil Mumford (7).

Local interest is provided by Mark Hirst (world No 38), Stephen Kershaw (47), Jason Devanney (114) and Brian Watson (238).

Play starts on Saturday (10.15am), with other must-see sessions for local billiards fans at 11.30am, 12.45pm, 2pm, 3.15pm, 4.30pm, 5.45pm and 7pm.

Sunday timings at the club on Stadium Road, Odsal are at 10.30am, noon (last 16), 2pm (quarter-finals), 4pm (semi-finals) and 6pm (final).

* Bradford snooker champion John Wellham is on course for a unique double as he is also through to the semi-finals of the inaugural Bradford Snooker Handicap.

The Allerton Conservative Club member, playing off minus 25, had a hard-fought quarter-final victory over Chris Smith (12) at Tong Liberal Club, winning 3-2.

Wellham will now face Undercliffe Cricket Club's Sonny Sandhu (13), who won 3-1 against Martin Glen (15) at Laisterdyke WMC.

Another Undercliffe player, Adam Tipper (5), beat four-time Bradford champion Gareth Green (Harold Club, -47) 3-1, while Shipley Cons' Adam Crossan (15) defeated 2004 Bradford champion Howard Mawson (Eccleshill Vic Cons, -25) by the same score.

The semi-final line up is Tipper v Crossan and Sandhu v Wellham, with both matches being played on Saturday, December 13 at Eccleshill Victoria Conservative Club (7.30pm).

The final will be the following Saturday at the same venue.

* In the Yorkshire Inter-District League, only Bradford No 1 are in action this weekend.

The defending champions and league leaders host second-placed Huddersfield at Undercliffe Cricket Club on Sunday (7.30pm).

* The second round of the Hey's Trophy starts next Thursday, with the second legs taking place the following week (December 18). Details have been sent out by Eddie Ratcliffe (07790-379832).