Bradford's one-day professional billiards tournament was such a success that it is already set to be repeated in 2004.

Organiser Brian Watson attracted three of the world's top four players - Peterborough's Mike Russell (No 1), Middlesbrough's David Causier (No 3) and Stockton's Chris Shutt (No 4) - to Great Horton Conservative Club.

The six-man round-robin tournament also included world No 12 Paul Bennett (Stockton), Bradford's world No 18 Mark Hirst and world No 25 Gary Rodgers from York.

"It was a super day and a super final and we will be running it again next year," said Watson.

His thoughts were backed up by 39-year-old Hirst, who added: "The final between David Causier and Mike Russell was of a very high quality.

"The match was played under professional rules, which means that the white ball has to cross the baulk line every 100 points, and that makes it much more difficult to build breaks. But David had two century breaks in his first three visits in the final (110 and 100) and Mike replied with a break of 122."

Causier won the one-hour final 361-270 to pocket the £150 first prize. Russell won £75 as runner-up, plus the £50 highest break prize for his 267 in defeating Causier 308-249 in their round-robin clash.

Shipley-based Inland Revenue officer Hirst was happy with his day, defeating Rogers 166-122 and Shutt 249-209, but losing 375-163 to Causier, 264-173 to Russell and 233-219 to Bennett. Bulls fan Hirst said: "I was pleased with how I played, especially in beating Shutt, who was the only one of the world's top five that I hadn't beaten. I had an average of over 20 in that match, but it was a little strange playing top-class billiards in my home city and at my home club.

"There was a reasonable crowd, but it might have been better were it not for a date clash with a junior tournament in the South of England. That possibly robbed us of some players and spectators."

Round-robin (matches of 50 minutes duration): Mark Hirst 166, Gary Rogers 122; Paul Bennett 217 (best break 60; average score 16.6), Mike Russell 308 (147; 23.7); David Causier 242 (64, 44; 10.0), Chris Shutt 252 (54; 10.5); Bennett 236 (13.1), Rogers 169 (8.9); Hirst 163 (71; 10.8), Causier 375 (72,91, 80; 25.0); Rogers 137 (9.1), Shutt 350 (53, 94, 72; 21.8); Causier 249 (78, 85 unfinished; 19.1), Russell 308 (267; 22.0); Bennett 312 (90; 20.8), Shutt 233 (153; 15.0); Hirst 173 (9.6), Russell 264 (67, 70; 13.9); Russell 232 (9.6), Rogers 163 (6.5); Bennett 244 (57, 54; 12.8), Causier 261 (89; 13.7); Rogers 218 (103; 14.5), Causier 349 (166; 23.2); Hirst 249 (67, 92 unfinished; 20.7), Shutt 209 (76, 73; 16.0); Hirst 219 (10.9), Benett 233 (79; 11.6); Russell 270 (122; 13.5), Shutt 280 (14.0). Final (one-hour match): Russell 270 (122, 18.5), Causier 361 (110,100; 24.0). Prize-money: Winner, Causier £150; runner-up, Russell £75. Best break prize: Russell £50 (for 267 v Causier in round-robin stage).