Bradford billiards star Richard Lodge has successfully qualified for the last 16 of the English Grand Masters, which is to be held in the new year.

Lodge qualified from a strong field in the Yorkshire/Lancashire area section held at the Northern Snooker Centre at the weekend and is hopeful of progressing when the competition resumes.

There were mixed fortunes in the Yorkshire Inter District Leagues at the weekend.

In billiards, Lodge’s Bradford No 2 side continued their excellent form at West Bradford Bowling Club with yet another 7-0 whitewash. This time the unfortunate recipients were Harrogate.

Paul Devitt got the home side off to a great start, winning the opening game by a convincing 200-75 against Dale Wrigglesworth, after which Richard Bowes defeated Graham Husband 200-109.

Lodge brought up the rear and won by 200-140 over Tim Gadolphin to give the side maximum points and keep the pressure on league leaders Huddersfield No 1, who have yet to drop a frame.

In sharp contrast, Bradford No 1’s snooker side suffered a 6-0 hiding at Thornton Conservative club from an efficient and at times fortunate Sheffield No 1.

Alex McCann retained his place in the side and fell to young Sam Thistlethwaite, who made breaks of 43, 32 and 56.

Dave Stirk came into the side and faced an old foe in Mick Sanderson, who snatched the first frame on the pink and cleared the colours to win the second, aided with a 37 break – the Sheffield player having some outrageous fortune throughout.

Team regular Kevin Firth was also on the wrong end of some bad luck and David Birley took full advantage, making a break of 53 along the way.

Bradford No 2 hosted Leeds at Manningham Ward and also suffered a loss, 4-2.

Boover Singh opened the match with a 67-43 victory over Chris Hart, who then levelled, winning 84-29.

Gareth Green faced fellow England under-19 player Richard Binns and it was the Leeds player who put the away side 3-1 up, being victorious 66-25 and 73-45. The visitors final player, Liam Thewlis, then made a break of 70 to win 97-6 against Damian Wilks, before the Bradford player pulled a frame back by taking the final one of the night 75-4.

Second leg matches in the Moorhouse Shield take place on Thursday night, with Chapel Green Liberal Club hosting Eccleshill WMC and Undercliffe Cricket Club welcoming Queensbury Conservative Club A.

The next round is due to take place in the new year and details will appear in this column in due course.

The deadline for entries into the Yorkshire Snooker Championship is December 20. Anyone wishing to enter the event, with qualifiers on February 7 and 28, can obtain an entry form by contacting me on 07940-651850.