Right on Cue

Bradford youngster Gareth Green is through to the semi-finals of the YORKSHIRE SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Green logged an impressive 4-0 victory over 2008 English and European champion David Grace on his own table at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

Grace, who was on last season’s main tour, never really got going, mainly because Green punished every mistake and was consistent throughout the match in both his break building and safety.

Green edged the first frame on the black after Grace surrendered a chance to go one up, missing a straightforward pink, and then made a 44 break to go 2-0 in front.

In the third frame, Grace was in control until potting the yellow followed by the white, after which Green held his nerve well and cleared the colours. The match was then secured with a break of 63.

Green now takes on another Leeds player, Scott Raper, who defeated Manningham Ward clubmate Damian Wilks 4-0.

The third remaining Bradford player in the quarter-finals was Kevin Firth, who took on Gyles Behbood of Harrogate.

Firth twice pulled frames back with breaks over 40 but eventually fell 4-2, Behbood clinching the match with a break of 77.

Bradford No 2 gave themselves a great chance of avoiding relegation in the YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE after beating Sheffield No 1 4-2 at Manningham Ward.

Wilks made an 82 clearance and Green contributed a break of 69 as the hosts won the first four frames, before captain Hanif Rafiq dropped both his to give Sheffield some respectability.

Bradford No 1 hosted Castleford No 2 at Undercliffe Cricket Club and gained another draw, with all three players sharing their frames.

Wayne Cooper made a 54 break in winning the first, Mick Hodgson pulling level, followed by a 53 break by Daz Browning, after which Firth levelled with a 39.

Two scrappy frames concluded the contest, with Castleford’s Pete Raby putting the visitors 3-2 in front before Dave Stirk picked off the final frame.

Bradford No 2 travel to Castleford No 2 on Sunday in the final match of the season for a relegation decider, with Bradford on 28 points and Castleford 27.

Also on Sunday at Undercliffe Cricket Club (7.30) is the title decider for Division Two, with Harrogate taking on Wakefield No 2 after the sides finished level during the regular season.

John Wellham of Girlington Cons Club is the latest player through to the last four of the BRADFORD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIPS after beating Great Horton Cons opponent Jason Murgatroyd 4-1.

In the pairs, Green and Wilks (Manningham Ward) beat Howard Mawson and Chris Metcalfe(Q Tips) 3-0, Firth and Stirk (UCC) overcame Richard Duffield and Mick Sharp (Cullingworth Cons) 3-1, Boover Singh and Hanif Rafiq (Manningham Ward) saw off Dave and Chris Tolson (Cue Gardens) 3-2, while Alex McCann and Tom Bell (Wibsey Libs) defeated Nigel and Adam Tipper (Bradford Moor Cons) 3-1.

The semi-final draws were not available at the time of going to press but tournament director Richard Hagerty will be contacting all players for convenient dates.