Right On Cue

Simon Bedford is assured of his place on snooker’s main tour next season, having retained his status through the newly-formed Q-SCHOOL competitions.

Having had a poor season by his own standards, the Bradford potter had slipped right down the rankings and was staring at a season back in the amateur game.

But with Barry Hearn’s new format replacing the previous Pro-Ticket competition, the Q-School provided a way to stay with the sport’s elite.

This format is played over three competitions, with semi-finalists from each event gaining their ticket for the professional game.

David Grace of Leeds gained his place by reaching the last four of event one. Bedford fell to Yorkshire’s Ian Glover in the second round – but in event two he found his top form and made the cut.

Bedford defeated Fraser Patrick 4-1 in his first match, followed by a 4-0 win over Mohammed Raoof, 4-3 against Stuart Carrington and 4-1 over young Sheffield star Joel Walker.

In the quarter-finals, Bedford faced Lee Walker and the match went the distance before a timely break of 27 earned his main tour place.

Bedford was obviously delighted and is looking forward to a better season, which starts in June with the first PTC Championships.

* Bradford’s Wayne Cooper takes on David Grace in the YORKSHIRE SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP final at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds tomorrow (7.30pm).

The presentation of trophies will take place after the event, including the Bradford No 1 team lifting the Yorkshire Inter-District League Division One title.

* Damian Wilks of Bradford made it to the quarter-finals of the PONTINS PRO-AMS Grand Finals in Prestatyn, having qualified among the top 32-ranked players from four previous events in the competition.

Wilks took on world No 67 and former English under-19s champion Liam Highfield in his first match and impressed with a 4-0 victory.

He then faced Yorkshire’s world No 71 Paul Davison, who had made the televised stages of the World Open before losing to Stephen Hendry. Again Wilks was in good form, winning 4-1 aided by breaks of 50 and 86.

Wilks then came up against another quality player in Craig Steadman from Manchester in the last eight.

At 1-1, Wilks had a good chance to clinch the next frame but missed a black down the cushion to hand a 2-1 lead to the former professional.

Steadman then stepped up a gear and breaks of 59, 60 and two 67s earned a 4-1 victory.

* The CONSERVATIVE LEAGUE presentation night takes place on Tuesday, June 21 at Owlett Hall Social Club. Tickets can be obtained from Derek Gamble at 272 Dudley Hill Road, Bradford, BD2 3DF. They cost £3.50 and include supper if bought in advance.