Bob Smith pockets a third Over-50s Snooker Knockout title (From York Press)

Bob Smith pockets a third Over-50s Snooker Knockout title

10:36am Saturday 11th February 2012 in Sport By Colin Robinson

Fulford’S Bob Smith beat club-mate Geoff Robinson to claim his third York Conservative Clubs’ Brian Jeffrey Memorial Over-50s Snooker Knockout crown.

Smith (+16 handicap), who previously won in 2007 and 2009, quickly wiped out the deficit and then matched 1998 winner Robinson (+28) until he trailed by only one point.

He then steadily moved ahead to lead 68-42 and, when he potted the Brown, Robinson conceded the match, but took the highest break award.

In the semi-finals, Smith (0) totally outclassed Acomb’s Alan Palphramand (+5) and went 47-17 ahead. He took the final red and black, then yellow and green, and his opponent conceded at 60-17.

Robinson (+28) reached the final with a 60-42 victory over Acomb’s Trevor Ventress (+15), the winner in 2000.

Meanwhile, Heworth opened up a five-point lead in the Slater Cup Snooker Team Pairs League by defeating closest challengers Fulford 5-2.

A close match featured some high scoring and three black-ball frames.

Heworth’s J McCready and K Batty started with a black-ball win before N Hodgson and J Faircliffe made it 2-0 with an 83-26 scoreline.

P Dunmore and C Simpson clawed one back with a black-ball success, but P Hodgson and J Bedford restored the lead with a 76-12 win.

Heworth’s luck continued as M Robinson and F Mallinson made it 4-1, also on the black, and although Heworth secured the aggregate, Fulford won the last point.

Bottom club Acomb halted Bootham’s hopes of challenging for the title with a 6-1 triumph.

They went 4-0 up before P Jackson and A Whinn gained Bootham’s sole point.

A Haithewaite and S Bowker made sure Acomb had a resounding victory – only their second win in nine matches.