Snooker: Tim Lister goes to the wire to retain title (From York Press)

Snooker: Tim Lister goes to the wire to retain title

10:16am Thursday 5th April 2012 in Snooker

FULFORD’S Tim Lister was taken to a fifth frame decider before he became the first player to successfully defend his title in the 11 years of the York Conservative Clubs’ Fosters Challenge Handicap Snooker Knockout.

He defeated Acomb’s Phil Carlton 3-2 in the final at Bootham Club.

With the scores 61-24 Carlton benefited from a snooker, took the last red and cleared to black to win the frame 88-24.

In the second frame, Carlton went 48-20 ahead but Lister countered to trail by 54-50. Carlton potted green and brown but let in Lister to clear the last three colours to win the frame 68-61 and level.

Despite going in-off with the break, Carlton quickly went 51-20 ahead in the third frame.

Lister made a 32 break to stay in touch, but later, after potting blue and pink, he failed on black which Carlton cut to middle pocket to win the frame 77-67 and go 2-1 up.

Lister took control of the fourth frame leaving his opponent vainly striving for snookers. With the score 71-36, Carlton conceded.

The defending champion was even more dominant in the deciding frame, making breaks of 15, 24 and 15 to lead 70-40 with only the colours remaining.

A series of nine snookers and fouls followed and, after the last foul, Carlton conceded for Lister to take the frame 92-59 and hang on to his crown.