KEN Taylor, of Bootham, successfully defended his title in the last York Conservative clubs' Hunters Motor Spares Over-50s snooker competition when he defeated Colin Richardson, of Heworth, in the final played at Acomb club.

Richardson, with a handicap of plus seven, went 13-0 in front but when he failed to sink a colour Taylor, playing off scratch, took advantage to make a three-pink 21 break.

Taylor scored steadily but gave away ten points in fouls to lead 35-30. He took red, black, red and then played a sequence of snookers to increase his lead to 61-40.

Richardson sank the last red and laid snookers to gain eight points and trail by only 22 at 39-61 with the colours left.

Taylor took yellow but went in off green and then gained five points when Richardson fouled the blue. Richardson potted green and brown but left the blue over a pocket while trying for the necessary snooker as he trailed by nine points.

Taylor accepted the easy blue and followed with the pink to win the final 79-50 for his fifth success in the 13 years of the competition.

In the semi-finals Taylor, playing off scratch) beat 2000 champion Trevor Ventress, of Acomb, with a handicap of plus seven. Taylor steadily built his score with four blues and 12 points from fouls to lead 37-18.

Ventress fought back to trail 32-39 but after sinking the last red he failed with a straightforward pink which would have levelled the scores. He led 42-39 when he snookered Taylor twice and then took the yellow. Taylor picked off green and brown and then blue and pink to win 57-43.

In the second semi-final Richardson, with a handicap of plus seven, beat John Ashwell, of Acomb (plus 14 handicap).

Richardson built his score to 27 with two blues and a black. Ashwell potted the black but missed colours after two reds to lead 28-27. Richardson continued his positive approach to increase his lead to 49-29 when he potted the last red.

Ashwell gained the yellow and the brown after Richardson fluked the green but needed a snooker after Richardson added the blue. Richardson was left with an easy pink to win the frame 63-35 as Ashwell tried for a necessary snooker.

The match officials were Bob Ventress and Larry Atmore. The trophy and mementoes were presented by the sponsor Ken Hunter, who announced that this would be the last competition as the Hunters Motor Spares business has closed and he has retired.

Updated: 11:12 Friday, March 28, 2003