BOOTHAM'S Barry Rankin will hope to roll back the years and defeat champion Neil Wood in York Conservative Club's Tayrol Scruton Snooker Cup.

Heworth ace Wood has won the competition for the last three years and six times in all but will be put to the test in the semi-final by Rankin, who won the event in 1993 and 1994.

The other semi-final is an all-Heworth affair between Kevin Gall and Jason Milner.

Rankin has also reached the last four of the Fosters Challenge Trophy and will play Chris Thompson (Heworth) for a place in the final against either Tim Fillingham or Lionel Barnes, who both play for Bootham.

Barnes has already beaten Tony Tennyson, who had knocked out defending champion Wood - despite Wood notching an 87 break - Colin Robinson and Wayne Hartley.

Rankin has already eliminated Clive Whyte, Kevin Gall and Roger Gibson.

Two previous finalists, Colin Richardson (Heworth) and Alan Reed (Fulford), will meet in the semi-finals of the Brian Jeffrey Memorial Trophy.

The competition, for players over 50, has been re-named in memory of sponsor Brian Jeffrey, who died last year. It was previously known as the Hunter's Motors Spares knockout trophy.

Richardson won it in 2003 and Reed the following year. First-time entrant Jeff Brown (Fulford) faces Larry Atmore in the other semi-final.

Heworth 'A' look to be on their way to a sixth league and cup double.

The league title is almost in the bag with five games to play but players are handicapped for the first time in the Kutters and Shannons Team Snooker Knockout competition.

They whitewashed Bootham 'B' to set up a semi-final meeting with Fulford 'A' team who had edged out Bootham 'A' 4-3.

Acomb 'A' team, who defeated their 'B' team 5-2, will meet Heworth 'B', who put out Fulford 'B' 4-3.

There is a possibility of an all-Acomb final in the Hair Flicks Hylton Foster Billiards Knockout competition.

Trevor Ventress, the 1988 winner, meets Tim Willingham the 2002 champion with Ventress' Acomb clubmate taking on champion Richard Stroughair in the other semi-final.

Updated: 10:12 Thursday, February 09, 2006