APTLY-NAMED rugby league star turned ace cueman Dan Potter won the York Conservative Clubs' Hylton Fosters Billiards Trophy after beating Richard Lillie in the final.

Lillie began the all-Acomb final with a 35 handicap advantage, and after double baulking his opponent frequently in the early stages, stopping Potter getting into any sort of rhythm, he moved the score onto 85-16 with the help of a 25 break.

Potter, though, fought back into contention with breaks of 22 and 26 to leave him needing 44 for victory, with Lillie needing 21.

Potter, the former York City Knights and Widnes Vikings rugby star, then made a well-controlled break of 43 to leave him needing any score to win the match, which he achieved at his next visit to the table.

Both the final and semi-finals were held at Fulford Club on the same night.

Potter saw off Ken Taylor, also from Acomb, 165-89 in the semis.

He dominated the frame and made breaks of 19, 21, 23 and 25, with Taylor unable to make a break over 16.

Lillie beat Heworth's Gary Rogers in the other tie, aided by a massive handicap advantage of 220.

Rogers started with a 28 break soon followed by a 37, but Lillie played steadily and, with some good safety play, restricted Rogers to small breaks thereafter.

With Lillie needing 41 for victory and Rogers 150, the latter hit breaks of 37 and 40 to give himself a chance, but a 19 from Lillie and good double baulk play saw him home by 40 points.

The referees on finals night were Tim Fillingham and Alan Reed, and the trophy and awards were presented by Dave Appleby for sponsors Hair Flick.