NEIL Wood (Heworth) won the York Conservative Clubs' Fosters Challenge handicapped snooker knockout for the second time when he defeated the defending champion, Clive Whyte in the final.

Wood (0 handicap) kept the game tight and made the most of the openings left by Whyte (+14), who was unable to get going. Wood made breaks of 20, 32 and 19 to win the first frame 79-38.

There was a similar pattern in the second frame with Wood securing the frame with breaks of 27 and 59 and the frame scores 90-15.

The third frame was more-or-less a repeat with Wood making breaks of 12, 50 and 30 against a 14 by Whyte to win the frame 92-31 and the match 3-0.

The match referee was Bob Ventress and the trophy and mementoes were presented by Colin Robinson, chairman of the York Faber Shield on behalf of sponsors John Smith's.

Heworth 'A' suffered a shock 4-3 defeat at Acomb 'A' in York Conservative clubs' Carlsberg UK Snooker League.

It is the first time since 1997-98 that they have lost more than one game in a season.

Their first defeat this season was 4-3 by their 'B' team in the opening match.

Neil Wood and Clive Whyte put Heworth 2-0 up, but Gary Robinson (39 break), Richard Harris and Ian Gillies moved Acomb ahead.

Steve Burdett levelled the match and then Hodgson defeated Kevin Gall in the final frame to give Acomb 'A' a surprise victory.

Despite the defeat, Heworth have won their tenth consecutive championship, being 13 points ahead with one match remaining.

Fulford 'A' held on to second spot despite losing 4-3 to Bootham 'A'. Alan Reed required the last pink and black to win the first game for Fulford, but Mark Darley, Ken Taylor and Nick Parker put Bootham in front.

Simon England and Jeff Brown levelled the match, but Barry Rankin continued his unbeaten run to give Bootham success.

Bottom-placed Acomb 'B' recorded only their third win of the season by defeating Heworth 'B', who have won only one match out of the last seven. Ken Bowser, Steve Rodgers, John Ashell and Jeff Keen won for Acomb, with replies by Dave Birch, Huw Faircliffe and Keith Watkinson.

Bootham 'B' struggled to only their fourth win of the season, 4-3 against Fulford 'B'. Nigel Smith levelled the match at 3-3 after earlier successes by John Adcock and George Toone. Ian Robinson, Lol Barnes and Paul Mahoney (38 break) had won for Bootham 'B' and then George Long took the decisive last frame for Bootham.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, March 31, 2005