CLIVE Whyte became the first Heworth player to win the York Conservative Clubs' Les Hawkins Memorial Snooker Trophy when he defeated Gary Robinson (Acomb) in the ninth annual final at Bootham Conservative Club.

Whyte potted the first two reds then missed an easy black off its spot to let in Robinson, who sunk a red and also missed an easy blue before leaving an opening when he tried a long blue.

Whyte went 17-2 in front as he scored 15. Robinson added a red but went in off the pink and this was to be his last score as Whyte took advantage.

Whyte made breaks of 12, 16 and 18, which included the yellow of the colours, and Robinson conceded with the scores 70-3.

Whyte had won the competition at last after three previous final defeats.

In the first semi-final, Whyte went 14-0 in front of Richard Stroughair (Fulford), who came back with red and blue only for Whyte to do the same.

Both players made mistakes in a cagey game as the scores advanced for Whyte to lead 25-14.

Stroughair went ahead 28-25 with the help of six points from a snooker only for Whyte to level.

Whyte then went 10 points ahead with red, black and two more reds and gained four points from a foul before potting the last red to lead 43-28.

After some safety play, Stroughair earned four points from a snooker but Whyte came back with yellow and green and picked off brown and blue for Stroughair to concede with the scores 57-32.

In the second semi-final Gary Robinson went 12-0 in front of Colin Robinson (Bootham) with some thunderous potting.

Colin gained seven points from a snooker when Gary hit the back and scored six when he played blue in off a red to take the lead 14-12. Gary replied with red, blue then added red, yellow, red, brown, all with firm shots to regain the lead 27-14.

Gary went in off black and Colin fought back with a long red and scored 11 points to go ahead again 33-29, then gained four points from a snooker. Gary continued his strong attacking style to take the last red with a green then yellow, doubled green and brown and cracked in the blue to lead 47-37.

After some safety play Colin had a chance on the pink but failed while playing position on the black.

Despite the pink looking safe on the cushion, Gary slid it into the yellow pocket to win 53-37.

The match officials were Bob and Trevor Ventress. Trophies were presented by Peter Walker, games secretary of Bootham Conservative Club.

Updated: 11:35 Friday, November 07, 2003