GEORGE Tingle, at 72, has become possibly the oldest winner of York Conservative Clubs' Hylton-Foster Billiards Cup.

Tingle, who plays for Bootham Conservative Club, beat Acomb club's John Ashwell 165-161 in the final of the Hair Flicks sponsored competition, played at the Bootham club.

A retired former Rowntree employee, Tingle hails from near Barnsley and came to live and work in York in 1961. This is his first individual trophy, though he was played in Bootham club teams which have won trophies.

Ashwell, with a handicap of +65, went 85-44 in front in the final before Tingle (handicap +35) got into the game. He gradually reduced the arrears and took the lead 124-117 with a 25 break. Ashwell regained the lead at 153-130 and then Tingle scored 12 to trail 153-142.

The Acomb player had a chance to win but scored only five and Tingle made a 15 break to be only one behind at 158-157. He should have finished the match but missed an in-off when the balls double kissed. Ashwell scored three but let in Tingle again and he scored seven but missed a match-winning cannon.

It looked all over as Ashwell, needing four points, was left with a simple straight red off its spot but nerves took over and he rattled the red and it ran along the cushion to stop over the corner pocket, leaving Tingle with a tap-in to win the trophy.

In the semi-finals Tingle (+35) beat defending champion Tim Fillingham (+50) 165-117, while Ashwell (+65) beat Ken Taylor (-80) 165-122.

A 23 break against his Bootham club colleague gave Tingle the lead at 88-86. The scores were level at 99-99 but Tingle went steadily ahead and ran out with a 21 unfinished break.

In the quarter-finals Tingle knocked out 2001 champion Richard Stroughair (Fulford) by one point.

Taylor scored the highest break of the night, 26, in his semi-final against Ashwell.

The match officials were Bob Ventress and Colin Robinson, chairman of York Faber Shield. The trophy and mementoes were presented by the sponsor, David Appleby, of Hair Flicks.

Updated: 11:44 Thursday, April 10, 2003