Heworth 'A' confirmed their status as champions for the eighth year in a row with a 6-1 defeat of Bootham 'B' in the final match in York Conservative clubs' Carlsberg-Tetley Snooker League.

Steve Burdett, Kevin Gall (26 break), Keith Lawrence, Jason Milner, Clive Whyte and Neil Wood won for Heworth and Chris Grainger replied for Bootham 'B'.

Despite the defeat the one point gained by Bootham 'B' ensures that they retain the John Smith's 'B' Teams' Cup.

Bootham 'A' went came back from losing the first three frames to beat Heworth 'B' 4-3 and gain second place in the table. Colin Richardson, Chris Thompson and Brian Birch put Heworth 'B' 3-0 up and then Mark Darley, Barry Rankin (28 break), Brian Coulson and Ken Taylor reeled off the last four frames for Bootham 'A'.

Wayne Pulleston and Richard Stroughair (24 break) set third-placed Fulford 'A' on the way to a 4-3 win against Acomb 'A'. John Ashwell and Jeff Keen won the next two frames for Acomb to level the match. Phil Oliver and Peter Stroughair won the next two frames for Fulford and Steve Rodgers took the last one for Acomb.

Acomb 'A' suffered the consequences of fielding three substitutes by losing 4-3 to Fulford 'B', who were pipped by a point for the 'B' team prize. J Adcock, Arthur Pegden, Bob Smith and George Toone won for Fulford. Paul Frampton, Keith Myers and Bob Ventress replied for Acomb.

The Willsden Steel Player of the Year competition has finished with four players equal in first place, having won 12 games from 14 played.

They are Clive Whyte (Heworth), who shared the title in 1996 and 2002; Ken Taylor (Bootham), who won in 2000; Brian Coulson (Bootham) who won in 1993 and shared in 1995; and Richard Stroughair (Fulford), who has also tied for the Cameo Engraving Player of the Year billiards competition.

This is the first time in the three years of the latter competition that a player has been a winner in both competitions in the same season.

Jason Milner (Heworth) moved into second place in the North Wolds Printers' Highest Break competition with a 59-break in the Team Cup semi-final, but Whyte still leads with his 60-unfinished break.

Neil Wood's 81 and 72 breaks in the Scruton Cup competition are ineligible as the highest break competition includes only single frame matches (ie league and team cup matches).

Heworth, aiming for their sixth league and cup double, will play Bootham 'A' in York Conservative clubs' Team Snooker Knockout final at Acomb club on Wednesday, April 16 immediately following the presentation of annual trophies and awards (7.30pm).

Heworth scored a 6-1 win in their semi-final against Acomb 'B', while Bootham 'A' sneaked into the final with a last black ball win in the seventh frame against Fulford 'A'.

Brian Coulson put Bootham in front only for John Anderson to level the match after a rare mistake by Ken Taylor.

The match was level at 2-2 after Mark Darley and Simon England both won. Richard Stroughair (18, 27 breaks) came back to defeat Barry Rankin (20 break), but Peter Mills levelled for Bootham.

Colin Robinson needed the last five colours to overcome Peter Stroughair to win the match 4-3 for Bootham.

York Conservative Clubs' Willsden Steel Snooker Player of Year final placings: B Coulson (B) played 14, won 12; R Stroughair (F) 14,12; K Taylor (B) 14,12; C Whyte (H) 14,12; K Lawrence (H) 13,11; J Milner (H) 12,10; K Gall (H) 13,10; G Long (B) 13,10; C Robinson (B) 14,10; R Burdett (H) 12,9; S England (F) 13,9; M Darley (B) 14,9; R A Smith (F) 14,9; N Wood (H) 8,8; S Burdett (H) 11,8; J Darley (B) 14,8, B Rankin (B) 14,8; G Toone (F) 14,8.

York Conservative Clubs' North Wolds Printers' Highest Snooker Break Competition leading performances: C Whyte (H) - 60 unfinished,48,40,33,32; J Milner (H) 59,30; P Mills (B) 47; R Burdett (H) 46; J Darley (B) 44; B Rankin (B) 41,36,33; M Darley (B) 38; N Wood (H) 38 (x2) 34,32; R Stroughair (F) 36.

Updated: 10:09 Thursday, April 10, 2003