KEVIN Hopper potted a snooker double within four day by winning the Champion of Champions snooker handicap knockout tournament at the Cueball Club and then winning the March monthly competition at the same venue.

He came from behind to beat Tim Hart 2-1 in the final of the Champion of Champions tournament for winners of the past year's monthly competitions sponsored by Heworth Mini-buses.

Both finalists were playing off a minus seven handicap and Hart, despite suffering from a stomach bug, began in fast style. He notched breaks of 29 and 23 to take control of the first frame. Hopper responded with a 22 break but Hart cleared up to win 72-49.

Hopper was 21 behind in the second frame with the colours from brown remaining. He knocked in the brown and finished perfectly on blue, which he potted and followed with the pink. The cue ball finished too close to the black for him to pot it so he played it safe and Hart went in-off when attempting a tricky shot, which saw Hopper take the frame 63-56 to level the match.

Struggling badly in the final frame because of his illness, Hart was unable compete properly and Hopper took the match 74-40.

Eight players took part in the tournament. The highest breaks were two of 50, by Hart in his first round win over Jordan Worobec, and by Hopper in his semi-final win over 13-year-old Steve Gregson.

England Universities snooker team player Andy Marshall, one of the monthly competition winners in the past year, was unable to take part because he had other commitments.

Hopper, who has started giving snooker coaching lessons at the Cueball Club, maintained his winning form in midweek to beat Gregson 2-0 in the March monthly handicap competition final over the best of three frames.

He knocked in a 52 break in the first frame and 41 in the second. Hopper was playing off minus seven and young Gregson plus seven.

The teenager's safety play and shot selection were excellent and he led 32-20 in the opening frame. Hopper took a chance on a long red and manufactured an inspired 52 break and went on to win 80-32.

Gregson led 57-20 in the second frame but Hopper responded with a 41 break which ended when he missed a simple pink. Gregson tried a thin cut on the pink but left it over the pocket for Hopper to pot and win the event.

Because players who usually take part in the competition had other commitments and the five university players were unavailable there were only five competitors for the monthly event. They played each other, with Hopper and Gregson each winning three frames, Mark Jackson and Kevin Gall two and James Hirst none.

In the round-robin matches Gregson made a 46 break against Hopper, who made a 62 break against Gall. His bid for a possible 113 break at that visit to the table ended when he went in-off trying a difficult middle pocket cut on red.

Hopper came from 21 behind to beat 13-year-old Jackson with a 43 clearance with the last three reds and all the colours.

The next monthly competition will be at the Cueball Club on Wednesday, April 30.

A special tournament is to be played at the Cueball Club on Saturday, April 3, in aid of the Joshua Scarlett-Abott ECMO Ambulance Appeal, which is trying to raise £75,000 for a paediatric ambulance.

The proceeds from the competition will go to the appeal. Entry costs £10 and matches will be best of three frames. Play will start at 6pm. There will be prize money.

To enter, contact Gary Penrose at the Cueball Club on York (01904) 415181.

Updated: 09:01 Friday, March 28, 2003