CLIVE Whyte (Heworth) cruised into the final of the York Conservative Clubs' Scruton Cup Individual Snooker KO with a 2-0 success against Brian Coulson (Bootham).

Whyte, who won the title in 1995 and 1997, made a 31 break in the first frame and a 21 break in the second to overcome Coulson, who was champion in 1992.

Whyte will meet his team colleague Jason Milner in the final. Milner, who was player of the year in 1998 and 1999, also won 2-0 against Bob Smith (Fulford) in the other semi-final.

He had reached the semi-final by defeating Neil Wood (Heworth), who has held the title for the past three years.

The final will be at Heworth Club on Wednesday, April 10 at 7.30pm.

Brian Coulson (Bootham) made a 35 break in the first frame while defeating Roger Gibson (Fulford) 2-0 in the semi-final of the York Conservative Clubs' Foster's Challenge Trophy.

Coulson will meet Neil Wood (Heworth) in the final. Wood defeated Ken Taylor (Bootham) in the other semi-final.

Wood made a 36 break while winning the first frame but Taylor levelled the match by taking a close second frame.

In the third frame Wood had an early 37 break and followed it with a 36 for a 2-1 victory.

The final will be at Fulford Club on Monday, April 8 at 7.30pm.

Ken Taylor (Bootham) gained his fourth York Conservative Clubs' Hunter's Motor Spares Over 50s title when he defeated Peter Webster (Heworth) in the final at Acomb club.

Webster was the inaugural winner in 1991 and Taylor had previously won in 1996, 1997 and 1999.

Taylor, playing off scratch handicap, was quickly into his stride with red, black and then two reds with blacks to wipe out Webster's 21 start and lead 25-21.

The lead alternated until Taylor led 40-39 due to Webster only being successful on two colours from six reds against three reds and two colours by Taylor.

Taylor conceded four points when he missed a red while playing a thin clip but came back instantly with red and pink to remain in front 47-43 with only one red remaining.

A bout of safety play worked in Taylor's favour with his lead increasing to 59-43 from fouls by Webster plus the final red.

Taylor potted yellow and gained a further 12 points from snookers before sinking the green to increase his lead to 76-47.

Webster was forced to pot the brown which Taylor left over a pocket and conceded when Taylor sunk the blue to win 81-51.

In the semi-finals, Taylor defeated Trevor Ventress (Acomb), the 2000 champion, 55-35.

Taylor went 22-6 up but Ventress, also off scratch, replied to trail 26-27. Taylor increased his lead to 37-26 helped by two fouls by Ventress, only for Ventress to respond again and reduce the margin to two points at 37-35.

Ventress then made a mistake and Taylor cleared green, brown and blue and then the pink to win 55-35.

In the second semi-final, Keith Watkinson (Heworth) (+7) potted the first balls but Webster replied positively to lead 49-16.

Watkinson reduced the lead to 50-30 but Webster took the final red with a blue and fluked the yellow off four cushions which left an easy green to go ahead 61-30.

He picked off brown and blue and Watkinson conceded after potting the pink with the scores 71-36.

Match officials were Ian Gillies and Bob Ventress and mementoes and the Hunter's Shield were presented by the sponsor, Ken Hunter, of Hunter's Motor Spares.

Updated: 11:43 Monday, April 01, 2002