A BRACE of successive titles was the reward for comeback king Kevin Hopper.

He won the September event iin the York and District Snooker Association's monthly knockout handicap competition, sponsored by Heworth Minibuses at the Cueball Club, to follow on from the previous month's win.

Hopper this time toppled Tim Hart in the final rattling back from a seemingly unassailable deficit.

Hart started in electric form and quickly made the highest break of the night, a 39, to take a 52-0 lead.

But Hopper responded with good safety and steady potting to reduce the arrears to 22 points going on to the colours. Both players had chances to close out the frame but it was Hopper who potted the blue, pink and black in one visit to complete a remarkable comeback to win the match 57-52.

In the preliminary round breaks of 25 and 27 by Stuart Watson and Pete Musson respectively helped them to victories. A 24-break by John Dowd proved not to be enough as he lost out to Kevin Gregson.

Kevin's opponent in the first round was his younger brother Steve. After a close fought frame it was Steve who potted the final black to win 50-42. Mark Jackson won a high scoring frame against Watson and Hopper beat Daniel Calpin 63 points to 43.

The quarter finals saw fine potting and positional play from Hart to complete a 36-break on his way to a 64-38 victory over Gary Butcher. Musson made breaks of 21 and 24 to beat Steve Gregson.

All players who lost in the first round were entered into a free 'Plate' knockout. The final saw John Dowd take control over David Sanderson making a 22-break en route to a 62-32 win.

The monthly champions of the main competition between March 2001 and February 2002 will be invited by the Association to enter the second annual Champion of Champions tournament to be held next March.

Champions so far are: March: Phil Anderson; April: Adam Scaife; May: Tim Hart; June: Andy Crosby; July: Andy Crosby; August: Kevin Hopper; September: Kevin Hopper.

Only five places remain. The next handicap competition will be at the Cueball Club on Wednesday, October 31, 7.15pm start. Contact Pete Musson on (01904) 416087 to book an entry.

Updated: 12:00 Friday, October 05, 2001