PAUL Stanton, making his debut in the competition, beat Paul Scorfield in the September final of York and District Snooker Association's Knockout Handicap Monthly Competition sponsored by Heworth Minibuses.

Stanton, who received a handicap of 21 points start, beat Scorfield (playing off scratch) 71-33 in the final at Cueball Snooker Club, James Street.

Scorfield reduced the deficit by ten before Stanton potted four reds and four pinks in one visit to the table to increase his lead. He also won the highest break prize from Scorfield, who had compiled a 25 break in an earlier round.

After missing a difficult blue ball in the middle pocket Scorfield conceded with all the colours remaining.

Pete Musson compiled three breaks of 22 in his preliminary round victory over Paul Brolly. In the last 16 there were competition debut wins for Justin Morris and Stanton, who went on to win their quarter-final matches along with Scorfield and Matthew Barr.

Scorfield beat Morris 61-23 in the first semi-final and Stanton beat Barr 63-14.

Kevin Hopper of INL WMC won the plate competition for players beaten in the first round of the main event. He beat Andy Ogley 73-62 on the last black of a final in which the lead changed hands several times.

The monthly champions of the main event between March this year and next February will be invited to enter York and District Snooker Association's first annual Champion of Champions tournament to be held next March.

The monthly champions so far are: March, Simon Barrass; April, Paul Roberts; May, Pete Musson; June, Phil Anderson; July, John Dowd; August, Peter Lawson; September, Paul Stanton.

There are only five places left and the next handicap competition will be held at the Cueball Club on Wednesday, October 25, starting at 7.15pm. Contact Gary Penrose on York (01904) 415181 as soon as possible to book an entry.