Paul Clark retained the York Conservative Clubs' Hylton Foster Individual Billiards championship when he came from behind in an exciting finish to overcome his Acomb team captain Trevor Ventress 165-161 in the final at Fulford Conservative Club.

Both players started slowly and were unable to string together more than three or four shots, but Clark (receive 40) scored more regularly and overcame the handicap difference to level at 87.

He went ahead 118-107 before Ventress (receive 65) got into a rhythm starting with a 22 break to recover the lead at 129-118.

Ventress, who won this competition in 1998 and recently secured the Hunters Motor Spares Over-50s Snooker Trophy, continued to maintain a double figure lead until the scores reached 158-144.

He then scored three points, but missed his next shot when only requiring a further four points.

Clark took advantage of the miss to construct a winning 21 break by potting seven consecutive reds to steal the match by 165-161.

In the semi-finals Clark (+40) defeated Bootham club's Peter Mills (-5) by 165-135.

Mills, who was champion in 1993 and 1994, started off briskly making a 20 break on his first visit and scored 54 points to Clark's two and this wiped off the handicaps for him to lead 49-42.

The players matched each other for a while and the match was level at 74 each.

Clark then took control and scored 73 points, while Mills could only make 21 for Clark to lead 147-95. Mills fought back with a 22 break and a further 18 points but Clark was not to be denied and won the match 165-135.

In the other semi-final Ventress (+65) beat Ken Taylor (Bootham) (-45) by 165-110.

Taylor scored 50 points in the early stages against Ventress' 14 which wiped off his negative handicap but Ventress then reversed the scoring by scoring 41 points to Taylor's 17 to lead 120-22.

Taylor replied with a 21 break and a series of breaks in double figures, while Ventress made single shot scores but it was enough for him to win the match 165-110.

Match officials were Brian Bickerstaffe, Roger Gibson, Colin Neal and Bob Ventress. Trophies were presented by Les Coaman, President of Fulford Conservative Club.

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