ROBERT HITCHEN (right) booked a place in Blackpool’s Champion of Champions showdown after making a successful defence of his Renew Windows Masters title at Spen Victoria.
More than 200 spectators enjoyed some excellent bowling by all the players but it was Hitchen who won with a 21-16 victory against Richard Howson, of Sheffield, in the final.
The presentation of prizemoney was made by club president John Dewhirst and by tournament organiser David Arnold.
First round: Richard Howson (Sheffield) 21 Chris Mordue (Brighouse) 20, Bryan Harrison (Bradford) 19 Dean Ferris (Stoke) 21, Alan Thompson (Mirfield) 21 Matt Beever (Sheffield) 10, Graham Roberts (Brighouse) 21 Steve Powell (Brighouse) 14, Paul Sigsworth (Huddersfield) 21 Andrew Sykes (Mirfield) 12, Kevan Shaw (Bolton) 21 Graham Hickey (Halifax) 14, Tommy Johnstone (Warrington) 17 Robert Hitchen (Halifax) 21, Mark Ferris (Stoke) 21 Philip Holroyd (Sowerby Bridge) 18.
Quarter-finals: Howson 21 D Ferris 19, Thompson 20 Roberts 21, Sigsworth 21 Shaw 9, Hitchen 21 M Ferris 12.
Semi-finals: Howson 21 Roberts 9, Sigsworth 19 Hitchen 21.
Final: Howson 16 Hitchen 21.
Darren Plenderleith (Tamworth) and Roger Crowther (Huddersfield) were the latest qualifiers in the £5,000 Brighouse Classic, sponsored by Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants.
The finals night takes place this Saturday and a high quality field will battle for the £1,000 first prize.
Among the favourites will be Oldham’s Graeme Wilson and Andy Cairns (Rossendale) while Yorkshire stars Robert Hitchen, Nicky White and Gary Smith will also be trying to land the first prize.
It all starts at 5.30 and hot and cold food will be available and a new scorebox will be in operation.
Saturday’s final (start 5.30): Bryan Jenkins (Mirfield) v Graeme Wilson (Oldham), Paul Dudley (Radcliffe) v Andy Mitchell (Spen Victoria), Andy Cairns (Rossendale) v Dave Jackson (Macclesfield), Roger Crowther (Huddersfield) v Richard Brook (Mirfield), Robert Thompson (Sheffield) v Darren Plenderleith (Tamworth), Matt Kelly-Walley (Derby) v Robert Hitchen (Halifax), Bernard Megson (Halifax) v James Hanson (Pudsey), Gary Smith (Leeds) v Nicky White (Thongsbridge).
