RICHARD JACKSON of Thongsbridge won the prestigious John Smith’s Classic at Cleckheaton Sports Club.
Rated a 16/1 shot at the outset, Jackson had a titanic battle to get past Huddersfield Merit winner Jack Dyson (Netherton Con) 21-20 in the first round but then showed consistent form all the way through.
He won to 11 and 12 in the next two rounds and then defeated Ashley Daykin (Netherton Con) 21-19 in the showpiece.
Daykin also had a 21-20 win in his first-round match.
First round – Michael Robinson (Liversedge) 18 Peter Clarke (Crossroads 21, Chris Hill (Sheffield) 17 Andrew Spragg (Chesterfield) 21, Simon Coupe (Preston) 9 Noel Burrows (Hazel Grove) 21, Richard Jackson (Thongsbridge) 21 Jack Dyson (Netherton Con) 20, Glyn Cookson (Winsford) 20 Ashley Daykin (Netherton Con) 21, Alan Thompson (Mirfield) 21 Andy Buckley (Oldham) 20, Paul Sigsworth (Netherton Con) 21 David Scott (Silsden) 5, Alan Hill (Atherton) 17 (Darren Griffiths (Oldham) 21.
Quarter-finals – Clarke 21 Spragg 19, Burrows 11 Jackson 21, Daykin 21 Thompson 14, Sigsworth 21 Griffiths 10.
Semi-finals – Clarke 12 Jackson 21, Daykin 21 Sigsworth 16.
Final – Jackson 21 Daykin 19.
