The format of the Yorkshire Championship was changed this year in that the earlier rounds were played on a one-day basis down to the semi-finals and the draw was open, with no seeding. Steve Crosland and Richard Lodge were the two players most fancied to win the title with Tony Clegg from Huddersfield and Bob Patterson from Leeds seen as the most dangerous outsiders. As fate would have it Crosland and Lodge were paired in the first round with Lodge triumphing over a 90 minute timed game.
From the 16 entries, the four semi-finalists were Richard Lodge vs. Paul Aldcroft, and Tony Clegg vs. Bob Patterson. This was Aldcroft's first attempt at the Championship and although favoured by the draw, he still did very well to reach this stage.
The semi-finals reverted to the customary 600 up and the Lodge v Aldcroft match turned out to be a one-sided affair with the England International having far too much knowledge and skill for the newcomer. Lodge's margin of victory was almost 400 points.
The other semi was much closer with the lead changing hands several times. Clegg seemed to have the game won but Patterson is a very good competitor and took his chance with grit and determination when let off the hook, winning 600-545.
The experienced Lodge was the favourite in the final but most pundits gave Patterson a good outside chance. As it turned out Lodge scored consistently from a succession of good openings and Patterson struggled to get going with his customary deadly potting even letting him down. Final scores Lodge 600 Patterson 385. The competition was once more kindly sponsored by the Northern Snooker Centre and the Yorkshire Billiards & Snooker Association are extremely grateful.
The YB&SA are very the grateful to the Victoria Institute in Flamborough for once again sponsoring the Yorkshire Billiards Handicap. The competition attracted an entry of 40 and this year 16 qualifiers travelled to Flamborough and played down to a winner in what turned out to be a full and enjoyable day's billiards.
All matches were 300 up with the maximum handicap allowed being 175. The completion of two rounds produced the four semi-finalists with Geoff Horton of Hull against Brian Watson of Bradford and Dean Patterson of Leeds against Brian Cousen of Huddersfield. Horton met Cousen (a previous winner) in the final and the Hull player triumphed to take the first prize of £150 and the prestigious Lesley Driffield Trophy.