THE final of this year's Bury District Snooker League Scratch Competition, sponsored by president Neville Spivey, was played at Elton Liberal Club.

Del Redmond and league chairman Paul Taylor, battled their way through to the final.

The first frame was a cagey affair though initially Del gained the upper hand.

Paul responded and held a slight lead going into the colours, only for Del to begin clearing the table.

When only a routine black was needed for Del to clinch the first frame, he missed the chance and allowed Paul to nick the opening frame.

The second frame went much the same way - a see-saw battle - which ended when Paul took blue, pink and black in style to go 2-0 up, with three to play.

In the third frame it was Paul who took an early lead and look set to take the trophy.

Del then pulled out an outstanding all or nothing pot, which led to a 30-plus break.

This was followed by a slightly smaller break at his next visit, to take the frame with the last red still on the table.

In the fourth, Del was in the driving seat for most of the frame, only for Paul to get a late chance to clear from the last two reds to take the frame.

The reds were duly potted, with colours, followed by the yellow and green. Position on the brown was not quite as planned and the attempt to pot the brown in the middle pocket failed, as did the covering snooker behind the blue.

At least the brown was fairly safe -- or so it seemed. With little concern for safety, Del pulled out a tremendous pot to take the frame - 2-2, game on!

In the final frame, both players took the lead with Del gradually forcing his way in front, after Paul missed a couple of regulation pots.

With just the colours left, Del managed a somewhat fortuitous snooker on the green. Although Paul managed to hit the green he could not get it safe, and Del proceeded to pot the remaining balls to complete his amazing comeback.

A worthy winner of a sporting contest.