Michael Rhodes of Durham repeated his victory of last season when he won the 2002 Ranking Series, held in the Durham Snooker Club, with a comfortable 8-4 win in the final over Chris Bowran.

The winner took £150 prize money wit the runner-up receiving half the amount.

However it was not plain sailing for Rhodes through the tournament for Dave Jones, seeded 24, took him to the decider with Michael only scraping through by the skin of his teeth.

First round results: Lee Holdsworth (seeded 9) 3 Mark Szcykpa (17) 4; Kevin Allison (16) 0 Dave Jones (24) 4; Darren Grainger (15) 2 Ian Dinsdale (23) 4; Tim Aberdeen (13) 2 Ian Laycock (21) 4; Leigh Mavin (11) 2 Shahid Hussain (19) 4; John Mavin (12) 1 Trevor Walton (20) 4; Ian Bertram (14) 4 Helen Sharpe (22) 2; Kevin Allison (16) 0 Dave Jones (24) 4; Dave Hodgson (10) 4 Andrew Morley (18) 2.

Second round results, the losers took £10 each: Mark Szcykpa (17) 0 Michael Rhodes (5); Dave Jones (24) 5 Nick Veuger (6) 1; Dave Lowery (7) 5 Ian Laycock (21) 1; Trevor Walton (20) 0 Gary Carr (4) 5; Shahid Hussain (19) 0 Chris Bowran (3) 5; Graham Comerford (8) 5 Ian Bertram (14) 3; Andy Seal (7) 5 Ian Dinsdale (23) 1;Dave Hodgson (10) 5 Colin Hutchinson (2) 4.

Quarter final results, the losers collected £25: were Michael Rhodes 5 Dave Jones 4; Dave Lowery 0 Trevor Walton 5; Chris Bowran 5 Graham Comerford 2; Andy Seal 5 Dave Hodgson 2.

Semi-finals, the losers collected £50 each: Michael Rhodes 6 Trevor Walton 1; Chris Bowran 6 Andy Seal 1.

The stage is already being prepared for the third Ranking Series to be held in Durham Snooker Club and it promises to be bigger and better than the previous two. There is a promised sponsorship from Carling with many more players showing an interest in playing. Watch out for more details in Local Heroes.

Durham and

District League

The Winnings lost at home to local rivals the Catholic Club 7-6. Wins from I Toase, E Patterson, I Kerr, B Smith and P Vasey winning three games including the captains for the Catholic Club. The Winnings wins came from S McCourt, G Toase, R Agar, B Stephenson and M Donnely winning two games.

Results: Oak Tree 1 Stateside 12; White Tun 6 Woodman's 7; DLI 4 Daisy Hill 9; Winnings 6 Catholic Club 7; Flass 9 Cooperage 4; Marquis of Granby 10 Three Horse Shoes 3; Snooker Club 11 McKennas 2.

Durham County

Super League

The annual meeting has been put back one week to December 22. The meeting will take place at Ferryhill WMC at 6pm. Any league wishing to enter a team should attend this meeting for election into the league.

Dave Harrop (Consett) and Helen Littlewood (Durham) have qualified through the inter counties for England trials. They could also be joined by Ian Staines (Chester-le-street) who has to play off for his place.