Dean delivers in Open thriller

FINAL LINE-UP: Dean Sheridan (right) and Michael Wild.

SNOOKER:

Sheridan wins classic 

FAILSWORTH Home Guard Club ace Dean Sheridan is the new Manchester Open snooker champion.

He beat Moorside’s Michael Wild in a thrilling final at Riley’s, Belle Vue.

In front of an engrossed audience, 33-year-old Droylsden potter Sheridan lost the first shoot-out in the best-of-11 final, before roaring back — with the help of a 72 break — to lead 4-1.

Just as it was looking like Sheridan was easing towards the trophy, back came Wild with the help of breaks of 125 and 91 to level at four frames each.

The ninth frame was a classic. Wild, 22 behind, cleared up from the brown ball to level the score, with Sheridan going on to bag the re-spotted black to retake the lead.

Wild’s resistance was finally breaking and Sheridan — a former national tour player who boasts a highest break of 143 — secured the match’s final frame to nail a 6-4 victory.

In the last eight, Sheridan had beaten Craig Steadman 4-3, before seeing off Wayne Brown 5-3 in the semi-finals.

Sheridan said: “It really was a nailbiting final — I’m just glad I got there in the end.

“Michael played a great match and fought back really well.”