Helliwell's runaway final success
He beat Brian Winrow by 21-2 in the final.
Helliwell faced a tough opening game against defending champion Mark Regan but was soon into his stride, taking a 14-6 lead. Regan fought back to reduce the lead at 14-18 but Helliwell held on to win by 21-16.
He carried this form into his second game against Jean Gornall, establishing a 10-1 lead before winning by 21-11.
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Hide AdHelliwell’s semi-final against Tony Bannister was a diferent story. Bannister hit a length immediately to take a 8-0 lead and was still ahead by 16-5. Helliwell struck back with a break of nine and although Bannister regained the advantage to reach all-but with his opponent on 17, Helliwell produced a final push to snatch a 21-20 victory.
Winrow had one extra game to play, coming through a preliminary round match against Bernard Megson by 21-15.
In his second game, he trailed the 1996 champion Robert Holmes by 2-8 before recovering to draw level at 11. The scores were level again at 17 and 19 before Winrow claimed victory by 21-19.
Winrow beat Keith Powell by 21-14 in his quarter-final against but was behind by 6-13 in the semi-final against John Hamer, the 2012 winner.
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Hide AdFrom 12-18 down, he took the lead with a break of seven and, after a single by Hamer, took the last two ends to win by 21-19.
In the final, Helliwell reached for the corners and bowled immaculately to lead by 13-0.
Winrow counted a pair at the next end but Helliwell won back the jack immediately, reverted to his favoured mark and ran out.
First round scores: T.Bannister 21 R.Hargreaves 17, B.Halliday 6 D.Hemsley 21, M.Steele 17 J.Gornall 21, M.Regan 16 R.Helliwell 21, P.Wood 19 C.Hirst 21, J.Hamer walkover, K.Powell walkover, R.Holmes 19 B.Winrow 21.
Quarter-finals: Bannister 21 Hemsley 11, Gornall 11 Helliwell 21, Hirst 16 Hamer 21, Powell 14 Winrow 21.