CHRIS MASON won his first title of 2006 at the West Tyrone Open, defeating Denis Ovens in Sunday's final.

The Kilkenny-based star took a further step back towards the world's top 16 with the 6-3 victory at Mahon Hotel in Irvinestown.

He overcame Peter Manley 5-4 in a tight semi-final before then defeating Ovens in the final.

Ovens defeated Ireland's Mick McGowan in the other semi-final, which also went to the deciding leg.

Over 160 played in Saturday's qualifying event to make it into the main tournament.
 

2006 West Tyrone Open

Final
Chris Mason 6-3 Denis Ovens
Winner: £1,500/5 ranking points
Runner-up: £750/4 ranking points

Semi-Finals
Chris Mason 5-4 Peter Manley
Denis Ovens 5-4 Mick McGowan
Losers: £375/3 ranking points

Quarter-Finals
Peter Manley 5-3 Dennis McCarthy
Chris Mason 5-3 Barrie Bates
Denis Ovens 5-2 Andy Smith
Mick McGowan 5-4 Steve Maish
Losers £180/2 ranking points

Last 16
Peter Manley 5-2 Tom Kirby
Dennis McCarthy 5-0 Wes Newton
Barrie Bates 5-4 Terry Jenkins
Chris Mason 5-2 Jamie Harvey
Denis Ovens 5-2 Richie Burnett
Andy Smith 5-3 Bob Anderson
Mick McGowan 5-3 P Mein
Steve Maish 5-0 Lionel Sams
Losers £90/1 ranking point

Last 32
T Kirby 5-0 Cliff Lazarenko
Peter Manley 5-1 D Cunningham
Dennis McCarthy 5-4 Alex Roy
Wes Newton 5-0 Dale Newton
Barrie Bates 5-0 Andrew Davies
Terry Jenkins 5-3 T Muirhead
Jamie Harvey 5-1 J Ward
Chris Mason 5-1 Nigel Peden
Richie Burnett 5-0 G Matthews
Denis Ovens 5-0 S Pearson
Andy Smith 5-0 Paul Dillon
Bob Anderson 5-3 P Waters
Mick McGowan 5-0 Gary Welding
P Mein 5-4 Dennis Priestley
Steve Maish 5-2 Geoff Wylie
Lionel Sams 5-4 Owen Caffrey
Losers £45