World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association press release
September 16, 2009
Summer break is Evans sent
WORLD number one Reanne Evans believes a summer break helped her to dominate the first two tournaments on the women’s snooker circuit.
Evans, 23, eased past England team-mate Maria Catalano in the finals of the £1,100 Wytech Masters and the UK Championships, the first ranking event of the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) 2009/10 season.
Both matches finished 3-0. In fact, Evans dropped just one frame out of 19 in the double-header at the North East Derbyshire Snooker Centre, Clay Cross.
“I had a month off,” she said. “I didn’t feel comfortable so I had a long break.”
It was the five-time world champion’s fifth straight UK Championship and an 18th WLBSA ranking title. She collected £660 prize money – £400 for winning the Wytech Masters plus £60 for a high-break of 53, and £200 for the UK Championship.
Mother-of-one Evans and Ronnie O’Sullivan’s cousin Catalano, 27, both from Dudley, West Midlands, last week powered England Ladies to victory in the Home Internationals at Pontin’s, Prestatyn. Evans insists she still has the hunger to produce a clean sweep on the circuit this season even at the expense of her good friend.
“Although we’re friends you have to put that aside,” she said. “We have a laugh and a joke on the table but at the end of the day we still take it seriously. There’s no point entering if you don’t want to win.”
Evans will again compete this season on the EASB Pro-Ticket Tour in a bid to become the first woman to qualify for the professional circuit.n Former England international Marianne Williams, from Smallfield, Surrey , triumphed in both the UK Championship Plate and Seniors events.
Derby schoolgirl and two-time World Ladies Junior Champion Hannah Jones, 13, won the UK Championship junior final. Nottinghamshire pool stars Kerry Griffiths, Deb Burchell and Rachel Tucker made their snooker debuts in the Wytech Masters.
For the first time on the WLBSA circuit, the six-red format was trialed up to the quarter-finals of the Wytech Masters.
The Wytech Masters was played on Saturday, September 12, and streamed live on Cuesport TV. The UK Championships was played on Sunday, September 13, and streamed live on ustream.tv.
The WLBSA is hosting six ranking events this season culminating in the World Championships in April.
Wytech Masters results (breaks) prize money:
FIRST ROUND (six reds) £10: Jenny Poulter (35) 3-0 Vicky Ashby, Eva Palmius 3-0 Maureen Logan, Deb Burchell 3-0 Naomi Clare, Kerry Griffiths 3-1 Jodie Symes, Marianne Williams 3-0 Mary Hawkes, Rachel Tucker 3-0 Joanne Davies, Suzie Opacic 3-1 Gaye Jones, Chris Sharpe 3-2 Hannah Jones.
SECOND ROUND (six reds) £10: Williams 3-1 Griffiths, Poulter 3-1 Sharpe, Tucker 3-2 Palmius, Opacic 3-1 Burchell.
QUARTER-FINALS (15 reds) £50: Maria Catalano (31, 32) 3-1 Opacic, Reanne Evans (53) 3-0 Marianne Williams, Emma Bonney (35) 3-0 Rachel Tucker, Katie Henrick (30) 3-0 Jenny Poulter.
SEMI-FINALS (15 reds) £90: Catalano (47) 3-1 Bonney, Evans (46) 3-1 Henrick.
FINAL (15 reds) £400/£210: Evans (44, 30) 3-0 Catalano (42).
UK Championship results (breaks):
PRELIM: Gaye Jones 3-0 Maureen Logan.
LAST 16: Reanne Evans 3-0 G Jones, Chris Sharpe 3-0 Mary Hawkes, Eva Palmius 3-0 Marianne Williams, Katie Henrick 3-0 Naomi Clare, Emma Bonney (35, 33) 3-0 Jodie Symes, Jenny Poulter 3-0 Hannah Jones, Suzie Opacic bye, Maria Catalano 3-0 Vicky Ashby.
QUARTER-FINALS: Evans (41, 43) 3-0 Sharpe, Henrick 3-0 Palmius, Bonney 3-2 Poulter, Catalano (73) 3-2 Opacic.
SEMI-FINALS: Evans (61) 3-0 Henrick, Catalano (49) 3-0 Bonney.
FINAL: Evans (32, 56, 43) 3-0 Catalano (31).
UK Championship Plate
QUARTER-FINALS: Jodie Symes 2-0 Hannah Jones, Vicky Ashby 2-0 Naomi Clare, Marianne Williams 2-0 Mary Hawkes, Gaye Jones 2-0 Maureen Logan.
SEMI-FINALS: Ashby 2-0 Symes, Williams 2-0 G Jones.
FINAL: Williams 2-0 Ashby.
UK Junior Championship
ROUND-ROBIN: Hannah Jones 1-0 Naomi Clare, Jodie Symes 1-0 Clare.
FINAL: Jones 2-0 Symes.
UK Senior Championship
QUARTER-FINALS: Marianne Williams 1-0 Chris Sharpe, Eva Palmius bye, Maureen Logan bye, Jenny Poulter 1-0 Mary Hawkes.
SEMI-FINALS: Williams 1-0 Palmius, Poulter 1-0 Logan.
FINAL: Williams 1-0 Poulter.
WLBSA provisional snooker rankings 2009/10:
| Pos | Name | Town | Pts | Sponsor |
| 1 | Reanne Evans | Dudley, West Mids | 455 | |
| 2 | Maria Catalano | Dudley, West Mids | 370 | |
| 3 | Emma Bonney | Portsmouth | 355 | |
| 4 | Katie Henrick | Bickley, Kent | 330 | 180poker.com |
| 5 | Eva Palmius | Isleham, Cambs | 222 | |
| 6 | Chris Sharpe | Chelmsford | 180 | |
| 7 | Jenny Poulter | Maidstone | 165 | |
| 8 | Suzie Opacic | Brambridge, Hants | 161 | Kara Accountants |
| 9 | June Banks | Orpington, Kent | 150 | |
| 10 | Gaye Jones | Melksham, Wilts | 138 |
Wytech Masters entries:
Reanne Evans
Katie Henrick
Maria Catalano
Emma Bonney
Chris Sharpe
Suzie Opacic
Hannah Jones
Eva Palmius
Joanne Davies
Jodie Symes
Naomi Clare
Maureen Logan
Gaye Jones
Marianne Williams
Vicky Ashby
Jenny Poulter
Mary Hawkes
Kerry Griffiths (Notts)
Deb Burchell (Notts)
Rachel Tucker (Notts)
UK Championship entries:
Reanne Evans
Katie Henrick
Maria Catalano
Emma Bonney
Chris Sharpe
Suzie Opacic
Hannah Jones
Eva Palmius
Jodie Symes
Naomi Clare
Maureen Logan
Gaye Jones
Marianne Williams
Vicky Ashby
Jenny Poulter
Mary Hawkes
Next snooker ranking event:
2009 East Anglian Championship
Saturday, October 10
Cambridge Snooker Centre
Coldhams Road
Cambridge
CB1 3EW
More details and pictures available from:
Tim Dunkley (WLBSA press office)
88 Lionheart Way
Bursledon Green
Southampton
SO31 8HN
Tel home: 02380 562647
Tel work: 01329 853513
Mobile: 07986 376114
E-Mail: timdunkleysnookerdad@hotmail.com
Jimmy White quizzed for money laundering by cops
August 18, 2009
Jimmy White one of the most popular snooker players of his generation has been interviewed by poilice investigating a money laundering ring that is apparently worth millions of pounds.
Senior offices in the crimesquad have been questioning Jimmy White about his part in the money laundering investigation. Jimmy has apparently volunteered to provide a witness statement and has not been charged with any offence by the police.
The police in the West Midlands have stated that they cannot provide any more details. The investigation is said to have centered around the city of Birmingham. Jimmy last night had no further comment to make regarding the situation.
Jimmy White nicknamed the ‘whirlwind’ has won around 10 ranking tournaments, but has been beaten an amazing 6 times in the Snooker World Championships.
Snooker star Katie ‘Hooray’ Henrick launches pool career
August 2, 2009
KENT snooker star Katie Henrick is set to take the plunge on the pool circuit. The 29-year-old from Bickley has signed a sponsorship deal with 180poker.com to compete on the 8-Ball Super Tour.
However, Henrick insists she is not turned her back on snooker. “This doesn’t mean I’m giving up,” said the world number four “I still want to continue playing and improving my game”.
“The decision to play pool was mainly to have a change and a different challenge. I’m a competitive person so of course I want to win as much as I can. If I find I enjoy it then maybe it will be a long term career.But at the moment I want to enjoy the challenge and see how things go. I know it’s not going to be easy. There will be different tactics involved and a few rules to learn on the way as well.”
180poker.com was set up by McDonnell Racing, which has shops in Grove Park, Deptford and Plumstead.
“I’m very grateful for their support,” added Henrick. “I might even learn poker!”
A keen Arsenal fan, Henrick, who has a top break of 101, is resident snooker professional at the exclusive Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall.
In 2007 she was dubbed ‘Hooray’ Henrick after claiming the East Anglian Championship, her first World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association title.
This weekend (August 1-2), Henrick heads to Keynsham, near Bristol, for event one on the 8-Ball Super Tour. Depending on her success, she may join the English Pool Association’s ladies tour next March.
White beats Hawkins in 6 reds snooker
July 15, 2009
There are many snooker fans out there who really hate six red snooker. Jimmy White however will be happy after claiming £18,000 for beating Barry Hawkins 8-6 to win the Sangsom Grand Prix.
But why does the six game snooker appeal to the players? It does ensure shorter frames as the reds are split quickly, and you can still play a good safety game. The game is also new, and every player likes a new challenge. Cricket already has its quick version game its call Twenty/20, and it is well liked across the world. But does the new six red game end the reign of traditional snooker. Put quite simply no!
Six red snooker will keep growing, especially for less skillful players, as they have a good chance of winning a game of six red snooker. Maybe its a good thing, snooker hasn’t changed since the 19th century and its well overdue a mix up.
The old 15 red game however is well established and is not going anywhere, so if you are worrying about the end of traditional snooker I think you can relax.
David Vine also known as ‘Mr Snooker’ leaves over £1 million
July 12, 2009
David Vine quickly became one of the UK’s best know TV presenters, and presented snooker for a number of years. Following David’s death from a heart attack in January, it was discovered that he had over £1.5 million estate which he left to his wife Joan. His first wife Shirley died back in 1970.
David had a long distinguished career and was regularly fronting popular shows such as Match of the Day, the olympics and grandstand. He was also involved in Ski Sunday, and the popular sports quiz show ‘A Question Of Sport’
He was however best known for his coverage of the snooker, and was the voice of snooker from 1978 till he retired in the year 2000. David covered large snooker events such as the Masters, UK Championships and the world championships at the Crucible.
His death was a sad day for snooker. He has however emmased enough money to look after his family following his death.
David Hendon Votes For A Snooker Seniors Tour
July 9, 2009
Former snooker world champion Joe Johnson is said to have been planning a senior snooker tour featuring old favourite players such as Jimmy White and John Parrott.
Many sports have built events for seniors including tennis and golf where senior players complete regularly. Snooker would be a good choice for a senior tour as the game does not require much physical fitness, other than the players keeping a good eyesight!
A senior tour has happened before, there was one in the year 2000 which was won Willie Thorne.
So who could be participating in the latest senior snooker, they are many great players to choose from such as Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Tony Drago , Dave Harold any many more, all of who are 40 or over.
This would make the tournament well worth watching as some of these older players are still in with a shout of winning the normal tournaments. The senior players also know how to entertain, the more modern snooker player can be too professional and this means boring!
My personal view is that this would be well watchable, and with some good marketing be a certain hit.
Foul and a miss follows World Ladies Snooker Circuit
June 6, 2009
Foul and a Miss is pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Tim Dunkley a World Snooker Association coach based at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club, near Southampton, in Hampshire. Tim also writes the snooker page for the Southern Daily Echo.
Please view Tim’s first guest post below:
From September, foulandamiss.com will be following the fortunes of the UK ’s top players on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) circuit.
World number one and mother-of-one Reanne Evans will be bidding for a record sixth straight world championship. Hoping to end Evans’ domination are: Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 27-year-old cousin Maria Catalano; Katie ‘Hooray’ Henrick, 28, the resident snooker professional at the exclusive Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall; June Banks, who lived in Wales for seven years working at Terry Griffiths Matchroom in Llanelli and being coached by the 1979 world champion, and four-time world billiards champion Emma Bonney from Portsmouth.
Up-and-coming youngsters include Suzie Opacic, 20, from Chandler ’s Ford SC in Hampshire, and 12-year-old England international Hannah Jones, from Derby .
Founded by Mandy Fisher in 1981 after the demise of the Women’s Billiards and Snooker Association, the WLBSA runs six ranking events a year culminating in the World Championships in Cambridge in April.
Fisher, who is still at the helm, is a former world number one. Girls under the age of 16 are offered scholarships which include free membership and free tournament entries.
For further information please contact Mandy Fisher at worldladiessnooker@ntlworld.com or press officer Tim Dunkley, a World Snooker Association coach, at timdunkleysnookerdad@hotmail.com
Higgins wins the World Championships to join snookers elite
May 5, 2009
John Higgins won the Snooker World Championships yesterday with an easy 18-9 victory over Shaun Murphy. the victory was worth a cool £250,000 for Higggins, but he will be more happy to have only been the third player to win three titles at the crucible.
The is win has placed Higgins on the same pedastal as Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan and the great Steve Davis.
Higgins found the experience of winning the title again amazing, and stated that these days snooker is a young mans game, but he has proven that the old rear guard will still take some beating.
Higgins did not have an easy path into the final coming within inches of going out on two occasions. Both times however Higgins held his nerve to win the matches 13-12, against both Mark Selby and Jamie Cope.
Higgins was very happy to have beaten the likes of Allen, Cope and Selby as he considers these players to be the best young talents in the game. Higgins firmly believes that all of these players will make the top three players in then world one day, and that they are the future of snooker.
Ronnie O’Sullivan even stated before the tournament that if he did not win it Higgins would do. Higgins laughed this off after winning, and although he thinks O’Sullivan’s remarks were clever he was still very lucky to have made it into the final
Higgins however won the final with ease, even though Murphy had played some excellent snooker Higgins safety play was fantastic and kept him on top throughout the final. Higgins professionally closed out the final, and now becomes the oldest player to win the title since Dennis Taylor in 1985.
higgins-wins-title
Stephen Hendry makes 147 at the World Championships
April 29, 2009
7 times world champion Stephen Hendry has made a fantastic 147 break in this years World Championships. Hendry rolled back the years in the seventh frame of his quarter final against Murphy to the delight of the watching crucible crowd.
Hendry’s fantastic clearance put him into a fantastic position to win the match at 5-2 in front. Hendrys maximum break was the 9th in the Crucibles history and his second after his 147 against Jimmy White in 1995.
Hendry however did make the crowd nervous wobbling the final black in the pocket before dropping in. Hendry’s 147 will be a great confidence boost, and will increase his hopes of winning the tournament since his last victory in 1999.
There were two 147 breaks in the tournament last year when both Carter and O’Sullivan made 147s in the same Championship for the first time. And Hendry will be hoping that he can pull off another perfect break to equal that record.
O’Sullivan picks Higgins as his biggest threat
April 24, 2009
O’Sullivan has described John Higgins as his biggest threat to winning another World Championships. Higgins comfortably beat Michael holt in the first round and was in impressive form throughout the match, although he never even hit top gear
Although Higgins only made one century break in the match he easily made it through to his last 16 meeting with Jamie Cope.
Cope has many similar traits to O’sullivan and will present a massive dander to Higgins. Cope also thrashed Higgins in the UK Championships 2 years again, and will be aware of how much of a danger the young player is
In other news Stephen Hendry looks back to his brilliant best coming back to level his match with Ding Junhui 4-4, with many snooker fans believing this was Hendrys best performance in a session for years
