Posts by: Matt Huart

World Women’s Snooker Championship Added to ManBetX Champion of Champions Qualifying List

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The World Women’s Snooker Championship has been added to the qualification list for the 2019 ManBetX Champion of Champions Snooker, which will take place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry from November 4-10.

The 2019 Qualifying List comprises 27 spots, which are split into seven sections. Tournaments within each of the seven sections are listed chronologically. The first 16 different players on the list will form the line-up for the 2019 ManBetX Champion of Champions. The World Women’s Snooker Championship is listed 27th on the list.

With ten players having already been assured of their place at the ManBetX Champion of Champions, if the seven remaining events yield three repeat winners then reigning World Women’s Snooker Championship winner Reanne Evans will receive her invite.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn said: “Given the continued development of women’s snooker it is only right that we recognise the achievement of being the World Women’s Snooker Champion by including it on the Qualifying List for the ManBetX Champion of Champions, not just for 2019 but as a permanent addition to the events which form the qualifying criteria for the ManBetX Champion of Champions.”

Tickets for the 2019 ManBetX Champion of Champions are on sale now. Prices start from just £11 per session with Premium and VIP packages also available.

Featuring tournament winners from the previous 12 months, the ManBetX Champion of Champions is broadcast live on ITV4 and has become one of snooker’s biggest tournaments since launching at Ricoh Arena in 2013. The likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Shaun Murphy have all lifted the trophy.

The tournament starts with a quartet of four-man groups played over four days from Monday, November 4 until Thursday, November 7. The winner of each group progresses to the semi-finals, with one played on Friday, November 8 and the other on Saturday, November 9. The final on Sunday, November 10 will be over 19 frames.

Text taken from: www.championofchampionssnooker.co.uk

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UK Women’s Snooker Championship to Return to Leeds

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The UK Women’s Snooker Championship will return to the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds from 14-15 September 2019.

The competition will be the first ranking event of the 2019/2020 World Women’s Snooker Tour following the invitational Women’s Tour Championship to be staged in August.

In recent years the event has been dominated by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, who has won four of the last five editions (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018), while current world number one Reanne Evans claimed an unprecedented seven consecutive titles between 2005-2011, adding a record eighth in 2016. Of the players currently active, Maria Catalano is also a former champion after she triumphed in 2012.

The weekend will once again be supported by the Northern Snooker Centre, at which the event has now become synonymous having been held there since 2015.

Mandy Fisher, WWS President said: “I am really pleased that the UK Women’s Snooker Championship will return to Leeds for a fifth successive year this September. The Northern Snooker Centre remains one of the most impressive snooker venues in the country and one that has provided us with invaluable support for many years now. We look forward to another fantastic tournament as the new ranking event season gets underway.”

Subject to entries there will also be side-events staged for Under-21 and Seniors (over-40) players, as well as a Challenge Cup event for players not qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Further information, including the full entry pack will be published in due course.

Home Leisure Direct to Partner World Women’s Snooker Tour

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World Women’s Snooker (WWS) is today pleased to announce that Home Leisure Direct will become a tour partner from the start of the 2019/20 season.

The agreement will see the Home Leisure Direct logo appear on our Tour Partners section and featured on our social media feeds during the course of next season.

Established in 2007, Home Leisure Direct has established itself as the UK’s premier Games Room Specialist and offers the world’s finest games room products at market-leading prices. Based in South Gloucestershire, the company offers multi-award-winning customer service from a specialist team, covering both domestic customers and also commercial premises with the very latest products, including contactless payment pool tables.

Matt Huart, WWS director said: “We are delighted to welcome Home Leisure Direct as a tour partner for the 2019/20 season. The last 12 months have seen unprecedented growth for women’s snooker with new events staged in Belgium, Australia and last month our biggest World Championship for a generation in Thailand. Further support such as this will only help us to continue providing new opportunities for women and girls across the world to be able to play snooker.”

A spokesman for Home Leisure Direct said: “At Home Leisure Direct we are passionate about cue sports and support many different facets of the game. When the opportunity arose to be involved the Women’s Snooker Tour we jumped at the chance. We are excited to see the tour grow and develop in the coming year.”

Learn more about Home Leisure Direct online HERE.

World Women’s Snooker Rankings Review 2018/19

By In General News, News, Rankings, WWS Updated: Comments Off on World Women’s Snooker Rankings Review 2018/19

Following her record 12th world title success last week at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok, England’s Reanne Evans consolidated her grip on top spot in the world ranking list following her incredible six-title season.

But what have been the other significant movements during a season which has seen the total number of ranked players grow from 87 to 129, with an incredible 22 nationalities now represented?

Like the professional World Snooker Tour, the WWS world rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during 2016/17 replaced by those from this season over the past 12 months.

Number one

The big move during the campaign came at April’s Festival of Women’s Snooker in Leeds when Evans reclaimed top spot on the world ranking list for the first time since February 2018 following her double title success at the event.

In fact it is a measure of how strong a season Evans enjoyed that having begun the season some 5,850 points behind Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, she has now ended it with a significant lead of 16,850 points.

With both players having banked a similar amount of points during the 2017/18 season and those points due to be deducted from their respective totals over the course of the coming 12 months, Evans looks well-placed to retain the top ranking for some time to come.

Following her victories at the UK Women’s Championship and the Australian Women’s Open however, On Yee does continue to hold a comfortable second position, the top two having now locked out all of the ranking titles for a second successive season.

The top eight

Behind the top two Keighley’s Rebecca Kenna is up one place to third from her season-start position after she reached two ranking finals before Christmas.

Hot on her heels is World Championship runner-up Nutcharut Wongharuthai, who is the sole new entrant to the top eight from the start of the season, having surged up the list from 17th place a year ago. The 19-year-old now has a real chance to close the gap to the top three with no points to be removed from her total until 2020 because she did not compete during the opening half of the 2017/18 campaign.

Down two is Maria Catalano following a difficult campaign undoubtedly affected by off-table issues including the passing of her father last year, with Wales’ Laura Evans a place behind with quarter-final runs at the Women’s Masters and Belgian Women’s Open her best performances.

Suzie Opacic remains in seventh position with a semi-final run at the Women’s Masters representing her best performance, while Australian Women’s Open Katrina Wan is down two to eighth having not competed since her run in Sydney.

On the rise

Poised to join the elite top eight next season is Hornchurch youngster Emma Parker, up six places to ninth following a career-best season and now well within striking distance of Wan above her who is not currently competing on the Tour.

Also moving up is Wakefield’s Steph Daughtery who claimed back-to-back Challenge Cup victories mid-season, while Thailand’s Waratthanun Sukritthanes finished the campaign up in 15th position despite only competing at the Festival and World Championship events at the end of the season.

In fact it was quite a year for Thai players as both Ploychompoo Laokiatphong and Baipat Siripaporn both soared up the list, Laokiatphong up into the top 30 having only made her Tour debut last September, with Siripaporn right behind her in 31st after reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time.

Belgium’s Wendy Jans also became an increasingly familiar face, competing in three ranking events and reaching the semi-finals of each to vault 19 places up the list into the top 16.

The future

While Reanne Evans will take some stopping at the top of the rankings, behind her there are a number of players with positive momentum who have fewer points to defend than those around them.

Already mentioned above, Nutcharut Wongharuthai will have her sights set on the top three while others placed higher on the unofficial one-year list for the 2018/19 campaign, than their positions on the official two-year ranking list include Emma Parker (5th), Wendy Jans (7th), Steph Daughtery (8th) and Jaique Ip Wan In (10th).

Conversely, players who could face a drop down the ranking list having earned significantly fewer points than the previous season having missed out on events include Maria Catalano (19th), Diana Schuler (16th), Aimee Benn (26th) and Jenny Poulter (27th).

The 2019/20 World Women’s Snooker Tour is set to begin with the all-new Women’s Tour Championship invitational event at the Crucible Theatre on 17th August, prior to the first ranking event, the UK Women’s Championship a month later in Leeds. Further details of additional events will be announced soon.

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Evans Wins Record 12th World Championship Title

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England’s Reanne Evans has won the World Women’s Snooker Championship for a record-extending 12th time following a 6-3 victory against Thailand’s Nutcharut Wongharuthai in Bangkok this evening.

The world number one has had to watch Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee lift the trophy during each of the past two years since her last success in 2016 but this time was not to be denied as she emerged from a high-quality international field of 53 players to reclaim the biggest title in women’s snooker.

The final proved to be a high-quality affair, 19-year-old Wongharuthai taking the opening frame with a break of 61 before Evans claimed the next two to hit the front.

The following two frames were shared to give Evans a 3-2 lead at the mid-session interval, before the Dudley star added the sixth to move two clear for the first time.

Back came Wongharuthai, who is coached by former professional Stuart Pettman, with a break of 56 but it was Evans who was to finish in style, a tournament-high run of 92 enough to secure the high break prize before she claimed what would prove to be the final frame with a run of 43 to seal the title.

“It feels pretty good!” said a thrilled Evans shortly after the final. “It has been a long time coming after my 11th and it does mean more after losing during the past two years. I had such a good run [winning the title 10 years in a row from 2005-2014] but it obviously has been frustrating and gutting for that to end and to have lost a bit of confidence.

“The final was really tight all the way through. I was a little bit edgy at the start but I still felt good and towards the end I felt even better, I wasn’t letting it go this year.”

Despite her loss in today’s final, Evans was impressed by her young opponent who continues to show improvement in her game.

“You can tell her shot selection is getting better,” added Evans. “Her technique is brilliant, she is a lovely person and her temperament is great. She laughs everything off and just gets on with it, that’s the right way to be.”

Evans reflected on what has been a fantastic week for women’s snooker which saw the staging of the inaugural Women’s Snooker World Cup and the biggest World Championship for a generation with players having travelled from 14 different countries to compete.

“I’m really happy because the standard has been so good here this year,” continued Dudley’s Evans. “It could have been anyone winning it from the quarter-finals stage and fingers crossed that these players will keep competing and inspire others to play. I’m just happy to win against all the youngsters now, they are so attacking. A few shot selections have let them down but that’s about it and that comes with experience.

“The tournament has been amazing, one of the best ones ever. The facilities have been top class, the hospitality has been fantastic, it has been well-run and all the people have been brilliant. It has also been amazing to have so many matches streamed live which will only add to the interest in women’s snooker.”

Earlier in the day Evans came through a tough semi-final contest against another Thai player Baipat Siripaporn winning 5-3, while Wongharuthai ended the challenge of 12-time European champion Wendy Jans 5-2.

The victory represents a sixth ranking event title success of the season for Evans and extends a streak dating back to her maiden title in 2005 of the World Women’s Snooker Championship being won by her and three-time champion Ng On Yee.

There was victory for Hong Kong in the Challenge Cup event for players who did not make it to the knockout rounds of the main competition as So Man Yan defeated India’s Chitra Magimairaj 3-2 in the final.

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Semis Set as Wongharuthai Stuns On Yee

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The semi-final line-up at the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship has now been confirmed following a dramatic day at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok, Thailand which saw the defending champion Ng On Yee defeated at the quarter-final stages.

The day began with the last 16 round which saw smooth progress for the star names including all the top four in the world ranking list, 12-time European champion Wendy Jans and World Cup winning duo Waratthanun Sukritthanes and Baipat Siripaporn of Thailand.

It was to prove an altogether more dramatic evening session however as three-time world champion Ng On Yee was upset by home hero Nutcharut Wongharuthai, who won 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the biggest competition in women’s snooker for the first time in her career.

Still just 19, Wongharuthai had previously defeated On Yee on two occasions earlier this season and shrugged off her defeat in the round robin stages to India’s Varshaa Sanjeev to record one of the biggest victories of her career to date.

Having dropped the opening frame, ‘Mink’ responded by claiming the next to move 2-1 in front, before then claiming an ultimately pivotal fourth frame from behind after On Yee conceded a number of penalty points when snookered on the final two reds. Although On Yee would not surrender her crown lightly, there was not to be a comeback and Wongharuthai added the fifth frame to claim a significant victory which means that On Yee will not compete in the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time since 2012.

Awaiting Wongharuthai in the last four is Wendy Jans who enjoyed a more straightforward 4-0 success against another young Thai talent Ploychompoo Laokiatphong. Following her morning victory against India’s Arantxa Sanchis, the Belgian star wasted little time in progressing to her fourth career world semi-final and first since 2014, maintaining her flawless record so far in Thailand having won 17 frames from 17 played.

in the top half of the draw 11-time world champion Reanne Evans survived a scare against another Thai player in Waratthanun Sukritthanes to prevail a 4-2 winner.

After taking the opener, Evans, who is looking to claim her first world title since 2016, fell 2-1 behind and was within a ball of dropping the fourth frame to stand on the brink of a shock exit at the last eight stage. Having potted pink and black to draw level at 2-2 however, Evans quickly added the following two frames with breaks of 50 and 54 to progress to an incredible 17th consecutive world semi-final.

For the second consecutive match she will now face a member of Thailand’s World Cup winning team from earlier in the week after Baipat Siripaporn edged out third seed Rebecca Kenna 4-3 on the black in this evening’s final match to reach the last four for the first time in this event.

It was Siripaporn who was never headed during the match as she led 2-0 and 3-2, but Kenna hit back with a break of 41 to take the match into a deciding frame as she looked to reach the semi-finals for the fourth straight year.

After several hours of high-quality play from both however, the match would cruelly be settled by a fluke on the final pink for Baipat in the decider, which left her in perfect position on the match ball black that she would not miss.

The tournament concludes with both the semi-finals and final on Sunday 23 June, with the last four matches due to start at 11:00am local time.

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Last 16 Set in Thailand

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Just 16 players remain in contention to capture the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship following two days of play at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Thailand.

From the original 53 players, 24 advanced to the final rounds with two progressing from each of the 12 round-robin groups and eight straight into Saturday’s last 16.

There were no significant upsets in the groups as each of the original 12 seeded players made it through including defending champion Ng On Yee of Hong Kong and 11-time queen Reanne Evans.

Not all of the players had such a straightforward progression with top four stars Rebecca Kenna and Nutcharut Wongharuthai among those to suffer group match defeats meaning that they would qualify in second position, potentially giving them a tougher path to the final.

Both however were able to record comfortable victories in their last 24 contests this evening to keep their hopes alive and join a stellar line-up for the final weekend which includes players from an impressive eight nationalities.

The action continues from 11:00am local time with the last 16, ahead of the quarter-finals at approximately 5:00pm on Saturday.

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Thailand Lifts Women’s Snooker World Cup

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Thailand has claimed a home victory at the inaugural Women’s Snooker World Cup following a dominant performance by Waratthanun Sukritthanes and Baipat Siripaporn at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok.

The pair, who made up Thailand’s A team in the competition began the day with a 4-0 success against compatriots Nutcharut Wongharuthai and Ploychompoo Laokiatphong, representing Thailand B to book their places in the final.

There they would face Hong Kong A, represented by reigning world champion Ng On Yee and Ho Yee Ki, who overcame English duo Reanne Evans and Rebecca Kenna 4-2 in their semi-final earlier in the day.

What had appeared to be a close final in prospect however would prove to be a one-sided affair, breaks of 70, 48 and 50 by Thailand propelling the team into a 3-0 lead, before Siripaporn clinched the fourth and ultimately final frame on the black to confirm victory.

The victory is the first success for either player in a major World Women’s Snooker ranking event and the first for Thailand as a nation in WWS competition.

There was a consolation prize for Hong Kong as the B-team of Jaique Ip Wan Ip and So Man Yan defeated Thai duo Panchaya Channoi and Thitaporn Nakkaew 2-0 to win the Challenge Cup side-event for teams who did not qualify for the knockout stages of the main event.

The action continues tomorrow in Thailand with the start of the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship, with 53 players set to battle it out for the most prestigious title in women’s snooker. View the draw for the event HERE.

Results (knockout rounds only)

Final

Thailand A 4-0 Hong Kong A

Semi-finals

Thailand A 4-0 Thailand B

Hong Kong A 4-2 England A

Quarter-finals

Thailand A 4-2 India A

Thailand B 4-1 Australia B

England A 4-1 Rest of the World

Hong Kong A 4-1 England B

 

World Women’s Snooker Championship Launched in Thailand

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This year’s editions of the World Women’s Snooker Championship and the Women’s Snooker World Cup were officially launched this evening at a special welcome ceremony at the Hi-End Snooker Club in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hosted by our friends at Hi-End Snooker and the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand (BSAT), the ceremony was well-attended by players and officials, as well as the board of BSAT, Thai professionals James Wattana and Noppon Saengkham.

With the striking trophies for the week on display alongside the perpetual World Women’s Snooker Championship trophy returned by 2018 champion Ng On Yee, the evening saw speeches from dignitaries including BSAT President Suntorn Jarumon and WWS President Mandy Fisher.

All players were presented with welcome gifts by our hosts, including tournament programme, clothing and more.

The draws for both events have now been made and are available to view via snookerscores.net.

View more photos from the welcome ceremony at our Facebook page.

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Women’s Snooker Set for Thailand

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World Women’s Snooker is set to witness its biggest week for a generation with the staging of two prestigious international competitions in Bangkok, Thailand.

To be held at the spectacular Hi-End Snooker Club with the support of the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand and the World Snooker Federation, the event will be headlined by this year’s World Women’s Snooker Championship from 20-23 June 2019.

Won last year for a third time by Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee, the tournament will see 54 players from 15 different countries – more than double the number who played last year – contest the biggest title of this season’s World Women’s Snooker Tour.

Among those taking part will be the world’s top four ranked players including defending champion On Yee and 11-time queen Reanne Evans, as well as 12-time European Championship winner Wendy Jans and several other established faces.

They will be joined by several newcomers to the circuit including players from Iran, Japan, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore and India making this one of the most international editions of the championship ever.

The week will also see the staging of the inaugural Women’s Snooker World Cup from 17-19 June, a new team event featuring 17 teams representing countries from across the globe.

Adopting a similar format to that used at the professional World Cup to be staged by World Snooker later this month in Thailand, matches will see two-player teams contest a combination of singles and doubles frames, initially through round robin groups before knockout stages starting at the quarter-finals.

Each country was permitted to enter up to two teams, with Thailand being granted an extra two as the host country. There is also a wildcard ‘Rest of the World’ team featuring Laura Evans and Wendy Jans as the highest ranked players unable to otherwise compete in the tournament due to being the only players nominated by their countries.

Among those who will be fancied to go all the way will be the England A team featuring top ranked Reanne Evans and world number 3 Rebecca Kenna, as well as those teams featuring the likes of Ng On Yee and home favourite Nutcharut Wongharuthai.

All tournament information, including player lists, draws and results will be available via https://snookerscores.net/organisation/world-womens-snooker throughout the week.

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