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Billiards - 28. April 2008.

Reanne still the one to beat - women’s World Championship preview


Despite only one ranking event success this season, the mother-of-one from Dudley is still her rivals favourite to clinch the title.


billiardsJune-Banksweb.jpg
June Banks/photo Kevin Legg


European champion Evans, 22, partner of NI professional Mark Allen, won the UK Championship but missed the next two tournaments due to clashes with the EASB Pro-Ticket Tour and the IBSF World Championship in Thailand.

After lifting her second IBSF title, Evans’ 35-match unbeaten run in women’s events was ended by Emma Bonney at the South Coast Classic.

billiardsReanne-Evans-KLb.jpg
Reanne Evans/photo Kevin Legg

Another defeat, after leading 2-0 against Maria Catalano in the Connie Gough final, proved that the undisputed world number one is not invincible.

Evans said: “Cambridge has been a good venue for me. Obviously I would love to win the title for the fourth time but also to remain world champion because that’s the best you can be.

“Although there are some very good players such as Maria, June, Emma and Katie, I still feel confident enough in my game to win.”

Katie ‘Hooray’ Henrick
, who lost 5-3 to Evans in last year’s final, said: “Obviously Reanne is the main threat even though she’s not won the last couple of tournaments.


“We all know that if we want to beat Reanne we’ve got to play well; we’ve got to be going there with our best game.”


The 27-year-old from Bickley, Kent, added: “I think there’s three or four girls who can possibly win it. I’m looking forward to it.”


Queen of the South Emma Bonney, from Portsmouth, who earlier this month teamed up with Evans to win the European women’s team championships for England in Glasgow, said: “Obviously Reanne, I think you’d still rather play her later than earlier.


“You’re looking at Maria, Katie and June as the main ones to look out for – and avoid,” she laughed.


Kent-based June Banks reckons that the recent defeats will just make Evans hungrier.


“The World Championship seems to bring out the best in her,” said the former England international. “She’s the one to beat.”


And Banks added: “It depends on the draw and who else is entering from overseas.”


Maria Catalano, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s 26-year-old cousin, who was a major doubt for the event due to work commitments at her dad Antonio’s ice-cream business in Dudley, has confirmed her entry.


WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher said: “Maria did fantastic to come back against Reanne.


“I think, because she did that, it will make Reanne more determined not to lose.”


Allison Fisher, now playing on the US pool circuit, is the all-time record holder with seven world titles.


Thanks to a new sponsorship deal, Chitra Magimairaj jets over from India chasing a hat-trick of billiards titles.


Jaique Ip-Wan In, who was beaten by Evans in the semi-finals in Thailand, flies in from Hong Kong.


Pam Wood, from Newcastle, has been working with WSA coach Mike Dunn and would like the chance to defend the doubles title she won last year with Chris Sharpe, from Chelmsford.


Beaten finalists in 2007, Wood and ex-professional Gary Wilson are hoping to go one better in the mixed pairs.


“I’d love to qualify this year for the singles,” she said.


Former Swedish pool star Eva Palmius defends the Seniors title.


Derby schoolgirl and England international Hannah Jones, 11, reckons it would be “cool” to lift the junior crown. Jones lost 2-0 in the 2006 final to Suzie Opacic, from Chandler’s Ford.


2007/2008 roll of honour:

Date

Venue

Tournament

Winner

Runner-up

Sept 2007

Clay Cross

Wytech Masters (non-ranking)

Reanne Evans

Emma Bonney

Sept 2007

Clay Cross

UK Championship

Reanne Evans

Katie Henrick

Oct 2007

Cambridge

East Anglian Championship

Katie Henrick

June Banks

Nov 2007

Rushden

British Open

Maria Catalano

Emma Bonney

Feb 2008

Eastbourne

South Coast Classic

Emma Bonney

June Banks

Mar 2008

Luton

Connie Gough National Championship

Maria Catalano

Reanne Evans

 

World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association 2008 World Championships


3 – 8 May

Cambridge Snooker Centre

Coldhams Road

Cambridge

CB1 3EW

Tel: 01223 249 661


Programme:

Saturday

May 3

0945hrs



Round-robin draw



1000hrs

to 1800hrs

Round-robin group matches















Sunday

May 4

1000hrs

to conclusion

Round-robin group matches






World Junior









Monday

May 5

1000hrs.



Plate competition




1330hrs



Quarter-finals - best of seven






World Mixed Billiards








Tuesday

May 6

1000hrs



World Billiards & Seniors



1600hrs



Semi-finals - best of seven






World Seniors









Wednesday

May 7

1000hrs



World Ladies Doubles/Seniors Final



1330hrs



World final - best of nine








Thursday

May 8

1000hrs



World Mixed Pairs

World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association rankings



2007/08





provisional


1

Reanne

Evans

Gornal, West Midlands


2

Katie

Henrick

Bickley, Kent


3

June

Banks

Orpington, Kent


4

Maria

Catalano

Dudley, West Midlands


5

Jenny

Poulter

Maidstone, Kent


6

Emma

Bonney

Portsmouth, Hants


7

Chris

Sharpe

Chelmsford, Essex


8

Suzie

Opacic

Brambridge, Hants


9

Gaye

Jones

Melksham, Wilts


10

Eva

Palmius

Royston, Herts


11

Martina

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