Reanne's Reign Continues

Reanne Evans, desperate for a first win on World Snooker’s Main Tour, just can’t lose on the women’s circuit. The six-time women’s world champion extended her record-breaking unbeaten run to 80 matches with victory in the Southern Classic at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon.

Evans, who did not drop a frame in all four rounds, defeated Maria Catalano 3-0 in the final to claim her 27th ranking title on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association circuit.

In a bizarre final frame, Evans gained 52 points while just three balls were potted.

The 25-year-old said: “In the first frame, Maria went 30-something up and I came back with a 59. It went close but I took a good final blue and pink to win.

“The second one I won easy but then in the third I was 27 down with 27 on and ended up 25 in front with the blue on. I played some good snookers.”

Evans, from Dudley, West Midlands , is praying for just one win in her first year on the professional circuit.

“I can’t win a close frame at the minute,” she explained. “Hopefully it’ll come in the next two events (the China Open and the World Championship).

“As long as I win one I’ll be happy – no matter where it is.”

Jesters was the venue of Evans’ first World Championship appearance in 2002, when she reached the semi-finals at the age of 16.

Jodie Symes is now 16. The world number 17 took advantage of home tables to take the junior title after her final opponent Hannah Jones, 14, from Derby , went in off the black in the third and deciding frame.

Earlier, Symes recorded a fine 3-2 win in the last-16 of the main competition against world number 12 Tina Owen-Sevilton ( Taunton ) before going out 3-0 in the quarter-finals to world number one Evans.

Owen-Sevilton defeated Jones 2-0 in the Plate final and Jenny Poulter (Maidstone) overcame Chris Sharpe (Chelmsford) 2-1 to claim the Seniors title.

The WLBSA is hosting six ranking events this season culminating in the World Championships in April.

RESULTS (BREAKS)

LAST-16: Reanne Evans (41) beat Naomi Clare 3-0, Jodie Symes beat Tina Owen-Sevilton 3-2, Gaye Jones beat Victoria Gibbs 3-0, Eva Palmius beat Martina Lumsden 3-1, Emma Bonney beat Jenny Poulter 3-0, Natascha Niermann beat Jasmine Bolsover 3-1, Chris Sharpe beat Vicky Carter 3-2, Maria Catalano beat Hannah Jones 3-0.

QUARTER-FINALS: Evans (45) beat Symes 3-0, Palmius (32) beat G Jones 3-1, Bonney (31, 59) beat Niermann 3-1, Catalano (58, 35) beat Sharpe 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS (£25): Evans (40, 52, 44) beat Palmius 3-0, Catalano (46, 32, 32, 33) beat Bonney 3-1.

FINAL (£150/£90): Evans (59, 36) beat Catalano 3-0.

PLATE

QUARTER-FINALS: Hannah Jones beat Naomi Clare 2-0, Jenny Poulter beat Victoria Gibbs 2-0, Tina Owen-Sevilton beat Jasmine Bolsover 2-0, Vicky Carter beat Martina Lumsden 2-1.

SEMI-FINALS: Jones beat Poulter (41) 2-1, Owen-Sevilton beat Carter 2-1.

FINAL (£20/£10): Owen-Sevilton beat Jones 2-0.

SENIORS

SEMI-FINALS: Jenny Poulter beat Gaye Jones 2-0, Chris Sharpe beat Martina Lumsden 2-1.

FINAL: Poulter beat Sharpe 2-1.

JUNIORS

SEMI-FINALS: Hannah Jones beat Naomi Clare 2-0, Jodie Symes beat Jasmine Bolsover 2-1.

FINAL: Symes beat Jones 2-1.

SOUTHERN CLASSIC ENTRIES

Reanne Evans (Dudley, West Mids )

Maria Catalano (Dudley, West Mids )

Emma Bonney ( Portsmouth )

Eva Palmius (Isleham, Cambs)

Hannah Jones ( Derby )

Natascha Niermann ( Cambridge )

Vicky Carter ( Hemel Hempstead )

Jenny Poulter ( Maidstone )

Tina Owen-Sevilton ( Taunton )

Gaye Jones (Melksham, Wilts)

Chris Sharpe ( Chelmsford )

Martina Lumsden ( Eastbourne )

Jodie Symes ( Swindon )

Naomi Clare (Ripley, Derbys )

Jasmine Bolsover ( Woking )

Victoria Gibbs (Trowbridge)

WLBSA PROVISIONAL RANKINGS PRIOR TO SOUTHERN CLASSIC

More details and action shots of most of the ladies available from:

Tim Dunkley (WLBSA press office)

88 Lionheart Way

Bursledon Green

Southampton

SO31 8HN

Tel home: 02380 562647

Mobile: 07986 376114

E-Mail: timdunkleysnookerdad@hotmail.com