Annette Newman from Carlow retained her National Billiards League Title making it 5 in a row for the Carlow woman. Joanna Ward from Kildare was the runner up in the league
With the league played over 10 weeks in a round robin and timed format it promised to be another great season of Female Billiards here in Ireland. With the many School Academies beginning to participate in English Billiards, we see the growth of our initiatives blossom. Along with the League, many other events are held throughout the year in Female Billiards and the numbers of girls taking to the sport is very encouraging indeed
Annette Newman from Carlow got off to a good start with a win over Valerie Maloney from Laois in their first match. Upping her scoring this time out was Jackie Trulock from Dublin with a good win over Joanna Ward from Kildare 166-123 on the alarm and Christine Carr saw off a challenge from Veronica Hallahan from Dublin 130-108 in their encounter to take the win in week 1 of the league
Week 2 saw Joanna play some good billiards against Annette who struggled to find form but not to take anything from Joanna, she certainly played good billiards to take the win on the alarm 180-131. Jackie just got over the line against Veronica in their low scoring match on the alarm to take the win 101-87. Christine took the win against Valerie to complete week 2
Week 3 saw Annette still out of sorts as she was having difficulty with the dreaded yips that has played havoc with many players over the years both as professionals and amateurs alike. However Annette is trying to get back to form and took the win against Veronica 148-111. Christine just took the win against Jackie by 6 points in another low scoring match 134-128. Joanna kept her form against Valerie taking the win on the alarm
Week 4 saw Annette up her game somewhat against Christine taking the win on the alarm 178-125 while Jackie had a good win over Valerie. Joanna continued her winning streak against Veronica taking the win on the alarm 144-79
Week 5 and at the halfway point in the league Annette saw more improvement in her scoring with a win over Jackie 188-125 and Joanna was on a winning streak against Christine taking the win 169-150 on the alarm. Veronica took the win against Valerie to complete the first half of the league
At the halfway point the league was very open indeed with a few players looking good for the title as the scores were close and it would now go to the second half to see who would come out on top at the end
Week 6 saw Annette continue her winning form against Valerie. Joanna would also continue her winning form against Jackie taking the match on the alarm 155-132. Christine would have to dig deep against Veronica who had chances to take the win in the final minutes but it was not to be and Christine just crossed the line 144-128 on the clock
Week 7 saw Annette just pip Joanna in a close match this time round by 7 points on the alarm 131-124. Jackie just got over the line against Veronica in another low scoring match 127-109 and Christine finished week 7 with a win over Valerie
Week 8 would see Annette score well against Veronica to take the win on the alarm 172-95. Jackie and Christine had a good scoring match and finished in a draw 185-185. Joanna took the win against Valerie in their match to complete week 8 of the league fixture
Week 9 saw Annette back to good form with a win over Christine 195-117 to increase her overall points as she sets her sights on the title. The other players would have to make big scores at this stage to catch her. Jackie had a good win over Valerie in a low scoring match and Joanna who was in contention would finish in a draw against Veronica in a low scoring match 124-124
Week 10 saw Annette take the win against Jackie in a close encounter 157-149 on the alarm. Joanna scored well against Christine to get over the line in the final minutes 165-160 in a close match and Veronica just pipped Valerie in their match to take the win on the alarm
With the scores tallied it was Annette who would take the title for the 5th season in a row with 1,500 points. Joanna finished a credible 2nd place with 1,384 points, just behind in 3rd spot is Christine on 1,345 points and 4th place is Jackie on 1,313 points
Congratulations to Annette on retaining her National Billiards League Title for the 5th year in a row a fantastic achievement for her. Well done to Joanna on her runner up place after a great league for her this time and well done to all the ladies who participated and supported the league.
Thanks as always to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for all their support
