Annette Newman Wins Billiards Ranking 3 – The Griffith Masters in Newbridge

Annette Newman from Carlow continues her winning form at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently taking the Griffith Masters Billiards Ranking event 3 of the season.

This event was almost identical to the previous ranking where some players started out slow, this is due to the fact that almost 5 months away from competition has its effect, however the event soon got going with good performances from the players as they got further into the sessions.

Christine Carr from Kildare again got off to a great start against Joanna Ward also from Kildare in session 1 with a number of small breaks of 11, 13 and 14 to finish the 30 minute timed match 75-40.  On the other table Jennifer Earle from Dublin started slow against Stephanie Morrison from Carlow who began with a small lead, however the match had little scoring as opportunities to do so were not on both players side.  Jennifer pipped the win on the alarm with a potted red to finish 32-29

Session 2 saw the current National Champion and number 1, Annette Newman from Carlow, get off to a great start against Jennifer with a number of small breaks 14,16,18 to finish on the clock winning the match comfortably 81-34, while Stephanie struggled against Christine for the first 15 minutes with Christine going into a lead of 30 points before she started to score but with time against Stephanie, she managed to get back into the match but the alarm sounded with Christine winning 54-32

Session 3 saw Joanna keep in touch with Annette all the way and had a number of chances to take the win but Annette keep her composure towards the final minutes to finish with her second win of the evening 59-51.  Christine stepped up a gear in her match against Jennifer again scoring well when she was at the table to finish comfortably on the clock 86-24

In session 4 Annette kept up the pressure on Stephanie scoring well throughout to take the win 63-13 while Joanna again had chances to take a win against Jennifer but it was Jennifer who would finish strong to take her second win of the evening 52-45

It was all down to the last session again to see who would take the title.  Christine was now ahead on points and was looking good to take the title as her form throughout the evening was excellent, however Annette knew she had to step up a gear and this she did with small breaks of 17,19 and 23 to finish on the clock taking the win 83-50.  On the other table we saw Joanna playing well against Stephanie and held firm towards the final seconds to take the win 52-34

Once the points were tallied, it was Annette who took the title on 286 with Christine in a close second with 265, Joanna finished 3rd with 188 followed by Jennifer in 4th on 142 and Stephanie on 108 in 5th spot.

On the National Billiards Rankings Annette Newman is holding onto number 1 half way through the season and is well poised to take number 1 for the 5th season in a row.  Second place is Christine Carr who is also keeping her standing as she has been the National number 2 over the past 4 seasons.  Jennifer Earle moves into 3rd place while Stephanie Morrison completes the top 4 as we get back into the second half of the season.

Congratulations to Annette on her win and to Christine on her fine performance.  Thanks and well done to all the players for their participation and support.  Thanks to Paul, Bernie and staff of Sharkx for all their support and to Dave Earle who helped out refereeing on the evening.

NATIONAL BILLIARDS RANKING AFTER EVENT 3