Joanna Ward from Kildare has won her first National Amateur Billiards Ranking event, the Sharkx Open at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently. Valerie Maloney from Laois took runner up spot just 15 points behind Joanna after a great run in the event.
The first session saw Valerie Maloney from Laois just two points ahead of Annette Newman from Carlow as the seconds ticked away with Annette just playing a shot to take two points on the alarm to level the scores 55-55. Joanna Ward from Kildare played solid billiards against Christine Carr from Kildare to take the win on the clock 64-52
Session two would see Christine get her first win on the evening against Stephanie Foley from Carlow in a low scoring match to finish 58-46. Joanna had a close encounter with Valerie but managed to get over the line on the alarm to take her second win 58-46 the same score finish as Christine and Stephanie.
In the 3rd session Annette would see off a close scoring match against Joanna to take the win on the alarm 69-63 while Valerie stepped up a gear to take the win against Stephanie with her highest 30 minute score to date 89-38
In the 4th session Annette struggled to get form as the match clock ticked down but Stephanie managed to get the win on the alarm again in a low scoring match to take the win 52-46. Valerie and Christine were not scoring well in their match as both players struggled but Valerie did take the win on the alarm 45-38
In the 5th and final session Annette tried to get back some form but it was not to be as Christine closed out the win on the alarm 61-48. Joanna continued her form against Stephanie and took the win on the clock 65-25. While many of the matches were low scoring, Joanna did keep consistent throughout the evening and this certainly gave her the edge as the competition progressed. Valerie would score her best 30 minute match score to date and Christine had a break of 21.
Congratulations to Joanna on her win finishing on 250 points and well done to Valerie on her runner up place finishing on 235, Annette was 3rd place on 218 followed by Christine in 4th on 209. Thanks to all the girls for their support and to Bernie, Paul and staff of Sharkx for their continued support towards female cue sports.
