Joanna Ward from Kildare won her first Intermediate Billiards ranking event at Sharkx Newbridge recently.
Joanna only playing billiards over the past 3 months has certainly made an impact on the Intermediate Ladies Billiard tour as she was runner up in the first ranking event a few weeks ago and went one better this time out by winning the event.
In the first session current Intermediate Champion and number 1 Valerie Maloney from Offaly finished with a 4 point lead on Jennifer Earle from Dublin in their 30 minute match on the clock 33-29, while Stephanie Morrison from Carlow had a good run against Joanna finishing with the win 41-31
Session 2 saw Joanna stepped up a gear towards the final minutes against Valerie finishing on the alarm 47-30. Stephanie and Jennifer’s match went down to the final seconds with Stephanie just taking the match by 1 point on the clock 38-37
The last session of the evening saw Valerie step up and make good scores against Stephanie again with minutes remaining to take the win against Stephanie 40-33 while Joanna was now playing well against Jennifer to finish the match with the win and her highest 30 minute score to date 59-34
After the points were tallied it was Joanna who took the win on 137 points followed by Stephanie on 112 points which is her first runner up place in female billiards since she started playing, 3rd place was Valerie’s on 103 points and Jennifer just behind on 100 points.
On the Intermediate National Rankings, Valerie is still holding number 1 spot followed by Jennifer in 2nd place, Joanna’s win moves her into 3rd spot with Stephanie completing the top 4 to date
As you can see very little between them and its anybody’s game on the day as they are of equal standard overall.
Congratulations to Joanna on her win and to Stephanie on her runner up place well done to all the players for their participation. Thanks to Bernie and Paul of Sharkx for their continued help and support towards female cue sports. Thanks to Annette for helping with refereeing on the evening.
TOP 6 PROVISIONAL PLAYERS AFTER EVENT 2
Ranking | Name | Club/School | Tot | Tot |
1st | Valerie Maloney | Portarlington S.C., Laois | 5000 | 350 |
2nd | Jennifer Earle | Dublin | 4000 | 289 |
3rd | Joanna Ward | Celbridge Snooker Club | 3700 | 279 |
4th | Stephanie Morrison | Griffith Club, Carlow | 3000 | 215 |
5th | Tina Keogh | Portarlington S.C., Laois | 2200 | 84 |
6th | Roisin Beale | Sharkx, Newbridge | 2000 | 121 |