The first National Intermediate Billiards Ranking event got underway at the RILSA Academy Sharkx Newbridge recently. Stephanie Foley from Carlow won her first National Intermediate Billiards event after a great evenings billiards at the Academy.
All matches were set for 25 minutes in this round robin event. The event was ran in a very safe manner, with all the guidelines adhered to.
Session 1, saw Jennifer Earle from Dublin take a good win over the current Intermediate Champion, Valerie Maloney from Laois finishing with a few small breaks on the alarm after a bout of safety play from both players with Jennifer edging the champion out 30-20. Tina Keogh from Offaly was up against Michelle French from Kildare, Michelle struggled to get going in this low scoring match with Tina eventually taking the win on the clock 26-14
Session 2 would see an improvement in the scoring from the players as Stephanie Foley from Carlow got off to a great start against Michelle with a break of 16, followed by a number of small scores to keep ahead as Michelle came back into the match but it was not to be as the clock ticked down, Stephanie would take the win 45-34. Tina upped her scoring slightly against Valerie towards the final minutes to take her second win of the evening 38-19.
In session 3 we would see Tina continue her good form against Jennifer scoring well to take the win 43-21 while Stephanie would see off Valerie in a low scoring match as the placement of the balls would dictate the opportunities but Stephanie took the win on the alarm 31-15.
Session 4, saw Stephanie continue her winning streak taking her 3rd win on the evening against Jennifer, in another low scoring match as Jennifer had chances to score in the final minutes but with the alarm sounding, Stephanie won 25-19. Valerie kept a close match against Michelle, with both players level at times but as the Alarm sounded, Valerie would take the win 27-25 very close indeed.
The 5th and final session would see Jennifer come into her own against Michelle towards the final minutes to take the win 36-21 while Stephanie stepped up a gear against Tina to finish off with a good score of 51 to 19 to take her 4th successive win on the evening, thus giving her the first win on the Intermediate Billiards Tour.
Stephanie finished on 152 points with Tina on 126 followed in 3rd place by Jennifer on 106 points with Michelle just pipping Valerie with a 3 point difference to take 4th spot on 84 with Valerie on 81
Congratulations to Stephanie on her win and to Tina on a fine performance. Well done and thanks to all the girls for their participation and support. Thanks to Dave Earle for helping out refereeing and to Paul, Bernie and staff of Sharkx for their continued support for female cue sports.
