SWINDON schoolgirl Jodie Symes’ performance at the British Open was described as “superb” by the chairman of the women’s snooker association.
The 15-year-old (pictured) took a frame off eight-time German national champion Natascha Niermann after defeating world number ten Gaye Jones, from Melksham, 3-2 in the preliminary round at Newmarket Snooker & Bowl (on Saturday, November 14).
She also beat former England international Marianne Williams 2-0 in the Plate.
However, for the third tournament running, Symes lost 2-0 to Derby’s England international Hannah Jones, 13, in the junior final.
The British Open was the third ranking event on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) circuit.
WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher said: “Jodie was superb.”
Symes, who also competes on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 circuit, attends Dorcan Technology College and is coached by Paul Rose at her home club, Jesters.
Now ranked 18th on the tour, she made her WLBSA debut at the Connie Gough National Championship in Luton in March this year.
Meanwhile, defending British Open champion Emma Bonney, from Cosham, who competes on the Cuestars South of England Championship Tour, was defeated 3-1 by Kent’s Katie Henrick in the semi-finals.
Cosham's world number three Emma Bonney
World number three Bonney, 33, a four-time WLBSA world billiards champion, saw off Niermann 3-1 in the last eight.
RESULTS (breaks):
PRELIM: Jodie Symes beat Gaye Jones 3-2.
FIRST ROUND: Natascha Niermann beat Symes 3-1, Naomi Clare beat Joanne Davies 3-0, Martina Lumsden beat Hannah Jones 3-0, Marianne Williams beat Vicky Ashby (41) 3-1.
SECOND ROUND: Niermann beat Chris Sharpe 3-1, Jenny Poulter beat Clare 3-0, Lumsden beat Eva Palmius 3-2, Suzie Opacic beat Williams 3-2.
QUARTER-FINALS: Emma Bonney beat Niermann 3-1, Katie Henrick beat Poulter 3-0, Maria Catalano (61, 49) beat Martina Lumsden 3-0, Reanne Evans (77, 45) beat Suzie Opacic 3-0.
SEMI-FINALS: Henrick beat Bonney 3-1, Evans (70, 62, 51) beat Catalano 3-0.
FINAL (£200/£100): Evans (41) beat Henrick 3-1.
PLATE
QUARTER-FINALS: Hannah Jones beat Vicky Ashby 2-0, Naomi Clare beat Joanne Davies 2-1, Jodie Symes beat Marianne Williams 2-0.
SEMI-FINAL: Eva Palmius beat Symes 2-0, Jones beat Clare 2-0.
FINAL: Palmius beat Jones 2-0.
JUNIORS
ROUND ROBIN: Hannah Jones beat Naomi Clare 1-0, Symes beat Clare 1-0.
FINAL: Jones (30) beat Symes 2-0.
Pictures by Monique Limbos
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