The 3rd ladies ranking event took place in Q’s SC Clondalkin on Sunday 8th December. Michelle French faced Catherine Fitzsimons in the first q-final. It was a very even match throughout, with some excellent safety play from both girls. Catherine got the better of Michelle in the end winning the match 3-0. The other q-final seen number 3 seed Annette Newman taking on youngster Emirjeta Doda. While Emirjeta played well and was showing a marked improvement in her play, Annette was just too strong on the day, potting some fantastic long pots on her way to a 3-0 win in this match. The first semi-final seen Michelle Sherwin against Catherine Fitzsimons.
Catherine stepped up a gear from her q-final match, and stayed toe to toe with the current number 1 throughout the first 2 frames; Michelle managed to narrowly win them on the pink and the black. Michelle then stepped up a gear herself and drew ahead in the 3rd frame and held onto a decent lead throughout the frame to win the frame and the match 3-0.
The second semi-final seen Claire Mill against Annette Newman. This was an excellent match throughout, the first 2 frames were close and ended with the players at 1-1. Annette was very solid in the 3rd frame and won it very well to take a 2-1 lead; Claire played equally well in the 4th frame and won it to tie the match at 2-2 and take the match to a decider. It was close until about the middle of the last frame, when Annette inched ahead and when she potted the brown on the colours she left Claire needing 2 snookers.
After a few shots from both players Claire left the blue hanging right in the jaws of the green pocket, but had snookered Annette full ball on the pink. Annette played a fantastic shot to swerve around the pink to hit cushion first onto the blue to pot it, at which point Claire conceeded the frame and match. The final between Annette Newman and Michelle Sherwin was very much a safety battle more than anything. Both players were potting well, but both were also playing some brilliant safety play.
Michelle got ahead in the first frame and held onto her slender lead to take the first frame on the blue. Michelle took first blood in the 2nd frame also, and again managed to hold onto a slender lead throughout the frame to win it and take a 2-0 lead. There was some excellent safety play at the start of the 3rd frame with the pack being left awkward. Michelle potted some lovely long straight shots and scored steadily to gain a good lead in the frame and leave Annette needing a few snookers on the last red. Annette played on for her snookers and got one 4 point foul back when Michelle went in off to the centre.
After a few more shots each Michelle managed to pot the last red; and Annette shook her hand and congratulated her on her win. The ladies would like to thank the staff at Q’s for their hospitality on the day, and especially Don for the bingo tickets (even though none of us won). We would also like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year in 2014.
