Whitten's Winning Way
/Since deciding to make a comeback to the game in 2014 after nearly 20 years absence, Queanbeyan player Theresa Whitten has taken little time to settle back into her winning ways. The 1994 VIC Women’s Champion has now become a dual State Champion following her recent victory in the 2015 NSW State Women’s Snooker Championship – her second major title for 2015.
Earlier this year Whitten recorded her most important victory to date when claiming the 2015 Oceania Women’s Snooker Championship held in New Zealand. This victory has subsequently seen her selected to represent Oceania at the 2015 IBSF World Championship which will be staged in Egypt in November. This is a fantastic achievement and one I’m sure that all supporters of NSW snooker will join in wishing her well.
Held on 19th – 20th September, this year’s NSW State Women’s Snooker Championship was once again staged at Mingara Recreation Club on the Central Coast. Mingara and its members have certainly proven to be staunch supporters of snooker at all levels for many years now, but none more so than the Women’s – with this latest 2015 event being the 11th consecutive year that the NSW Women’s Snooker title has been hosted and supported by the popular Mingara club. This is an excellent effort by all concerned.
Whitten was in very good form throughout the weekend and thoroughly deserved her victory. In a dominant overall performance she topped her round-robin group, recorded the tournament’s highest break (32) and only lost one frame during Sunday’s knock-out stage. Runner-up Carlie Tait was gallant in defeat but found Whitten too solid on the day. This marks Tait’s third runner-up effort in this particular event and her time in the spotlight will surely come.
Dianne Spring had an excellent Championship, topping her round robin group after being undefeated – which included a 2-0 victory over 10-time winner Anne Green. Annette Clifford was also impressive in the round robin stage in what was her first event since being successful in the 2014 NSW State Women’s ‘Minor’ Snooker title.
Sufficient referees were not available to officiate during Saturday’s round robin stage as in previous years. This was unfortunate and highlights a growing trend of referee shortages within our game. Many thanks to those referees who did make themselves available for Sunday’s play and we urge anyone interested in becoming a referee to contact the relevant authorities.
Special thanks also to joint sponsors Mingara Snooker & Billiards Club and Central Coast Billiards & Snooker Association. This assistance and support is vital to the success of all major Championships conducted regularly at the Mingara venue and is duly acknowledged.
Full results and media release can be downloaded below.
Gary Knight
Tournament Director
