Chloe makes Cuestars history

CHLOE White is the first girl to win a rankings title in the nine-year history of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Tours.

The 16-year-old from Havant will be presented with the Silver Tour trophy by professional Billy Castle during finals day in Swindon on May 20.

White clinched top spot by reaching the final of the tenth and last leg at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

And the women’s world number 26 then defeated Ally Pollard 2-0 to claim her second winner’s trophy of the season in the event sponsored by Pitman Training Southampton.

It was the same score and the same opponent as in the eighth leg in Salisbury.

She said: “Everyone’s improving so it’s been very difficult.

“I had no expectations. But to actually win Silver, I’m over the moon.”

It means she will be promoted to the Gold Tour next season.

“I know it’s going to be difficult but I’m hoping it’s only going to improve my game,” she added.

“Playing better people usually helps so I’m looking forward to it.”

White, who is based at Waterlooville Sports Bar, thanked new coach Colin Norton.

Eight days previously, she won The Ladies Open run by the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation at the Plaza Snooker Club, Plymouth.

Kaine Petty (Fordingbridge) reached the last-four for the fifth time out of the eight events he has entered but was denied a first appearance in a final by White.

Pollard (Alderholt) was forced to complete the deciding frame of his semi-final victory over Riley Ellis (Clyffe Pypard, North Wilts), which went to the final black, with a cue borrowed from Anthony Rice (Fordingbridge) when his own tip flew off.

The 21-year-old, in his final ranking event, was competing in his fourth successive final. He collected his first winner’s trophy in the penultimate leg in Swindon last month.

For more information about Pitman Training Southampton, go to www.pitman-training.com/our-centres/england/southampton.

BREAKS

Nat Kidner: 39.

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Chloe White (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Ally Pollard (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Shane Kearns (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Callum White (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 5th, Nat Kidner (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Riley Ellis (147 SC, Swindon); 2nd, Kaine Petty (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Drew Hampshire (147 SC, Swindon); 4th, Keegan Reed (Salisbury SC).

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Chloe White 2-1 Petty, Pollard 2-1 Ellis.

FINAL (25/18 points): Chloe White 2-0 Pollard.

Picture by Tim Dunkley, from left: Ally Pollard, Paul Lawrence (operations manager of Pitman Training Southampton), Chloe White.

Have you got any snooker news?

Send me your snooker news now. It doesn’t have to be from a Cuestars tournament. E-mail me details or contact me via Facebook and you could be on the Cuestars website and in your local newspaper. E-mail: [email protected]

Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)