Jasmine secures first tour title

WOKING starlet Jasmine Bolsover has struck another blow for girl power in the mainly male-dominated world of snooker.

The 13-year-old (pictured) is the first female player to win a Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour leg.

Bolsover, the only girl in a 16-strong field, claimed her first winner’s trophy on home tables at Woking Snooker Centre.

A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nathan Farmer (Stoke SC, Gosport) in the final ended a ten-hour day for the player ranked 14th on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association circuit

She ran away with the first frame but Farmer, who also lost in last month’s first leg final in Salisbury, levelled and was leading on the colours in the decider.

However, Bolsover cut a tricky pink into the yellow pocket with the rest and sent the cue-ball in and out of baulk to land perfectly on the black that was on its spot.

“It was a really good result,” she said. “I’m really pleased.”

The teenager, who attends St John the Baptist School in Woking, added: “I’ve always played well against boys because I’m quite competitive against them.”

Proud dad Gavin was there to watch the final. He had promised to turn up when his daughter reached the semi-finals for the first time.

Having played on the WLBSA circuit, Bolsover said she was “kind of used to” long events but admitted: “At the end of the day, it’s still quite tiring.”

She now shares the rankings lead with event-one winner Callum Browne (Player’s, Westbury).

Jamie Wilson (Copnor SC, Portsmouth), who turns ten next week, posted a personal best 39 break in a 2-1 group-stage defeat by Joe Kitchen (Stoke SC, Gosport).

The third leg of eight is at Jesters Snooker Hall Swindon on Sunday, December 8.

BREAKS

Jamie Wilson: 39.
Mickey Joyce: 36, 30.

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Jasmine Bolsover (Woking SC); 2nd, Nathan Farmer (Stoke SC, Gosport); 3rd, Matt Gillon (Stoke SC, Gosport); 4th, Dan Sykes (Chandler’s Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Callum Browne (Player’s, Westbury); 2nd, Austen Petty (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Joe Kitchen (Stoke SC, Gosport); 4th, Jamie Wilson (Copnor SC, Portsmouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Mickey Joyce (Chandler’s Ford SC); 2nd, Daniel Booker (Stoke SC, Gosport); 3rd, Bradley Leishman (Stoke SC, Gosport); 4th, Thomas Holton (Woking SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Canberk Benning (Jesters, Swindon); 2nd, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize SC, Bournemouth); 3rd, Cameron Gillon (Stoke SC, Gosport); 4th, Daniel Compton (Copnor SC, Portsmouth).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Bolsover beat Cowdroy 2-0, Booker beat Browne 2-1, Joyce beat Petty 2-1, Farmer beat Benning 2-1.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Bolsover beat Booker 2-1, Farmer beat Joyce 2-0.

FINAL (25/18 points): Bolsover beat Farmer 2-1.

Picture by Tim Dunkley