Jasmine gives world number one a scare

And Catalano, feeling “a bit giddy and a bit light-headed”, admitted she nearly conceded the match against the Woking schoolgirl at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon.

The 30-year-old from Dudley, West Midlands, who eventually ran out a 3-1 winner, explained: “During the semis, I was contemplating going home because I felt like I was in someone else’s body.”

A handful of Smarties then helped Catalano enjoy the sweet taste of success.

Complaining of feeling unwell, she was approached by finalist Tina Owen-Sevilton.

“Tina gave me about 20 Smarties and I ate them all,” said Catalano.

“I don’t know whether it was some kind of sugar rush but it worked. I felt a lot better and came to life in the final.

“I played really well. I think I missed three balls.”

Breaks of 30, 32, 52 and 66 in a 3-0 victory over Owen-Sevilton secured Catalano a ninth World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association ranking title.

Earlier, Bolsover, ranked number 23 on the WLBSA circuit, accounted for world number 12 Jenny Poulter (Maidstone, Kent) in the last-eight.

And she was then beaten 2-0 by 16-year-old England international Hannah Jones, from Derby, in the junior final.

QUARTER-FINALS: Maria Catalano (45, 38) beat Hannah Jones 3-2, Jasmine Bolsover beat Jenny Poulter 3-2, Vicky Carter w/o Tatjana Vasiljeva, Tina Owen-Sevilton beat Vicky Gibbs 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS: Catalano beat Bolsover 3-1, Owen-Sevilton beat Carter 3-2.

FINAL: Catalano (30, 32, 52, 66) beat Owen-Sevilton 3-0.

SEMI-FINALS: Hannah Jones beat Vicky Gibbs 2-0, Jenny Poulter bye.

FINAL: Poulter beat Jones 2-0.

FINAL: Hannah Jones beat Jasmine Bolsover 2-0.