Today Cuestars, tomorrow the world

JESTERS’ Jodie Symes made a stunning debut on the World Ladies Billiards & Snooker Association (WLBSA) circuit.

The 14-year-old lost a black-ball game in the junior final at the Connie Gough National Championships in Luton (on Saturday, March 7).

Jodie (pictured with her runners-up trophy) is now officially ranked 30th on the WLBSA tour AND will compete in the women’s world championships in Cambridge in April.

After a shock semi-final victory over 12-year-old England international Hannah Jones (Derby), Jodie was defeated by Naomi Clare (Ripley, Derbys).

“I had a great time at Luton,” said Jodie. “Everyone was really nice and made me feel really welcome.

“It was a long day and I was a bit disappointed that I lost the final on the black – but it was a brilliant black.”

Jodie was awarded a scholarship by WLBSA chairman Mandy Fisher.

Fisher, a former world number one, said: “She’s a really nice girl and it’s a brilliant achievement.

“She seems really keen and she’ll be coming to the world championships which is fantastic.”

In the main competition, the fifth ranking event of the season, Jodie took a frame off world No 20 Jan Hughes (St Neots, Cambs).

And in the Plate competition for first-round losers, she beat tour veteran Mary Hawkes (Eaton Bray, Beds) 2-0 before a 2-0 exit to Dublin’s Laura Alves.