STEELY AIM
Evans has sights on Sheffield
REANNE EVANS still believes she can become the first woman to play in the World Championship at the Crucible.
The reigning and 12-time women’s world champion lost for the second year in a row in qualifying to veteran Andy Hicks as the Devon pro closed out a 6-2 victory.
It was the latest bitter disappointment for the 35-year-old from Dudley in her efforts to make it to the spiritual home of the game for the blue-riband tournament in Sheffield.
But Evans can look forward to two years on the main tour from this summer after being awarded a tour card when the women’s game was given development status and spots on the circuit.
And handicapped by a lack of competitive action after the women’s tour was suspended for more than 12 months, Evans did not get the rub of the green against Hick.
A controversial refereeing call went against her in frame two when official Colin Humphries adjudged she had fouled by hitting the pink first, and she soon fell 4-0 adrift.
Evans said: “I can make it to the Crucible one day. It isn’t my main focus, I want to improve my game and my preparation. If I do everything right and get more consistent it is possible – but that is not my only goal.
“I have been given a big opportunity with this tour card for the next two seasons, so I am going to play in just about every event. I won’t hold back.
“Of course it is very disappointing, I come here hoping to win matches and have a run, and I have worked really hard ahead of this. It is just such a different environment
“The women’s tour has been suspended so we haven’t had regular events, while Andy has been playing tournaments and it showed out there. “It took time to get into the match. It will be a big learning curve for me over the next two years.”