Watkins just misses out on an England spot

CITY potter Beckie Watkins put up a fine performance before narrowly missing out on a place in the England team for the World Championships.

The city potter finished fifth out of 12 players battling for a place in the England team for Blackpool.

She won five and lost five of her 10 matches as she came away from the World Championship qualifiers at Leicester with plenty of credit.

She said: “I played really well but sadly not quite well enough.

“Most of my defeats were last frame deciders so although I’m gutted to have missed out I’m proud of myself.

bob.frank@jpress.co.uk

Carly Smith (the Hampton potter was already assured of her place in the team and was helping with the organisation) told me they were awaiting the results of one player and, if she’d lost I’d have been in the top four and still in with a shout of making the team but she won.

“It was a great experience and hopefully I’ll go even better next year.”

Watkins began the trials with a 3-2 victory over fellow city potter Liz Disney, who also failed to make the team after winning just two of her nine matches.

Watkins stormed into a 3-0 lead against her practice partner but a mistake gave the fourth frame to Disney who also took the fifth.

Despite failing to make the team, Watkins and Disney are assured of their places at the World Masters Championships in Blackpool having progressed through the first stage of England qualifiers atyarmouth earlier this year.

WATKINS also made her UK Ladiestour debut at the same Club 147 venue at Leicester, losing 5-2 to 11th seed Sue Fletcher and then going down 4-2 against Lisa Wray in the opening round of the Plate competition.

Former Eveningtelegraph Sportswoman of theyear Smith was out of sorts and went out at the Last 32 stage.

The third seed defeated Lynn Blackshaw 5-1 but then went out by the same score to 19th seed Emma Senior.

That saw her go into the Plate event where she beattheresa Sheridan 4-1 before losing 4-3 to Liesa Conlin.