A Mink Masterclass in Coulsdon…

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WHAT A YEAR it’s been for the 23-year-old Thai player Mink Nutcharut…

Mink Nutcharut claimed the 2022 Eden Women’s Masters over the weekend at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon.

It’s the fourth ranking title she has claimed with 2022 being a fantastic year for the humble player from Saraburi.

It seems not so long ago that SnookerZone was writing about her win in the World Women’s Championships in Sheffield way back in April and the exciting news that she was turning professional.

Her win there saw an even bigger step onto the main stage with an appearance in the Champion of Champions, where she gave a great account of herself.

Then, there was the BIG news that the women’s game would be entertaining a slot on TV for the first time in September with the new World Mixed Doubles, in which the Thai female scooped the title with Australian male partner the 2010 World Champion Neil Robertson.

Mink came through a tough field in what was a record number of entries with just shy of 50, as she defeated the talented professional Ng On Yee in the final 4 – 0.

That wasn’t the only story of the final event of 2022 for the WWST as Woking’s Jasmine Bolsover achieved yet another milestone by reaching a quarter-final of a ranking since her incredible return to competitive snooker last year.

The 22-year-old staved off competition from the likes of Jamie Hunter, who has won events in Australia and America, to reach the last 8 and did one better than the last Eden Masters in 2021.

Hunter wrote on Facebook after:

“Once again, another disappointing weekend of snooker for me. I was seeded straight through to the Last 16, as I was in Scotland, so play didn’t start for me until 10am Sunday. Well, my Last 16 match was my one and only match of the tournament, bowing out in a decider to Jasmine. She really brought the heat to me today, and I was just pipped to the post. When I had a good chance, I was feeling good and scored heavy, knocking in a 76 with my first real bite at the cherry, but there was nothing else for me to bring to the table today.”

In the quarters, Jasmine faced the tough opponent in Rebecca Kenna, another woman who turned pro in the last year or so and also shone in the World Mixed Doubles event with Mark Selby – but Jasmine eventually lost 3 – 1.

A milestone in the short but successful career of Woking’s Jasmine Bolsover…

There was a special moment in the Women’s game as well over the weekend as 53-year-old Tessa Davidson managed to knock in a century break – 114 – – a first since her return to the competitive arena of women’s snooker in 23 years.

Tessa Davidson, (right, made a century in the event)…

Emma Parker came through a field of 32 players in the Challenge Cup to defeat Steph Daughtery 3 – 1.

And in the Seniors event, Tessa Davidson claimed that event beating Mary Talbot-Deegan in the final.

Ploychompoo from Thailand claimed the Under-21s crown.

The standard of the women’s game is definitely improving all the time as new players and “out of retirement” players re-enter events itching to compete again.

With many more events, talents now have the opportunity to compete in as many events as they can or are able to compete in to gain that match sharpness.

With hopefully continued backing from all angles, the women’s game can only continue to prosper into 2023 and beyond, especially now there’s the likes of amateur events such as the 900, which will surely spark more interest among those women wanting to compete and have a taste of playing snooker on TV in the spotlight.

The important thing is to keep enticing women to play in the clubs and pick up a cue and try out the game and have fun and enjoy it.