Updated WLBS Rankings: January 2017
The latest WLBS world rankings have now been updated for a third time this season following victory for Reanne Evans at the first event of 2017, the Eden Women’s Masters in Derby.
The WLBS world rankings operate on a rolling two-year basis, with points earned during the 2014/15 season to be removed as this season progresses. Following the Eden Women’s Masters last weekend, points earned from the 2015 Eden Masters (Newbury) have been removed in accordance with the already published points drop-off dates.
As was the case following the previous rankings update after the UK Ladies Championship in October, Reanne Evans remains at 68,400 as she has successfully defended the points that she earned two years ago with victory in Newbury. She does however still extend her lead at the top of the list as second placed Ng On Yee was only able to reach the quarter-finals, in comparison to making it to the final back in 2015.
Runner-up So Man Yan climbs one place to 15th, which at first glance may come as a surprise following such a strong showing in Derby. However, having made it to the semi-finals of the corresponding event back in 2015, she in fact only makes a net gain of 1,200 points, moving her above Yana Shut in the list. Importantly however, having not competed during the 2015/16 season due to the birth of her child, she has now consolidated her position and has a real chance to make significant gains over the coming months.
As the only player previously ranked inside the top ten not in action at the weekend, Latvia’s Tatjana Vasiljeva drops two places to fifth, but it was another strong week for Laura Evans who by making the semi-finals climbs three to a career-high position of number six. With the top eight generally seeded into the group stages, this is a timely boost for the Welsh player with the Eden World Women’s Snooker Championship drawing closer.
Falling out of the top eight is Seniors champion Jenny Poulter, who reached the quarter-finals of the Masters back in 2015, but this year fell a round earlier to Vicky Shirley who now leapfrogs her in the rankings as a result.
It was a good week for youngsters Shannon Metcalf and Aimee Benn, who both qualified for the knockout stages to continue moving up the list, while Stephanie Daughtery and Claire Edginton also improved their positions. Ireland’s Paula Judge also continued her rapid ascent by climbing 15 places to 31st having reached the last 16 on her second event back on the circuit.
Finally, Singapore duo Charlene Chai and Regina Toh are new entries on the ranking list at 56th and 59th respectively, as they warmed up for the upcoming World Women’s Championship in their home country.
The updated ranking list will be used to determine the seedings for the Connie Gough Trophy which will take place on 18 February 2017 at the Dunstable Snooker Club.
