The Women's Professional Snooker Championship was a
snooker
Snooker (pronounced , ) is a cue sports, cue sport played on a Billiard table#Snooker and English billiards tables, rectangular table covered with a green cloth called baize, with six Billiard table#Pockets 2, pockets, one at each corner and o ...
tournament run from 1934 to 1950 by the
Women's Billiards Association
The Women's Billiards Association (WBA), founded in 1931 and based in London, United Kingdom, was the governing body for women's English billiards and snooker, and organised the Women's Professional Billiards Championship and Women's Profes ...
. The event was the world championship for female players during this time.
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
was the most successful player, winning eight of the ten events. The event was later replaced by the
World Women's Snooker Championship
The World Women's Snooker Championship (formerly known as the Women's World Open Championship from 1976 to 1981 and the World Ladies Snooker Championship from 1983 to 2018) is the leading tournament on the World Women's Snooker Tour. The reigning ...
.
History
The tournament was held ten times from 1934 to 1950,
with a break from 1941 to 1947. Only four different players reached the final during its existence, with
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
winning eight of the ten events. The first tournaments were held at
Burroughes Hall
Burroughes Hall was an important English billiards, billiards and snooker venue in Soho Square, London from 1903 until it closed in 1967. The hall was in the premises of Burroughes & Watts Ltd., who had been at 19 Soho Square since 1836. Burroughes ...
,
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
, and the tournaments after the break were held at
Leicester Square Hall
Thurston's Hall was a major English billiards, billiards and snooker venue between 1901 and 1955 in Leicester Square, London. The hall was in the premises of John Thurston (inventor), Thurston & Co. Ltd which relocated to Leicester Square in 1901 ...
,
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
.
The last time that the tournament was held, in 1950,
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
won, a few days after winning the
World Women's Billiards Championship
The World Women's Billiards Championship is an English billiards tournament, first held in 1931 when organised by the cue sports company Burroughes Hall, Burroughes and Watts then run from 1932 by the Women's Billiards Association (WBA). It is c ...
title.
This proved to be the last time the tournament was held, as public interest in the contest declined.
Although the competition was billed as a World Championship, no players from outside the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
participated.
Agnes Morris, the 1949 champion (and three-times runner-up), later competed in the
World Women's Snooker Championship
The World Women's Snooker Championship (formerly known as the Women's World Open Championship from 1976 to 1981 and the World Ladies Snooker Championship from 1983 to 2018) is the leading tournament on the World Women's Snooker Tour. The reigning ...
under her married name of Agnes Davies, and reached the final in 1980.
Finals
Finals – Statistics by player
Championship Details
1934 Championship
Source: Gloucestershire Echo, Coventry Evening Telegraph Birmingham Daily Gazette, Sheffield Independent.
There were five entrants.
First round
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
3–0 Irene Armes (62–37, 52–37, 63–26)
*
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
, Rose Bradley, and
Eva Collins received
byes In cricket, a bye is a type of extra. It is a run scored by the batting team when the ball has not been hit by the batter and the ball has not hit the batter's body.
Scoring byes
Usually, if the ball passes the batter without being deflected, th ...
.
Semi-finals
*
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
9–0 Rose Bradley
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
7–2
Eva Collins (61–15, 68–20, 48–12, 66–12, 77–10, 34–48, 41–32, 38–71, 54–31)
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
7–6
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
(73–38, 30–39, 49–58, 23–57, 43–51, 31–62, 65–11, 37–59, 66–20, 80–23, 63–32, 51–43, 51–33)
Harrison won the last five frames, after being four frames down at 2–6, to win the title.
1935 Championship
Source: The Times, Gloucester Citizen.
There were three entrants.
Semi-finals
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
5 – 1
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
(70–34, 30–37, 77–30, 85–46, 59–35, 77–46)
*
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
bye.
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
7–5
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
1936 Championship
Source: The Billiard Player, June 1936. There were four entrants.
Semi-finals
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
5 – 1
Eva Collins (50–37, 52–37, 28–63, 76–21, 59–28, 50–37)
*
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
5 -1
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
(49–35, 60–46, 48–47, 60–19, 26–56, 50–42)
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
7 -3
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
(58–48, 41–71, 55–48, 48–40, 61–29, 67–44, 43–60, 66–56, 54–51, 16–71)
1937 championship
Source: Billiards and Snooker, June 1937. There were four entrants.
Semi-finals
*
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
5–4
Margaret Lennan
Margaret Lennan was a Scottish snooker and billiards player. She was runner-up in the 1936 Women's Professional Billiards Championship.
Biography
Lennan started playing billiards at the age of 17, and received coaching from Alec Donaldson, ...
(66–44, 55–45, 29–61, 58–52, 49–39, 47–45, 35–50, 19–54, 33–46)
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
8–1
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
(60–39, 63–37, 54–42, 70–33, 46–51, 57–27, 76–37, 63–36, 54–28)
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
9–4
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
(84–20, 68–22, 11–64, 70–51, 48–36, 69–22, 54–62, 78–32, 61–60, 58–50, 37–54, 22–48, 76–43)
1938 championship
Sources: Western Daily Press, Birmingham Daily Gazette, Daily Herald.
There were five entrants.
Heat 1
*
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
3–2
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
,
Margaret Lennan
Margaret Lennan was a Scottish snooker and billiards player. She was runner-up in the 1936 Women's Professional Billiards Championship.
Biography
Lennan started playing billiards at the age of 17, and received coaching from Alec Donaldson, ...
and Barbara Meston received byes.
Semi-finals
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
6–3
Margaret Lennan
Margaret Lennan was a Scottish snooker and billiards player. She was runner-up in the 1936 Women's Professional Billiards Championship.
Biography
Lennan started playing billiards at the age of 17, and received coaching from Alec Donaldson, ...
*
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
6–3 Barbara Meston
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
11–2
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
1939 championship
Source: The Billiard Player, May 1939. There were five entrants, but Joyce Gardener withdrew due to
influenza
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms range from mild to severe and often include fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, and fatigue. These symptoms ...
.
Heat 1: G.I. Rowley 3–2 Barbara Meston (52–38, 57–28, 46–47, 16–34, 52–41)
Semi-finals
*
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
w.o. Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
9–0 G.I. Rowley (60–35, 59–30, 69–2, 63–17, 67–3, 58–33, 56–25, 44–10, 63–33)
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
8–5
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
(70–50, 65–44, 57–46, 62–58, 45–44, 26–69, 55–39, 42–52, 52–29, 60–39, 24–57, 42–59, 34–81)
1940 championship
Sources: Western Mail, Birmingham Daily Gazette, The People.
There were five entrants. Joyce Gardner withdrew because her husband was ill.
Heat 1:
Agnes Davies 3–2
Margaret Lennan
Margaret Lennan was a Scottish snooker and billiards player. She was runner-up in the 1936 Women's Professional Billiards Championship.
Biography
Lennan started playing billiards at the age of 17, and received coaching from Alec Donaldson, ...
(37–42, 33–43, 61–16, 65–15, 53–50)
Semi-finals
*
Agnes Davies w.o.
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
*
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
8–1 Barbara Meston (57–39, 42–28, 73–22, 51–30, 76–10, 66–35, 76–16, 45–58, 53–37)
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
11–2
Agnes Davies
After the first day of the final, Harrison led 6–2 and needed only one frame to win. She won the ninth frame 54–38 to take the match. Four further frames were played, which Harrison won 67–13, 72–40, 71–34 and 50–37.
1948 Championship
Source: The Billiard Player, May 1948 and June 1948.
There were four entrants.
Heats:
*
Agnes Morris 16–5
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
.
*
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
16–5 Barbara Meston
Playoff:
Agnes Morris 11–10
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
Final:
Ruth Harrison
Ruth Harrison (; 24 June 1920 – 13 June 2000) was an English animal welfare activist and writer.
Biography
Harrison was born in London, the daughter of the author Stephen Winsten and the artist Clara Birnberg. She was educated at Bedfor ...
16-14
Agnes Morris
(Cumulative frames won after each session, Harrison first: 3–2, 7–3, 9–6, 13–7, 15–10, 16–14.) Morris won the last four frames, after the result of the match had been decided.
1949 Championship
Source: The Billiard Player, July 1949. There were three entrants.
Semi-final:
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
20–11
Joyce Gardner
Joyce Gardner (1910–1981) was an English professional English billiards player. She was the Women's Professional Billiards Champion from 1931 to 1933, and from 1935 to 1938.
Early life
Joyce Winifred Frances Gardner was born on 24 August 191 ...
. Carpenter won nine consecutive frames (from the 8th to the 16th) and at one point was leading 15–5. The highest break of the match was 37 by Carpenter.
Final:
Agnes Morris 16–15
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
(Match progress in frames won after each session: 1–4, 5–5, 6–9, 10–10, 11–14, 15–15, 16–15.) The highest break of the match was 33 by
Morris
Morris may refer to:
Places
Australia
*St Morris, South Australia, place in South Australia
Canada
* Morris Township, Ontario, now part of the municipality of Morris-Turnberry
* Rural Municipality of Morris, Manitoba
** Morris, Manitob ...
, in the final frame.
1950 Championship
Source: The Billiard Player, June 1950 and July 1950.
There were only two entrants.
Final:
Thelma Carpenter
Thelma Carpenter (January 15, 1922 – May 14, 1997) was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie ''The Wiz''. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Fred and Mary C ...
20–10
Agnes Morris
The score at the winning frame was 16–7.
References
{{Main world championships
Recurring sporting events established in 1934
1934 establishments in England
World championships in snooker
Snooker
Snooker (pronounced , ) is a cue sports, cue sport played on a Billiard table#Snooker and English billiards tables, rectangular table covered with a green cloth called baize, with six Billiard table#Pockets 2, pockets, one at each corner and o ...