Kenna Wins Q School Opener

Rebecca Kenna has defeated John Pritchett 4-3 with a career-best break of 92 to win her first ever match at Q School.

Competing in the main tour qualifying event for only the second time, Kenna is now through to the second round with another five wins needed to join fellow women players Reanne Evans and Ng On Yee on the main tour next season.

She becomes the fourth woman to win a match at Q School, following in the footsteps of Evans, Ng and Nutcharut Wongharuthai.

Having taken the opening frame, the Keighley potter spurned the chance to double her advantage with a missed green, her opponent clearing the table before adding the third frame to himself take a 2-1 lead.

Back came Kenna, breaks of 26 and 38 enough to see her back in front at 3-2, before Pritchett dominated the sixth to force a final frame.

It would, however, be Kenna who would make the telling contribution to the match, with a superb break of 92 in the deciding frame enough to clinch a maiden Q School victory for the women’s number four ranked player.

The break was comfortably her highest in major competition, ahead of her run of 80 at the 2019 World Women’s Snooker Championship in Thailand.

“I’m delighted with the win tonight,” said Kenna. “John played the perfect frame to force the decider, so when I had the chance I just tried to keep calm and to take the open reds while not looking at the score!

“Of course it is all about the win, but I’m also massively happy to have done it in one visit. I was pleased with my safety and long-potting in particular and it’s just nice to get that first win under my belt.”

Next up for Kenna will be a second round clash with Phil O’Kane on Friday from approximately 2pm BST.