John shoots for 11th snooker title

CURRENT national women’s snooker champion Geua John is on track to win her 11th consecutive national snooker title.
The mother-of-one from Porebada, outside Port Moresby, Central, has not dropped a frame when the National Gaming Control Board PNG Women’s Snooker Titles cued off on Tuesday.
John beat Cassandra Kinder 2-0 on the opening night, and on Wednesday night, defeated Elsie Kipau by the same margin in the best of three rounds at the Q Club.
However, not far behind John are Helen Samuel, Damita Bray, Bobbie McCarthy, Rhonda English, Hane Vaieke, Jane Laigi, Janet Mallian, Tanya Tam, former champion Agnes Mawi, Sandra Chan, Raka Holt and May Vare, who have yet to lose a frame.
Tournament director Richard Whitchurch said last night’s games would see the No.1 and No.2 of each group go head-to-head.
“This will determine the placings in each group,” Whitchurch said.
The third and fourth players in the group play each other so it will still be anybody’s game as only the top three from each group will advance into the last 24 after lunch today.”
Madelewine Kaina atoned for her 2-0 loss on Tuesday when she beat Julie Mel 2-0 last night.
“She’s still in the running to make it to the last 24,” Whitchurch said.
The last of the round robin match between player No.1 and No.3 will be played today.
The quarter-finals will be played tonight with the semi-finals to be played at the Q Club tomorrow morning followed by the finals at 3pm.
When asked if John would retain the title, Whitchurch would not commit except to say: “She’s on track but there are still plenty games yet to be played.”
Whitchurch thanked the National Gaming and Control Board for their second consecutive year of sponsorship, platinum sponsors Kerridale Ltd, Pacific MMI Insurance and the National, Gold sponsors ClickTV, Grafitti Signs, Huawei, LJ Hooker and Niche Cues, silver sponsor Street Scene and bronze sponsors Budget Real Estate and Seeto Kui for their support.  He extended his appreciation to the venues – Lamana Q Club, Laguna Hotel, Aviat Club and Dragon’s Den for hosting the 2016 NGCB PNG National Women’s Snooker Titles.