by Neil Goulding, Liverpool Daily Post Correspondent
RUNCORN'S Sue Thompson is on top of the world after rewriting the record books at this year's rileyspoker.com World 8-Ball Pool Championship in Blackpool.
The defending champion wrote a new chapter in her dominance of the ladies' game yesterday by winning an unprecedented eighth world crown and with it £1,600 in prize-money.
Thompson cruised to an impressive 8-3 victory over Northern Ireland's Emma Cunningham in this year's showcase final at the Imperial Hotel.
It was Thompson's eighth title in the last 11 years, as well having appeared in no fewer than 13 of the 14 world finals. She didn't play in the first year in 1993.
"I seem to get nervous the older I get. And it took me a while to settle," admitted Thompson. "But I was 3-2 up after the first five frames but it could easily have been 5-0 either way. Fortunately for me Emma came up a dry on a couple of her breaks."
Thompson and Cunningham have met in the last four world titles, with her closest rival winning her first world crown in 2005.
But it is Thompson who pounced to win her second title in successive seasons and with cement her place at the top of the UK rankings.
"Once I got into a decent lead I was able to let my arm go," added Thompson. "And it was great to play well in the final. I haven't already done that. It's not easy when we haven't played on the TV table until we get to the final. It's difficult to play your best because you are not used to conditions.
"But I'm thrilled to have won for an eighth time. I'm really proud of my achievement. I'll give the trophy to my mum as usual - she keeps it clean for me."
Upbeat despite defeat, Cunningham, who pocketed £800 as this year's runners up, admitted: "I couldn't get going at the start. And you need to get away quickly against Sue."
