MARIA Catalano’s fast-growing fan club enjoyed a delightful moment during the women’s world championship final at Cambridge Snooker Centre on Wednesday.

The mighty Reanne Evans, resplendent in her favourite pink-backed waistcoat, won 5-2 to claim a record fifth title on the bounce.

She and Catalano are great friends. Both are from Dudley in the West Midlands. Two weeks ago they represented England in a convincing victory in the European Team Championships in Russia. Appearing in her first world final, and sporting a shorter hair style, Catalano, the 27-year-old cousin of three-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, went 2-0 down to the undisputed world number one.

However, things got interesting in the third frame when Catalano steamed in with breaks of 43 and 40.

Mother-of-one Evans returned to the table chasing three snookers. She left Catalano another chance and a red was duly dispatched. Evans stepped forward saying “yes” in concession and was about to take some balls out of the pocket.

But Catalano carried on and potted a black. Evans was forced to step back and wait as her opponent went on to make 39.

At the end of the frame, referee Steve Markham had a quiet word with the queen of the green baize, reminding her that a player can only concede while at the table.

Catalano took the next with a 34.

The ‘crowd’ was left wondering what would have happened next if there had not been a 15-minute interval.