Female pool player refuses to play in women’s tournament final because her opponent is trans – as she walks away from the table to huge applause in Wales, despite forfeiting

• The crowd at Pontins in Prestatyn seemingly backed Lynne Pinches’ forfeiture
• 2023 Ladies Masters Champion Harriet Haynes has had an impressive year so far
• Pinches’ controversial decision met with praise from some on social media 

A female pool player forfeited the final of a tournament after choosing to walk away from the showpiece before a ball had been struck, rather than face her trans opponent on Sunday, with the crowd cheering her decision.

The final of the Women’s Champions of Champions tournament in Denbighshire, Wales, took place on Sunday, but saw a perhaps unexpected ending as Pinches ceded the result before the first break. 

Lynne Pinches was drawn to take on Harriet Haynes in the showpiece at the weekend, with her opponent holding a slight height and reach advantage going into the clash, with each player paying a £70 entry fee. 

Video from the shocking moment shows Pinches take to the table where both players took lag shots, to determine who indeed would break in the first frame, before Haynes went to sit down. 

However, rather than prepare for the first frame of the tie, Pinches then approached the referee to seemingly inform them of her decision to forfeit the game, and wave goodbye to a chance at winning the tournament. 

Lynne Pinches (left) refused to face Harriet Haynes on Sunday, with her opponent left stunned

Haynes was awarded the Women’s Champions of Champions title by default after Pinches’ withdrawal

Pinches then went back to her seating area and packed up her cue before leaving the arena in north Wales. 

The decision to do so – rather than simply not turn up – could perhaps have been done with the intention of making it clear the reasons for her not taking part in the match, rather than having her message misconstrued as a no-show for the event. 

Pinches’ brother, Barry, took to social media to praise his sister for ‘taking a stand’ and voiced his opinion that it was ‘unfair’ for her to be drawn against a trans player. 

‘Full credit and great respect to my sister Lynne Pinches yesterday for taking a stand and not playing in the biggest match of her pool playing life because she feels it’s so unfair to have to compete against a trans woman.

‘I completely agree with her view that it is totally unfair to expect women to compete against trans women in pool or any other sport for that matter.’

Barry then offered a ‘prediction’ that sport would look back in years to come and conclude that it is ‘grossly unfair on women who have practiced hard and are competing in their chosen sport’.

Barry did however conclude by adding: ‘For the record, this post is about fairness in women’s sport, that is all. I have no problem whatsoever if somebody wants to identify themselves as whatever they want to be and I have nothing against Harriet Haynes.’

Pinches had defeated the England captain in the semi-finals 5-4 in a game that her son, Tommy, has claimed was ‘her final’. 

Tommy revealed that the decision to forfeit the game left his mother in tears, but was full of praise for her choice to walk away from ‘the title trophy and prize money’.

Lynne Pinches stayed on site to pose with her runners-up trophy despite her retirement

‘Had my mum in tears a couple of weeks ago because of Ultimate Pool going back on what they said they was going to do at the end of the year with this current situation. 

‘A couple of weeks later she gets to the final of the Champions of Champions and has refused to play and forfeited the match because she doesn’t believe it’s right!

‘I know how much getting to this final means and to just concede and forgeit the title trophy prize money would not have been easy for her to do!

‘Stood up for what you believe in and your semi-final was your final in my honest opinion so well done on a fantastic weekend.’ 

Despite the surprising end to an event fans had paid to come and see, the supporters appeared to be in favour of the decision. 

Cries of ‘yes, Lynne’ could be heard from supporters gathered at the Pontins resort in Prestatyn. 

Haynes was clearly taken aback by the move, and appeared surprised at the call, while the crowd applauded and cheered Pinches’ forfeiture of the title. 

Double H – Haynes’ nickname on the circuit – has already had an impressive 2023, picking up the 2023 Ladies Masters Champion title. 

Pinches’ controversial decision received support from the X account FairPlayForWomen, who wrote: ‘A principled and popular decision with the crowd. 

‘Lynne Pinches refuses to play in this women’s pool tournament because her opponent is a trans-identifying male. Fairness matters in sport. Well done Lynne.’

Haynes was also crowned the 2023 Ladies Masters Champion in what has been an impressive 2023

The sentiment was echoed on social media, with one account writing: ‘Harriet Haynes is a male. Why are you allowing males to take female prizes.

‘This is going to kill the women’s game Males competing against females is cheating in my opinion and the opinion of most people. Cowards the lot of you.’

And a second critic posted: ‘The top women get nowhere near the top men, whether its because of hand-eye (co-ordination) or whatever, I don’t know.

‘What I do know is that Harriet Haynes was a bang average county ‘b’ player before transition.’

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