REBECCA Kenna has started the new snooker season off with a bang.

Having won a non-ranking event in Ireland that essentially took the place of the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany, the world number four from Keighley reached the final of the first ranking tournament of the season.

But the three-times world semi-finalist had to do it the hard way in the LITEtask UK Women's Championship at the Northern Snooker Centre.

As is often the case, Rebecca was handed a tough group, beating Claire Edginton and Emma Parker, both by 3-0, but losing 2-1 to Thailand's Ploychompoo Laokiatphong.

"I had seen her play on Facebook and she is coached by men's professional Mike Dunn so I knew that she would be good," said Rebecca of the 16-year-old.

Finishing second in her group behind the Thai lost her the protection of being a group winner, and she was then handed the most difficult tie she could have had in the last 16 – 11-times women's world champion Reanne Evans.

"I had to laugh," admitted Rebecca when she heard the draw, "but having beaten her in the past has given me confidence."

Having defeated Evans 3-2 and, in the quarter-finals, seniors winner Jenny Poulter 3-0, the Keighley woman faced another familiar rival in the semi-finals in another Thai teenager, 18-year-old Nutcharat Wongharuthai.

However, Rebecca trailed 3-1 in the best-of-seven-frame match and admitted: "I was tired as the days were long.

"I had to be there at 9.30am for a 10am start on day one and didn't get home until after midnight.

"My husband was there supporting me, however, and after a coffee and some chocolate I found some energy and won 4-3.

"On the second day I had to be there at 10.30am for an 11am start and didn't finish until 11pm."

Waiting for Rebecca after her black-ball victory following a 43 break by the Thai in the final frame, in what was her second ranking final was the holder and world number one, Ng On Yee of Hong Kong and, after getting to 1-1, the Yorkshirewoman lost a tight third frame on the way to a 4-1 defeat.

"She is the only player that I haven't beaten and once I was trailing 3-1, I knew I was just about done but I have had a good start to the season and I am back up to being my career-best world number three from number four," said Rebecca.

"My win in Ireland, where I beat Ireland's number one Paula Judge in the semi-finals and my doubles partner Shannon Metcalf in the final, helped me pay for my tournaments, with the next one being the European Masters in Belgium in early October, which is only a few weeks away now."

Rebecca, whose major sponsors are Comet Steel and snooker equipment maker ADR 147, has not only been practising during the summer, however, but has taken her WPBSA Level Two Snooker Championship Coaching Course in Leeds.

"The theory was at the Holiday Inn and the practical at the Northern Snooker Centre, and on the course with me was men's professional Marcu Fu, who was great," said Rebecca.

"On the last day, Steve Davis came up and he was really funny.

"All I have to do now is answer a bit more theory, which I cannot take until December, but I now have more clients as a snooker coach than I do as a personal trainer.

"I have also been paid to do an exhibition, which was at the Soldier and Sailors in Baildon."