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

A female pool player forfeited the final of a tournament after choosing to walk away from the showpiece before a ball was hit rather than face her transgender opponent on Sunday, as the crowd cheered her decision.

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

Lynne Pinches was brought in to take on Harriet Haynes in the showpiece this weekend, with her opponent holding a narrow height and gaining a lead going into the match, with each player paying a £70 entry fee.

Video of the shocking moment shows Pinches going to the table where both players were taking warm-up shots before Haynes sat down.

Pinches then approached the referee to seemingly inform them of her decision to forfeit the match and say goodbye to a chance at winning the tournament.

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

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

Pinches then returned to her seating area and packed up her cue before leaving the arena in North Wales.

Despite the surprise ending to an event that fans had paid for, supporters appeared to be in favor of the decision.

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

Haynes was clearly taken aback by the move and seemed taken aback by the call, as the crowd clapped and cheered for Pinches’ forfeiture of the title.

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

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

“Lynne Pinches is refusing to compete in this women’s pool tournament because her opponent is a trans-identifying man. Honesty is important in sports. Well done Lynne.’

Despite her retirement, Lynne Pinches stayed on site to pose with her second trophy

Haynes was also crowned 2023 Ladies Masters Champion in an impressive 2023

The sentiment was echoed on social media, with one account writing: ‘Harriet Haynes is a man. Why do you allow men to receive female awards?

“This is going to destroy the women’s game. Men competing against women is, in my opinion and most people’s opinion, cheating. All cowards.’

And a second critic wrote: ‘The top women are nowhere near the top men, whether it’s because of hand-eye coordination or whatever, I don’t know.

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