REBECCA Kenna has targeted a ranking tournament victory after claiming her first major tournament triumph in Asia.

The Keighley potter picked up the inaugural Hong Kong Women's Masters title, seeing her battle among the 15 other best women's players in the sport. She defeated China's Bai Yulu 4-1 in the showpiece.

Just a few weeks into the new season, the 30-year-old hopes this victory, in the invitational event, will be a launchpad for further success.

Closer to home, she is looking to retain her Yorkshire Ladies Snooker Championships title this weekend in Leeds.

Kenna said: “It's amazing, I couldn't believe it.

"I had a tough group. It is my first major tournament win, but it was not a world women's ranking event, but it did have the best 16 players in the world playing. I'm really pleased. I know I have the bottle for a final. It stands me in good stead.

"Following my win everyone wanted my picture. It was on the sports TV channels over there. I have been in the newspapers too. It was good to be known for winning the tournament over there.

"My game has improved this season. I want to have a good run in a ranking event. I'm trying to get a ranking event under my belt.

"I'm going to the Yorkshire event with plenty of confidence and more confidence in my game."

Kenna says it is also nice to be known for her achievements at the table after being the centre of a sexism row this year.

She says she will not be returning to a town snooker league despite a rule change after previously being criticised for not admitting women to play matches.

The world number three from Keighley quit the Crosshills and District Snooker League late last year after she said some Keighley clubs did not allow in women, meaning she missed out on competing in games.

The league has now brought in a rule to address the situation which allows individual clubs the option to choose a neutral venue rather than admit women.

Now Kenna has vowed not to return to play in the Crosshills League, but will take part in singles competitions run by the Skipton League.

The World Women’s Snooker (WWS) criticised the decision, saying the new rules do not extend further enough, while the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the sport claimed it is a ‘workaround’.

The story even saw her nominated for a Women of the Year prize, but she was unable to attend the prestigious event, held in London earlier this month, due to her being in Hong Kong.

Kenna says she wants to now draw a line under the sexism row and continue to play the game she loves.

She added: "It's done with. I'm not going to be playing there now.

"Hopefully we can move on, but it's important to keep fighting for women's rights. It is a sport so dominated by males. I want to raise awareness for the women's game, I'm happy to do that.

"I just want to be known for my achievements."

Kenna's Hong Kong victory continues a memorable season so far for her.

She kicked off her new season by realising her dream of playing at the sport's spiritual home in Sheffield.

She was one of four females to play in the inaugural Women's Tour Championship, which saw the top four of the women's game clash as women's snooker returned to the venue for the first time in 16 years.

At the tournament, played as two-frame matches, saw Kenna lose 2-0 to Hong Kong star Ng On Yee in their semi-final.

After On Yee took a scrappy opener, the match was highlighted by a stunning clearance of 47 by the three-time former world champion to seal victory.