The world's top woman snooker player threw down the gauntlet to a "sexist" social club after it banned women from becoming full members. Last night, Sunnybank Social Club in Silsden - where women can only play snooker chaperoned by a man - was the setting for the showdown when Kelly Fisher took on its top player. Reporter Clive White was there to witness history in the making.

THE BATTLE of the sexes was fought on the green baize of a snooker table last night - and the fairer sex was victorious.

Squaring up in the smoke-filled lounge of Sunnybank Social Club in Silsden was the Women's World Champion, 21-year-old Kelly Fisher and 40-year-old David Baluk, one of the club's top players.

Not only did Kelly win the challenge, but by notching up 65 points in the third frame, she set the highest break at the club in the past three years.

She entered the games room wearing the traditional snooker garb - evening suit, black and white paisley waistcoat, patent leather shoes and bow tie.

Dave was in blue jeans, a new navy blue short-sleeved snooker shirt - with the numbers 55-12 fastened to his chest.

The numbers referred to the vote at the club last week in which members voted to scrap a rule which, some claim, meant women could have full membership. Sunnybank hit the headlines after the all-male committee revealed women were only allowed social membership.

They cannot vote on club issues, sit on the managing committee - or play snooker without being chaperoned by a man.

David had gamely accepted the Telegraph & Argus challenge to play Kelly to see whether women are a match for men at snooker.

The contest was over three frames and Kelly took the lot - 66-28, 77-44 and 70-21.

But the score belied David's skills because the match, especially the second frame, was close.

And but for an unlucky miss on the brown, David had a chance of snatching one frame.

Sportingly accepting defeat, he said: "It was a great experience, very enjoyable.

"I won't have another chance to play a world number one.

"I think I played quite well, especially in the second frame. I was a bit nervous at first. I'm not ashamed about losing to a woman - she is a very good player."

Kelly, who received a £100 cheque from the T&A -to be donated to cancer research, the charity of her choice - said: "It's been a great night.

"Everyone was very friendly and David played well. I think he was bit nervous - there was more pressure on him because he was playing a woman. He came back well in the second frame but unluckily missed that brown and I potted well after that and took the frame."

Refereeing the match was 78-year-old qualified coach John Saxby, of Skipton, a player all his life and champion of women's rights for equal status at the table.

"It was a good game. Kelly plays very well. I believe women should have the same rights as men to play the game - I have been fighting for that for 25 years," he said.

"Women can be as good as men at snooker - it's just that the men don't like to be beaten by a woman - it's as simple as that."

In the male-dominated world of Sunnybank, females in the audience were conspicuous by their absence.

Including the Press, there were about six, compared with 40 men spectators.

The men sat or stood around the edge of the room, clutching their pints and chatting and joking.

But as soon as the match began, there was deferential silence.

Both players looked slightly nervous - more so David.

Kelly, pushing her hair behind her ears as she approached the table, having lit a cigarette, was obviously more used to the clicking cameras of the Press.

As the first frame progressed, the audience relaxed and lightened the atmosphere with the occasional banter - mostly directed at David.

The two first frames lasted about 20 minutes each, Kelly making the highest break of 65 in the last frame.

Among the small group of women spectators were Margaret Sloan and Kathleen Sutton, two of the campaigners battling to get full membership.

Margaret said: "It's been a brilliant night.

"It's a pity it can't always be like this. I think that David was very brave to take on the challenge. Credit where credit's due."

Mike Sutton, 60, of Silsden, who has been backing the women's cause, said: "I think Kelly is very brave turning up here.

"I believe she could help blow away 80 years of out-of-date tradition. I think we might even see a change."

But 77-year-old Stan Binns, of Silsden, said the club was run well and most women members were happy with the situation.

"It's all about tradition. I've known many clubs like this.

" I was a member of a poultry club at one time and the only time a woman was allowed in was a stripper at someone's birthday," he said.

Towards the end of the evening two calendars - one of the Rylstone and District WI women who stripped off for Leukaemia Research -and the other produced to raise cash for the Daniel Yorath appeal, raised £70 for the two charities.

The club donated another £30 to make the amount up to £100.

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