GRAVESEND'S nine-ball pool player Jackie Baker has finally shed her Jimmy White tag of the ladies’ game by winning her first major championship.

Baker, of Thong Lane, defeated the defending champion Barbara Taylor of Rainham to win the European title in Jersey.

The victory came as sweet relief for 38-year-old Baker, who had lost all four of her previous major individual finals.

She said: “Having been beaten in three Home International finals and the European final in 2001, I was the Jimmy White of women’s pool, destined to never win the big finals. But I came through and I’m delighted to get that first major individual win.”

Baker also won the Player of the Tournament award after winning the most frames over the week-long event and the team title after captaining England to victory over Wales in the final.