The standard throughout the event was exceptional. In a match that ebbed and flowed from the first leg, Hayter held her nerve in the decider to take victory with a 79.15 average, edging out Steenbergen, who herself posted 73.65 in a valiant effort. Both players produced moments of brilliance — Hayter’s consistency on the trebles and her clinical finishing proving decisive against the sharp scoring of the Dutch international.
Hayter’s run to the title was one of focus and flair. From the outset, she looked composed and dangerous, averaging 87.13 in her opening match and continuing that fine form through the early rounds. A 4–0 victory over Anca Zijlstra in the Top 16 set the tone, before a superb 4–1 win over Rhian O’Sullivan in the quarter-finals saw her average a remarkable 86.28. In the semi-final, Hayter overcame Aileen de Graaf 4–2 in a tense, high-quality encounter (77.07 average to 76.10) to reach the final in superb form.
Runner-up Priscilla Steenbergen also produced an exceptional campaign. She began with steady early-round victories, building momentum with a 4–1 win over Christine Kinnaird in the Top 32 and then brushing aside Joanne Oldershaw 4–2 in the Last 16. Her performance in the quarter-finals against Macy Gibbons was one of the day’s highlights — an 81.07 average and a 4–1 win that showed her intent — before she dispatched Deta Hedman 4–1 in the semi-finals with an 82.21 average to reach the title match in top form.
There were plenty of other standout performances in Selsey. Deta Hedman continued to show her enduring quality, averaging in the 70s throughout and defeating Laura Turner 4–2 in the quarter-finals before falling to Steenbergen. Aileen de Graaf, meanwhile, showed her trademark consistency, averaging 76.19 in her tight 4–3 quarter-final win over Paige Pauling. Rhian O’Sullivan, Macy Gibbons, and Paige Pauling all impressed with strong averages and composed finishing across their runs to the final eight, while Anca Zijlstra and Laura Turner also produced performances worthy of note.
From the Top 128 right through to the final, the England Masters Women’s Championship reflected the remarkable strength and depth of the women’s game. The mix of international experience and emerging English talent provided a spectacle filled with quality and excitement — every round featuring averages well above 70 and an atmosphere fitting for a major national event.
In the end, it was Gemma Hayter who held her nerve when it mattered most. Her combination of consistent scoring, calm under pressure, and sharp finishing made her a fully deserving winner of the 2025 England Masters Women’s title — a result that underlines her status as one of the leading figures in the women’s game today.
