Competition Final Stirs Debate Online
In what many are calling a new flashpoint in the battle over fairness in women’s sports, the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2, held this past weekend in Wigan, UK, culminated in a highly controversial final. The match featured two trans-identifying men — Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith — going head-to-head for the championship title. Haynes ultimately triumphed with an 8-6 win, but the discussion surrounding the event has shifted quickly from skill to scrutiny.
Both Haynes and Smith advanced through four rounds, each defeating female competitors to claim their place in the final. The very nature of this matchup — a women’s championship decided exclusively between two biological males — has reignited concerns from critics who argue that female players are increasingly being edged out of their own divisions.
Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer turned vocal advocate for women’s sports, summed up the sentiments of many with a brief but biting response: “A real life South Park episode.”
A real life South Park episode https://t.co/xOSNt945uJ
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 6, 2025
Haynes, for his part, has defended his inclusion in the women’s category by arguing that pool is not a sport impacted by physicality. “We’re not talking about boxing or golf—we’re talking about pool,” he told The Independent last December, downplaying the significance of biological differences.
However, this defense hasn’t held water for many observers. While pool may not involve the same cardiovascular demands as running or swimming, critics have pointed to factors like upper body strength, height, hand size, and reach — all of which can offer subtle but real advantages at the professional level. In high-stakes, precision-based games like pool, even the smallest edge can alter outcomes.
Adding fuel to the fire is the recent treatment of Lynne Pinches, a long-time professional player who has publicly challenged the fairness of trans-identifying men in women’s divisions. According to The Telegraph, Pinches was asked to leave the venue during this year’s event after Haynes’ romantic partner allegedly raised objections to her presence. This follows an earlier controversy in 2023, when Pinches withdrew from a final against Haynes, effectively handing him the title.
Pinches has been one of the few athletes willing to speak openly about the emotional and competitive strain of facing trans-identifying men.
“Even if you win, it doesn’t make any difference because… you know it’s unfair,” she told TalkTV. “This is a category advantage. Being biologically male and playing against females gives you a clear category advantage.”