Ben Mertens and Sam Craigie booked their places in Stage Two of the BetVictor Championship League Snooker Ranking Event, while top seed Jak Jones suffered a surprise exit on Monday at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
Belgium’s Ben Mertens topped Group 10 in dominant fashion, becoming the only player in the group to register two wins. He opened the day with a commanding 3-0 whitewash over Jonas Luz, followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Alfie Davies. In the final and most crucial match of the day, Mertens stunned group favourite Jak Jones with a second 3-0 victory to seal top spot and progression.
Jones, who was top seed in the group, began with a 2-2 draw against Davies before defeating Luz 3-0. But his hopes of advancing were dashed by Mertens in a one-sided final encounter that ended his campaign.
On the adjacent table, Sam Craigie topped Group 23 by the slimmest of margins. Both Craigie and Mark Davis finished the day with identical records—one win and two draws—collecting five points apiece. However, it was Craigie’s superior frame difference that saw him through, with seven frames won to Davis’ six.
The BetVictor Championship League Snooker Ranking Event is the first ranking tournament of the new season and was won last year by Ali “The Captain” Carter. This year’s edition runs until Tuesday, July 23, with 128 players competing in 32 groups of four in the opening phase. Only group winners advance to Stage Two.
The tournament unfolds over three stages, beginning on Monday, June 30. Winners’ Week starts on Friday, July 18, culminating in Finals Day on Wednesday, July 23. The eventual champion will take home £20,000 and earn a place in the 2025 Champion of Champions (November 10–16), set for the first time at the Mattioli Arena, Leicester.
Today’s action features Tom Ford leading Group 8, while Noppon Saengkham takes centre stage in Group 21. For details on how to watch, click here.