Michael Holt and Noppon Saengkham progressed to Winners’ Week at the BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition at the Morningside Arena, Leicester live on Viaplay Xtra in the UK, and broadcasters worldwide including Viaplay in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Poland, and the Netherlands and Table 2 live on Matchroom.Live globally.
Holt, who contested his 1000th career match as a professional on Monday against Rod Lawler, was the first into the second phase following victories over Scott Donaldson and Alfie Burden. Despite both finishing on six points, the Hitman edged out Burden due to more frames won (seven against Burden’s six).
Saengkham and Mark Davis contested an exhilirating play-off for a return to Leicester in next week’s Winners’ Week. Moo had won both of his previous matches – against Ross Muir and Jenson Kendrick. Davis secured a 3-0 victory over Kendrick, but drew two-all with Ross Muir – leaving a deficit of two points to Saengkham at the top of the table.
Victory in the final match of the day against the Thai star would have seen the Battler from Hastings through. With Saengkham leading the way, a four-frame shootout ensued to determine who would join Holt in the next round.
An exciting final-frame shootout followed, as Davis recovered from a frame down to lead – meaning the winner of the final frame qualified for the second stage.
Saengkham grabbed the draw he needed to top the group, but not before final-moment drama had both men’s heart’s pumping. A third-missed black in the match for Saengkham gave Davis a chance at the middle pocket. Rebounding off the cushion into the cue ball ultimately allowed the Thai star to secure the vital point necessary for qualification.
Kendrick and Muir were unable to secure victories throughout the day, holding each other to a two-frame draw in their final encounter on Table 1.
Alfie Burden held pole position in Group 1 heading into a final battle with Holt. Wins over Lawler and Donaldson left the Londoner requiring a point for qualification – but Nottingham’s finest had over ideas – inflicting a damaging 3-0 defeat to secure progression into Stage 2.
Leading 2-0, a double-hit foul from Scott Donaldson on the final black gave Rod Lawler the frame and kept the Liverpudlian in the tie. Lawler would take the next frame for a draw, leaving the Perth Potting Machine to ponder what could have been.
Judd Trump and Jimmy White take centre stage on Tuesday, 11 July, in a fascinating Group 2 with Xu Si and Reanne Evans live on Viaplay Xtra in the UK and Ireland. Table 2 action is available worldwide on Matchroom.Live and the Matchroom Multi Sport YouTube where Group 18 sees Joe Perry, Jamie Clarke, Andy Lee and Stuart Carrington fight for a place in the second stage.
Watch BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition on Viaplay Xtra – FreeView in the UK and Ireland. Those in Scandinavia, the Baltics, Netherlands, and Poland can watch live on Viaplay whilst Matchroom.Live is available to those without a broadcaster. See where to watch here.
The BetVictor Championship League Snooker – Ranking Edition carries a first prize of £33,000 and the winner also securing a spot in the 2023 Champion of Champions set to take place in Bolton from November 13-19 live on ITV.
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