Mark Williams and Chris Wakelin wins groups at 2024 Championship League Snooker

Michael Day
By Michael Day
Published 11th Jun 2024, 21:55 BST
Updated 12th Jun 2024, 00:10 BST
Credit: George Wood/Getty ImagesCredit: George Wood/Getty Images
Credit: George Wood/Getty Images | George Wood/Getty Images
Two more players went through to the last 32 of the 2024 Championship League Snooker Ranking Event as Mark Williams and Chris Wakelin won their respective groups during Tuesday’s day two action at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

Starting his 33rd successive season on the professional circuit, Williams made a break of 99 in the fourth and final frame of his opening fixture against amateur invite Connor Benzey to salvage a draw and split the points.

After that result, though, 49-year-old Williams didn't drop another frame, registering runs of 66 and 101 in a 3-0 defeat of another amateur in Fergal Quinn before crafting contributions of 87 and 115 as he got the better of David Grace 3-0 in the final fixture - a match Williams needed to win to finish top.

Q School top-up Benzey put on a fine display throughout the day, also notching up two wins and a draw, although he was denied top spot by net frame difference. Grace finished third and Quinn, fourth.

Over on table two, world number 24 and former Shoot Out champion Wakelin put himself in a strong position as he defeated Rory McLeod - competing as an amateur - 3-0 before returning for the evening session where he recorded a 3-0 success (with breaks of 55 and 67) against teenager Liam Pullen.

Going into the final tie of the group, Wakelin faced Ian Burns; the former needed a draw whilst the latter required a win in order to finish top.

An 87 helped Burns take the first frame but Wakelin levelled up with an effort of 84 before depositing the next frame to reach his target. Burns claimed the final frame to secure a draw.

McLeod came third in the group, Pullen, fourth.

2024 Championship League Snooker Ranking Event - Day 2 Results

Group 4

  • (90, 99) Mark Williams 2-2 Connor Benzey (67)
  • (50) David Grace 3-1 Fergal Quinn (55)
  • David Grace 1-3 Connor Benzey
  • (66, 101) Mark Williams 3-0 Fergal Quinn
  • (75) Fergal Quinn 1-3 Connor Benzey (58, 64)
  • (87, 115) Mark Williams 3-0 David Grace

Group 17

  • Chris Wakelin 3-0 Rory McLeod
  • (98, 113) Ian Burns 3-0 Liam Pullen
  • (91, 116) Ian Burns 2-2 Rory McLeod (98)
  • (55, 67) Chris Wakelin 3-0 Liam Pullen
  • (79, 104) Liam Pullen 2-2 Rory McLeod
  • (84) Chris Wakelin 2-2 Ian Burns (87)

    • (Breaks of 50 and above in brackets next to the respective player)

Related topics:2024 Championship League Snooker Ranking EventChampionship League Snooker Ranking EventMark WilliamsChris Wakelin

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