‘I started to make century after century’ – Stuart Bingham ends year with huge boost at Championship League snooker

Stuart Bingham found some vintage form at the Championship League as he hit eight centuries on his way to winning Group 2 in Leicester.

The 2015 world champion lost his opening match 3-0 to Turkish Masters finalist Matthew Selt on Thursday morning, but recovered strongly with 3-1 wins over Jordan Brown and Barry Hawkins respectively enough to secure a top-four finish in the seven-match section of the invitational event.

A 3-2 win over Selt in the semi-finals saw Bingham compile a run of 140 before adding another run of 139 in the final against Robert Milkins, who began with a break of 95 before watching his opponent assume control in style.

“I didn’t come here with a lot of confidence. It didn’t look good this morning after losing to Matthew Selt 3-0,” said world No. 14 Bingham, who returns to action live on Eurosport when he meets Kyren Wilson at the Masters next month as he bids to repeat his 2020 victory at Alexandra Palace.

“I thought something has to change and something has to click. From there, I started to make century after century. I am delighted to win the group.

“This is a great tournament in itself. It will give me a lot of confidence. I haven’t been at my best for the last couple of months. To come here and produce what I have the last few days does pick me up for the rest of the season.

Bingham joins Group 1 winner Jack Lisowski in reaching the winners’ group in early March.

The winner of the Championship League qualifies for the Champion of Champions next year.

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