‘I’ve miscued 12 times today’ – ‘Bewildered’ Robert Milkins wins Championship League snooker group, Sam Craigie success

The Welsh Open champion earned £380,600 in prize money alone to rise to 13th in the world rankings from a starting position of 37, but the talented Gloucester player intends to push on in the months ahead.

Despite being unhappy with elements of his technique, Milkins still did enough to remain unbeaten in topping Group 8 with two 3-0 wins over Alex Taubman and Dominic Dale respectively, and a 2-2 draw with Muhammad Asif.

“I think that’s through lack of practice, and I think I’ve not put enough time in. It’s probably just me, not quite enough practice.

“That’s normally the first thing that happens, it catches you out. You’re not going through the ball like you should. It’s probably me. I don’t know!

“It was an amazing season last year, I couldn’t have wished for anything better over the last few years.”

Sam Craigie matched the points total of Milkins in progressing from Group 23 courtesy of two 3-0 victories over Fergal O’Brien and Ahmed Aly Elsayed before a closing 2-2 draw with Fan Zhengyi secured his progress.

Craigie finished the season at 53rd in the world, and admits he is baffled by failing to reach the top 32 after his run to the UK Championship quarter-finals in November where he narrowly lost 6-4 to tournament winner Mark Allen.

“I have to find some more consistency going forwards,” he said. “I’ve been at 30% today compared to how I’ve been playing in practice. I should have been there (top 32) last season after the UK Championship.

“I fell off. I am not sure why that is but I have a chance to put it right.”

World Championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui is in action on Saturday at the Championship League alongside former Turkish Masters semi-finalist Matthew Selt.

The tournament carries total prize money of £328,000 with the final on Friday July 21 also worth a spot in the Champion of Champions in November.

Championship League latest group winners

• Group 3: Ashley Carty (Eng)
• Group 30: Daniel Wells (Wal)
• Group 11: Martin O’Donnell (Eng)
• Group 21: Chris Wakelin (Eng)
• Group 10: Michael White (Wal)
• Group 22: Robbie Williams (Eng)
• Group 5: Kyren Wilson (Eng)
• Group 29: Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Tha)
• Group 6: Mark Williams (Wal)
• Group 27: Barry Pinches (Eng)
• Group 32: Xiao Guodong (Chn)
• Group 16: Ben Woollaston (Eng)
• Group 15: Matthew Stevens (Wal)
• Group 28: Anthony Hamilton (Eng)
• Group 17: Zhou Yuelong (Chn)
• Group 26: Jak Jones (Wal)
• Group 7: Long Zehuang (Chn)
• Group 24: Pang Junxu (Chn)
• Group 8: Robert Milkins (Eng)
• Group 23: Sam Craigie (Eng)

Championship League Stage 1

• June 26-30
• July 3-8
• July 10-14

Championship League Stage 2

Championship Stage 3

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