Kyren Wilson makes strong start to snooker season at Championship League as 147 bid falls just short – ‘I’m delighted’

Kyren Wilson made an impressive start to the new snooker season by winning all three matches at the Championship League on Thursday in Leicester.

The 2020 world finalist hurt his leg during a friend’s stag-do in Portugal, but looked sharp from the outset of the day’s play as a lovely 111 break helped him complete a 3-0 win over amateur Josh Mulholland.

The European Masters holder missed a tricky final pink attempting to complete the fifth 147 of his career in the final frame of a 3-0 win against Louis Heathcote before running in another 100 break in a 3-1 win over 1995 world semi-finalist Andy Hicks.

“I’m really looking forward to the season. China is back on the calendar and we’re going to be really busy. It’s exciting.”

Thepchaiya Un Nooh was in blistering form in winning Group 29 at the first ranking event of the new campaign.

The Thai speed merchant enjoyed knocks of 132 and 140 in a 3-0 win over Florian Nuessle before finalising a 3-1 win over Brazil’s Victor Sarkis, who compiled his first competitive century on tour with an opening knock of 103.

A 3-0 win over Elliot Slessor saw the Six-Red world finalist secure his progress to the last-32 stage.

Michael White was successful in winning Group 10 on Wednesday with victories over Himanshu Jain (3-1), Jun Jiang (3-1) and fellow Welshman Ryan Day (3-1).

“My first match was a bit edgy, but I got better as the day went on. I scored heavily against Ryan so I’m happy,” said White, who contributed 124 against Day, his second century of the day.

“I’ve been practising a fair bit since the World Championship because I really wanted to make a good start to the season.”

Robbie Williams topped Group 22. The former British Open semi-finalist drew 2-2 with Zak Surety, but two 3-1 wins over Alfie Davis and Joe O’Connor were enough to advance.

There are 32 groups of four at the Championship League, with the winner of each group reaching the second stage, which will contain a further eight groups of four, before two final groups of four compete to reach the semi-finals and final.

Three-time world champion Mark Williams faces Dylan Emery, 1997 world champion Ken Doherty and Thor Chuan Leong in Group 6 on Friday.

World No. 1 Ronnie O’Sullivan is due to return to action on Monday, July 10 and has been drawn in Group 1 alongside Scott Donaldson, Rod Lawler and Alfie Burden, who was successful in regaining a fresh two-year tour card at Q School earlier this month.

Masters winner Judd Trump meets Jimmy White, Reanne Evans and Xu Si in Group 2 on Tuesday, July 11 while Tour champion Shaun Murphy takes on Tian Pengfei, Lukas Kleckers and Andrew Pagett in Group 4 on Wednesday, July 12.

Championship League Stage 1

• June 26-30
• July 3-8
• July 10-14

Championship League Stage 2

Championship Stage 3

– – –