'Very tough conditions' – Mark Allen makes winning start to new season at Championship League snooker

ByEurosport

Updated 23/07/2022 at 06:05 GMT

Mark Allen and Michael White claimed the final two places in the Championship League last 32 in Leicester. Former Masters holder Allen won all three matches to top Group 12 with White running out winner of Group 8, edging out Mark Joyce on frame difference as Jack Lisowski tumbled out at the first group stage at the Morningside Arena. Watch snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+

Mark Allen plays brilliant double to help him take frame

Mark Allen enjoyed a perfect start to the new snooker campaign by winning all three matches to top Group 12 at the Championship League in Leicester.

The Northern Irishman – who lost last year's final 3-1 to David Gilbert – started his day with a 3-0 win over Himanshu Jain before two 3-1 victories over Jenson Kendrick and Stuart Carrington respectively secured his progress.

Allen made superb breaks of 97 and 142 against Carrington after losing the first frame at the season's first ranking event.

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He will face UK champion Zhao Xintong, Chang Bingyu and Gary Wilson in Group D on Wednesday.

"Happy to win my group today and get through to next stage," said Allen on Twitter. "Very tough conditions first two matches on table 2.

"Amazing that table 1 played like a dream for last match and two tables 20 feet apart. Dug deep at times today without any form whatsoever. Need to be better tomorrow."

Michael White contributed two 68 breaks in a 3-1 win over Mark Joyce.

He lost 3-1 to group top seed Jack Lisowski, but a 3-0 defeat of Julian LeClercq boosted by runs of 68 and 69 sealed his qualification with Lisowski slumping to a 3-1 loss to Joyce.

White joins Gilbert, Robert Milkins and Xiao Guodong in Group H on Tuesday.