The 2024 Ranking CLS – Day 20 … and a Ronnie – Djoko Bromance

Yesterday was the final day of stage 2 at the 2024 Ranking CLS, with a somehow unexpected outcome.

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Welshman Jackson Page is through to the final day of the BetVictor Championship League, after topping Group G in Leicester.

Page progresses and will compete for a maiden ranking crown in tomorrow’s finale. The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough run to the semi-finals of the World Open last season, until which point his place on tour was under threat. He now has another chance to shoot for a first piece of silverware.

His day began with a 2-2 draw against Robbie McGuigan, who proved to be Page’s main rival to win the group. However, Page followed that up with two impressive victories. First he beat Swiss number one Alexander Ursenbacher 3-1 and then confirmed his slot in the next round by scoring a 3-0 whitewash win over compatriot Michael White.

Group G saw former World Seniors Champion David Lilley come through with a dramatic ending to seal his slot in the final day. After Lilley beat Joe O’Connor 3-0 in his final game, it meant that Gary Wilson needed to beat Ryan Day to progress. Wilson fell short with a 2-2 draw. Lilley now has the opportunity to become the oldest winner of a maiden ranking title, aged 48.

Joining Page and Lilley in tomorrow’s final eight are: Mark Williams, Martin O’Donnell, David Gilbert, Long Zehuang, Ali Carter and Scott Donaldson.

As always you will find all the detailed results on snooker.org

The one who impressed me the most yesterday was Robbie McGuigan. He’s a rookie, this is his first ever tournament as a pro and he very nearly managed to reach the final day!

Anyway here are the two groups in action today:

I must admit that I didn’t watch much of the action during the afternoon. I watched Djokovic first match at Wimbledon… as did someone else 😊, only he was there, sat in Djokovic box with is daughter, I was watching on my computer on a Greek island.