The 2025 ranking CLS continued yesterday in Leicester, with group 12 and group 19.

Here is the report shared by WST:

Gilbert Tops Group After Claiming Final Frame

David Gilbert won a Group 12 deciding showdown with Duane Jones 3-1 to progress to the next phase of the BetVictor Championship League ranking event in Leicester, while Scottish Open champion Lei Peifan topped Group 19. 

…

Former Championship League winner Gilbert swept to three wins out of three to edge out Welshman Jones. Gilbert opened with a 3-0 win over Paul Deaville, top scoring with 129. He then beat Louis Heathcote 3-1 with runs of 105, 139 and 77 to set up a decisive meeting with Jones. 

Meanwhile, Jones prevailed 3-1 against Heathcote and 3-0 against Deaville to match Gilbert’s results. With Gilbert leading 2-1 in the last game of the day, he fired in an 82 to win 3-1, move clear of Jones and top the group. 

Lei beat Mateusz Baranowski 3-0 and Ryan Davies 3-1 to put himself in pole position to progress. He knew just a draw with Chinese compatriot Long Zehuang would see him through. Despite trailing 2-0, breaks of 120 and 54 saw him end the match level at 2-2. 

I have nothing to add really. The best players won their group. Both groups went pretty much “on seeding”. The “exception” was professional Mateusz Baranowski who finished last, behind Ryan Davies, an amateur, despite actually beating Ryan in the match they played.

Paul Deaville was considered an interesting prospect a couple of years ago but has done very little in recent times. Of course, we do not know where his priorities are, nor do we know how much time he actually can or wants to devote to snooker. Let’s not forget that those guys have a life away from the green baize, and that most amateurs have a job and/or pursue further education.