Championship League Snooker 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Ali Carter WINS first ranking event of the year
AFTER a brief hiatus following the World Snooker Championships the snooker season is BACK - with the first ranking event drawing to a thrilling conclusion TONIGHT.
Championship League Snooker has been taking place all this week and last in Leicester, with the the third and final group stage and final taking place this afternoon.
Mark Williams and Ali Carter will be the favourites to take home the £33,000 prize money, especially as Ronnie O'Sullivan and recently crowned world champ Kyren Wilson crashed out early.
- Start time: 12pm BST (Group 3) / 5pm BST (Final)
- Channel/Stream: matchroom.live / YouTube
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Follow all the latest action with our live blog...
How 'The Captain' was so commanding
Ali Carter's triumph in the first ranking event of the year was well deserved.
He finished top of Group 1 after beating three-time world champ Mark Williams 3-1.
In contrast, Jackson Page only made the final on frame difference from David Gilbert.
Carter, 44, then dominated the final at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, defeating Page 3-1.
The Essex star has now won six rankings titles.
Before tonight his last one came at the German Masters in Berlin last year.
Carter dedicates victory to stroke-victim pal
Ali Carter dedicated his outstanding victory in the Championship League final to a stroke-victim friend.
The English ace conjured breaks of 116, 96 and 50 to beat Welshman Jackson Page in the play-off.
Credit: Getty Emotional Carter said: "It feels great. I'm delighted
"I've been working hard. I've got to dedicate this win to a good friend of mine, Mike Diggins, who taught me to fly, he has had a terrible stroke.
"So this one is for him.
"It is great to be involved in another Champion of Champions, and its great that I'm playing the best stuff that I've ever played.
"Hopefully, there is a few more wins to come."
Carter 3-1 Page
World No10 Carter held the edge against an opponent ranked 35 places lower.
Page briefly levelled at 1-1 but was up against it after that as he lost without taking the match to a fifth frame.
Carter 2-1 Page
Carter won the third frame to move in front.
Remember, the play-offs are out of five frames - not four as with the earlier group games.
Carter 1-1 Page
Page ground out the next frame to level up.
Carter 1-0 Page in play-offs
Englishman Ali Carter won the opening frame in the play-off against Welsh rival Jackson Page.
Williams 1-3 Carter
Ali Carter rounded off his excellent day - a 3-1 win following a 2-2 draw and 3-0 victory.
But after starting the day with a 3-0 triumph, Williams has now fallen 3-1 twice in a row.
Williams 1-2 Carter
Williams in in danger of his second defeat of the day after again falling behind against Carter.
Williams 1-1 Carter
Carter leaves the match all square by winning the second frame.
Gilbert's brilliant 135 earns draw
Gilbert pulled off a scintillating 135 clearance to earn a 2-2 draw.
Page never scored in the fourth frame as his English rival potted confidently.
It meant Gilbert came from 1-0 and 2-1 down to finish level.
Williams 1-0 Carter
Mark Williams is off to an ideal start against Ali Carter after losing 3-1 to Scot Donaldson earlier this afternoon.
Gilbert 1-2 Page
Page has just edged a lengthy third frame to move in front.
Gilbert 1-1 Page
Gilbert levelled the frame score in what looks an even contest.
Gilbert fighting back
Dave Gilbert (below) built a commanding lead in the second frame.
But Page is back at the table with a decent chance of making it a tight frame.
Gilbert 0-1 Page
Jackson Page grafted his way to the opening frame.
Gilbert vs Page under way
David Gilbert is struggling to work his way back into his opening frame against Jackson Page.
Donaldson 1-1 O’Donnell
Another match that could go all the way as Donaldson levels.
Lilley 2-2 Zehuang
Long Zehuang twice fought back to earn this 2-2 draw.
Donaldson 0-1 O’Donnell
O’Donnell is in front and looking good in the other match.
Lilley 2-1 Zehuang
The Englishman has come from behind to lead.
We're now into the final frame.
Lilley 1-1 Zehuang
David Lilley levels against Long Zehuang, who made his World Snooker Tour debut last year.
Donaldson vs O'Donnell
It's Scotland's Scot Donaldson against Martin O'Donnell - the Englishman known as the The Minister of Defence - on the other table.
The first frame is cagey so far.
Long makes short work of first frame
Long Zehuang is already 1-0 up against David Lilley.
Lilley vs Zehuang
We're down to the last three matches of the group stages.
Dave Lilley and Long Zehuang are in their first frame.
Williams 1-3 Donaldson
The Perthshire Potting Prince, 30, completed victory over... the Welsh Potting Machine.
Scot Donaldson's win over Mark Williams followed his 3-0 loss to Ali Carter earlier this afternoon.