Championship League Snooker 2021 – Final Day Preview and Order of Play

Jonathan Davies in Championship League Snooker 13 August 2021

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Magnificent Mark Allen advances to Championship League final day as Trump crashes out

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David Gilbert claims maiden ranking title at the Championship League

Gilbert has dropped just one frame in six matches so far (Adam Davy/PA Images)

The in-form David Gilbert will look to end his wait for a first ranking title as the 2021 Championship League draws to an exciting conclusion on Friday.

It is finals day at the Morningside Arena, where the eight remaining players battle it out across two groups for the right to land the first silverware of the new season.

After winning all six of his matches so far, Gilbert will be aiming to maintain that momentum and hope it culminates in the maiden ranking event success of his career.

A four-time beaten finalist, the world number 23 has dropped just a single frame in this year’s tournament, while compiling the highest break on Monday courtesy of a stunning 143 total clearance in his match against Craig Steadman.

Although, he faces stiff competition in Group 2 from former Championship League finalists Ali Carter and Ryan Day, who boast a combined seven ranking titles.

Carter – runner-up in 2013 – finds himself in the Winners’ Group for a seventh time, while 2017 finalist Day is making his fourth appearance at this stage of the event.

Cao Yupeng completes the group; the two-time ranking event finalist aiming to build on his unbeaten streak thus far.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Kyren Wilson is aiming to complete a hat-trick of triumphs in the tournament as he headlines Group 1.

The Warrior will move level with Judd Trump on three titles should he go all the way again this year.

Standing in his way is Mark Allen, who dropped just a single frame as he raced through Group B on Thursday; compiling his 500th career century along the way.

Home favourite Tom Ford will hope the opportunity of a maiden ranking title presents itself to him, having earned his place in the final day after beating Trump in the Group A decider.

However, they will all be wary of Chinese teenager Bai Langning. The surprise package of the tournament, he would love a fairytale finish in Leicester.

The players face each other once in the group with all matches contested over the best of four frames.

Each player will receive three points for a win and one for a draw; the one with the most will top the group and secure a place in the final.

There, the best of five frames will determine the winner of the competition.

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