Ebdon, Cope and Robertson well placed after day one - 08/02/2010

LATEST SCORES (FIRST TO 3)
TABLE 1 - FINAL JAMIE COPE 0-3 NEIL ROBERTSON

FORMER World Champion Peter Ebdon is well placed after the latest day of Championship League Snooker action.

World number 14 Ebdon leads the way after the opening day of Group Five of the Championship, the qualifying tournament for Matchroom Sport’s Premier League Snooker competition. Ebdon, who won the World Championship in 2002, sits on top of the table after victories over Ricky Walden, Mark Williams and Neil Robertson.

It means he is closing in on a top four finish that will lead to a place in Thursday’s semi-finals. If he wins that and the final he will then advance to the Winners’ Group of the Championship, where the overall champion will play in the 2010 Premier League in the autumn. Ebdon was in fine form all day and made breaks of 62, 82, 73, 73, 64, 54 and 60 throughout the play at Crondon Park Golf Club in Stock, Essex. Six players - Jamie Cope, Neil Robertson, Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams, Ricky Walden and Dave Harold - are still vying for the other semi-final spots.

Stoke’s Dave Harold suffered defeats against Neil Robertson, Jamie Cope, Barry Hawkins but a victory over Ebdon in his last match kept his tournament hopes alive.

Hawkins made the highest break of the day with his effort of 142 against Harold, while Robertson’s score of 111 against Williams was his 12th century in this year’s tournament and his 27th of the season – more than any other player.

The winner of Group Five will join Stephen Maguire, John Higgins, Judd Trump, Marco Fu and two further qualifiers in the Winners’ Group. Championship League Snooker is broadcast entirely on a number of betting websites throughout the world.

GROUP FIVE - DAY ONE RESULTS
Neil Robertson 3-1 Mark Williams, Peter Ebdon 3-0 Ricky Walden, Barry Hawkins 2-3 Jamie Cope, Dave Harold 1-3 Neil Robertson, Mark Williams 2-3 Peter Ebdon, Ricky Walden 3-2 Barry Hawkins, Jamie Cope 3-1 Dave Harold, Neil Robertson 2-3 Peter Ebdon, Mark Williams 3-2 Ricky Walden, Barry Hawkins 3-1 Dave Harold, Peter Ebdon 1-3 Dave Harold, Jamie Cope 3-0 Ricky Walden.