History repeats itself for former World Champion Ebdon - 11/02/2010

LATEST SCORES (FIRST TO 3)
TABLE 1 - PETER EBDON 0-3 MARK ALLEN

HISTORY repeated itself for former World Champion Peter Ebdon in Group Six of the Championship League Snooker competition.

Ebdon, who won at the Crucible in 2002, sits top of the table at the halfway point – just as he did in Group Five earlier in the week. He won three out of his first four matches to be close to securing a spot in the group semi-finals.

Ebdon, ranked 14th in the world, was in fine form as he racked up breaks of 139, 131 and 141 in his victories over Barry Hawkins, Mark Williams and Joe Swail, while he lost his other match – against Jamie Cope – despite efforts of 84 and 81. Ebdon faltered at the semi-final stage in Group Five but will be keen to win Group Six to keep alive his hopes of playing in the prestigious Premier League.

The Championship League is the qualifying event for Matchroom Sport’s Premier League, which will be screened on Sky Sports weekly from September to December.

The winner of Group Six will join Stephen Maguire, John Higgins, Judd Trump, Marco Fu and Neil Robertson in the Winners’ Group with one further place still up for grabs. Whoever is the champion of the Winners’ Group will be guaranteed a place in the 2010 Premier League.

Five other players – Mark Allen, Joe Swail, Mark Williams, Jamie Cope and Stuart Bingham – are still in contention in Group Six but the hopes of Barry Hawkins were left hanging by a thread after he suffered four successive defeats, winning only three frames in the process.

Championship League Snooker is broadcast entirely on a number of betting websites throughout the world.