England’s Barry Hawkins ousts Mark King - 2012 Championship League Snooker Group 5
England’s professional snooker player hailing from Kent, Barry Hawkins has easily made his way into the Winners Group of 2012 Championship League Snooker after claiming a Group 5 victory at the Crondon Park Golf Club in Stock. The Englishman played against
compatriot Mark King in the final and after a tussling competition, he was able to win the final clash by the score line of 3-2.
The opening day of the 2012 Championship League Snooker Group 5 matches were completely dominated by Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, who earned 3 points after participating in four matches. Barry Hawkins was unable to win many matches on Day 1 and finished
on a lower podium place with one point after winning against Jamie Cope.
The Northern Irishman also showed impressive form in the second-day group matches and hit the first podium spot with five wins in six matches. Hawkins, on the other hand, finished his group matches on second position with four victories in six contests.
The former World Snooker Champion, Peter Ebdon and England’s Mark King booked third and fourth place respectively and qualified for the play-offs along with Allen and Hawkins.
The 2012 Snooker Shootout winner, Hawkins faced Ebdon in his semi-final clash. He contested in a tough game against the former champ but finally managed to beat him by the score line of 3-2. Ebdon fired a fine clearance of 37 to win the first scrappy frame
64-42 to nudge Hawkins one frame down.
The Hawk pulled level at 1-1 after pocketing a 34-point break in reply to Ebdon’s 45. The Ebdonator grabbed the lead again at 1-2 after winning the third frame. After that, the World Number 23 cruised into back-to-back frame wins to triumph in the semi-final
match and surge into the finals against King, who defeated Allen in same fashion.
The final encounter between Hawkins and King was another scrappy competition as both players were focused and determined. Hawkins moved into a 42-point lead in the first frame before a missed ball from him brought King at the baize. King fired a stunning
knock of 71 points and took the frame easily by 71-42.
The 32-year-old Hawkins then equalised the scores right after grabbing the second frame. King followed through with another frame win but Hawkins sealed his victory with two straight frame wins with the help of a sensational century break of 107 in the last
set. The Dartford potter’s success has booked him a spot in the 2012 Championship League Snooker Winners Group.
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