Neil Robertson ousts Mark Selby in 2012 Championship League Snooker Group 3 final at CPGC
Australia’s Neil Robertson has qualified for the Winners Group of 2012 Championship League Snooker after winning Group 3 event at the Crondon Park Golf Club (CPGC). The Aussie defeated World Number one, England’s Mark Selby by the score line of 3-2 in the best-of-five frames final match.
Before coming to the Crondon Park Golf Club, Robertson was a bit worried because he had just won the 2012 Masters and wanted to rest but he was rejected by the World Snooker Chairman, Barry Hearn, when he asked him for a day off. However, the 2012 Masters champ did not let this stress come in his way when he entered the arena with an ambition to win.
The tournament campaign of the Thunder from Down Under was convincing as he finished the group matches session with four wins and claimed the third spot. He qualified for the play-offs against Welshman, Matthew Stevens. The 29-year-old faced a tough resistance from the Welshman during their semi-final match but Robertson grabbed the match and cruised into the final encounter.
On the other hand, Selby was impressive during the group matches. With four victories, the Jester from Leicester topped the group with four points. Selby stormed into the semi-final match against compatriot Mark Davis and defeated him after a tussling clash by the score line of 3-2 to set a final match against Robertson.
The Robertson-Selby final was yet another difficult contest as both potters were neck and neck during their game. The Victorian cueman took the first scrappy frame by 82-8 after firing a superb knock of 47 points. Selby claimed the second frame win by 0-72, firing a stunning 72-point knock to pull level at 1-1.
The former World Snooker Champion regained his lead winning the third scrappy frame by 60-29 after he fired a fine half-century of 58 pints. Selby did not let his opponent take any advantage and equalised the game 2-2 by triumphing in the fourth frame by 44-54. He dragged the game into a decider frame which was won by Robertson 79-27, after he pocketed a cracking clearance of 72 points.
Robertson’s victory has booked him a place in the Winners Group against Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy. The Aussie is also preparing for the upcoming 2012 German Masters event starting from February 1.
Tags: