BetVictor Championship League: Twelve More Players Secure Stage Two Qualification in Week Two

The second week of the 2026/27 BetVictor Championship League has concluded, with another 12 players booking their places in Stage Two following six more groups of action at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.

The week’s play featured dominant displays, dramatic final-frame finishes and several former champions progressing as the race for the season’s first ranking title gathered momentum.

Vafaei and Saengkham open the week in style

Hossein Vafaei continued his excellent start to the new season by topping Group 18. The Iranian, who reached the Crucible quarter-finals last season, extended his unbeaten run by defeating Oliver Sykes and Florian Nuessle before drawing with Fan Zhengyi to comfortably secure qualification.

Group 29 produced one of the closest finishes of the tournament so far. Noppon Saengkham, Liam Davies and Ben Woollaston all finished level on points and frame difference, with the group ultimately decided on highest break. Saengkham’s superb 123 proved decisive, edging Davies’ best effort of 121 to send the Thai cueist through.

Slessor and Robertson progress after tense finishes

Elliot Slessor produced one of the standout performances of the week to top Group 9. The world number 19 compiled a century and six further breaks over 50 across his three matches, including a superb 130 in a commanding victory over Liam Pullen to seal qualification.

Jimmy Robertson emerged victorious from Group 23 after two opening draws left him needing a win in his final match. The former European Masters champion delivered under pressure, defeating Martin O’Donnell 3-0 to secure his place in Stage Two.

Wakelin and Lei show their quality

Wednesday’s action saw Chris Wakelin and Lei Peifan advance from their respective groups.

Wakelin recovered impressively after suffering a surprise defeat in his opening match to French amateur Brian Ochoiski. The world number 13 responded with consecutive 3-0 victories over Luke Pinches and Yao Pengcheng, including a top break of 128, to finish top of Group 5.

In Group 16, Lei Peifan overcame a closely contested group by defeating Ishpreet Singh Chadha 3-1 in the decisive final match. Earlier victories over Chatchapong Nasa and a draw with Wang Xinbo ensured the Chinese player progressed.

Moody continues his rise as Boiko and Jones prevail

Teenager Stan Moody continued his impressive development by topping Group 30. After opening with a draw, the Englishman produced breaks of 135, 104, 73, 70 and 59 while winning his remaining two matches to comfortably qualify for Stage Two.

Friday’s action delivered plenty of drama. In Group 4, Iulian Boiko recovered from 2-0 down against Lan Yuhao to earn the draw he required, with an earlier 90 break proving decisive as he edged through on highest break.

Group 22 was equally dramatic. Jak Jones only needed to win a single frame against Oliver Lines in the final match and, despite eventually losing 3-1, an excellent 80 break helped him secure the frame he needed to top the group on frame difference.

Former champions Maguire and Carter advance

The final day of Week Two saw two former Championship League winners safely negotiate their groups.

Defending champion Stephen Maguire recovered from an opening defeat to Anton Kazakov by winning his final two matches, including a convincing 3-0 victory over Robbie Williams highlighted by a 125 break, to finish top of Group 19.

Ali Carter also progressed from Group 12 after victories over Patrick Whelan and Leone Crowley left him needing only a draw in his final fixture against Jamie Jones. A composed performance, including a break of 97, was enough for Carter to secure qualification on frame difference.

Week Two Qualifiers

The 12 players progressing to Stage Two are:

• Hossein Vafaei
• Noppon Saengkham
• Elliot Slessor
• Jimmy Robertson
• Chris Wakelin
• Lei Peifan
• Stan Moody
• Liu Hongyu
• Iulian Boiko
• Jak Jones
• Stephen Maguire
• Ali Carter

With two weeks of Stage One now complete, the field for Stage Two continues to take shape. The Championship League resumes next week as another batch of players compete for the remaining qualification places and the opportunity to challenge for the first ranking title of the 2026/27 season.