Judd Trump got one step closer to an instant Premier League Snooker return yesterday by winning the Championship League group 3.

Trump who won the Championship League in 2009 to book a place at the Premier League becomes the third player this season to reach the Winner’s Group.

His opponent in the final on this occasion was Mark Allen. Trump, 20, beat the Northern Irishman 3-2 to get through to the final stage in March.

Trump told Matchroom Sport, “I’ve played decently in spells but I probably played better in the first two groups as I’m still missing a few easy balls, I enjoy this event, I don’t know what it is about it but I just relax and play well. It’s a good tournament and I like the atmosphere. It’s just more quick-fire compared to other competitions and the best-of-five format suits me.”

He is certainly proving to be a formidable opponent over the shorter match length and actually acquitted himself very well in the Premier League last year being eventually beaten in the semi-finals.

Joe Perry’s poor season continued as he finished in the bottom two, along with Steohen Hendry, and is eliminated from the tournament.

There are still four places available in the Winner’s Group and group four qualifying continues today with Peter Ebdon, Liang Wenbo and Mark Williams joining Ali Carter, Marco Fu, Mark Allen and Neil Robertson.

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