Mark Allen makes winning start to new season at Championship League snooker

Mark Allen enjoyed a perfect start to the new snooker campaign by winning all three matches to top Group 12 at the Championship League in Leicester. The Northern Irishman – who lost last year's final 3-1 to David Gilbert – started his day with a 3-0 win over Himanshu Jain before two 3-1 victories over Jenson Kendrick and Stuart Carrington respectively secured his progress.

Ad/> Allen made breaks of 97 and 142 against Carrington after losing the first frame at the season's first ranking event. Championship League'I want to buy a pool club' – Gilbert reveals plan after reaching Championship League last 32YESTERDAY AT 21:33 He will face UK champion Zhao Xintong, Chang Bingyu and Gary Wilson in Group D on Wednesday.

Michael White contributed two 68 breaks in a 3-1 win over Mark Joyce. /> He lost 3-1 to group top seed Jack Lisowski, but a 3-0 defeat of Julian LeClercq boosted by runs of 68 and 69 sealed his qualification with Lisowski slumping to a 3-1 loss to Joyce.

White joins Gilbert, Robert Milkins and Xiao Guodong in Group H on Tuesday. O'Sullivan set to headline Hong Kong Masters at 10,000-capacity venue 'The aim is a title' – Woollaston ends Selby hopes at Championship League Latest Championship League group winners Group 24: Robert Milkins (Eng) Group 13: Aaron Hill (Ire) Group 4: Zhao Xintong (Chn) Group 31: Anthony Hamilton (Eng) Group 6: Michael Judge (Ire) Group 26: Chris Wakelin (Eng) Group 10: Luca Brecel (Bel) Group 29: Lu Ning (Chn) Group 1: Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) Group 27: Jamie Jones (Wal) Group 15: Ricky Walden (Eng) Group 32: Xiao Guodong (Chn) Group 9: Yuan Sijun (Chn) Group 30: Lyu Haotian (Chn) Group 3: Ben Woollaston (Eng) Group 23: Elliot Slessor (Eng) Group 5: Mark Williams (Wal) Group 28: Gary