Maximum man Mark Selby retains Championship League Invitational crown on home soil

Playing on home soil at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, 'The Jester' successfully defends the non-ranking title, becoming only the second player in history to achieve that feat following John Higgins' heroics in 2018 and 2023.

Victory for the 41-year-old Englishman also guarantees him a place at the prestigious Champion of Champions invitational towards the end of this calendar year.

Both Selby and Wilson began their campaigns in this year's CLS Invitational in Group 3 several weeks ago. Wilson won that group to book his place in the tournament-concluding Winners' Group, and Selby wasn't far behind him as he went on to qualify from Group 4.

Joining them in the Winners' Group over the past couple of days were fellow 'regular' group champions Hossein Vafaei, Si Jiahui, Matthew Selt, Judd Trump and Xiao Guodong.

Selby progressed to the play-offs after finishing second in the group standings with four wins from six. During his final group game - against Xiao - the four-time World Champion compiled a maximum 147 break. It was the third 147 of this year's competition after similar efforts from Jak Jones and David Gilbert, and the sixth of Selby's professional career.

Newly-minted German Masters champion Wilson was looking to continue his hot streak on the World Snooker Tour and lift a second trophy within the space of just 72 hours. Runner-up at the recent Masters at the Alexandra Palace, too, Wilson took the fourth and final spot for the play-offs with three wins from six.

World number one Judd Trump was the star of the show during the group phase as he finished top of the table with a 100% record of six wins. 'The Ace in the Pack' also notched up a few more century breaks as he chases down one hundred 100s for the season and a £100,000 bonus prize.

However, with the slate wiped clean for the play-offs, Wilson halted Trump’s title bid as he defeated him 3-0 in the semi-finals along with runs of 120 and 113. In the other last four tie, Selby fashioned efforts of 129 and 135 as he eliminated Hossein Vafaei, 3-1.

The grand final pitched together the defending champion against the World Champion, and it was the second time that day they had met; several hours earlier in the group phase, Selby capped a 3-1 win with a break of 141.

With the title up for grabs on this occasion, the verdict went the same way again, as home hero Selby constructed contributions of 99 and 100 in a whitewash success.

British Open champion in September, this is Selby's third professional title win in his home city after it was held here last year too, and his 2023 WST Classic glory.

For all the results from this year’s Championship League Snooker Invitational Event, please visit our tournament information centre here.