Murphy fights intensity to win CL group three

Shaun Murphy joined the list of last year's Premier League players to win a Championship League group.

Following on from the successes of Mark Selby and Mark Williams, the Magician edged out Mark King 3-2 in the final after losing the first two.

Clearances of 139 and 137 in frames three and four, left King stunned by a huge switch of momentum. While King advancing would have been seen as a shock, Murphy proved again why he's classed among the elite.

He continues to play such a consistent level of top snooker, and that comes even in such an intense. He said after his victory: "This is the most intense practice I've played since being a boy. I can't remember the last time I played all day for two full days, probably not since I was about 12. Even at the World Championship you will only have a couple of sessions a day.

"The fact you get into the Premier League if you win the Championship League is a bonus but there's also good money at stake and this is a great tournament in its own right - everyone wants to win it.

"Hopefully I can get into the Premier League anyway by winning one of the major events or being high up in the rankings but this is another avenue that is still open."

Stephen Hendry, Matthew Stevens and Mark Allen will be joining Marco Fu, Ali Carter, Peter Ebdon and King in group after Stuart Bingham and John Higgins bit the dust.