The draw for the first three rounds of the UK Open Finals at Bolton has thrown up some intriguing ties for Team Unicorn stars. American star Ray Carver is into the competition early at the Reebok. He is the second match on the main stage in his preliminary round tie against Punch Taverns qualifier Mark Hylton, who is an airline cabin manager and goes by the nickname of ‘Mile High’!
If Carver comes through, he will face Mark Robinson – who won a UK Open Regional event a couple of years ago – in the 1st Round proper.
Michael Barnard, who is desperate to prove a point, is on board two in his 1st Round clash against Vernon Sheppard. A victory for Barnard would earn him a 2nd Round clash with Bolton’s Paul Williams, who was a semi-finalist at The Reebok four years ago.
And there is a great opportunity for Unicorn new boy Kirk Shepherd to impress. He will make his big Sky Sports debut on the main stage in his 2nd Round match against top American Roger Carter. If Shepherd fulfils his promise, he will face either Irishman Garratt Gray or former Reebok finalist Mark Walsh in round three.
Robbie Green, who enjoyed a great run to the quarter-finals last year, will take on either Dave Blenkarne or Ian Wise in the 2nd Round…..victory for ‘Kong’ would see a mouthwatering 3rd Round match against Lionel Sams.
In the 3rd Round, former UK Open finalist John Part kicks-off the action on the main stage against either Kevin Dowling or Matt Sheehan, while there is a tricky test for ‘The Limestone Cowboy’…..Bob Anderson takes on rising Irish star Brendan Dolan.
It is a big tournament for both Part and Anderson. The UK Open Finals is the cut off point for automatic qualification for both Las Vegas and Blackpool. The top 12 after Bolton are guaranteed their places at The Desert Classic…..Part is currently 12th in the Order of Merit, while the top 28 win through to the World Matchplay in July and Anderson is hanging on to that 28th and last automatic place!
Other 3rd Round highlights see Mark Dudbridge taking on Ronnie Baxter, Alan Warriner against Wayne Jones, Dave Askew playing Dennis Smith and Alex Roy againstDave Smith.
The top 32 in the UK Open rankings come into the competition at the 4th Round stage…all the big names play for the first time on the Saturday and the draw for round four will be made on the Friday night at The Reebok, when the 32 survivors from the 3rd Round are known….
The rest of Team Unicorn - Taylor, Lloyd, Manley, Lewis, Bates, Osborne, McGowan, Painter, Wade, Hamilton and Newton will all be in action on day three of the event.
It all gets under way at The Reebok on Thursday June 7 and some tickets are still available for the Thursday and Friday night’s by calling 0871 871 2932
BY STUART PYKE
