THE qualifying stages for next week’s Mr Q UK Championship are well under way in Leicester and Jordan Brown will begin his bid on Tuesday morning (9.30) when he faces Jamie Clarke of Wales.
The Antrim man has hit a rich vein of form after a run to the semi-finals of the International Championship in China this month and will hope to back that up this week, and hopefully next.
Northern Ireland amateur champion Robbie McGuigan had a fine 6-2 win over Fergal O’Brien in his opening game but fell at the second hurdle, beaten 6-2 by Dylan Emery.
Belfast’s Northern Ireland U21 champion Joel Connolly also lost 6-2 to Andy Lee in his opener, while Cork’s Aaron Hill went out on Monday to Craig Steadman (6-2).
Ken Doherty safely negotiated his first match on Monday, beating Duane Jones 6-3, and will now take on BetVictor Northern Ireland Open runner-up Chris Wakelin.
Mark Allen, fresh from his Champion of Champions win in Bolton, will begin the defence of his title at the last-32 stage on Saturday when the televised action begins in York.