Sport

Jordan Brown and Ken Doherty still standing in the race for UK Championship finals spot

Ken Doherty now faces Chris Wakelin
Ken Doherty now faces Chris Wakelin

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.