The amateur rounds of the third UK Players Tour Championship event of the season came to a conclusion this evening in Gloucester as most of the more well-known names progressed to the event proper – as is becoming the norm.
Ben Harrison dropped just one frame in both of his qualifying encounters to set up an intriguing pairing with young teenage star Luca Brecel.
Harrison has consistently come through the preliminary rounds of the PTC events over the last two seasons but has struggled against the professionals so will be hoping to show an improvement as he continues his journey to become a member of the professional circuit.
There were wins also for Kyren Wilson and female competitor Reanne Evans, who both ply their trade at the South West Snooker Academy, with the latter making light work of Joe O’Connor in a 4-0 whitewash.
Recent pros Stuart Carrington and Adam Wicheard enjoyed 4-0 and 4-1 victories respectively as they bid to rejoin the higher ranks of the sport but veteran Irishman Dessie Sheehan went down 4-0 to unknown Englishman Nico Elton.
The biggest shock of the day probably came with Richard Remelie’s 4-2 triumph over Welshman Gareth Allen.
England’s Remelie had failed to win a single match in his previous two outings in Gloucester while his opponent impressively ousted Alfie Burden and Jak Jones to reach the last 32 of the opening PTC but could not reprise that form this week.
There were wins also for well-known amateurs Zak Surety, Eden Sharav, Sanderson Lam, Sam Harvey and Fraser Patrick – the Scot who came agonizingly close to coming through Q-School in May only to fall at the final hurdle to Michael Wasley.
Patrick’s reward is a last 128 meeting with former world champion and world no.1 Mark Williams.
The main event gathers pace tomorrow as the professional players enter the fray with Stephen Maguire’s clash against Marco Fu, Jimmy White’s battle with Aditya Mehta and Judd Trump’s challenge of Anthony McGill arguably the pick of the first round ties.
The draw and list of results can be viewed by clicking here.
