Just a quick look at who did what in the first of two events at Preston Guild Hall
Riga Masters Qualifiers: 2-5 July
Kuldesh Johal took one of the first frames of the new season, but couldn’t hold off classy Chris Wakelin. Wakelin is looking to build on a good season last time and there’s no reason in my mind as to why he shouldn’t do just that. After Johal took the first Wakelin rattled off the next three. Johal took the fifth but it was too little to late as Wakelin finished off the match with a run of 81.
Adam Duffy can only be bitterly disappointed that he didn’t put up a better showing against Liang Wenbo, losing 4-0. Duffy was looking to make an immediate return to the main tour via Q School but fell just short.
David Lilley produced a fine performance with 2 centuries in beating Hammad Miah 4-2. Lilley was the top performer amongst those who missed out in qualifying from Q School. Miah, however, did manage to qualify to bounce straight back to the tour.
James Cahill lost 4-1 to Robin Hull. Cahill looks to be keen to get back to the main tour after not competing last season.
Mitchell Mann didn’t play and I don’t know the reason but we do know he has health problems which put a halt to his hopes at the Crucible earlier this year.
Farakh Ajaib lost 4-1 to David Gilbert. Farakh was the runner up recently to Joe O’Connor in the Northern section final of the English Amateur Championship.
Michael Judge lost 4-0 to Stephen Maguire
Luke Simmonds beats Zhang Jiankang of China 4-3. Simmonds was another of those who were close to qualifying at Q School and will receive a good few main tour invites this season as a result.
Shane Castle was beaten by Peter Lines 4-2
Simon Bedford from 3-0 down beat Mike Dunn 4-3. This has got to be the result of the round amongst the amateurs. Bedford is ranked 17 from Q School so may not get many invites this season. He’s making the most of this one!
Dechawat Poomjaeng lost 4-1 to Joe Swail. Poomjaeng, always a crowd favourite, will be back as he is ranked number 2 from Q School.
Jamie Cope v Ryan Day is held over to the main arena on Friday 27 July. This is because Ryan Day is the defending champion of course
I will update this post after the main event is done.
Next up is the World Open Qualifiers
