Express & Star

Last chance at the UK Open from Rileys

The last two places on offer from the Black Country for the 'FA Cup of Darts' will be decided in Wolverhampton on Saturday.

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The first qualifier at Rileys Sports Bar last month offered a double chance of a place at the PDC's UK Open finals,

writes Craig Birch.

Wolverhampton's Dean Stewart and Mark Cox, an ex-PDC pro from Swindon, took the spots on offer as winning semi-finalists.

Some 116 players tried their luck at the last event, including BDO World Ladies Championship finalist Fallon Sherrock who has registered again for a second chance.

The UK Open finals will be staged at Butlins in Minehead for three days from Friday March 4, with the ITV4 cameras broadcasting one of the PDC's major tournaments live.

The unseeded 147-man UK Open, with the other 115 players generated through the Order of Merit, will contain 32 wildcards generated from Rileys clubs.

Four of the 32 come from the Broad Street venue in Wolverhampton, a number also bestowed on Rileys' flagship venue, London Victoria. Eight others have two, with another eight granted one.

Rileys qualifiers could share the oche with the PDC's top stars such as Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor in the later stages, if they go on a run past the preliminary round.

It's the fourth year UK Open qualifiers have been staged in Wolverhampton, with Andy Roberts and Stewart the first to win the two events in 2012.

Stewart nabbed another place, with Ian Jones the other winner, in 2014 with Stuart White and Matthew Tedstone prevailing last year.

White and Tedstone were then drawn together at Minehead in a preliminary tie, with White winning a last leg decider 5-4 before bowing out 5-3 to Matt Padgett in the first round proper.

Anybody aged 16 or over (on January 1) can compete in the qualifiers, but you cannot enter on the day. The online cut-off is 48 hours before the event at www.rileys.co.uk/tournaments.

You can also apply in person at the venue or over the telephone up until midnight the previous day. Wolverhampton Rileys is on 01902 310 521. Entry is just £6, including a free drink.

There is a strict dress code of trousers, shoes and either a shirt or polo shirt. Those who were a part of the PDC's Qualifying School last week cannot enter.

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