It's a top ask!

Jan 10 2008 by Sarah Bull, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GLENN WILKINSON is the next man to stand in the way of holder Robert Read’s path to yet another Open Snooker Championship final.

On his day, the talented Meltham Conservative man, himself a former Yorkshire League player, has the game to upset the nine-time champion, who has his sights firmly set on a place in the last eight of this year’s hot-looking competition.

But with Read drawn on his home table at Lindley WMC it will be a big ask for Wilkinson to halt the champion’s progress.

Three other former champions are also still in the shake-up for a quarter-final spot; Trevor Liversidge hosting Haydn Corbett at Golcar Con, Rob Armitage entertaining Kevin Ellis at Marsh Lib, while Mick Stocks visits Dean Poutney at Lower Hopton as the usual big names gather in the later stages.

Read and his partner Andy Boothroyd are looking to extend their run of victories in the Leonard Oldham Pairs, which dates back to 2005, when they visit Steve Moorhouse and Steve Stennett at the Syngenta club.

But there was disappointment for Read in the Snooker Handicap event where he was beaten by Broad Oak’s Adam Harper.

Reigning Handicap champion Oliver Taylor from Golcar Con Club, failed to arrive for his arranged match with Meltham Liberal Club’s Jannine Shaw, who was awarded the tie.

And her reward is an away trip to face Michael Harvey from Syngenta.

On the billiards side, Open champion Tony Clegg, who is already through to this year’s semis, had his hopes of a double dashed when Brockholes BC teenager Jack Dyson took full advantage of his 190-point start to knock the Springwood Bowling Club star out of the Handicap competition.

The full second round draws, to be played by Sunday, February 3, are: