KEVIN Burns (Ossett Flying Horse) and Joel Abdy (Lower Hopton) were week one qualifiers in the 2015 Shipley Classic, sponsored by HH Birch & Son Ltd.
Abdy was hardly troubled, with wins over John Schofield (Crossgates) 21-13, Danny Walker (Denby Grange) 21-12 and Richard Stockdale (Eccleshill) 21-15 as he made it through to finals night.
Burns came through two relatively comfortable wins over Jack Summers (Asa Briggs) 21-11 and Michael Briggs (Troydale) 21-13 before a nail-biting 21-20 victory over Dave Fisher (Morton House) in the final qualifying game.
Fisher looked favourite to progress as he stood at 20-17 before Burns counted two pairs, seeing him over the line.
Qualifying continues tomorrow evening, with 2011 champion Mark Regan (Brighouse Sports) and 2012 champion Liam Griffin (Pudsey) among those in action.
Week one qualifying scores – First round: Joe Bray (Cleckheaton Sports) 21, Ira Jeffers (Crossgates) 15; Richard Stockdale (Eccleshill) 21, Kyle Rennison (Thorner) 19; Joel Abdy (Lower Hopton) 21, John Schofield (Crossgates) 13; Adam Ward (Hunslet Moor) 12, Danny Walker (Denby Grange) 21; Andy Southwell (Asa Briggs) 21, David White (Thorner) 14; Liam Gleave (Hightown) 19, Dave Fisher (Morton House) 21; Jack Summers (Asa Briggs) 11, Kevin Burns (Ossett Flying Horse) 21; Michael Briggs (Troydale) 21, Nicky Bastow (Eccleshill) 11. Second round: Bray 14, Stockdale 21; Abdy 21, Walker 12; Southwell 14, Fisher 21; Burns 21, Briggs 13. Third round: Stockdale 15, Abdy 21 (Abdy draws No 8 for finals night), Fisher 20, Burns 21 (Burns draws No 2).
Week two qualifying draw (practice from 6pm for 6.30pm start): Mark Regan (Brighouse Sports) v Connor Davis (Crosland Moor), James Wilcox (Crossgates) v Andy Walker (Harold Park), Liam Griffin (Pudsey) v Graeme Wilson (Lower Hopton), Paul Jacques (Littlemoor) v Josh Brown (Spen Victoria), Kieren Smith (Crossgates) v Glen Pratt (Littlemoor), Keith Hall (Eccleshill) v Paul Smythe (Brighouse Sports), Nigel Roper (Littlemoor) v Scott Tattersley (Spen Victoria), Chris Brown (Lower Hopton) v Alan Whytell (Harold Club).
* Pudsey A remain top of the Naylor Premier section in the Bradford Saturday League after a 21-9 home defeat of Shipley Club A, thanks to 21-8 winning cards from Andy Hodgson and Chris Mordue.
Brighouse Sports A moved second after a 25-5 home win over Littlemoor A, with Hedley Kettlewell 21-8, Steve Foster 21-9 and David Stansfield 21-9 carding convincing triumphs.
Nine home winners helped Clayton A to a 23-7 win over Whitkirk, despite a great 21-10 from Terry Kelly for the visitors, while Crossgates carded their first victory of the season as they defeated Ladyhill A 20-10, with Steven Gilroy's 21-8 the best of seven home winners.
Five games finished 21-20, with three in favour of the hosts, so the result could have been much better for either team.
Cranmore are likely to struggle this season but would have been pleased with a 20-10 home win over Eccleshill A, who now find themselves below their opponents.
Wyke remain top of the Godwin second tier after a 21-9 home success over Rufford A, thanks to wins by Nigel Swales 21-8 and Trevor Benn 21-9.
Elland CA&BC are still second and undefeated, although they would have been disappointed with just an 18-12 home win over Pudsey B. Paul Demetriades' 21-6 effort ensured a home success, with both teams carding five winners.
Guiseley A stunned visitors Asa Briggs A 22-8, helped by Joe Stockdale 21-7 and Thomas Cater 21-9, while there were nine home winners for Eccleshill B against Brighouse Sports B in a 24-6 verdict, Ian Kennedy's 21-12 being the best.
Littlemoor B triumphed for the first time this season as they defeated fellow strugglers Greengates A 18-12, thanks to seven high-scoring home winners, winning the aggregate by only three chalks.
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