Spectators can now begin to anticipate the Maplin UK Championship as tickets are now on sale. Snooker lovers will be filling up the Telford International Centre as some of the top players in the sport play for the top place finish. Such players as Ronnie O’Sullivan Stephen Maguire, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Shaun Murphy are said to be attending.

O’Sullivan won last year’s tournament after besting Mark Selby in the semi-final by making a 147 in the deciding frame. O’Sullivan then went on to face Maguire in the final and beat him to take the win. Adrian Gunnell, Telford’s top player, qualified for the tournament last year but was put out by Ding Junhui before he could get to the final stages. Gunnell is number 36 in the world.

Gunnell stated: “It’s great for the town of Telford to have the tournament back again and something for the fans here to look forward to. Hopefully I can qualify again and do better at the venue than last time. I beat Matthew Stevens in the final qualifying round last year so I can’t have a much tougher draw this time. I’ve not had the best of starts to this season but I know what I have to do to get my game right so I’m sure I will be ready in time for the UK qualifiers.”

This year’s event will also feature a CueZone where players can play at a tournament table and learn tips from the World Snooker coaches. Players of all ages are accepted. Tickets are on sale now for just £10.50 and with concessions at £5.


- 2008-09-17