Speedy Inverness Qualifiers Found

RYAN MURRAY, Andy Murray, Craig McCaskill and Nicky Denoon were the four players who won through the Speedy Inverness Qualifier to earn places in the Speedy Services UK Open on Wednesday.

The quartet came through the field in the two-stage qualifier, which was held in Speedy's Inverness branch.

Players initially threw 15 darts to score as many points as possible, with the players with the top eight scores then playing off in a knockout leg of 701 for a place in Bolton.

Both Ryan Murray and Andy Murray - who are unrelated - have won a return to Bolton for the UK Open televised finals in June.

Ryan Murray, a 24-year-old cleaner from Edinburgh, has competed as an amateur in the past two UK Opens, and defeated David McKay in his knockout leg to earn his spot in the tournament.

He was a first round loser in the 2010 UK Open but defeated Colin Monk in last year's event before being defeated by Martyn Turner in the second round.

Andy Murray, meanwhile, previously won through to the UK Open in 2010, when he lost in the preliminary round to Scott Rand, but the 51-year-old gasfitter from Falkirk overcame Stephen Munro to win his place in this year's televised finals.

Craig McCaskill, a fabrication apprentice from Fearn in the Highlands, has only been playing darts for three years but won through to earn his place in 'The FA Cup of Darts'.

"This is a fantastic tournament and I'm really pleased to be going to Bolton," said the 21-year-old. "Phil Taylor is my favourite player and it would be a dream come true to play him in Bolton!"

The day's other qualifier was 28-year-old bricklayer Nicky Denoon, who hails from Helmsdale in the Highlands.

Former World Champion Mark Webster is a Speedy Ambassador at the qualifiers, and said: "The standard in Inverness has been the best yet - we even had a couple of amateur players here who have played internationally, so there was lots of experience at the Speedy depot.

"I think the four qualifiers from today could do some serious damage when they get to Bolton."

The Inverness Qualifier was the third of seven events being held by Speedy as they search for 32 amateurs who will compete in the Speedy Services UK Open in Bolton from June 7-10.

Qualifiers have already been played in Brighton and Dartford, and they continue in Leeds this Thursday (April 12) and Stoke on Friday (April 13).

The sixth qualifier will be held in Cardiff on April 19 before Speedy stage an employees-only event in Haydock on May 4.

For more information about the Speedy Qualifiers or to enter, visit http://sports.speedyservices.com

Tickets for the Speedy Services UK Open in June are now on General Sale - click here for full information.

For more information about Speedy Services, visit www.speedyservices.com.

Click here for information about the Rileys Qualifiers for the Speedy Services UK Open