Wayne Jones off the mark in UK Open
Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones could only moderately add to his tally on the first weekend of qualifiers for the PDC's UK Open.
The Wednesfield thrower competed in three events at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan from Friday to Sunday,
And 'the Wanderer' is off the mark in the race for next month's UK Open finals, to take place at Minehead's Butlins from March 4-6, albeit only by £250.
The two-time UK Open quarter-finalist made the first money stage on Saturday, with a third round run that was ended 6-3 by Jeffrey de Graaf.
It was further than West Midlands cohorts Nick Fullwell, Mark Hylton and PDC new-boy Matthew Dennant managed over the trio of tournaments.
Jones first toed the oche on Friday, going out in swift order in a close-run affair against Dirk van Duijvenbode. He was defeated 6-5 after a last leg battle.
Stourbridge's Fullwell put out Ryan de Vreede 6-5, but was beaten 6-4 by Robert Thornton during the next phase.
Rugeley's Hylton also got past the first round, after seeing off Nathan Aspinall 6-4. Andy Jenkins reversed the scoreline to eliminate him from there.
Bloxwich's Dennant, who won a two-year Pro Tour card through Qualifying School last month, joined them after downing Matthew Edgar 6-2. He then bowed out 6-1 to John Henderson.
The darters returned to the venue for Saturday's competition, where Jones was in the money after 6-1 successes over Stuart Stubbs and Mark Frost, before coming across de Graaf.
Fullwell emerged 6-3 from a preliminary tie against BJ Fairhurst, before vanquishing Sam Head 6-4. Tony Newell then pipped him to the post 6-5.
Dennant was nudged out 6-5 by Yordi Meeuwisse in the first round, while Hylton overcame Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-4 before going down to Joe Murnan by the same verdict.
Jones reached the second round of yesterday's third and final tournament, notching a 6-3 win over Keegan Brown before losing 6-5 to Brett Claydon.
Fullwell also passed his opening test at the expense of Darron Brown 6-4, before Steve West rolled over him 6-4. Dennant lost 6-3 in the first round, as did Hylton to John Newland.
Jones' winnings makes him one of 36 players to be joint 79th on the first UK Open Order of Merit which, as it stands, would put him into the preliminary or first round at the finals.
The double World Championship semi-finalist is 58th in the Pro Tour standings and 52nd overall.
