These men can win the Castle Classic on Saturday

The Sheffield ace hadn't seen the Northwich green before arriving in town last year but he has used that knowledge effectively this time around to keep alive his chances of claiming a £1,000 first prize from the annual competition's fifth edition.

• READ > Winsford duo denied as Clark takes Classic title

A head-to-head with Lee Johnstone, runner-up in the Cheshire Senior Merit and more recently a quarter-finalist at the British Senior Individual Merit last month, is among the highlights of a draw for the last 16.

And the West Yorkshireman isn't the only former champion in the field.

Wharton Cons star Glynn Cookson lifted the trophy three years ago and secured his spot on finals night last weekend following impressive wins against John Hanson (21-13), Dean Missere (21-10) and Reece Farr (21-5).

Matty Worden, who took the British Junior Merit title in 2018, is his next opponent.

Ross Clark, centre, with competition organiser Adi Faulkner and 2017 champion Sean Morrey following last year's Castle Classic final at the Northwich club

A high-class field also includes 2017 'All England' winner Darren Plenderleith, from Tamworth, and Ross Meese - the bowler he beat in the final at Nuneaton.

The latter has been paired with Tom Vickers, a teammate of Cookson at the Winsford club and a national champion during a record-breaking season in 2015.

Warrington's Danny Roberts, a semi-finalist at Rolls Royce Leisure last month when he lost to eventual winner Ryan Prosser, is also among the contenders.

Play starts at 4pm.

A bookmaker will be there for spectators to place a bet on the outcome, and admission is free.

Draw

Castle Classic

Saturday, August 10

Last 16 (from 4pm)

Glynn Cookson v Matty Worden

Lee Johnstone v Ryan Clark

Jason Jones v Dan Petcher

Sam Patterson v Danny Roberts

Darren Plenderleith v Darrell Handley

Tom Vickers v Ross Meese

Paul Walley v Dave Penketh

Darren Wellings v Leighton Roberts