Manley out of Desert Classic

Former Las Vegas Desert Classic champion Peter Manley was among eight seeded players to be knocked out of this year’s event in the first round.

Manley lost 2-1 to Mark Walsh at the MGM Grand Casino & Hotel Resort.

World Championship finalist Mark Dudbridge also suffered disappointment, losing 2-1 to Andy Callaby.

Ronnie Baxter, Denis Ovens, Alan Warriner and North American trio John Kuczynski, George Walls and Gerry Convery were also defeated by players who had come through a gruelling two days of qualifying earlier in the week.

Defending champion Phil Taylor made light work of Mark Holden to move into the last 16, where he will face Andy Jenkins.