THE Manchester Alliance match-play competition has again attracted a top class field of professionals and top amateurs who will be looking to make finals day in April for the last four in both the main competition and the assistant pro’s event.

It will be hosted by Ashton-on-Mersey GC, the home club of Alliance captain Kris Andrews (pictured) for the first time in the club’s long history.

European Tour and Challenge Tour pro Phil Archer (Birchwood) is the number one of eight seeded players and he takes on Ringway’s Nick Ryan in round one.

Title holder Graham Cox (Davenport) is also a top seed and he enjoys home advantage against Cheadle amateur Andy Hall.

Didsbury’s Peter Barber is the record holder for the number of wins in the competition and he hosts another local legend in Bramhall amateur Gareth Bradley who has played over 150 times for Cheshire where he has also been team captain.

Keeping it in the Barber family is Peter’s son Jack, the assistant pro at Hazel Grove, who is at home to Alliance Captain Kris Andrews (Ashton-on-Mersey) with the prospect of success giving him a chance to take on his dad in a later round.

Also in the mix from Trafford clubs are Davyhulme Park assistant pro Josh Garnett and top amateur Mike Wallwork and from Sale are amateurs Mobi Rawthore, Kevin Moore and George Drakonakis.

Full draw: Phil Archer (Birchwood) v Nick Ryan (Ringway); Jamie Tipper (Denton) v Jordan Flint (Crompton and Royton); Alan Crompton (Haigh Hall) v Martin Longshaw (Hindley Hall); Liam Burgess (Bramall Park) v Mike Wallwork (Davyhulme Park; Grant Hamerton (Pike Fold) v Ken Thomson (Bramall Park); Mark Smith (Stamford) v Ed Smethurst (Bramall Park); Graham Cox (Davenport) v Andy Hall (Cheadle); Josh Garnett (Davyhulme Park) v Steve McCarthy (Lymm); Andy Clarke (Bramall Park) v Scott Jackson (Disley); Mobi Rawthore (Sale) v Kevin Moore (Sale); Dave Green (Dukinfield) v Tim Maxwell (Knutsford); Tony Cuppello (Brookdale) v Ben Thompson (Hazel Grove); Peter Barber (Didsbury) v Gareth Bradley (Bramhall); Craig Daggitt (Bramall Park) v Anthony Millar (Cheadle); Steve Parry (Hart Common) v George Drakonakis (Sale); Jack Barber (Hazel Grove) v Kris Andrews (Ashton-on-Mersey)