UKCL Nationals: Meet the remaining Tier 1 Players Ready to Throw Down!

Prepare yourselves, Cornhole fanatics! The earth-shattering UK Cornhole Nationals Showdown is about to erupt! This isn't just an event; it's the pinnacle of the UK Cornhole calendar, and the air is thick with anticipation. After four brutal qualifying rounds, the elite sixteen gladiators are locked, loaded, and ready to unleash their A-game at Statfold Country Park on June 7th!

In Part 1, we unveiled the players holding seeds 1 through 8. Now, brace yourselves as we plunge into the heart of the remaining Tier 1 contenders – it's time to meet seeds 9 through 16, the dark horses and rising stars ready to etch their names in UK Cornhole history!

9.⁠ ⁠Jon Stynes (Knarsdale)

Watch and wonder as Jon makes the game look utterly effortless, a sublime skill honed, perhaps, from his days playing the Quoits circuit. This uncanny knack has propelled him to UK and ACO Pro status, snagged him an ACO Purple Jersey  and landed him a Runner-Up finish at Qualifier 1 this season!

While his UKCL form since then has been a tantalizing rollercoaster, don't be fooled. Jon plays a quietly confident game, characterized by precise blocks, deadly airmails, and a clean, slicing slide shot – a formidable arsenal at his disposal.

Prediction: Recent form suggests a strong Top 10 finish is practically guaranteed, but if Jon hits his stride, he possesses the chilling capability to carve a path far deeper into the tournament!

10.⁠ ⁠Tony Gavan (Ashby)

Sporting a fearsome repertoire of cuts, blocks, pushes, and airmails, Tony isn't just a UKCL and ACL Pro; he's the ONLY player in the league to have graced every single UKCL event since the leagues inception! Remember Season 2 Q3 when he famously threw left-handed after cutting the end off his finger, only to return with his right hand at Nationals and clinch an impressive third position trophy?! That's dedication!

Prediction: With Top 7 finishes in the last two qualifiers, a Top 10 spot is a given. A good run could easily see him crack the Top 5, but underestimate Tony at your peril – he's got the game to go higher!

11: Jon Wishart (Ashby)

While accolades may not adorn his name, Jon's quiet consistency speaks volumes. His career highs boast a 4th in top tier doubles, a 5th in the Blind Draw, and a third in Seniors at ACO UK this season then a season high of 7th in UKCL Qualifiers. Dubbed the “Nicest guy in UK Cornhole” he has secured his coveted Tier 1 place for the third consecutive year! Jon plays a solid game, happy to play a dirty reblock, or bully, he has a calculated approach where a low PPR means nothing if it delivers a wash or points. His occasional top draw shots can build his confidence and swing a game.

Prediction: With the right draw, he could easily shatter his own expectations and make the Top half. But for Jon, winning isn't everything; for Jon, simply meeting up with the cornhole community is a triumph in itself!

12.⁠ ⁠Geoff Vaughan (Lone Star)

A two-time GB squad player, Geoff may not be a regular on any club circuit, but his uncanny ability to turn up and bring his A Game when it matters most, at UKCL events, is well known.

Don't let his no-flash style lull you into a false sense of security; when his consistency ignites, he'll go toe-to-toe with the very best, consistently securing high end results, with his runner-up finish in Season 1 standing as a testament to his raw power.

Prediction: Geoff is a stone-cold lock for a Top 10 finish, but with his undeniable quality, he possesses the sheer ability to plunge deeper into the heart of the tournament!

13.⁠ ⁠Mark Pallett (Ashby)

If you crave an accurate and devastatingly effective slide shot, look no further than Mark! A relatively new face to the game, he can hole, hole, hole with the best of them and has been diligently building his formidable arsenal since his impressive second place in Nationals Tier 2 last season. His electrifying performances this season have justly earned him the prestigious right to play for GB!

Prediction: Still a player the ascent, Mark is a solid bet for a Top 10 finish, with the tantalizing potential to climb even higher!

14.⁠ ⁠Richard MacDonald (Knarsdale)

Richard's ascent to the Top 16 has been a relentless march, transforming him into a  very difficult player to beat! His uncanny ability to place bags that put his opponents off their stride, coupled with his ruthless finishing skills, has brought him growing momentum in the UKCL, including a 5th place at Q4 plus he has achieved the coveted Pro status, alongside a 2nd in Seniors with ACO this season!

Prediction: Based on his form, "Maccas" is a sure bet for a Top 10 finish, but given his recent, performances, he could very well delve deeper into the bracket once more!

15.⁠ ⁠Nick Pettitt (Ashby)

Yet another star hurtling skyward! Nick has been meticulously building his game and has recently delivered some truly impressive performances . A 7th place at the ACO UK event sealed his Pro Status, and he followed that up with a breathtaking 5th in Qualifier 4, claiming some major scalps along the way – a performance that has undoubtedly put him squarely on everyone's radar. A fearless style competitor, Nick's hole accuracy and consistency have hit a new high, transforming him into a genuine threat as his confidence and consistency grow at the taking him to the sharp end of the competition!

Prediction: Earlier in the year, you might have pegged him for the 9-16 group, but the way he's playing now, a Top 5 finish or even a podium spot is absolutely within his grasp!

16. Graham Davies (Manchester)

The “Just Board it” podcaster, Graham Davies, completes this electrifying roster for the Nationals Top Tier! Known for his steadily paced blocker-airmail game, he has beaten some decent names this season. His 9th place at Qualifier 2 stands as his best recent placing, complemented by a 5th in the ACO UK Blind Draw.

Prediction: If Graham brings his A-game, and avoids his legendary mistimed hero shots and can bring himself to “Just Board It” a Top half finish is well within his reach!

And finally, while he won't be gracing the boards this time, it's only right to acknowledge the journey of Ben Shaw (Ashby).

With his top tier hole accuracy, "Our Wookie" quietly wooed the crowd, to secure a podium 3rd at Qualifier 1, then amassed enough points throughout the season to seize 10th position in the league! Ben rightfully qualified for Tier 1, but due to commitments beyond the cornhole arena, he has, regrettably, had to withdraw from the competition. We'll deeply miss his presence on the boards but eagerly await his return next season!

So it’s all to play for, but there’s only three places on the podium, this season is tighter than ever and every player is capable of pulling off a coup, so who will take home the trophies……

On June 7th at Statfold Country Park  all the questions will be answered