UKCL NATIONALS: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN!

After four fiercely contested qualifiers, the stage is set for the grand finale of this UKCL season — and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable clash of titans.

Last year, Richard Blanke stunned the UKCL by taking the trophy back to Germany. Now, he returns, hungrier than ever, determined to defend his crown. But standing in his way are some of the most in-form players the league has ever seen.

Season 2 National Champion - Richard Blanke

Liam McGrath of Wandsworth enters as the top seed, thanks to two qualifier victories and consistent top-three finishes. Fresh off a great showing at the ACL tournament in Germany, McGrath is the man to beat — and it will take something special to stop him.

Joshua Hiser, the Oklahoma-born talent now based in Bury St Edmunds, grabs the second seed after a season that includes podium finishes in both the ACL and ACO. His dominant Kings Seat showing at Coalville sealed his place among the top four — and he's bringing big-game confidence into the finals.

Third seed Richard Blanke has raised his game even further since last season, racking up international accolades across Europe. His victory at the Bury qualifier shows he’s in top form and ready to go back-to-back.

The fourth seed goes to another American sensation, Jared Neusch, representing the Solent club. With three fourth-place finishes and unmatched consistency, he’s the top qualifier on points alone and a serious challenger for the title.

The group stage is stacked with talent:

•⁠  ⁠Group A: Liam McGrath faces off against last season’s Tier 2 champ Ashby’s Charlie Lomax, Featherstone’s star Jon Stynes who clinched second spot at qualifier one, and Manchester’s Graham Davies.

•⁠  ⁠Group B: Josh Hiser takes on Bury's qualifier 2 runner-up Jonathan Chivers, last year’s third-place finisher Tony Gavan, and Ashby’s rising star Nick Pettitt.

•⁠  ⁠Group C: Richard Blanke leads a fearsome group including Ashby ace Alistair Pettitt who claimed runner up in qualifier 3, also from Ashby the unpredictable Jon Wishart, and Featherstone’s challenger Richard MacDonald.

•⁠  ⁠Group D: Jared Neusch will be tested by last season’s number 1 Manchester’s Daniel Lilley, Halford based lone star Geoff Vaughan, and last season’s Tier 2 runner-up Ashby’s Mark Pallett.

This is it. No easy matchups. No guarantees. The UKCL has never been tighter, and with the bar rising at every event, this final promises nothing short of fireworks.

Let the battle begin!

Note: Groups subject to change if players drop out and the next in line via the rankings steps up!