David Pallett paired to prepare for UK Open
Newport's David Pallett is going to the PDC's UK Open for a second year running and could meet a former world championship finalist at the first hurdle.
After rubber-stamping his place over the last qualifiers, the 25-year-old will meet either 2005 runner-up Mark Dudbridge or Lloyd Pennel,
Three tournaments at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan decided for sure who would make the 128-man finals next month, at Butlins in Minehead.
Pallett already had a £500 cushion from the last trio of competitions, where a fourth round run in the last event proved the most profitable.
Again, it was where the Shropshire thrower produced his Sunday best this time, before a tough draw against Raymond van Barneveld ended his challenge.
Two 6-3 wins over Philip Borthwick and Mick Todd respectively set up his meeting with the former BDO and PDC world titlist, who was given a few scares.
Pallett took four legs of his own before 'Barney' went up the gears to prevail 6-4, adding to Pallett's losses at the first hurdle on Friday and Saturday.
On both occasions, it was to fellow West Midlands darters. The first time around, he was nudged out 6-5 by Walsall's Matthew Dennant before a 6-1 defeat to Ilkeston's Matt Padgett.
Despite leaving those events with nothing, his Sunday exploits put him in the band that enter at the preliminary or first round stage when the draw is made.
The finals take place from March 6-8, in front of the ITV4 television cameras, with Pallett reaching the fourth round last year where he lost 9-5 to Gary Anderson.
