David Pallett holds his position in the PDC
Newport's David Pallett has held his position in the PDC rankings despite a second round exit in the European Grand Prix at the weekend.
The Shropshire thrower travelled to Germany to take part in the last European Tour event of the year at the Glaspalast in Munich,
First came a rematch with mate Ricky Evans on Friday night, who was determined to ensure there would be no repeat of his whitewash in the Players Championship earlier this month.
Evans, this time, led 2-1 but two 180s came from Pallett as he levelled in the fourth leg, before breaking on double eight and following another maximum with a 65 finish for a 4-2 lead.
The next two were shared to make it 5-3, before Pallett fluffed his line on tops to allow Evans to pull one back on double 13.
But it was Pallett who nudged through, despite missing four match darts, on double 11 to set up a Saturday meeting with Jelle Klassen.
He couldn't compete with the impressive average of 104.78 from birthday boy Klassen, who first broke his throw before taking a 2-0 advantage.
Pallett hit back by taking the third leg in just 15 darts, with the next two shared before the Dutchman took command to go 4-2 ahead.
A 65 finish from Pallett cut the gap, but Klaasen moved 5-3 up with a superb 11-dart leg and closed out the match with 76 in 12, despite a 180 in reply.
Pallett couldn't replicate his previous trip overseas, his best-ever run in PDC competition, reaching the semi-finals of the European Trophy in Austria last month.
But he remains 44th on the PDC Order of Merit and 39th in the Pro Tour standings. As it stands, the 25-year-old is heading back to the World Championship for a second year running.
