The UK Open is a unique tournament that gives the lesser known players a chance to show what they can do on the big stage and on television. Apart from the obvious, there have been some players that really caught the eye and showed that they have potential to climb up the rankings into the top 32 and make a real name for themselves.
Eddie Dootson is highly thought of in St Helens where he hits 95+ averages for the county team regularly. He had an impressive qualifying campaign where he surprisingly made it to the Semi-Final stage in the 5th Qualifier claiming a few scalps along the way including Ronnie Baxter, Stuart Kellet, Christian Kist, Terry Jenkins and he certainly wasn't disgraced against Lewis losing just 6-4 to the World Number 4. Dootson placed 22 on the UK Open Order of Merit meaning his debut TV event would begin in the last 64 stage where he faced a good player in Joe Cullen, but it proved to be easier than expected winning 9-3. It was in the last 16 where he made his mark on the tournament by winning 9-8 against Robert Thornton in one of the shocks of the round. The Scot Thornton won the first leg but that was the only time he led in the match as Dootson raced into a 5-2 lead with a 14-darter and a 144 checkout in the process. The St Helens man led 8-4 and Thornton had to dig deep and hit an 11-darter to bring the match to a deciding leg where Dootson got to the double first and finished the match with double 10 and a 90 average to book his place in the last 16 and bag £5,000. This is would be the end of his run however, a 9-3 defeat to Devon Peterson dumped him out of the tournament but I am sure we will see more of this exciting player on our TV screens in the future.
Jamie Bain made his TV debut on the big stage at the weekend against Kevin Painter in a first round match that really caught the eye. The young lad from Scotland has a beautiful throwing action that can be very effective when on form. His statue like stance along with smooth and quick arm movements were key factors in making a his match with 'The Artist' a competitive one. Bain averaged and impressive 95 and the tie would have been closer than the 5-2 score-line suggests if he hadn't missed his chances at doubles. The confident Scot has had a floor victory over the mighty Phil Taylor in the past and showed on the big stage that it was no fluke and he can potentially go on to be as big as his followers in Aberdeen think he will. One to watch out for this year.
Dave Pallett faced the impossible task of overcoming Phil Taylor in a TV major event, but he sure had a good go at it. He found himself 4-1 down very quickly despite averaging 95 at that point and 'The Power' didn't let up winning the 4th round match 9-3. You might think that there isn't much to take from a thrashing like that, but commentator Chris Mason said he has played with Pallett on his super league team in the past and ensured the viewers at home that this young lad can play a lot better than he did despite averaging 96 and hitting 4 180s against the best there has ever been.
After his loss, Taylor said "David's a good up-and-coming player and he's one to keep an eye on,". Not something 'The Power' would say about everyone.
Pallett has beaten some top players in floor events before, including Christian Kist, Dean Winstanley, Peter Wright and Paul Nicholson, transferring that form onto the stage doesn't seem like it would be a problem as he seemed right at home in front of a big crowd in Butlins, Minehead. A big year lies ahead for the youngster and I hope he can build on a good weekend to start climbing further up the Order of Merit.
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