Teenage talents Stan Moody, Liam Pullen and Liam Davies all scored impressive victories at the BetVictor Shoot Out at Swansea Arena on Friday afternoon to make it into the last 32.
The trio go into Friday night’s random draw for round three and will return to the baize on Saturday afternoon. By 11pm on Saturday, the champion will be crowned.
Davies, a 17-year-old amateur from Newport, got the better of Louis Heathcote in an exciting finish. With a minute on the clock, Davies trailed 36-42, but he capitalised on a loose safety from his opponent to knock in a long red and make a winning break of 21.
“It’s not long ago I was riding around on my scooter, and now here I am playing in big tournaments,” joked Davies, who became the youngest player to win a match in the World Championship qualifying rounds last year at the age of 15. “The atmosphere out there is electric and I can’t wait to see what it will be like on Saturday.”
Yorkshire’s 18-year-old Pullen achieved the rare feat of making two breaks over 50 in a single Shoot Out frame, scoring 68 and 52 as he beat Jamie O’Neill.
“I’m really happy with how I played, I was in a good rhythm,” said tour rookie Pullen, who is through to the last 32 of a ranking event for the second time having reached the same stage of the recent International Championship. “I have done ok this season but I’m looking to push on, get more wins under my belt and gain experience. It’s great to see a few of the younger players winning matches here.”
Moody, whose debut pro season has included a run to the last 16 of the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open, dominated his contest with Ian Burns, winning 90-0 with top runs of 33 and 28.
This event may be remembered for Shaun Murphy’s 147, but the Magician won’t be in round three as he lost to Dominic Dale. From 9-44 behind, Dale made a break of 39 to take the lead then played safe. Murphy had once chance to pot the final red, but over-cut it to a top corner.
Kyren Wilson made a break of 64, and played several shots wearing an oven glove, as he knocked out Mostafa Dorgham. World number four Mark Allen also made a 64 as he beat Oliver Brown.
Thepchaiya Un-Nooh needed only five minutes and 19 seconds to beat Matthew Stevens, knocking in runs of 40 and 28. Ali Carter got the better of a low scoring battle with Alfie Burden, winning 16-6. Shaun Liu, the 13-year-old who made history in round one as the youngest player to win a televised ranking event match, was beaten by Dean Young.
