SNOOKER: Patrick Wallace stunned former world champion Ken Doherty in the LG Cup at Preston yesterday and then dedicated his 5-3 win to a friend Barry McNamee, who was tragically killed earlier this year.
The world number 36 Wallace admitted he was fortunate to catch Dubliner Doherty on a bad day.
But with only one event left to play before the New Year once his LG Cup campaign his over, Wallace is not complaining.
"Whatever happens here now I've got some confidence back," said the Dungannon-based professional. "I just wish I had more tournaments to use it in. I had a bad time at the qualifiers in Burton and whatever I do here I'll be living off until January.
"I've got a couple of pro-ams lined up and I'm also hoping to organise a tournament in memory of Barry." The former Northern Ireland amateur champion was struck by a car and killed on his way home from a night out earlier this year.
"Players like Ken, Fergal O'Brien, Joe Swail and Michael Judge have said they will play," revealed the former Queens University accountancy graduate.
"I caught Ken on a bad day and he certainly missed more easy balls than he normally does."
Wallace was behind twice but with Doherty clearly struggling he captured three of the final four frames with a top break of 86.
"It doesn't matter whether you are a top player or a mug like me, you need that first win under your belt in order to settle."
Doherty has still to open his season's account and he was untypically lost for words. "I had my chances but I didn't take them. I have practised harder than ever but it's just not happening for me."
Wallace's fellow Ulsterman Joe Swail became the seventh top-16 player beaten in the second round when he lost 5-3 to Nigel Bond.
Manchester-based Swail looked in control at halfway leading 3-1. However, Bond, the 1995 world finalist and former British Open champion, took the next four frames for a 5-4 triumph.
Bond, who knocked out Brian Morgan in the first round, next plays Matthew Stevens or 2002 Scottish Open runner-up David Gray.
Meanwhile, Alex Higginshas entered the World Championships but the chances of returning to the Crucible Theatre next April are remote. Higgins won the second of his two world crowns 20 years but would probably need to win 12 qualifying matches to book a return visit.
