Guisborough's Allan Edwards got through to the semi-finals of the Isle of Man Classic and won the Isle of Man Open Pairs with Yorkshireman Martin Atkins
Cleveland’s travelling army of BDO darts players enjoyed a weekend to remember at the 29th Isle of Man International Darts Festival.
Six Nations winner with England, Glen Durrant picked up 20 valuable ranking points in his quest to make a second successive Lakeside World Championship appearance as he reached the semi-final of the Isle of Man Open.
And Guisborough’s Allan Edwards excelled as he got through to the semi-finals of the Isle of Man Classic - losing 4-0 in the early hours to eventual champion Scott Waites - and won the Isle of Man Open Pairs with Yorkshireman Martin Atkins.
The pair threw a 113 average in the final, where they claimed a notable scalp in defeating three-time Lakeside champion Martin Adams and Scotland captain Ross Montgomery 2-1.
The duo’s road to victory included a semi-final success against Cleveland’s Dennis Coleman and Peter Frewer.
And their triumphed ensured a second successive Isle of Man pairs victory for Cleveland following Durrant’s win with Tony Eccles last year.
Self-employed joiner Edwards, 52, an ever-present for Cleveland county over the last nine years, said: “It was a fantastic feeling being up there and winning.
“People asking for your autograph is a nice feeling and it makes you want more.
“Playing on the stage set-up for Cleveland really helped me, and practising with Tony and Glen always brings you on.
“I’ve ticked a couple of boxes for Lakeside qualifying, but you need to tick 12.
“I’ll be going to tournaments in Germany and Wales and I’ll play it by ear as far as Lakeside qualifying goes.
“With being self-employed, if you’re not working you’re not making money.”
Colin Osborne will be in the PDC limelight in Crawley this weekend, as the Derby-based Teessider chances his arm in German Darts Masters qualifying before throwing in the Players Championship 3 and 4 events.
Osborne has plummeted down the PDC pecking order after being as high as seventh in 2010, but is feeling positive about a career revival after signing a four-year deal with Winmau.
The 38-year-old former UK Open finalist and Championship League Darts winner made the second round in last weekend’s opening two Players Championship events in Barnsley, won by Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen.
He said: “I’ve changed my throw, my stance, everything. I’m now using a 23g open grip dart with a long stem and standard flights, whereas before I was using a 21g with small stems and pear-shaped flights before.
“I’m playing some really good stuff again and now it’s about turning performances into results.”
Thornaby’s former PDC player Ken Dobson has been back on the oche for about three months following a year out and is beginning to make some decent strides.
Dobson has been putting in some solid shifts for Cleveland’s British Inter Counties Championship Division Two leading county side.
And the 52-year-old has thrown his way into the York Darts Promotions Grand Finals at Burton Agnes on April 19.
Dobson booked his place by reaching a final in qualifying, and claimed a win over 2009 UK Open quarter-finalist Mark Lawrence.
Dobson’s best run in the PDC circuit was in April 2009 when he made the last four of the Blue Square UK Open East Midlands Regional Final with stellar wins against Brendan Dolan, Alex Roy, Andy Jenkins, Wayne Jones and Jamie Caven.
No comments:
Post a Comment