Новости Unicorn

The Unicorn ‘Contender’ produced a perfect 9-dart finish against John Part in the last 16. Wade beat his Unicorn stablemate 5 legs to 1 to make it through to Sunday’s quarter-finals. He was on brilliant form against Part. His first perfect leg in major competition was followed by two 12-dart legs.

But Wade couldn’t reproduce that standard against Barney and lost 5 legs to 2. His consolation is a cheque for £500 and 10 more priceless world ranking points, as he targets a top 16 place by the end of the year.

Van Barneveld lost in the semi-finals to eventual winner Alan Tabern. The St.Helens man clinched his first PDC title, beating Steve Maish in the final in Manchester.

But Barney was lucky to get that far! He squeezed past Bob Anderson in the 2nd round – winning 5 legs to 4 – only after Unicorn’s former World Champion missed an incredible eight darts to take the match.

World No.1 Colin Lloyd lost to Van Barneveld at the last 16 stage, while Peter Manley enjoyed another good tournament run by reaching the quarter-finals.

‘One-Dart’ lost out 5 legs to 2 against Maish. Adrian Lewis, Kevin Painter and Michael Barnard were all beaten in the last 64.

Unicorn’s 13-times World Champion Phil Taylor didn’t compete in the event. He has already done enough to qualify for the top 32 at the Budweiser UK Open Final, which takes place at The Reebok Stadium in Bolton in June.

The top three places in the UK Open Order of Merit are taken by the Unicorn trio of Colin Lloyd, Adrian Lewis and Kevin Painter. They have all won Regional events during the last nine months.

James Wade, Peter Manley, Bob Anderson and John Part have all done enough to get in the top 32 for Bolton. It means they avoid entering the competition until the 4th Round.

UK OPEN NORTH-WEST REGIONAL RESULTS

Quarter-finals (legs)

Raymond Van Barneveld 5-2 James Wade
Alan Tabern 5-4 Andrew Hamilton
Owen Caffrey 5-2 Robbie Green
Steve Maish 5-2 Peter Manley

Losers £500/10 world ranking points

Semi-finals (sets)

Raymond Van Barneveld 0-2 Alan Tabern (2-3, 1-3)
Owen Caffrey 0-2 Steve Maish (2-3, 1-3)

Losers £1,000/12 world ranking points

Final (sets)

Alan Tabern 2-0 Steve Maish (3-2, 3-2)

Winner £4,000/20 world ranking points
Runner-up £2,000/world ranking points

By Stuart Pyke