James Wade fell at the last hurdle – beaten by Dennis Priestley in the final of the UK Open South West Regional event in Bristol. The youngster – now promoted to a Team Unicorn Maestro – threw away his chance in the first set against the rejuvenated 56-year-old Yorkshireman. Wade won the first two legs of the final but couldn’t close it out.
Priestley then reeled off six consecutive legs to take the spoils but this result will certainly boost Wade’s confidence and guarantee himself a place in the top 32 seeds at the UK Open Final in Bolton in June.
‘The Menace’ had earlier ended hopes of an all-Unicorn Final, when he beat Andy Hamilton 2 sets to nil in the semi-finals. Hamilton had beaten Irishman Brendan Dolan 5 legs to 1 in the quarter-finals.
Wade won a high-quality semi-final against BDO star Tony Eccles. The PDC Young Player of the Year took the 1st set with a 12-darter and was taken to the decider in the second set but a cool double ten took the match
Unicorn new boy Colin Osborne missed crucial doubles in his quarter-final against Tony Eccles. Osborne had to drive home to Derby for a change of clothes after getting through to the last eight but lost out to Eccles 5 legs to 3.
It was Priestley’s first UK Open Regional crown. Last year he lost in the South West Final to Mark Dudbridge.
Another of the new Team Unicorn stars Mick McGowan reached the last 16 – losing a last leg decider to Steve Smith. The other 5th Round losers were Gary Anderson, Adrian Gray, Gary Robson, Steve Hine, Steve Maish, John Quantock and Alan Tabern.
John Part lost at the last 32 stage – beaten by Osborne.
Results:
Quarter-Finals (legs):
Andy Hamilton 5-1 Brendan Dolan
Losers - £600
Semi-finals (sets):
Andy Hamilton 0-2 Dennis Priestley (2-3, 1-3)
Losers - £1,250
Final (sets):
Winner - £5,000
BY STUART PYKE
