World Champion Raymond Van Barneveld claimed another PDC title – winning the first ever Players Championship in Germany. Barney beat Ronnie Baxter in the final, after earlier disposing of the likes of Roland Scholten, Andy Hamilton and Mark Dudbridge.
Team Unicorn still enjoyed a good day at the tournament – which took place near Frankfurt – with eight Unicorn stars reaching at least the last 16.
Colin Lloyd looked on course for a final showdown against Barneveld. He took the first set of his semi-final against Baxter but then lost seven of the next eight legs, as ‘The Rocket’ fired through.
Andy Hamilton pushed Barney all the way in the quarter-finals – losing a last set decider, while James Wade’s good form continued. After his victory in the UK Open North West Regional event, he reached the quarter-finals in Germany, only to run up against an in-form Lloyd.
John Part, Wes Newton, Adrian Lewis, Kevin Painter and Barrie Bates all pocketed £300 for getting through to the last 16.
Mick McGowan lost out at the last 32 stage – beaten by 3 sets to 2 by Terry Jenkins….but it was a disappointing day for Colin Osborne. He was beaten in the 2nd Round by Adrian Gray.
PDC new boys Jelle Klaasen and Michael Van Gerwen also lost in the 2nd Round.
In the final, Barneveld averaged 101 against Baxter.
Results (sets):
Last 16:
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-0 Mark Dudbridge
Losers - £300
Quarter-finals (sets):
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-2 Andy Hamilton
Losers - £600
Semi-finals (sets):
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-1 Roland Scholten
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-1 Ronnie Baxter
Winner - £5,000
BY STUART PYKE
