Peter Manley has claimed his first major PDC title in almost two years….beating James Wade in an all-Unicorn final, to win the Open Holland crown. It was a masterful Manley display and he dropped only one leg in the final – dispatching Wade 3 sets to nil with an incredible 108 average. It was Wade’s fourth PDC Final of what is turning out to be a terrific 2007 but he had no answer to Manley in a one-sided final.
Unicorn’s former World No.1 Colin Lloyd was forced to miss the event….’Jaws’ destroyed his passport after putting it in the wash by mistake and his new one is yet to arrive.
There was a welcome return to form for Welshman Barrie Bates, who enjoyed a great run to the semi-finals, where he was beaten by Wade.
Wade had earlier beaten Unicorn stablemate Andy Hamilton for the third consecutive tournament in the last 16. John Part was edged out 3 sets to 2 by Wayne Mardle at the same stage and Colin Osborne also lost in the 4th round – going down 3-1 to Erwin Extercatte.
So, what about the rest of Team Unicorn?
In the 3rd Round, Kevin Painter lost 3-2 to Alan Tabern, Mick McGowan was beaten 3-2 by Matt Clark…..and at the same stage, the in-form Manley beat Michael Van Gerwen 3-1.
Wes Newton and Bob Anderson both fell in the 2nd Round, beaten by Vincent van der Meer and Toon Greebe respectively, while Adrian Lewis lost the match of the First Round – going down 3-0 to Mervyn King.
Results – Open Holland Masters in Schiedam – 4th Round:
Chris Mason 3-2 Steve Maish
Losers - £300
Quarter-finals:
James Wade 3-1 Chris Mason
Losers - £600
Semi-finals:
James Wade 3-0 Barrie Bates
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Peter Manley 3-0 James Wade
Winner - £5,000
BY STUART PYKE
