James Wade lost a thrilling final at the Peachtree Open Players Championship in America, as Wayne Mardle won a last leg decider to take the title. The Unicorn star looked on course to claim yet another impressive victory. He won the first set and was 2-1 in front and a leg to the good in the decider. Wade then missed two darts to win the match and paid the price, as Mardle came back to snatch a dramatic decider in Atlanta.
Wade though, will still be pleased with another terrific tournament and he is looking good ahead of the World Darts Trophy in Holland.
In all, nine Team Unicorn stars travelled to Atlanta, with contrasting fortunes.
Bob Anderson went out in the 2nd Round – beaten 3 sets to 1 by American Roger Carter and round three saw five Unicorn players bite the dust.
Kevin Painter lost 3-2 to another American John Kuczynski, Wes Newton went down 3-0 to Vincent Van der Voort, Terry Jenkins was surprised by youngster Steve Brown – losing 3-2 to the young Bristol star, while Peter Manley lost 3-0 to Tony Eccles…..American Ray Carver came within an ace of beating Mardle – finally going down by 3 sets to 2.
John Part and Colin Osborne both enjoyed good runs to the quarter-finals…..The Canadian was pushed all the way by Michael Van Gerwen in the 3rd Round – scraping through 3-2 and finally cam unstuck in the quarters – beaten 3-1 by Wade. Osborne’s run was ended by Van der Voort 3-1.
Now, all eyes turn to Holland and the next big event – the World Darts Trophy.
Results – Last 16:
James Wade 3-0 Steve Beaton
Losers - £300
Quarter-finals:
James Wade 3-1 John Part
Losers - £600
Semi-finals:
James Wade 3-0 Vincent van der Voort
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Wayne Mardle 3-2 James Wade
Winner - £5,000
BY STUART PYKE
