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The Unicorn ace took out Denis Ovens 8-6 in a topsy turvy final to celebrate his first big win on the PDC Pro Tour and it will help to erase the memory of his disappointing World Championship, when he went out in the 1st Round to Erwin Extercatte.

“It means so much to me,” Osborne said. “The Alexandra Palace was a big blow for me but I felt really comfortable all day. Hopefully this will set me up for a great year.”

In the final, Osborne won the first three legs and then missed one dart at tops to go 4-0 in front….that was the signal for an Ovens comeback. He took four consecutive legs, including a 104, a 13 darter and a maximum.

It was then Osborne’s turn to win three on the spin, including a cracking 136 check-out. He missed more doubles to go 7-4 in front and Ovens levelled at six apiece. But the man from Derby wasn’t to be denied….he held his own throw and his first 180 helped him take the title and the little matter of Ј6,000.

Osborne had taken out Wes Newton in the semi-finals, winning four consecutive legs from 3-all. ‘The Wizard’ beat John Ferrell in the quarter-finals with the help of some great finishing, while Newton hit a 170 finish in his quarter-final win over Alan Tabern in a last leg decider.

In the quarter-finals, Wade produced a brilliant darting demolition of Chris Mason – averaging 102, hitting three 180s, a 140 finish and dropping only one leg but he came unstuck against an inspired Ovens.

Wade took the opening leg and then was hit by some hot, hot darts from ‘The Heat’ who produced a dazzling spell – winning six consecutive legs! He took out 161 and then punished Wade for missed doubles…..6-1 down, Wade briefly threatened a comeback, winning three legs on the spin but Ovens hit his third 180 to set up the win by 7 legs to 4.

It was back down to earth for Unicorn’s World Championship runner-up Kirk Shepherd. The youngster losing in the last 64 and throwing it away….he led 4-3 against Steve Hine but lost the last two legs.

At the same stage, Barrie Bates was whitewashed by Colin Lloyd, Kevin Painter lost 5-3 to Osborne in an all Unicorn battle, while Terry Jenkins continues to struggle. ‘The Bull’ was beaten 5-2 by Tony Eccles and unfortunately still missing doubles. Andy Hamilton lost a last leg decider against Mark Dudbridge.

In the last 32, Bob Anderson lost 5-2 to Lloyd, Peter Manley went down by the same score to Denis Ovens, while Adrian Lewis looked sluggish in also losing 5-2 to Tabern. Mick McGowan reached the last 16 but couldn’t buy a double and was whitewashed by Newton.

Results (all legs):

Last 16:

Wes Newton 5-0 Mick McGowan
Alan Tabern 5-4 Lionel Sams
Colin Osborne 5-2 Adrian Gray
John Ferrell 5-3 Andy Smith
Chris Mason 5-2 Steve Hine
James Wade 5-3 Steve Brown
Denis Ovens 5-3 Colin Lloyd
Ronnie Baxter 5-3 Mark Dudbridge

Losers - Ј400

Quarter-Finals:

Wes Newton 6-5 Alan Tabern
Colin Osborne 6-3 John Ferrell
James Wade 6-1 Chris Mason
Denis Ovens 6-4 Ronnie Baxter

Losers - Ј800

Semi-Finals:

Colin Osborne 7-3 Wes Newton
Denis Ovens 7-4 James Wade

Losers - Ј1,600

Final: Colin Osborne 8-6 Denis Ovens

Winner - Ј6,000

Runner-up - Ј3,000

BY STUART PYKE