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Adrian Lewis’ love affair with Scotland continued – as he won the PDPA Players Championship in Irvine for a second successive year.
In a repeat of the 2005 Scottish final, the Team Unicorn ace beat Ireland’s Mick McGowan by 3 sets to 1 to pocket a cheque for £5,000.
Lewis actually lost the opening set of a high quality final, as McGowan hit a superb 13-darter…..but there was no stopping the young man from Stoke after that, as ‘Jackpot’ proved his pedigree with a terrific display of heavy scoring and finishing.
He won six of the next eight legs to take the prestigious title. “It is a great feeling,” he said. “To win back-to-back Scottish PDPA titles is a real thrill. The final was great to play in and I think we both produced some terrific darts.”
Lewis had to do it the hard way…..beating the likes of Unicorn team-mate’s Colin Lloyd and Kevin Painter along the way, as well as an in-form Ronnie Baxter in the semi-finals.
Unicorn star Peter Manley reached the quarter-finals – losing to Terry Jenkins….and Lloyd’s bid was ended at the same stage – by Lewis.
Of the other Team Unicorn players, John Part and James Wade got through to the last 16 – losing to Lloyd and Baxter respectively. Michael Barnard was beaten in the 3rd Round by Dennis Priestley, while Andy Hamilton also lost in the last 32 to Raymond Van Barneveld. Wes Newton lost in round two…beaten by Mick McGowan and Bob Anderson lost to Peter Allen.
Meanwhile, it seems Michael Van Gerwen will not now be playing in the UK Open Scottish Regional on Sunday…..the teenage Dutch sensation has hurt his hand in a scooter accident. It’s believed he will be able to play in next weekend’s Players Championship double-header in Holland.
Results – PDPA Players Championship – 4th Round (sets):
Colin Lloyd 3-0 John Part
Adrian Lewis 3-1 Kevin Painter
Roland Scholten 3-2 Wayne Atwood
Ronnie Baxter 3-1 James Wade
Dennis Priestley 3-2 Raymond Van Barneveld
Mick McGowan 3-1 Dennis Smith
Terry Jenkins 3-1 Steve Beaton
Peter Manley 3-0 Chris Mason
Losers £300 + 8 ranking points
Quarter-finals:
Adrian Lewis 3-0 Colin Lloyd
Ronnie Baxter 3-2 Roland Scholten
Mick McGowan 3-0 Dennis Priestley
Terry Jenkins 3-1 Peter Manley
Losers £600 + 10 ranking points
Semi-finals:
Adrian Lewis 3-2 Ronnie Baxter
Mick McGowan 3-2 Terry Jenkins
Losers £1,250 + 12 ranking points
Final:
Adrian Lewis 3-1 Mick McGowan
Winner £5,000 + 20 ranking points
Runner-up £2,500 + 16 ranking points
BY STUART PYKE
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