Maish makes Grand Slam

Maish: Grand Slam place

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Steve Maish completed the line-up for the Grand Slam of Darts after he came through the qualifying tournament on Friday night.

The 45-year-old beat Arron Monk 5-3 in the final to ensure he is the 32nd and final name in the field for the 2009 Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

The world number 42 hit four 180s in the final to see him through to the group stages of the £400,000 event, which takes place from November 14-22 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Southend thrower Maish defeated 19-year-old Monk, who is the son of seasoned darts professional Colin, but it was the teenager who took the final's opening leg before Maish won the next two to lead.

Monk - in his best run since coming onto the pro circuit a year ago - levelled, but Maish hit a 180 in breaking throw for a 3-2 lead and another maximum to create a two-leg cushion.

Victory

Monk took the seventh leg, but Maish earned the victory by hitting double 18 with his third dart in the next.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Maish. "I played well all night and took my chances.

"To come through nearly 190 players and win a place in the Grand Slam is a very proud moment and I can't wait to get on stage in Wolverhampton."

Maish will now compete in Group C of the Grand Slam, which begins next Saturday in Wolverhampton, alongside Mervyn King, Darryl Fitton and Kirk Shepherd, taking on Fitton in his opening game.

Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones narrowly missed out on a spot in front of his home fans, losing 4-3 to Monk in the semi-finals.

Top seeds

Ronnie Baxter, the highest ranked player in the PDC Order of Merit not to have already qualified, also missed out in the semis, losing 4-2 to Maish.

Cheshire's Mark Jodrill enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals, including wins over Barrie Bates and Dennis Priestley, in his best display in a PDC event.

Alan Tabern, one of three qualifiers from last year, also reached the last eight, alongside Matt Clark.

Scotland's Mike Veitch and Stoke's Andy Boulton - both players with experience in the Lakeside Championship - were amongst the losing players at the last 16 stage, alongside previous Grand Slam competitors Priestley and Peter Manley.

Wes Newton was among a host of top seeds to lose in the first round, while last year's third placed qualifier Colin McGarry was defeated 4-3 by Nick Fullwell in the preliminary round.