Wizard wraps up hat-trick win

Osbourne clinches third title of season in Irvine

Last updated: 12th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wizard wraps up hat-trick win

Osbourne: third win of season

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Colin Osbourne claimed his third title of 2009 as he beat Michael van Gerwen in the final of Sunday's Players Championship at the Magnum Centre in Irvine.

Osbourne defeated the Dutchman 6-4 to add to his wins at the Players Championship in Barnsley and last month's Championship League Darts.

The Derby thrower performed consistently throughout the tournament, overcoming youngsters Joe Cullen and Kevin McDine 6-1 and whitewashing Louis Blundell to reach the quarter-finals.

In the final eight he faced Brendan Dolan who he comfortably overcame 6-2 before he booked his place in the final by seeing off Mark Walsh 6-4 in the semis.

He capped a fine display by repeating that scoreline against van Gerwen taking what proved to be a crucial break of throw in the final's opening leg, on double 12, before hitting scores of 140 and 180 in doubling his advantage.

Osbourne took out double 16 to move 4-2 ahead, only for his Dutch opponent to hit back by producing two maximums to start leg seven.

Van Gerwen missed out on a nine-darter, but did take the leg to reduce the arrears but he could not peg back Osbourne who came up with a 13-dart leg to seal victory, finishing off by taking out tops.

"I'm very pleased and it's nice to win again," said Osborne stated afterwards. "I was pretty solid in the final and hit some important doubles at the right time.

"I thought I played well in Saturday's event but didn't take my chances, and today I hit my doubles and that proved crucial.

"It's good to be playing well and with the Grand Slam of Darts coming up next week I'll hopefully take this form into that tournament."

Van Gerwen's display saw him reach a second Players Championship final of the year, and featured a high-quality 6-3 win over in-form Steve Beaton in the semi-finals.

He also defeated Anastasia Dobromyslova, Ray Farrell, Andy Hamilton, Adrian Gray and Steve Grubb on his way to the final as he secured the £3,000 runners-up cheque.