Simon Whitlock reached the Championship League Darts Winners' Group at the sixth time of asking.
Australian takes Group Six honours
Simon Whitlock advanced to the Championship League Darts Winners' Group at the sixth attempt with victory over Vincent van der Voort on Thursday.
The Australian, who had a nine-darter in Group Five on Wednesday, won six of his seven league games in Group Six before seeing off Andy Smith 6-4 in the semi-final.
Van der Voort took out 118 in the deciding leg of his semi-final against Steve Beaton and came from 2-1 down in the final against Whitlock to lead 4-3.
Whitlock claimed the next two to edge back in front but Van der Voort made no mistake on double 12 to force a decider - only to see Whitlock reel off a 12 darter to clinch victory.
Journey
"It's brilliant to finally qualify," he said. "It's been a good journey in these six groups and very hard at times but it shows that my persistence paid off.
"I've been consistent enough in the league games but not had the success in the play-offs, but I was desperate to win and pulled out a great final leg against Vincent.
"I can relax on Tuesday and Wednesday now knowing I don't have to play and can prepare for the Winners Group, and hopefully I'll be successful there."
Alan Tabern and Kevin Painter missed out on a semi-final place on leg difference to Van der Voort, while Denis Ovens and Colin Osborne were eliminated.
Van der Voort, Beaton, Smith, Tabern and Painter will now return to Crondon Park GC in Essex next Tuesday to compete in Group Seven of Championship League Darts, alongside Co Stompe, Robert Thornton and Mark Dudbridge.
The Winners' Group takes place next Thursday with Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Paul Nicholson, Mervyn King, Mark Walsh and Whitlock the qualifiers so far.
