Steve Beaton is the latest player into Thursday's Championship League Darts Winners Group after a 6-4 victory over Kevin Painter.
'Marathon Man' joins big eight in Thursday showdown
Steve Beaton is the latest player into Thursday's Championship League Darts Winners Group after a 6-4 victory over Kevin Painter in Essex.
Beaton ensured that he will compete for the £10,000 first prize for the second successive year in the internet-streamed event with a fine performance in the seventh of eight groups.
The former world champion won five of his seven league matches to finish joint top of the league table with Vincent van der Voort, before edging out John Part 6-5 in the semi-finals and then defeating Painter in the decider.
'Marathon Man' had trailed Part 4-2 before finishing 108 and 80 on the bullseye to level, and although the Canadian moved back ahead at 5-4, it was the world number 26 who took the next two legs to prevail.
In the final, Painter took out 96 to lead 2-1 before Beaton opened the fourth with back-to-back 180s, hitting treble 20 and treble 19 before wiring double 12 for a nine-dart finish.
"I'm delighted with that," said Beaton. "I felt I played pretty well during the day, although a couple of times missing doubles cost me.
"To come through as a winner against John Part and Kevin Painter in the play-offs is a massive confidence boost for me and I can't wait to play in the Winners Group on Thursday now."
Gary Anderson, Phil Taylor, Paul Nicholson, Mark Walsh, Mervyn King and Simon Whitlock have already booked their places in the Winners Group.
