Jamie Caven beat world champion Adrian Lewis 6-2 to win Saturday's Players Championship on home soil in Derby.
Jabba wins at home by beating world champion in final
Jamie Caven beat world champion Adrian Lewis 6-2 in the final of Saturday's Players Championship to claim the £6,000 prize on home soil in Derby.
The world number 18 picked up his first ranking title in England, and the fifth win of his career, in style by hitting a 170 finish during his win over high-flying Lewis.
Lewis had taken the first leg of the final, but Caven included checkouts of 85 on the bullseye and 75 in taking the next three to lead 3-1.
He also missed one dart at the bull in the fifth as Lewis hit back, but a 107 finish was followed by a brilliant 170 checkout - in reply to a 180 from his opponent earlier in the leg - as he moved 5-2 up, before taking out 54 for victory.
Caven had earlier defeated Ronnie Baxter by the same scoreline in the semi-finals, and overcame PDC newcomer Dave Chisnall 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
He had also defeated Colin Monk, Peter Wright, Dennis Smith and Steve Evans on the day, as he pocketed a valuable £6,000 - which boosts his chances of qualifying for the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix this year through the Players Championship Order of Merit if he fails to break into the world's top 16.
Huge win
"It's a huge win for me," said Caven afterwards. "I felt good coming into the event and knew it would be amazing to win in my home town, but to defeat the current World Champion in the final makes it extra special.
"I played well throughout the day and held it together when I needed to under pressure. Dave Chisnall played really well against me, and I was 2-1 down against Ronnie Baxter in the semis and won 6-2 so I showed plenty of fight.
"The 170 in the final was a big shot and it probably won me the game because Adrian was waiting on a finish to get back to 4-3 and instead I went 5-2 up."
He added: "I'm delighted to have won my fifth title in just four years as a professional, and especially in such a strong field of players.
"The result will move me closer to the top 16 but it's important too in terms of qualifying for the other majors this year, and it's a big relief to have the £6,000 on the Players Championship Order of Merit at this stage."
Battling
Lewis' run to the final included battling wins over Wes Newton, Paul Nicholson and Terry Jenkins in the latter stages, after he had earlier defeated Brendan Dolan, Steve Hine and Prakash Jiwa.
Baxter's semi-final appearance followed up his victory in a Players Championship in Germany three weeks ago, while Newton also claimed £2,000 in his bid to push for a place in the world's top ten.
Gibraltar's Dyson Parody enjoyed his best-ever run on the PDC ProTour, overcoming Gary Welding, Richie Burnett, Mark Jones and John Henderson to reach the last eight, where he went down to Newton.
Henderson had earlier hit a nine-dart finish in the second leg of a victory over Andy Hamilton, earning the Scot an £800 bonus in only his third Players Championship event.
Canada's three-time World Champion John Part had also come close to hitting a perfect leg during his first round win over Ireland's John O'Shea, but missed double 12 for the achievement.
Play continues on Sunday with a second £35,000 Players Championship event at the Moorways Centre in Derby.
