Jamie Caven missed out on back-to-back Canadian titles but it was hometown boy John Part who was left celebrating in Ontario, despite missing out in his ‘home’ tournament.
Unicorn’s three-times World Champion lost in the last 16 of the Canadian Masters but his run to the 4th Round was good enough for Part to clinch top spot in the 2010 North American Order of Merit.
He finished ahead of American Darin Young and it means that whatever happens in the PDC Order of Merit, Part has clinched his place at the World Championship in December.
And he may yet also qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts IV in November, as reward for finishing in 1st place in that North American table.
Part will have to wait on results in the World Grand Prix in Dublin and also the Championship League Darts event, but as it stands, he could yet get a place at the Grand Slam.
Caven just missed out on a ‘perfect’ weekend at the Hilton, London Ontario….24 hours after he won the Canadian Players Championship, he lost in the final of the Canadian Masters to Colin Lloyd.
‘Jabba’ beat Alan Tabern in a last leg decider in the quarter-finals and was then too good for Steve Maish in the last four, but he was well beaten 6-1 by Lloyd in the final.
But it was a terrific Canadian weekend for the Team Unicorn man, who pocketed £7,500 for his efforts.
Wes Newton reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive day….he was unlucky to lose 6-4 to Lloyd in what was his 5th Pro Tour semi-final of the year.
And Kevin Painter won through to his 7th PDC Pro Tour quarter-final of 2010, but he was another of Lloyd’s victims, going down 6-4.
In the last 16, Part lost 6-3 to Mark Dudbridge…..the Canadian ace is currently at No.31 in the PDC Order of Merit but he now has his safety net for the Ally Pally in December.
Also in the last 16, Andy Hamilton lost 6-2 to Priestley and Barrie Bates was beaten in a last leg decider by Maish.
In the 3rd Round, Colin Osborne went down 6-3 to Part, while Paul Nicholson’s poor weekend was ended6-3 by total unknown Royden Lam in the 2nd Round. Gary Mawson lost 6-3 to Darren Johnson at the same stage.
Unicorn youngster Arron Monk was beaten in a last leg decider in the 1st Round by Dave Switzer.
But a great weekend for Jamie Caven, as he gets ever closer to his goal of a place in the world’s top 16 by January!
And relief for John Part, who can hopefully relax now and win a spot at the World Grand Prix through some big performances in the Players Championship events during September.
Results – Quarter Finals:
Wes Newton 6-2 Mark Dudbridge
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Kevin Painter
Jamie Caven 6-5 Alan Tabern
Steve Maish 6-5 Dennis Priestley
Losers - £700
Semi-Finals:
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Wes Newton
Jamie Caven 6-2 Steve Maish
Losers - £1,250
Final:
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jamie Caven
Winner - £5,000
Runner-up - £2,500
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Chris Sargeant