Paul Nicholson and Jamie Caven are both celebrating after signing new three-year contracts with Team Unicorn.
Nicholson is to be promoted to the ‘Maestro’ category as he looks to build on a fabulous couple of years in the PDC.
“I am more focused and motivated than I have been for a long time. My move to Lancashire has helped me and it is an honour to stay with the best darts manufacturer in the world!” said Nicholson.
Caven is a ‘Contender’ at Unicorn and it is only a matter of time before he transfers his form on the Pro Tour to success in a TV ‘Major’
• In other news, Raymond van Barneveld has confirmed that he will be playing more tournaments on the PDC Pro Tour during the rest of 2011….he explained that he hasn’t played many events while the Premier League has taken up all of his time for the last three months
• Team Unicorn will feature heavily on Sky Sports on the opening night of the UK Open Finals at the Reebok Stadium next month…..Former James Wade will be on the main stage for his 1st Round clash against qualifier Davey Dodds, while Peter Manley, Arron Monk and Devon Petersen will all be screened in their opening matches
• The race to secure automatic qualification for the prestigious World Matchplay at Blackpool is well and truly on! Remember, the top 16 in the world rankings automatically win a spot at the Winter Gardens…..well, it is very tight on the PDC Order of Merit….14th is Colin Osborne on £147,842, followed by Andy Hamilton (£145,536) and Paul Nicholson is No.16 on £144,521….he is being chased by Vincent van der Voort (£144,300) and Wayne Jones (£143,300)
• Andy Hamilton played with new darts for the first time during the Players Championship double-header in Austria….deeper grooves on the barrels and they appeared to do the trick as he enjoyed a much needed run to the quarter-finals
• Kevin Painter and Jamie Caven have been putting in the hard yards together….the pair have been practicing together at a club in Leicester, as they prepare for the UK Open Finals
• And finally for now, spare a though for Wes Newton…..No.8 in the world he may be, but away from the oche, he is a passionate supporter of his hometown football club Fleetwood Town…..they were in the Blue Square Premier League play-offs, bidding to win a place in the Football League. Wes was at both legs of the semi-final against AFC Wimbledon, but unfortunately, he beloved Fleetwood lost 8-1 on aggregate…..better luck next year!
BY STUART PYKE
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC