The ADC Winmau Championship South delivered thrilling darts action as Darren Brown, making his season debut, sensationally claimed the Event Nine title. Following this, Ash Coleman, known as the ‘Prince of Darkness’, put on a masterful display to win Event Ten, significantly impacting the overall standings. These victories highlight the fierce competition as players battle for supremacy in the final block of events.
Brown’s Brilliant Debut: Dominates Event Nine
Making his first appearance of the season, Darren Brown wasted no time making an impact at the ADC Winmau Championship South. The Derbyshire talent showcased exceptional form throughout Event Nine, culminating in a dramatic 5-3 victory over PDC Winmau Development Tour high-flyer Jack Drayton in the final match held on stage.
Brown’s Path to Glory:
- Began with commanding 5-0 whitewash wins against Macauley Parker and Matt Gallett.
- Continued his strong run, dropping only one leg in each of his next two matches against Stuart Walker and Carl Lewis.
- Faced a tough challenge from Steve Green, securing a hard-fought 5-4 win.
- Advanced to the quarter-finals where his impressive 90.44 average helped him overcome Archie Self 5-3.
- Dominated his semi-final match, achieving a convincing 5-1 success against Steve West to earn his spot in the final.
The final against Jack Drayton was a tense affair. Brown seized an early advantage with an 81 finish, taking a 2-0 lead. He maintained his composure, eventually sealing the hard-earned title with a decisive 16-darter, finishing on double four.
Coleman’s Command Performance: ‘Prince of Darkness’ Claims Event Ten
Following Brown’s triumph, Ash Coleman, affectionately known as the ‘Prince of Darkness’, delivered a stellar performance to win Event Ten. Coleman’s journey to the title saw him overcome a strong field, ultimately defeating Harry Lane 5-1 in a solid final display. This victory significantly boosted Coleman’s position, catapulting him to ninth in the overall standings.
Coleman’s Challenging Road to the Final:
- Had to dig deep in the early stages, securing last-leg wins against Kevin Lane and Kristian Barker to reach the last 64.
- Found his stride, easing past Alfie Cook and Tom Baughan.
- Delivered a dominant performance, hammering Chas Barstow 5-1 to reach the quarter-finals.
- Repeated his 5-1 success against Jamie Hughes to advance to the semi-finals.
- Faced a nail-biting semi-final against Neil Duff, who came agonizingly close to a perfect leg (seven darts in). Coleman ultimately prevailed in a thrilling 5-4 decider.
Harry Lane’s Impressive Run:
Harry Lane, Coleman’s final opponent, also had an exceptional run, showcasing his resilience:
- Defeated Louis Jones and Nick Cocks.
- Pulled off a major upset by ousting standings-leader Callum Francis in the last 64.
- Continued his giant-slaying by taking out Event Nine winner Darren Brown 4-3.
- Needed another last-leg victory to eliminate Bradley O’Connor in the last 16.
- Beat highly-rated youngster Lewis Cook.
- Secured his spot in the final with a workmanlike 5-3 win over Dan Hands.
The final match itself, while perhaps “low-key” in terms of overall drama, saw Coleman save his best for last. A crucial 14-darter helped him secure the title and the coveted £1,000 first prize, confirming his dominant 5-1 win.
Standings Update: The Race Heats Up
With just two events remaining, the battle for the top spots in the ADC Winmau Championship South standings is intensifying. Callum Francis still holds the lead, but Archie Self remains a close second. Graham Hall sits in third, with Alan Slater in fourth. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion as the final two events are scheduled to take place on Sunday.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
