Classy Corner Seals York Open Championship Victory
Corner whitewashed Stephen Silver 6-0 in the first semi-final with 15-21-16 and 19 dart legs then taking out a 116 finish for 12 and 112 finish for 15 to average 96.96 per throw.
In the second Semi-final Jaron Esteve opened with a 21 dart leg only to be subdued by a 135 finish for 12, 18, 13 and 15 darts as Mexborough’s PDC Professional, Darren Johnson, set up a 5-1 lead. Having looked destined for defeat Esteve responded with legs of 16, 15, 15 a 127 finish for 15 and a 116 finish for 18 darts and an amazing comeback to set up a mouth watering final with Corner.
After an edgy missed doubles first leg Corner checked out on a 108 finish to set up a 2-0 lead. Esteve took leg three with 21 darts only to watch Corner hit that extra gear and win the tournament finishing off his 7-1 win with 18-20-15-18 and 19 darts.
The ¼ Final results, playing best of 9 legs, were as follows:
Jaron Esteve 5 Terry Temple 2
Brian Dawson (15-16-13) 3 Stephen Silver (14-17-17-17-21) 5
Darren Johnson (15-18-17-15) 5 Greg Martin 0
Rich Corner (15 and 16) 5 Scott Bennett 0
There were a total of 89 legs of 21 darts or less with 11 being the lowest recorded by Darren Johnson and Rich Corner.
Johnson also headed the highest out shot with his 142 finish winning him £50 courtesy of Embassy Racing Ltd to add to his 135 finish. Esteve had 127 and 115 finishes whilst Corner had a trio of ton plus finishes 108. 116 and 112. Other top shots came from John Bowler 134, John Quantock 108 and David Copley 118.
Corner also topped the 180 stakes with a total of seven hit on the day with Johnson and Graham Day hitting three. Esteve and Brian Dawson had two each with Bill Hague, John Quantock, Neil Ward and Stephen Silver adding one a piece.
After taking a 2-0 lead only to let it slip and go to 2-2 Cleveland’s Kate Livermore won the ladies event with a 24 dart leg beating Harrogate’s Val Wilson 3-2 in the final.
The Semi-finals results were Wilson 3 Abz Scott 1 and Livermore 3 Tracy Marran 2.
The ¼ Final results were Livermore 3 Linda Stavely 0, Marron 3 Sue Lowery 0, Scott 3 Julie Duckett 0 and Wilson 3 Jo Hodges 2.
In the Youth Event, Under 18 years, Jamie Branton from Hull defeated Catterick’s Adam Pearce 3-0 taking the last leg in 19 darts.
Pearce defeated Josh Sabin (Selby) in the first Semi-final whilst Branton beat York’s Jack Good.