Dobey and Caven take centre stage in Minehead

There were two big all Unicorn clashes on the opening afternoon of the Players Championship Finals.

And Chris Dobey and Jamie Caven came through with flying colours as they beat Kim Huybrechts and Joe Cullen respectively. 

Dobey stunned Huybrechts as he won 6-3, while Caven edged out Cullen in a dramatic last leg decider. 

Kim had hit a 9 darter in the practice room before heading to the main stage at Butlin's in Minehead, but he couldn't find that sort of touch. Dobey was excellent as he continued his return to form.

He raced into a 3-1 lead and just missed the bull for a 170 finish which would have made it 4-1. Huybrechts then took out 110 to stay in the match. But this was Dobey's day and he won three out of the next four legs as the Belgian's nightmare in recent TV events continued. 

Caven will now face another all Unicorn showdown when he plays James Wade in round two. 'Jabba' edged a thriller against Cullen which went the distance. Jamie took out 156 on his way to a 5-3 advantage but Cullen hit back to level. Both had chances to win it in the final leg before Caven edged it. 

Wade got the better of Kevin Painter in the last match of the afternoon session. The Unicorn man missed 10 darts at doubles but was still too good, winning 6-4. It's a vital time for Wade at the moment and this will be a huge confidence boost heading into the rest of the weekend. 

But it was a hugely disappointing day for the Huybrechts brothers as Ronny bowed out 6-4 to Steve Beaton. He missed darts for a 3-2 lead and Beaton then took out 136 and 86 to seal the win.

And it was a day to forget for Unicorn youngster Keegan Brown. He was whitewashed 6-0 by Jermaine Wattimena in round one of the Players Championship Finals. 

By STUART PYKE in Minehead

Photos courtesy PDC

Posted in Unicorn Darts