SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR BEATON

STEVE BEATON booked his place in the Championship League Darts Winners Group on Thursday with a 6-4 victory over Kevin Painter in the Group Seven final at Crondon Park GC in Essex.

Beaton ensured that he will compete for the £10,000 first prize for the second successive year in the internet-streamed event with a fine performance in the seventh of eight groups.

The former World Champion won five of his seven league matches to finish joint top of the league table with Vincent van der Voort, before edging out John Part 6-5 in the semi-finals and then defeating Painter in the decider.

Beaton had trailed Part 4-2 before finishing 108 and 80 on the bullseye to level, and although the Canadian moved back ahead at 5-4, it was the world number 26 who took the next two legs to prevail.

In the final, Painter took out 96 to lead 2-1 before Beaton opened the fourth with back-to-back 180s, hitting treble 20 and treble 19 before wiring double 12 for a nine-dart finish.

He returned to win the leg in ten darts, and after Painter finished 76 for the fifth he hit further legs of 12 and 11 darts to move 4-3 up.

Painter finished 65 for a 14-darter in reply to win the eighth, but a missed double eight for a 96 finish in the ninth proved crucial, as Beaton stepped in to finish 90 on double five to lead 5-4 and then traded 180s with his opponent before sealing victory on double ten.

"I^m delighted with that," said Beaton. "I felt I played pretty well during the day, although a couple of times missing doubles cost me.

"To come through as a winner against John Part and Kevin Painter in the play-offs is a massive confidence boost for me and I can^t wait to play in the Winners Group on Thursday now."