Owen Maiden aiming to find his next title
Owen Maiden's month of firsts as a rising darts force will continue this weekend when he debuts in the youth ranks at the BDO Finder Darts Masters.
Maiden was the losing youth finalist at the World Masters last weekend and got to play on the main stage at the iconic Lakeside for the first time, writes Craig Birch.
The teenager, from Ashmore Park in Wolverhampton, is now heading to Holland to play in the junior version of the event.
The 16-year-old will toe the oche at the Hotel Zuiderduin in Egmond aan Zee, after being selected as one of two wildcards for the youth tournament.
Maiden will be in Pool B with Dutch duo Maikel Verberk and Marvin van Velzen, with the group winner taking on their Pool A counterpart in the final.
The other side of the draw features Wales' Jordan Thomas, Wessel Numan and Jordan van Tergouw, the latter Maiden's nemesis in the World Youth Masters.
Their decider took place on the main stage at Lakeside, which is hosting the Masters this year as well as the World Championship.
The Black Country thrower prevailed from Group Two through four wins, the latter doubling up as a board and quarter-final.
Maiden vanquished Owen Roelofs (4-0), Killian Heffernan (4-1), Sakoto Sueshige (4-2) and Keelan Kay (4-3) to reach the last four.
He booked his place in the final by beating Dan Perry 4-2 to set up his meeting with van Tergouw, who claimed the glory.
The Dutch youngster dropped just a leg as he thwarted him 4-1, though, making it a double disappointment for Maiden after previously losing the Czech Open final.
The England international has previously won and retained the boys accolade at the International Open, also claiming the England Open and Welsh Open.
