Matthew Dennant wins first PDC ranking title
Bloxwich's Matthew Dennant won his first ranking PDC title during the final throes of the Challenge Tour in the second of three events over the weekend.
The 22-year-old darter secured himself free entry to Q School – where senior Pro Tour cards are on offer to the winners – early next year with his exploits.
Dennant banked £600 for Saturday alone after reaching the quarter-finals of the first event of Saturday before losing 4-2 to Reece Robinson, which earned him £100.
Going all the way in the second tournament saw him become the 14th different winner on the tour this year and made it second time lucky after a previous final.
Wns over Lewis McGurn and James Thompson for the loss of just one leg signalled his intent, before edging out Josh Payne with an excellent 4-3 triumph at the last 16 stage.
Dennant came through another tough deciding-leg battle in the last eight against Ben Ward, before overcoming the challenge of Leicester's Gaz Cousins in the semi-finals by a 4-2 margin.
He then produced an excellent display to beat Max Hopp in the final by a 4-1 scoreline. Hopp opened the final with a 180 and took the opening leg but Dennant levelled.
He then broke to move ahead, before producing a pair of 14-darters as he took victory. Dennant didn't do so well in yesterday's event, though.
He was whitewashed 4-0 by Adam Hunt in the third round, earning another £75. Ross Smith was crowned the Challenge Tour winner after another victory left him top of the Order of Merit.
Smith will be invited to compete in the Grand Slam at Wolverhampton Civic Hall and the World Championship as a result.
