Wayne Jones books Austrian trip in PDC
Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones will be a part of the next PDC European Tour event along with making some headway in the Players Championship.
'The Wanderer' will be a part of the field at the Austrian Darts Open in June after coming through an open qualifier, writes Craig Birch.
Jones had to progress past the preliminary round to book his trip to Vienna, as three days of darts begin at Coventry City Football Club's Ricoh Arena.
He first toed the oche to whitewash fellow West Midlands thrower Nick Fullwell, from Stourbridge, 6-0 before recording a 6-4 victory over Paul Milford.
Progressing past the all-important second round guaranteed his spot after a nervy last leg battle, finally seeing off James Young 6-5.
Bloxwich's Matthew Dennant went out in the first round, 6-3 to James Wilson, as did Rugeley's Mark Hylton by a 6-2 verdict to Steve Hine.
The trio next had a go at making the cut for the European in Dusseldorf, Germany, this July. None would make it through.
Jones, once again, started in the prelims with a 6-5 win over Peter Hudson. Fullwell exited at the same stage, 6-2 to Callum Loose.
Hylton was drubbed 6-0 by top seed Alan Norris in the first round, where Dennant was downed 6-1 by Stephen Willard. Jones also missed qualification by a game, losing 6-4 to Dennis Smith.
Jones and Dennant returned to the venue for two Players Championship tournaments, by virtue of their Pro Tour cards. Fullwell and Hylton are associate PDPA members.
And both were in the money after the first event, runs to the third round netting them £1,000 apiece in prize money and for their ranking.
Jones defeated Rowby-John Rodriguez and Prakash Jiwa by 6-2 score-lines, before bowing out 6-3 to Steve West.
Dennant impressed with a 6-2 vanquishing of Benito van de Pas, before battling past Ken MacNeil 6-5. Jamie Caven proved a bridge too far, going down 6-1.
There would be no progress for either in the second Players Championship competition. Both left pot-less after tumbling out in the first round.
Dennant was thumped 6-0 by Tony Newell, while Jones lost 6-4 to Joe Murnan. It stopped the latter breaking into the organisation's top 50, which would take him back into the World Championship.
The veteran from Wednesfield, 50, sits 51st on the Order of Merit, some £2,250 adrift of nearest rival Jyhan Artut. He sits in the same position of the Pro Tour standings, too.
Dennant is 133rd on the overall Order of Merit, his haul doubling his money since joining the Pro Tour out of Qualifying School in January. He's joint 127th on the Pro Tour.
