Williams Claims Maiden Development Crown

Owen Bates doubled his yearly title tally on Saturday, whilst Patrik Williams claimed a maiden PDC title, as the second weekend of the Winmau Development Tour season continued in Leicester.

In Event 8, Williams, who’s furthest run in a Development Tour Event to date was to the Last 16, reached the final firstly by recording victories against Fabian Tapner, Harry Martin, Lleyton Molyneux, Bram Van Dijk, Coby Jones-Swanson, Ryan Branley and Damian Vetjens, to set up a clash with compatriot, Nathan Potter.

The final began with Potter taking the opener in 20 darts, before Williams rattled off three successive legs in 17,14 and 15 darts respectively to move 3-1 ahead in a race to five. Potter then halved the deficit in Leg Five with a 17 darter, which was then followed by back-to-back legs from Williams, who sealed the victory in Leg Seven with an 18 darter to claim a maiden PDC title as well as the £2,500 top prize.

In Event Nine, Owen Bates was victorious, as he reached the final firstly by recording victories against Alexander Melton, Karl-Louis Mueller, Jeffrey Keen, Taylor McGuckian, Charlie Large, Keenan Thomas and Beau Greaves, to set up a clash with Germany’s Leon Weber.

The final began with Bates taking the opener in 15 darts, before Weber won back-to-back legs in 18 and 15 darts respectively to move 2-1 ahead in a race to five. Bates then took complete control of the tie by rattling off four successive legs and sealing the victory in Leg Seven with a 17 darter to clinch a second Development Tour title as well as the £2,500 top prize.

The PDC Winmau Development Tour weekend concludes on Sunday with Event 10 taking place in Hildesheim, as play commences from 10:30 BST, with all live scores and results to be viewed at tv.dartconnect.com