Practice in his shed makes perfect for MaGowan

Published on Tuesday 23 December 2008 09:09

VETERAN John MaGowan put his straight-sets triumph over Chris Mason at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship down to a spot of practice in his garden shed after getting through the qualifiers.

The 67-year-old Ulsterman, who only booked his spot at the event in last month's PDPA Qualifiers, outclassed Mason – who has been to three PDCPro Tour finals this year.

A finish of 70 in two darts earned him the first set, before Mason found some form to run him close in the second.

MaGowan, who proceeded to close out the third despite missing four doubles, said: "It's unbelievable and I'm over the moon. It's my best win, certainly in a World Championship.

"I've been practising hard for this and I was ready to go. I've got a shed at home and have been in there ever since I qualified, and with plenty of local players, too. It has sharpened me up and that showed."

Elsewhere, Finnish debutant Marko Kantele ran out a 5-2 winner ahead of Lourence Ilagan in the final preliminary match of the competition. Kantele, on his first appearance at Alexandra Palace, will now meet Ronnie Baxter in the first round proper.

Adrian Lewis scored a comfortable 3-1 win over Russell Stewart, but chided himself for a less than professional display. He recorded eight 180s, but felt his overall play was lacking.

"I'm happy to win, but should have shown Russell more respect," said Lewis. "I lost my concentration at times and didn't treat the game right.

"I hit eight 180s, but only averaged 86 and that's not good enough. Russell played well and was never rattled by my 180s, but I came through."

Mervyn King had no trouble whitewashing Shi Yongsheng 3-0, while Jelle Klaasen won a surprisingly one-sided contest with Colin Lloyd by the same score.

Dutchman Klaasen, who lost in the first round last year, conceded the opening leg, but then won nine in a row to cruise to victory. "I didn't expect it to be that easy, but I am pleased because I played well," he said.

After his easy victory over Chinese number one Shi, King said: "I didn't play brilliantly, but I did enough. He was a little way off against me, but I concentrated on my own game and got through."