Dave Chisnall books his place in Championship League Darts winners group (From St Helens Star)

Dave Chisnall books his place in Championship League Darts winners group

10:45am Friday 19th October 2012 in Sport

DAVE CHISNALL booked his place in the Championship League Darts Winners Group by defeating Mark Walsh 6-3 in the Group Six final of the internet-streamed event on Thursday.

The St Helens thrower, competing in his first season of Championship League Darts, had been the Group Three runner-up three weeks ago and had reached the semi-finals in Group Four and Group Five earlier this week.

However, he finally managed to progress to the big-money Winners Group on November 1 with a brilliant showing on Thursday, as he now aims to take the £10,000 title and win a place in the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

Chisnall won six of his seven league games in the eight-player round-robin stage during Thursday's Group Six, being joined by Jamie Caven at the head of the league table.

He then averaged 105.55 in a superb 6-1 semi-final win over Robert Thornton before seeing off Walsh 6-3 in the decider.

Chisnall made the early running, hitting a 180 in the opening leg and taking three in a row as he led 4-1 before Walsh threatened a fightback by cutting the gap to one leg.

Chisnall, though, landed his 23rd 180 of the day as a 14-dart finish moved him 5-3 up, before landing double eight to seal victory.

"It's feels great to get through," said Chisnall, who won £3,200 on the day. "I was really determined to win today's group because I was getting pretty tired and I didn't want to have to try my luck in the last two groups.

"I like playing in a league system and I've enjoyed the four days in this event so far. You're not out of the tournament if you lose in the league stage so you can build your form through the competition.

"I've got to the semi-finals in all the previous days but it was good to sneak the win today and I'm looking forward to coming back for the Winners Group.

"It's a big day for me because I know that if I get to the final or win it then I'll qualify for the Grand Slam, so that's something extra on top of just being Championship League Darts winner which I'm aiming for."

Chisnall will now travel to Killarney for this weekend's two Players Championships at the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC complex.

"I'll be doing my best in Killarney," he added. "I know I'm playing well and my confidence is good."