Brenton Lloyd became the fourth and final person to win an Australian qualifying event and thus make the stage at the 2023 NSW Darts Masters after eliminating a rejuvenated Bill Aitken in the final of the fourth qualifier at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club on Friday night.
The quarter finals saw Lloyd and Aitken walk away from the oche with 5-1 victories, Lloyd over Dave Williams and Aitken over Josh Townsend. The other quarters went the way of Dave Hanel over Mitchell Clegg and Kevin Osbourn over Jeremy Fagg, both finishing 5-2.
Thus the semi finals were set but both were one way affairs with Lloyd and Aitken whitewashing Hanel and Osbourn respectively.
The final saw Aitken sit on 24 as Lloyd broke his throw at the first attempt. Lloyd then used 18 darts once more, this time to hold throw. Aitken then checked out 97 to hold throw and move one leg from his opponent. This would be as close as he would get in the match though as Lloyd held throw before breaking his opponent in the best leg of the match. He took down Aitken in 11 darts with visits of 180, 137 and 134 before checking out 50 in two darts. Aitken had been a challenge in the leg though, standing behind Lloyd needing 48 when his opponent broke him to move a leg away from qualification. The last leg had its ups and downs for both players but finally Lloyd secured the leg and the match 5-1.
The West Australian joins Darren Penhall, Mal Cuming, Dave Marland and NZ’s John Hurring on the stage from the oceanic region with Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock also on that side of the draw. The final qualifier will be determined by the end of this weekend’s Winmau Pro Series events at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club.