KEVIN PAINTER and Dennis Smith got back to winning ways with victories in the JR tournaments in Eastbourne last weekend.

Although the events at Eastbourne, and Great Yarmouth, are not on the PDC Pro Tour this year, a number of leading players headed to the South Coast to compete.

Painter took the first prize in the JR 128 Plus event, defeating Wes Newton 5-4 in the final.

Painter led 4-2 in the final before Newton levelled the match, but a 180 in the final leg helped the world number 18 break Newton's throw with a 14-darter for victory.

He had overcome Chris Mason 4-0 in the second round, and also defeated Kevin Pearson, Jim Withers and Kirk Shepherd on his way to the final.

"I'm very pleased," said Painter, whose last tournament win came in January 2006 at the UK Open North-East Regional Final.

"Although the tournaments aren't ranked any more, I knew it would be good match practice and it was great to get through.

"Wes did well in the final but I was delighted to push through and take the win.

"It's been a good couple of weeks, I've got a new sponsor in Avon Plastics Ltd, extended my deal with Unicorn and now won a tournament!

"It sets me up nicely for the rest of the year."

Newton - who had competed in the Las Vegas Open on the previous weekend - knocked out Barrie Bates in the semi-final.

Sunday's Eastbourne Open saw Dennis Smith make a welcome return to form by taking the title.

He defeated Shayne Burgess in the final, and also took victory in the pairs event.