Fleet Wins Purfleet Berth

ANTHONY FLEET is the first Australian to book his place in the 2007 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship after sealing victory in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Fleet has been superb throughout the series of tournaments around Australia, but needed to do better than Barry "China" Jouannet to confirm his place at Purfleet.

He did just that at the Prospect AGP tournament, defeating Jouannet in the semi-finals to book his berth at the Circus Tavern in December.

Fleet also went on to win the tournament with a 6-4 win in the final against Brian Roach - last year's AGP champion.

"I'm over the moon," said Fleet. "I've had the time of my life this year.

"Never in my life have I participated in so many high quality events, and all credit for that goes to Dart Players Australia for making every event such a great success."

Jouannet - who has twice played at Purfleet - gets a final chance to win a berth in the World Championship, with the winner of next month's Oceanic Masters also heading to the UK in December.

"I wish China good luck in Gosford," added Fleet. "He's a great champion and a little legend.

"I know we all want to see him get to Purfleet for a third time."

Roach reached the final with a 5-0 win over Jerry Weyman in the semis.