PAUL NICHOLSON has claimed his first victory of 2009 on the DPA circuit with victory in the Punchbowl Ex-Services Club Open.
The 2008 Australian Grand Prix champion, fresh from his run to the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, defeated Brian Roach to claim victory in New South Wales.
Nicholson had defeated Oceanic Masters winner Russell Stewart 6-4 in the semis, having to come from 4-1 down against his fellow Alexandra Palace qualifier.
He then took a 7-2 win against Roach in the final to claim the $1000 first prize, which counts on the DPA Order of Merit, along with ten ranking points, which will count towards qualification for the Grand Slam of Darts.
Roach defeated newcomer Arnel Galvez in the other semi-final, while former World Championship qualifiers Barry Jouannet, Mitchell Clegg and Steve MacArthur reached the last 16 before losing out.
The first two ranking events took place in December, with Shane Tichowitsch and Galvez taking victory in those tournaments.
Punchbowl Ex-Services Club Open
Winner: Paul Nicholson ($1,000/10 ranking points)
Runner-Up: Brian Roach $500/8 points
Semi-Finalists: Arnel Galvez/Russell Stewart $250/6 points
Quarter-Finalists: Rod Neeson, Wayne Brown, Steve Gray, Peter Amussen ($100/4 points)
Last 16: Barry Jouannet, Rod Crawford, Mitchell Clegg, Steve MacArthur, Bill Aitken, Brian Rowe, John Bunyard, Dave Muller ($50/2 points)