DENNIS PRIESTLY won his first ever Blue Square UK Open Regional Final with a 2-0 win over James Wade in the South-West decider on Sunday.
The Yorkshireman had reached the final of the South-West Regional Final in Swindon 12 months ago, but went one better in Bristol to claim the £5,000 winner's cheque.
He was, though, forced to draw on all his experience early on, going 2-0 down in the opening set before clawing back the next three legs without reply to move one set up.
He led 1-0 in the second set before landing back to back 180s in the next leg, only to whittle his way down to double as he moved to within a leg of the match.
Wade has chances to keep himself in the game in the third leg, but allowed Priestly back for double eight, which the 56-year old nailed to take the title.
"I'm just very happy I won," said Priestly. "I've played in so many of these and never got the victory!"
"I was panicking a little bit when James went in front but I kept my nerve and got the winning double."
"I had a couple of good games to get through on Saturday, playing Wes, Ian Whillis and Gary Anderson so it was difficult throughout."
There are three remaining Regional Finals, which will take place in London/Watford, Manchester and Nottingham/Derby.
Blue Square UK Open South-West Regional Final Quarter-Finals
Andy Hamilton 5-1 Brendan Dolan
Martyn Turner 1-5 Dennis Priestly
James Wade 5-3 Steve Smith
Tony Eccles 5-3 Colin Osborne
Best of 9 legs
Losers £600
Semi-Finals
Andy Hamilton 0-2 Dennis Priestly (2-3, 1-3)
James Wade 2-0 Tony Eccles (3-2, 3-2)
Best of Three Sets, Five Legs per Set
Losers £1,250
Final
Dennis Priestly 2-0 James Wade (3-2, 3-0)
Winner £5,000
Losers £2,500
Martyn Turner 1-5 Dennis Priestly
Dennis Priestly won the all-Yorkshire battle with Martyn Turner to book his place in the Semi-Finals of the Blue Square UK Open Regional Final.
Turner had battled through to win a place in his first PDC Pro Tour quarterfinal with some quality displays on Saturday, including a win over Barrie Bates.
However, his run came to an end against in-form Priestly, who drew with defending champion Phil Taylor in the Holsten Premier League on Thursday and saw off Wes Newton and Gary Anderson in Saturday's earlier stages of this event.
Priestly took a nervy opening leg on double four, but Turner immediately hit back in the second leg, landing three successive tons and taking out a brilliant 144 finish with his opponent sat on 40.
Priestly, though, lifted with a maximum in the third leg and won the next two finishes of 84 and 88 to go 3-1 up.
The two-time World Champion hit another 180 on his way to leg five, and wrapped up victory with a 76 checkout.
Semi-Final Reports
Dennis Priestly 2-0 Andy Hamilton (3-2, 3-1)
Dennis Priestly booked his place in the Final of the South-West Regional Final for the second successive year with a straight sets defeat of Andy Hamilton.
Priestly lost to Mark Dudbridge in the decider 12 months ago, but remains on course for his first title of 2007 after victory in the first semi-final.
He began the match with a 120 finish, and hit two maximums in winning the first set 3-2, with all five legs going with the throw.
The first two legs of the second set were shared before Priestly secured a crucial break of throw on double six to move 2-1.
He then took out a 68 finish to wrap up the win in leg four and seal his place in the final.
Final
James Wade 0-2 Dennis Priestly (2-3, 0-3)
