Top darts player Ronnie rockets up the world rankings (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Top darts player Ronnie rockets up the world rankings

CIRENCESTER'S professional darts player, Ronnie Baxter, won the opening PDPA Players' Championship tournament of 2005 by defeating Roland Scholten 3-2 in the competition held on the Isle of Wight on Saturday.

Baxter, losing finalist at the recent Sheppey Classic, continued his good form to take the £5,000 winner's cheque and also collect 20 precious ranking points.

The 'Rocket' defeated Peter Allen, Kevin Spiolek and Dennis Priestly on his way to the last eight, before seeing off Wayne Mardle 3-1.

He then came from a set down to win 3-1 in his semi-final against Andy Callaby, who had whitewashed Dave Askew and Wes Newton on his way to the last four.

Scholten entered the final following a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Ovens in the semis, having earlier pipped Peter Manley 3-2 in a final-leg decider.

After Baxter took the opening set 2-0, Scholten levelled matters by winning the second 2-1.

Nonetheless, the Brewers Arms landlord put himself into pole position by holding his throw to win the third.

Scholten took the match into a deciding final set by winning the fourth 2-0, but paid for missed doubles as Baxter wrapped up the first Players' Championship title of the year.

In the second Players' Championship event on Sunday, Ronnie bowed out in the last 32.

Despite this, he has now moved up to number three in the World Rankings.

Ronnie extends many thanks to Mike Skuse, of T H White in Cirencester, for their generous loan of a car.