Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ Baxter picked up his first PDC ranked title since November 2001, overcoming home favourite Benny Grace 6 legs to 2 in the Final of the Irish Masters. Baxter has been starved of a win since winning the Vauxhall Open fifteen months ago and was, in his own words ‘back to the old style Rocket’ at the Crosbie Cedars Hotel, Rosslare this weekend.
Baxter who battled through a field of nearly five hundred competitors to emerge victorious also had to take on the crowd in the Final with a packed house cheering on Kilkenny hero Benny Grace all the way. Grace, a former Irish International and All Ireland Champion was in fiery form all weekend – flying the Irish flag and notching up some impressive wins over Wayne Mardle and Alex Roy on the last day’s play to secure his Final slot.
The Irishman couldn’t keep pace with the Rocket however and the Lancastrian took the lion’s share of the chances with the inspirational quick fire finishing that is his trademark. The crowd sensed a major upset at the start as Grace picked off the first leg but it was to be a short lived run on the title as Baxter took the next three legs establishing a lead he was never to lose.
In the Rosslare Ladies Open which ran along side the event England’s Claire Whatley saw off defending Champion Breda Doyle in the Final 3-1.
Filed by Johnny Proby
