YORK’S Richie “The Gent” Corner beat Brandon Walsh 5-1 in the final of the second ranking event of the 2015 Streamline Taxis York Open Darts Championship.

Corner (21-16-17 and 20-dart legs) triumphed over Walsh, from Doncaster, having earlier defeated Malton’s Graham Steel (19) 4-1 with legs of 14-16-17 and 20 darts at the semi-final stage of the event organised in association with Red Dragon Darts.

In the other last-four contest, Walsh (15-18 and 21) overcame John Quantock 4-2 despite the latter going out in 18 and 20 darts.

The quarter-final results were: Terry Temple 2, Corner (120 finish) 3; Dean Norman (19) 1 Steel (19-21- 18) 3; Alan Priestley (17) 1, Walsh (17) 3; Chris Thompson 2, Quantock 3.

In the group games, Temple included a 122 finish and legs of 12-15-15-20-13-16 and 14 darts.

Dave Smith (Leeds) added 16 and 12 with Dean Conley 19-21, Danny Tait 17-18 and Darren Vowles (17) providing the other group one highlights.

In group two, Phillip Chapman threw 18-15-19-19-17-19 and 20, with Steve Vine 17-20-21-18-19 and Corner 15-17-15 also shining.

Norman (14-16 and 13) was in good group three fettle, while Russ King threw six 180s before going down to Steel in the group four final.

Fast legs, meanwhile, were claimed by King (20-17), Steel (17-21-17-18-18 and 19), Andy Scott (20) and Dean Hatton (20).

Matty Pemberton starred in group five with a 17 and then 17 and 18 darts in a 3-2 win over Dave Copley (16).

Legs of 17-15 and 17 were the best for Quentin McMaster in group six, where Oliver Mitchell (16), Jonny Scott (19-18) and Walsh (18) also impressed.

Thompson managed legs of 20 and 21 darts in group seven and Quantock’s (14-17-18-19-15-18 and 17) proved too much for his group eight opponents Scott Bennett (16), Richard Heathcote (18-19), and Dave Lord (13-15-15).

Former UK Open quarter-finalist Thompson (158) picked up the £25 highest checkout prize, sponsored by Embassy Racing of York.

He was pushed close by Jaron Esteve (141) and Copley (125) with other ton-plus finishes claimed by Norman (120), Russ Sabin (114), Corner (120, 109), Vine (107), Liam Blows (105) and Tom Burgess (102).

Further 180s, meanwhile, were thrown by Corner (two), McMaster (two), Lee Budgeon (two), Walsh (two), Pemberton, Norman, Brian Dawson, Andy Scott, Steel, Lee Fisher, Jonny Scott, Mitchell, John Bowler, Quantock and Lord.

Cheryl Mitchell was the top female performer with Ollie Maws the best of the youth players.

Streamline Taxis have also agreed to pay £250 to the first player who throws a nine-dart finish in the York Open Darts Championship.

All players in the ranking events will be placed into a draw too with the winner, who will be announced at the Grand Finals, receiving custom-made darts for their team, up to a maximum of eight members.

The next ranking event will be held on Saturday, February 7 at Huntington WMC with registration closing at 12.30pm for a 1pm start.