Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC. 
WAYNE MARDLE took Group Five glory in Championship League Darts with a 6-3 final victory over Colin Osborne.
Mardle lost out in the third group of last year’s tournament, but ensured a spot in October’s Winners Group of the internet-televised competition with a flourish on Wednesday.
He recovered from a loss to Osborne in the day’s opening games to win five successive games in the league phase, finishing second in the table.
He then edged out Terry Jenkins 6-5 in the semi-finals, and came from 3-2 down to defeat Osborne in the decider.
Osborne had taken a 3-2 lead early on, but was punished for a tired display as Mardle levelled, took the next two legs to lead 5-3 and then sealed victory with a 94 finish of single 18, double 18 and double top.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Mardle. “Last year I was massively disappointed to lose in the third group and my aim was to make it through at the first time of asking today.
“I’ve managed to do that, and it’s a great confidence boost for me going into the Skybet World Grand Prix soon.”
Osborne will now return to compete in a fourth day at Crondon Park GC in Essex on Thursday, as but took home £2,400 for his unsuccessful Group Five attempt.
He sneaked into the semi-finals ahead of Denis Ovens on leg difference, and came from 3-1 down to win 6-3 in the semis against Mark Dudbridge.
Dudbridge, making his entrance into this year’s event, won the league phase after picking up six wins in his seven league games before running out of steam in the play-offs.
Jenkins, who topped the Group Four league on Tuesday, suffered a second successive semi-final loss but will be back on Thursday alongside Ovens and Adrian Lewis, who failed to qualify once again and will maintain an ever-present record in the tournament on day six.
Peter Manley suffered elimination in his first day in the tournament on Wednesday, alongside Kevin Painter, who failed to win a game after being the runner-up 24 hours earlier in Group Four.
Former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen, Andy Smith and Wayne Jones enter the event in Group Six on Thursday.
Group Matches
Terry Jenkins 4-6 Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley 2-6 Mark Dudbridge
Kevin Painter 5-6 Denis Ovens
Colin Osborne 6-2 Wayne Mardle
Mark Dudbridge 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Denis Ovens 1-6 Colin Osborne
Wayne Mardle 6-1 Kevin Painter
Adrian Lewis 4-6 Peter Manley
Mark Dudbridge 6-2 Colin Osborne
Terry Jenkins 6-5 Denis Ovens
Wayne Mardle 6-5 Peter Manley
Adrian Lewis 6-4 Kevin Painter
Colin Osborne 1-6 Terry Jenkins
Mark Dudbridge 6-3 Denis Ovens
Adrian Lewis 5-6 Wayne Mardle
Peter Manley 6-4 Kevin Painter
Peter Manley 2-6 Colin Osborne
Kevin Painter 5-6 Terry Jenkins
Denis Ovens 6-4 Adrian Lewis
Wayne Mardle 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Kevin Painter 0-6 Mark Dudbridge
Adrian Lewis 6-3 Colin Osborne
Denis Ovens 6-3 Peter Manley
Terry Jenkins 4-6 Wayne Mardle
Peter Manley 3-6 Terry Jenkins
Colin Osborne 6-3 Kevin Painter
Wayne Mardle 4-6 Denis Ovens
Mark Dudbridge 6-5 Adrian Lewis
Semi-Final 1
Mark Dudbridge 3-6 Colin Osborne
Semi-Final 2
Wayne Mardle 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Final
Colin Osborne 3-6 Wayne Mardle