PDPA'S Australian Member, Barry 'China' Jouannet from NSW became only the 28th player to win the DFA's Australian Men's Darts Singles title since the event started in 1964.

Many of the big guns fell in the early rounds, which showed how close and tough the men's competition is at the 26th DFA Australian Darts Championships. This was Jouannet's first shot at a DFA Australian Singles title and he had to fight hard the whole way.

The final went his way with a brilliant exhibition of darts.

Jouannet defeated Dave "Jocky" Methven from Tasmania 6 - 1. It was a strong performance by Jouannet virtually not giving Methven a look in.

The first leg went to Jouannet in fifteen darts with a 101 finish. He won the second against the darts in seventeen darts, the third and fourth in 16 darts. He won the fifth leg in twenty-one darts with a 116 finish to be one leg from the title. Methven won the sixth leg to get on the scoreboard but that was the end for him. Jouannet won the seventh leg in 19 darts when he hit double top with his first dart at it for the title.

Average per dart in the final was:
Barry Jouannet 28.13
Dave Methven 23.40

A brilliant exhibition of darts in the second semi final saw Jouannet defeat WA's Tony David in a match that everyone enjoyed. It had everything. Jouannet won the four of the first five legs in 17, 18, 21 and 20 darts. David won the third leg in 18 darts. David had a couple chances in these early legs but missed a few darts at the doubles. Being 4 - 1 down David fought back taking the next three legs. The sixth leg was dramatic as Jouannet was throwing for the title and David was fighting to stay in contention. Both missed a number of darts at the double before David put the leg away. He then won the next two legs in 17 and 14 darts to square up the semi final. The deciding leg and again both players had a number of darts at the double before Jouannet finished on 14 to move into the final.

Methven and Peter Machin from South Australia contest the first semi final. This game lacked the drama of the other semi final as the lead of player was winning the leg. They were throwing good darts with both players were ready to have a shot at a finish if either player faulted. It all came down to the eighth leg when Machin had six darts to take the leg but missed opening the door for the first time for Methven. He took his chance and finished of the leg with a 43 pegout to advance. Machin had taken some big scalps on his was through to this match but just dropped off his game a little in this match. Methven was to play in his first Australian Singles final.

Men's Semi Finals

Barry Jouannet (23.77) NSW defeated Tony David (25.24) WA 5 - 4
Dave Methven (24.39) TAS defeated Peter Machin (23.33) SA 5 - 3

Quarter Finals:

Tony David (29.47) WA defeated Simon Whitlock (26.90) QLD 4 - 0
Peter Machin (26.41) SA defeated Graham Hunt (27.42) TAS 4 - 3
Barry Jouannet (26.57) NSW defeated Henry Bajowski (26.33) VIC 4 - 2
Dave Methven (24.44) TAS defeated Kim Lewis (23.31) WA 4 - 0