Disappointing defeat for O'Brien in Dutch Open

PLYMOUTH’S top lady darts player crashed out of the Bauhaus Dutch Open last night when she lost in the last eight, at De Bonte Wever in Assen.

She did pick up vital ranking points, but it was still a disappointing start to her 2018 international campaign.

Disappointing, because of the high standards that Maria O’Brien sets herself and would have expected to have gone further.

The BDO World finalist had a brilliant start and dropped just a single leg in disposing of Priscilla Groeneweg (3-0), Cecile Hofkamp (3-1) and Jolanda Bosgoed (3-0).

GULLIVER DEFEAT: Maria O'Brien defeated Trina Gulliver on her way to the last eight of the Dutch Open before being edged out by the narrowest of margins.

Those three victories put her into the board final where she defeated Hampshire’s Jo Rolls 3-1.

Her first big test came in the last 16 where she faced the 10-time World champion Trina Gulliver, and after having to go the full seven legs, progressed to the quarter-final stage with a 4-3 victory.

Maria then came up against Sweden’s Deana Rosenblom and again was pushed the full distance, but the final double eluded her as she was edged out 4-3.

Only one English player went further than Maria though and that was Deta Hedman who will contest the final later today against Aileen de Graaf.

It’s back to the practise board for O’Brien now in preparation for the Scottish Open later in the month.

She will contest and ladies’ singles at the Normandy Cosmopolitan Hotel, Renfrew over the weekend of Feb 16-18 and will also participate in the pairs with Deta Hedman.