COLIN OSBORNE is hoping to continue his great start to 2008 in the Stan James Players Championships in Gibraltar.
Osborne claimed the Blue Square UK Open North-East Regional Final last Sunday, seeing off Denis Ovens in Gateshead to pick up the £6,000 winner's cheque and also secure a top seeding at Bolton.
He will continue his bid to break into the world's top 16 in Gibraltar on Saturday, in the first of two Players Championship tournaments this weekend.
Osborne had been a first round victim to Erwin Extercatte in the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship, hitting ten 180s but paying for missed doubles against Erwin Extercatte - but is delighted with how he bounced back.
"It's the best possible start to the year," said Osborne. "My confidence is sky high and I'm looking forward to Gibraltar.
"Even getting to the latter stages of tournaments you know you're playing well and that gives you confidence, which is a big part of this game.
"After the disappointment of the World Championship my confidence was low and to bounce back and win the next competition is brilliant."
Osborne was an 8-6 winner in Sunday's final against Ovens, having also defeated Sean Dowling, Kevin Painter, Wayne Atwood, Adrian Gray, John Ferrell and Wes Newton on his way to the decider.
"In the early games on the floor I was scoring heavily and took some big finishes out but on stage I was giving away my leads," he added.
"But I hung on there and got over the finishing line."
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