Party Poker World Grand Prix

TICKETS for Octobers PartyPoker.com Grand Prix are NOW on sale!

I would suggest you get them while they are hot or be deeply disappointed when you try to get them later.

Held at Dublin’s City West Hotel Conference Centre from 8th to the 14th of October and live on SKY Sports it is one of the hottest events on the PDC calendar, 32 players (Top 16, 2 Irish Wildcards and 14 players from the ProTour order of merit) compete for their part of the £350,000 pot sponsored by PartyPoker.com

This event is unique with its double in double out format where players have to get a double to start playing and a double to finish.

Event Format below

2012 PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix
Monday October 8 (7pm-12am)
8x First Round games
Table Tickets €20

Tuesday October 9 (7pm-12am)
8x First Round games
Table Tickets €20

Wednesday October 10 (7pm-11pm)
4x Second Round game
Table Tickets €25

Thursday October 11 (7pm-11pm)
4x Second Round game
Table Tickets €25

Friday October 12 (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals
Table Tickets €40
Tier Tickets €35

Saturday October 13 (7pm-10pm)
Semi-Finals
Table Tickets €40
Tier Tickets €35

Sunday October 14 (7pm-9pm)
Irish Matchplay Final (Non-Televised)
World Grand Prix Final
Table Tickets €40
Tier Tickets €35

Season Ticket €175

 

Original Article

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Original Article

ANDERSON IN GOOD SHAPE FOR LEWIS CLASH AS McCOY’S PREMIER LEAGUE HEADS TO EXETER

REIGNING McCoy’s Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson is looking to maintain his return to form when he faces World Champion Adrian Lewis at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter on Thursday.

Scottish star Anderson produced his best performance since reaching November’s Grand Slam of Darts final when he averaged 102 in defeating James Wade 8-5 in Belfast a week ago.

The win was his second successive in the Premier League since losing to Kevin Painter in the opening week - he also picked up two points against Andy Hamilton in Aberdeen - and Anderson now hopes to continue his resurgence on Thursday.

“It should be a great match in Exeter and it’s a night I’m really looking forward to,” said Anderson, who defeated Lewis 10-4 in last year’s Premier League final.

“Adrian’s won the last two World Championships and carried on that form into the Premier League and I’ve won my last two games and my form’s coming back.

“We always have good games and our styles probably complement each other; we’re both pretty quick players who get into a rhythm.”

As the most local of the eight Premier League stars, Somerset-based Anderson will be hoping to receive plenty of support from the 4,000-strong Westpoint Arena crowd.

“Justin Pipe’s probably the closest player out of all the professionals and I’m the next one up the road from Exeter,” said Anderson.

“It would be nice to have some local support and I want to give the crowd plenty to cheer about.”

Lewis enters the clash unbeaten, having drawn all three of his games so far this season - producing an 11-darter in the deciding leg of his clash with Andy Hamilton in Belfast last week to claim a point.

“Gary’s coming back into a bit of form,” said Lewis. “He has been struggling and it’s not been the Gary Anderson we know, but you can’t take him lightly.

“It’s going to be tough but I’m looking forward to it and I’ve got to go up there and do the job against Gary.

“I’ll have to start quickly because in the last couple of weeks I’ve started slowly and it’s given the players I’m playing a bit of confidence.”

World number one Phil Taylor also travels to Exeter on a high, having picked up two wins and a draw in the opening three weeks, twice averaging over 112 and also hitting a nine-dart finish against Kevin Painter in Aberdeen.

Taylor plays Simon Whitlock in Exeter in a repeat of the 2010 World Championship final, as he seeks to maintain his cushion at the top of the table.

“I’m loving every minute of the McCoy’s Premier League so far,” said Taylor. “The crowds have been fantastic, I’m enjoying it and I’m getting some great results.

“Simon’s a top quality player but he showed last week that he was feeling a bit of pressure when he lost to Kevin Painter in Belfast.

“I’ve got to go out and put him under pressure from the start and make him think about the week before, which will make it hard for him.”

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld plays Andy Hamilton, who has picked up one win and a draw in his opening three matches since being handed a Premier League Darts Wildcard in January.

“I’m not worried about Raymond - I think he should be worried about me,” said Hamilton, who reached the World Championship final in the New Year but has not defeated the Dutchman since 2006.

“I’ve come back strongly this year and I’m looking forward to playing Raymond in Exeter. I’ve got a massive amount of respect for him but I’ll be fighting for every leg.”

The night’s opening game sees 2009 champion James Wade look to end his run of three straight defeats when he plays Kevin Painter - who has won two of his first three Premier League matches.

“I’ve come into this Premier League like Andy Hamilton as an underdog but I’ve won two games out of three, so I’m doing alright,” said Painter, who won his first major title last December at the Cash Converters Players Championship.

“The most important aspect in the Premier League is finishing, and when I’m getting chances at a double I’m hitting them. If I can up my scoring a little bit I’ll continue to do some damage!”

Wade reached the World Championship semi-finals in the New Year but has yet to reproduce that form in defeats to Hamilton, Whitlock and Anderson in the opening three weeks of the Premier League.

“I reached the final in 2010 and didn’t win any of my first five games, but it would be nice just to have a win,” said Wade. “It’s a frustrating start but I can’t keep playing so badly.”

A small number of tickets for the McCoy’s Premier League Darts remain on sale from the Westpoint Arena on 08444 99 99 55.

McCoy’s Premier League Darts
Week Four - Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Thursday March 1, 7pm
Kevin Painter v James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock v Phil Taylor
Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Live on Sky Sports HD1, 7pm
Tickets: 08444 99 99 55 or www.ticketzone.co.uk

Week Four Match Odds, courtesy of www.williamhill.com
Kevin Painter v James Wade
6/4 Kevin Painter
9/2 Draw
10/11 James Wade

Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Hamilton
8/11 Raymond van Barneveld
5/1 Draw
7/4 Andy Hamilton

Simon Whitlock v Phil Taylor
16/5 Simon Whitlock
5/1 Draw
4/9 Phil Taylor

Gary Anderson v Adrian Lewis
Evs Gary Anderson
9/2 Draw
11/8 Adrian Lewis
William Hill are the official betting partner of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts.

Original Article

TICKET SALES CONTINUE APACE FOR McCOY’S PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS

OVER 80 percent of tickets for the McCoy’s Premier League Darts have now been sold - with 70,000 tickets snapped up a month ahead of the tournament’s start at the Manchester Arena.

The eight-player, £450,000 event sees stars including 15-time World Champion Phil Taylor, reigning World Champion Adrian Lewis and current Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson battling across 15 weeks for the prestigious £150,000 title.

The trio are joined by reigning UK Open champion James Wade, World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton, Players Championship winner Kevin Painter, Australian star Simon Whitlock and Holland’s five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in the McCoy’s Premier League Darts.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday February 9 at the Manchester Arena, and will progress on a tour of the UK & Ireland for the next 14 weeks as the players compete twice in the league phase before the top four contest the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on May 17.

Following the opening night in Manchester, which is on course for a record crowd for the event at the venue, the players proceed to Aberdeen for week two, with all tickets for the AECC already sold out.

Play then crosses the Irish Sea to Belfast, before returning to England to be played at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter and The Brighton Centre on the first two Thursdays in March.

The McCoy’s Premier League Darts will visit Dublin for the first time on Thursday March 22 to be held at The O2 as the league phase reaches its halfway point.

The Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff will host the eighth league night - with all tickets for the Welsh leg of the event already snapped up - before Nottingham’s Capital FM Arena, Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena and the BIC in Bournemouth host further league nights.

The Echo Arena in Liverpool, Birmingham’s NIA and the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle will stage the remaining league nights, before the top four players head to The O2 in London on Thursday May 17 to contest the Play-Offs.

“Following the hugely successful Ladbrokes World Championship and last week’s announcement of the eight competing players there has been another surge in interest in the McCoy’s Premier League Darts,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“The tournament is already set to welcome more fans than ever as we embark on our 15 nights across the UK and Ireland, and the interest from fans at all venues has been phenomenal, with over 70,000 tickets now bought for the event.

“The arenas in Cardiff and Aberdeen have already sold-out but we’re delighted with the response from fans in Ireland, who are guaranteed to make our first visit to The O2 in Dublin a memorable one.

“The McCoy’s Premier League Darts promises to be the best-ever, with the line-up of players featuring the biggest names in darts, our in-form players and stars looking to join the elite group to have lifted this trophy.”

Tickets for the 2012 Premier League Darts cost £35 for floor table seats and £20 for tiered seating plus booking fee (€40/€25 plus booking fee in Dublin), and are still available from each individual venues’ Box Office.

McCoy’s Premier League Darts

Night One Thurs Feb 9 Manchester Arena 0844 847 8000
Night Two Thurs Feb 16 AECC, Aberdeen SOLD OUT
Night Three Thurs Feb 23 Odyssey Arena, Belfast 0844 277 4455
Night Four Thurs Mar 1 Westpoint Arena, Exeter 08444 99 99 55
Night Five Thurs Mar 8 The Brighton Centre 0844 847 1515
Night Six Thurs Mar 15 SECC, Glasgow 0844 395 4000
Night Seven Thurs Mar 22 The O2, Dublin 00353 818 719 300
Night Eight Thurs Mar 29 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff SOLD OUT
Night Nine Thurs Apr 5 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham 08444 124 624
Night Ten Thur! s Apr 12 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield 0114 256 56 56
Night 11 Thurs Apr 19 BIC, Bournemouth 0844 576 3000
Night 12 Thurs Apr 26 Echo Arena, Liverpool 0844 8000 400
Night 13 Thurs May 3 NIA, Birmingham 0844 338 0338
Night 14 Thurs May 10 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle 0844 493 6666
Play-Offs Thurs May 17 The O2, London 0844 856 0202

Original Article

PDC WORLD CUP OF DARTS COMPETITORS CONFIRMED

FIVE new countries will compete in the 2012 World Cup of Darts in Hamburg next month - including South Africa, the Philippines and Malaysia.

The second PDC World Cup will be staged from February 3-5 at the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg, featuring 24 countries competing for a £150,000 prize fund.

The Netherlands, who won the tournament in December 2010, will be the number three seeds as Raymond van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort defend the title in Hamburg.

The English pair of world number one Phil Taylor and World Champion Adrian Lewis will be the top seed, with Australian duo Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson the number two seeds.

Scotland’s Gary Anderson and Peter Wright are seeded four, Welsh pair Mark Webster and Richie Burnett are five, Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan & Michael Mansell are six, Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts and Kurt Van De Rijck are seven and the German pair of Jyhan Artut and Bernd Roith are the eighth seed on home soil.

The top eight seeds will enter the tournament at the second round stage, with the teams ranked 9-24 contesting the first round in the opening session on Friday February 3.

Canada, featuring three-time World Champion John Part and Ken MacNeil, are the ninth seeds, with Ireland, the USA, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Gibraltar, Denmark and debutants Croatia the next in line, with all having at least two ranked players on the PDC Order of Merit.

The Spanish pair of Antonio Alcinas and Carlos Rodriguez famously won through to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, knocking out England’s Phil Taylor & James Wade along the way.

William O’Connor and Mick McGowan represent Ireland, Darin Young is partnered by Gary Mawson for the USA, World Championship qualifiers Mensur Suljovic and Dietmar Burger team up for Austria and Magnus Caris will play alongside Dennis Nilsson for Sweden.

Finland’s Petri Korte, who met Wade in the World Championship, partners Marko Kantele in the event, while Dylan Duo and Dyson Parody represent Gibraltar, Per Laursen and Jann Hoffmann will play for Denmark and Boris Krcmar plays for Croatia alongside Tonci Restovic.

The remaining six countries have been invited by virtue of having one ranked player on the PDC Order of Merit, with Japan and New Zealand joined by South Africa, the Philippines, Malaysia and Hungary - giving many recent Ladbrokes World Darts Championship qualifiers further top-level experience.

Japan’s Haruki Muramatsu - who won through to play Phil Taylor in the World Championship - is partnered by popular ace Morihiro Hashimoto, who had taken on Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace 12 months earlier.

New Zealander Warren French is joined by Preston Ridd, while South Africa’s Devon Petersen will be partnered by Shawn Hogan as he looks to build on his second round appearance in the World Championship.

Former World Championship qualifier Lourence Ilagan partners Christian Perez for the Philippines, while Malaysia recent Alexandra Palace qualifier Lee Choon Peng is joined by Amin Bin Abdul Ghani and Hungary’s Nandor Bezzeg will play with Kristian Kaufmann, who has experience on the PDC ProTour in Europe.

The teams are ranked based on the cumulative totals of the competing players on the PDC Order of Merit, with the first round draw seeing the teams drawn 9v24, 10v23, 11v22, 12v21, 13v20, 14v19, 15v18 and 16v17.

This means that Canada meet Hungary, Ireland play Malaysia, USA face the Philippines, Austria take on New Zealand, Sweden clash with Japan, Spain challenge South Africa, Finland battle Croatia and Gibraltar come up against Denmark.

Tickets for the tournament are already proving highly popular and can be purchased through www.pdc-europe.net. Tickets range from €8.90-€24.90 per session, with combination tickets available for both daily sessions and/or all sessions throughout the event.

PDC World Cup of Darts Teams
1 - England (Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis)
2 - Australia (Simon Whitlock & Paul Nicholson)
3 - Netherlands (Raymond van Barneveld & Vincent van der Voort)
4 - Scotland (Gary Anderson & Peter Wright)
5 - Wales (Mark Webster & Richie Burnett)
6 - Northern Ireland (Brendan Dolan & Michael Mansell)
7 - Belgium (Kim Huybrechts & Kurt Van De Rijck)
8 - Germany (Jyhan Artut & Bernd Roith)
9 - Canada (John Part & Ken MacNeil)
10 - Republic of Ireland (William O’Connor & Mick McGowan)
11 - USA (Darin Young & Gary Mawson)
12 - Austria (Mensur Suljovic & Dietmar Burger)
13 - Sweden (Magnus Caris & Dennis Nilsson)
14 - Spain (Antonio Alcinas & Carlos Rodriguez)
15 - Finland (Petri Korte & Marko Kantele)
16 - Gibraltar (Dylan Duo & Dyson Parody)
17 - Denmark (Per Laursen & Jann Hoffmann)
18 - Croatia (Boris Krcmar & Tonci Restovic)
19 - South African (Devon Petersen & Shawn Hogan)
20 - Japan (Haruki Muramatsu & Morihiro Hashimoto)
21 - New Zealand (Warren French & Preston Ridd)
22 - Philippines (Christian Perez & Lourence Ilagan)
23 - Malaysia (Lee Choon Peng & Amin Bin Abdul Ghani)
24 - Hungary (Nandor Bezzeg & Kristian Kaufmann)

PDC World Cup of Darts
First Round Draw
Canada v Hungary
Republic of Ireland v Malaysia
USA v Philippines
Austria v New Zealand
Sweden v Japan
Spain v South Africa
Finland v Croatia
Gibraltar v Denmark

Second Round Draw Bracket
England (1) v
Germany (8) v
Wales (5) v
Scotland (4) v
Australia (2) v
Belgium (7) v
Northern Ireland (6) v
Netherlands (3) v

Schedule of Play
Friday February 3
Afternoon Session (2pm-6pm)
First Round x8 Games

Evening Session (8pm-12am)
Second Round x4 Games

Saturday February 4
Afternoon Session (2.30pm-6.30pm)
Second Round x4 Games

Evening Session (8pm-12am)
Quarter-Finals

Sunday February 5
Afternoon Session (3pm-6.30pm)
Semi-Finals

Evening Session (8pm-11.30pm)
Final

Original Article

TAYLOR NAMED AS PDC PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PHIL TAYLOR was named as the PDC Player of the Year on Tuesday night, as Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Justin Pipe and Dave Chisnall also picked up trophies at the PDC Annual Awards Dinner.

The stars of the sport gathered at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane for the annual ceremony to celebrate the achivements of the last year.

[caption id=”attachment_1075” align=”aligncenter” width=”509” caption=”Phil Taylor”]Phil Taylor[/caption]

World number 1 Taylor saw his achievement in winning five major titles during 2011 - at the World Matchplay, European Championship, World Grand Prix, Championship League Darts and Grand Slam of Darts - recognised with the showpiece PDC Player of the Year Award.

Taylor was also voted as the PDC Fans’ Player of the Year following an internet poll on the PDC’s official website,www.pdc.tv, as he edged out Gary Anderson and Justin Pipe as the crowd favourite.

“I’m delighted,” said Taylor. “Both of these awards mean a huge amount to me because there have been so many other great players in the PDC in the past year.

“We’ve seen Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Gary Anderson all win majors and other players emerging too, so to be voted for as Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year is a massive honour.

“It will spur me on to try even harder in 2012.”

Pipe’s rise into the world’s top 32, which included three PDC ProTour titles, saw him recognised by his peers with the PDPA Players’ Player of the Year award.

“I’ve had a brilliant year and this caps it off for me,” said Pipe. “To be recognised like this by my fellow players after only my second full year in the PDC is amazing.”

Anderson, meanwhile, was named as the Best PDC ProTour Player, having won seven Players Championships and UK Open Qualifiers during 2011 to claim £62,400 prize money in non-televised tournaments.

Holland’s 22-year-old Michael van Gerwen was named as the PDC Young Player of the Year after winning four PDC Unicorn Youth Tour events during 2011 and reaching the last 16 of the World Championship recently.

Dave Chisnall’s outstanding debut season in the PDC was rewarded with the Best Newcomer Award, recognising his rise to 32nd in the PDC Order of Merit as he won a Players Championship and reached two major quarter-finals.

World Champion Adrian Lewis saw his thrilling comeback from 5-1 to defeat James Wade 6-5 in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship semi-finals named as the PDC Televised Performance of the Year.

[caption id=”attachment_1073” align=”aligncenter” width=”577” caption=”ADRIAN LEWIS”]ADRIAN LEWIS[/caption]

The Nine-Dart Club, which sees players who hit a perfect leg in PDC tournaments, welcomed a host of new members who achieved the feat in 2011, including John Part, Adrian Lewis, Brendan Dolan, Simon Whitlock and Phil Taylor from televised events.

A further 11 players, Dave Chisnall, John Henderson, Michael Smith, Wayne Atwood, Dennis Priestley, Simon Whitlock, Justin Pipe, Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, Wes Newton and Mark Webster, received a Silver Pin Badge to reward their achievements in non-televised events.

THE AWARDS
Best PDC ProTour Player - Gary Anderson

PDC Televised Performance of the Year - Adrian Lewis, for the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship Semi-Final v James Wade

PDC Best Newcomer - Dave Chisnall

PDC Fans’ Player of the Year - Phil Taylor

PDPA Players’ Player of the Year - Justin Pipe

Nine-Dart Club
Silver Pin Badge (non-televised)
Dave Chisnall
John Henderson
Michael Smith
Wayne Atwood
Dennis Priestley
Simon Whitlock
Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor
Raymond van Barneveld
Wes Newton
Mark Webster

Gold Pin Badge
John Part - World Matchplay
Adrian Lewis - European Championship
Brendan Dolan - World Grand Prix
Simon Whitlock - Championship League Darts
Phil Taylor - Championship League Darts

PDC Young Player of the Year - Michael van Gerwen

PDC Player of the Year - Phil Taylor

Original Article

HAMILTON & PAINTER TO DEBUT IN McCOY’S PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS

THE McCoy’s Premier League Darts will feature debutants Andy Hamilton and Kevin Painter in 2012 after the line-up for the eight-man tournament was announced on Monday.

Hamilton is rewarded for his run to the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final and rise to seventh in the PDC Order of Merit with a place in the event, while Painter’s maiden major triumph at the Cash Converters Players Championship has seen him handed the second PDC Wildcard selection.

The duo join the PDC’s top four players - Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, James Wade and Gary Anderson - in competing in the McCoy’s Premier League Darts, with Australian Simon Whitlock and Holland’s Raymond van Barneveld completing the line-up as the Sky Sports Wildcards.

The eight players were confirmed at the PDC Annual Awards Dinner on Monday night alongside the announcement of leading crisp brand McCoy’s as the title sponsors of Premier League Darts, which begins at the Manchester Arena on Thursday February 9.

In addition, prize money will increase to a total of £450,000, with £150,000 to the champion, £70,000 to the runner-up, £50,000 to the semi-finalists, £40,000 to fifth place, £35,000 to sixth place, £30,000 for the seventh place and £25,000 to the player who finishes eighth.

“I’m delighted to welcome McCoy’s as sponsors of what promises to be the best-ever Premier League Darts,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“The form of Andy Hamilton and Kevin Painter recently has seen them earn deserved Wildcards to play in the McCoy’s Premier League, and I’m sure they will add great colour and quality to the tournament.

“Simon Whitlock was sensational in reaching the World Championship semi-finals and Raymond van Barneveld remains one of the most popular players throughout the darts world.

“With Gary Anderson defending his title, Adrian Lewis coming into the tournament as a two-time World Champion and Phil Taylor and James Wade looking to win back the Premier League trophy, we’re all hugely excited ahead of the tournament starting in Manchester next month.”

Hamilton’s run to the World Championship final followed his progression to the World Matchplay semi-finals last July, and he joins Stoke pair Taylor and Lewis in competing in the event.

Painter, the 2004 World Championship runner-up, claimed his first major title at the Cash Converters Players Championship in December and has moved back up to tenth in the PDC Order of Merit.

Taylor had won the first four Premier League Darts titles before Wade claimed victory in 2009 - only for the Stoke great to reclaim the trophy when he hit two nine-dart finishes in the 2010 final.

Scottish star Anderson took the 2011 Premier League Darts title, celebrating his debut season by defeating Lewis in the final.

The McCoy’s Premier League Darts begins at the Manchester Arena on Thursday February 9, and runs for 14 consecutive weeks as the eight stars play each other twice in the league phase, before the top four players progress to the Play-Offs at The O2 in London on May 17.

The tournament moves from Manchester to Aberdeen, Belfast, Exeter, Brighton and Glasgow before making its Dublin debut at The O2 on Thursday March 22.

Visits to Cardiff, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Birmingham and Newcastle follow before the Play-Offs are contested at The O2 in London.

William Hill, the Official Betting Partner of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts, make Phil Taylor the 6/4 favourite, with Adrian Lewis the 7/2 second favourite.

Their full outright odds are:
6/4 Phil Taylor
7/2 Adrian Lewis
9/2 Gary Anderson
6/1 James Wade
7/1 Simon Whitlock
14/1 Kevin Painter
16/1 Raymond van Barneveld
16/1 Andy Hamilton
E/W 1/3 1-2
Odds supplied by William hill, the Official Betting Partner of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts

Tickets for the 2012 Premier League Darts cost £35 for floor table seats and £20 for tiered seating plus booking fee (€40/€25 plus booking fee in Dublin), and are still available from each individual venues’ Box Office. Full details are available at www.pdc.tv.

McCoy’s Premier League Darts

Night One Thurs Feb 9 Manchester Arena
Night Two Thurs Feb 16 AECC, Aberdeen
Night Three Thurs Feb 23 Odyssey Arena, Belfast
Night Four Thurs Mar 1 Westpoint Arena, Exeter
Night Five Thurs Mar 8 The Brighton Centre
Night Six Thurs Mar 15 SECC, Glasgow
Night Seven Thurs Mar 22 The O2, Dublin
Night Eight Thurs Mar 29 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Night Nine Thurs Apr 5 Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
Night Ten Thurs Apr 12 Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Night 11 Thurs Apr 19 BIC, Bournemouth
Night 12 Thurs Apr 26 Echo Arena, Liverpool!
Night 13 Thurs May 3 NIA, Birmingham
Night 14 Thurs May 10 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Play-Offs Thurs May 17 The O2, London

ENDS

Original Article

LEWIS HITS JACKPOT AGAIN TO RETAIN LADBROKES WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

ADRIAN LEWIS retained the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship title with a 7-3 win over Andy Hamilton at Alexandra Palace on Monday night - and came close to hitting a second successive nine-darter in the final!

The Stoke ace had won last year’s title by hitting a perfect leg during a victory over Gary Anderson, and missed double 12 to repeat the feat in a brilliant display against Hamilton.

[caption id=”attachment_1065” align=”aligncenter” width=”574” caption=”ADRIAN LEWIS”]ADRIAN LEWIS[/caption]

Lewis, 26, becomes only the third player in the sport’s history to win their first World Championship and retain the crown the following year, matching the achievements of Eric Bristow and Raymond van Barneveld, as he took the £200,000 first prize.

He hit 11 180s and also took out three ton-plus finishes to see off Hamilton, who had performed brilliantly in reaching only his second major final but could not see off his Stoke rival.

“It means the world to me to win the title again,” said Lewis. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet but I’m sure it will when I wake up again with the trophy!

“Andy never gave up and landed some superb checkouts himself, but I hit the right finishes at the right times. It was a little bit like my semi-final against James Wade when I was 5-1 - I refused to give in and that’s why I’m standing here once again with the trophy.”

The final began with Hamilton missing a chance at double ten for a 90 finish in the opener, although he was allowed to return when Lewis missed double 19 to break.

Lewis took the second and then broke on tops in the third after Hamilton missed two darts at double ten, although the 2007 Grand Slam finalist hit back by landing double eight to win the fourth leg.

Hamilton held advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but Lewis took the set with a fantastic 122 checkout, completed on the bullseye, to establish an early lead.

[caption id=”attachment_1066” align=”aligncenter” width=”599” caption=”Andy Hamilton and PDC Chairman Barry Hearn”]Andy Hamilton and PDC Chairman Barry Hearn[/caption]

Hamilton, who defeated Simon Whitlock in the last four by taking the final three sets to come from 5-3 down, secured an early break of throw at the start of set two by hitting double 16.

Lewis hit double top with his first dart to break in the second, before Hamilton took the third leg against the darts, courtesy of an accurate attempt at double eight.

The fourth leg saw Lewis miss a dart at tops for a 117 finish, allowing Hamilton to hit double six to win the set and level the match.

Hamilton won the opening leg of the third set against the darts, before Lewis kicked-off of the second in blistering fashion with back-to-back maximums.

Lewis, then hit another treble 20, followed by treble 19, but his attempt at double 12 for an amazing nine-dart finish was just high of the target - ending of hopes of achieving the feat for the second successive World Championship final.

The 26-year-old won the leg in 11 darts and also took out a 14-darter amongst the next two to win the set 3-1.

Hamilton took the opening two legs of the fourth set, which featured a superb 147 checkout, before Lewis took the third on double top, only for the older man to seal the set in fine fashion with a 105 finish to level the game.

The world number two broke throw at the start of the set five, only for Hamilton to reply with a 15-dart finish to take the second.

Hamilton then hit a 104 finish to take third leg, but a missed dart at double top for the set as Lewis hit the same bed for the fourth leg and then checked out 11 to win the set.

Lewis then won the first leg of set six after Hamilton was off-target with a dart at double 16, but the number 17 seed made no mistake in the second with another 104 checkout.

Lewis hit double top to take the third leg, and landed double 15 at the first time of asking to win the set and move two-sets clear for the first time at 4-2.

[caption id=”attachment_1064” align=”aligncenter” width=”461” caption=”ADRIAN LEWIS”]ADRIAN LEWIS[/caption]

Hamilton made a positive start to the seventh set by taking the opening two legs, which included a 13-darter in the first and a break of throw in the second.

Lewis fired his seventh 180 of the match in the third, but a missed dart at double top, to give Hamilton the opportunity to hit the same bed and reduce the gap to 4-3 with another 13-dart finish.

Both players held throw comfortably at the start of set eight, before the third leg saw Hamilton miss a dart at bullseye for a 129 checkout to break.

Lewis returned to hit double ten and followed that by landing double 11 in the next leg to move 5-3 up and restore his two-set advantage.

Hamilton defied a 177 from Lewis to take first leg of set nine on double five, before Lewis took the second, courtesy of a 67 finish.

Both players kicked-off the third leg with 180s before Lewis fired another maximum to raise the crowd’s hopes of a nine-dart finish for a second time in the night.

Those hopes were quashed when Lewis’ seventh attempt at a treble 20 was off-target, and he then missed two darts at doubles to win the leg.

However, Hamilton was unable to capitalise as he missed a dart at double four, and Lewis returned to land the same double and break throw.

Hamilton continued to fight and won the fourth leg with a pressure 74 finish to deny Lewis an opportunity of hitting double 14 for the set.

The deciding leg saw Hamilton miss a dart at the bullseye for the set, and that proved costly as Lewis stepped up to convert a 118 finish to pull further clear at 6-3.

Hamilton converted a 105 finish to make a winning start to the tenth set, and then hit double eight for a 2-0 advantage.

Lewis, though, won the third leg by hitting double ten, before recording an excellent 13-dart finish to take the fourth and move a leg away from the World Championship title.

The deciding leg saw both players hit 180s before Lewis hit scores of 140 and 139 to reach a finish first.

He initially missed two darts at double top, but Hamilton could not land the same double to complete a 125 checkout and Lewis returned to hit the bed to win his second World Championship.

“I’ve put the work in this year and it’s paid off,” added Lewis. “I looked a bit dodgy in the first round against Nigel Heydon and in the semis against James Wade, but this has proven why I’m the best in the world at the minute.

“The final was a bit scrappy but I got the job done and it doesn’t matter what the final average was when you’re holding the trophy.

“I was under pressure and people said I’ve had a bad year and written me off, but I got to the Premier League final, the European Championship final and semi-finals in the World Matchplay and Grand Slam and now won this again. I’ve shut the doubters up again!”

Hamilton took home a career-high £100,000 as runner-up and also moves up to seventh in the PDC Order of Merit, said: “I wanted to win so badly tonight and I was trying too hard, and it wasn’t to be in the end.

“Maybe Adrian had more big-game experience and was important, but I’ve learnt a lot about myself during this tournament and I know I will come back a better and stronger player.

“I’m disappointed with my performance in the final but just winning through to this stage is an achievement. It’s a brilliant way to start 2012 and I want to kick on from here now - I want to win a major title.”

Original Article

LEWIS HITS BACK TO SHATTER WADE’S DREAMS AS HAMMER STRIKES OUT WHITLOCK

[caption id=”attachment_1059” align=”alignright” width=”265” caption=”ADRIAN LEWIS”]
ADRIAN LEWIS[/caption]

ADRIAN LEWIS came from 5-1 down to win through to the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final with a dramatic final-set win over James Wade, and will meet Andy Hamilton in all-Stoke decider at Alexandra Palace on Monday.

Hamilton came from 5-3 down to win a see-saw thriller with 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock, who took four successive sets to move close to victory only to be overhauled by the Stoke ace.

However, Hamilton’s comeback was bettered in the second semi-final by reigning champion Lewis, who produced arguably the sport’s best ever fightback when he took five successive sets to turn a 5-1 deficit into a 6-5 triumph.

Play was briefly suspended early in the game with Wade two sets up when the pair were affected by a crosswind on stage, with the duo returning following a 20-minute break.

Lewis took the third set, but Wade won nine legs out of the next 11 to move into a 5-1 lead and edge a a set away from the victory with some superb darts.

Lewis fought back to level the match with a run of seven successive legs, and then extended the run of winning legs to ten by taking the deciding set 3-0 - sealing an amazing comeback with a stunning 161 checkout.

“This is probably my greatest ever win,” said Lewis. “The problems with the draught did affect me for a time, but I think tonight I showed that I’m a true champion.

“I do not want to lose my grip on this trophy. I’m going to get a good night’s sleep now, relax, and prepare myself properly before I play Andy in the final.”

Hamilton will now compete in only his second major final, with the previous coming at the 2007 Grand Slam of Darts, as he looks to take the £200,000 title on Monday.

“I’m on top of the world,” said Hamilton. “To be in the World Championship final means everything to me and I’ll be give it all I’ve got on Monday.

“At 5-3 down I never thought I was going out, I’m a fighter and I had to dig in, and I think I had more fighting power in me at the end.

“If I can perform, concentrate and be solid I can win this. I’m showing that I’ve got nerve, and I’m in for a fight in the final, but I’m ready for it.”

Australian star Whitlock was philosophical following his defeat, having had a six-week break ahead of the tournament when he suffered a broken ankle in October.

“I didn’t expect to get past the first round, so to reach the semi-finals is a great achievement,” said Whitlock.

“I was told by doctors that I wouldn’t play in this tournament, so I’m over the moon to get to the semi-finals and hopefully I’ll have a big year in 2012 because I’ve got my desire back after missing two TV tournaments with the injury.

“I’m obviously disappointed to lose this game but Andy was great and I hope he goes on to win the title now. There’s no stopping him when he gets on a roll and he threw brilliant darts.”

Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Semi-Finals
Sunday January 1 
Andy Hamilton 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis 6-5 James Wade

Final
Monday January 2 (8pm)
Andy Hamilton v Adrian Lewis
Best of 13 sets

ANDY HAMILTON 6-5 SIMON WHITLOCK
(3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 2-3, 0-3, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1, 4-2)
ANDY HAMILTON secured a place in his first Ladbrokes World Darts Championship final after overcoming Simon Whitlock 6-5 in a titanic semi-final at Alexandra Palace on Sunday.

The Stoke ace continued his thrilling run in the tournament with another gritty and determined display as he saw off the Australian star to reach only the second major final of his career.

Hamilton had come from 15-8 down to defeat Whitlock 17-15 in the World Matchplay quarter-finals in July held the advantage in the early stages of the contest as he led 3-1.

However, Whitlock then produced some superb darts to take 12 of the next 14 legs in the process of moving 5-3 up and a set away from his second final in three years.

But Hamilton, who was 200-1 to win the tournament with sponsors Ladbrokes ahead of the event, hit back to claim the next three sets and seal an amazing triumph.

“I’m quite emotional at the moment,” said a delighted Hamilton. “I worked so hard tonight and I wouldn’t be denied.

“My performance wasn’t as good as some of the others I’ve had in this tournament, but I will take it!. I’m so happy to be in the final and I prepared for another fight - this is my chance to achieve my darting dream.”

Hamilton, who was impressive in defeating Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in the quarter-finals, hit double eight to take the first leg, before hitting tops at the first time of asking to break throw in the second.

The Stoke ace then took out a 68 finish to take third leg and seal the set to make an ideal start to his first World Championship semi-final since 2007.

Both players held throw in the opening two legs of the second set and the Australian, who triumphed over Gary Anderson in the last eight, hit double top to take the third leg.

Whitlock missed three chances to win the set in the fourth leg, allowing Hamilton take it on double top at the first time of asking.

The deciding leg saw Whitlock hit a 170 score to leave double top, but three missed doubles allowed Hamilton a chance to steal the set.

However, he was just off-target with his attempt at the bullseye for a 2-0 lead, and Whitlock returned to hit double ten to level the match.

Hamilton took the first leg of set three, which featured a 177, but the Stoke man missed a dart at double six to take the second, which Whitlock won on double two.

Whitlock hit a maximum in the next, but Hamilton won the leg with a clinical two-dart 84 finish, before winning the set on double four.

Whitlock hit double eight to win the first leg of the fourth set, and had a chance to take the second, but a missed attempt at bullseye for a 170 checkout proved expensive as Hamilton took out 118.

The Stoke ace then hit back-to-back 12-dart legs, featuring two more maximums, as he took the set and moved 3-1 up in the game.

Both players failed with attempts at bullseye claim the first leg of the fifth set, before Whitlock hit double eight to secure a break of throw.

Hamilton hit his sixth 180 of the match in the next, but Whitlock won the leg with a fantastic 170 checkout to go 2-0 up, and then finished a 13-darter to take the set and reduce the gap to one.

Hamilton broke throw to make a positive start to set six, by landing double top at the first time of asking, before taking out 89 to win the second with a 14-darter.

Whitlock hit back to win the third leg on double eight, before recording a 14-darter of his own to claim the fourth against the throw.

The deciding leg saw Whitlock hit his seventh 180, and that was followed by a 74 finish as he won the set and squared the match at three-all.

The Australian kept up the momentum in the seventh set, as he broke throw to take the first leg, before the second followed with a 13-dart finish.

Hamilton hit a 180 in the third leg, but it was not enough as Whitlock landed double 18 to win his sixth leg in a row and lead the match for the first time.

The 2010 runner-up was now in full cry as he hit a 101 checkout to open the eighth set, before taking the second leg with a 13-dart finish.

The third leg saw Whitlock off-target with two attempts at double 16, but Hamilton was unable to hit the bullseye, allowing him to return and hit double 16 with his first dart to move a set away from the final.

Hamilton held throw to take the first leg of the ninth set, after Whitlock was guilty of wasting four darts at double 16.

Whitlock hit his tenth maximum in the process of winning the second leg, but Hamilton recorded an excellent 130 checkout to take the third.

Whitlock hit double 16 to move a leg away from victory, after both players had traded 180s, before Hamilton hit an excellent 13-dart finish in the deciding leg to take the set and keep the match alive.

Whitlock missed three shots at doubles at the beginning of set ten, but Hamilton was unable to capitalise as he missed two chances of his own to claim the leg as the Australian landed double ten for an early advantage.

Hamilton registered a 115 checkout to take the second, and then won the next by landing double eight with his third dart.

The fourth leg saw Whitlock miss three darts at doubles, which proved costly as Hamilton hit a superb 110 finish to send the match into a deciding set.

Both players held throw in the first two legs of the final set, and Hamilton continued that trend by winning the third on double ten to move a leg away from the match.

Whitlock converted a pressure 68 finish, by landing double 16 with his third dart, before Hamilton hit a 13-darter to lead for the third time in the set.

Whitlock kicked-off the sixth leg with a 180, but Hamilton produced the more consistent scoring, and the Stoke star landed double eight to seal a place in the final.

“I’m on top of the world,” said Hamilton. “To be in the World Championship final means everything to me and I’ll be give it all I’ve got on Monday.

“At 5-3 down I never thought I was going out, I’m a fighter and I had to dig in, and I think I had more fighting power in me at the end.

“If I can perform, concentrate and be solid I can win this. I’m showing that I’ve got nerve, and I’m in for a fight in the final, but I’m ready for it.”

Whitlock was philosophical following his defeat, having had a six-week break ahead of the tournament when he suffered a broken ankle in October.

“I didn’t expect to get past the first round, so to reach the semi-finals is a great achievement,” said Whitlock.

“I was told by doctors that I wouldn’t play in this tournament, so I’m over the moon to get to the semi-finals and hopefully I’ll have a big year in 2012 because I’ve got my desire back after missing two TV tournaments with the injury.

“I’m obviously disappointed to lose this game but Andy was great and I hope he goes on to win the title now. There’s no stopping him when he gets on a roll and he threw brilliant darts.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 6-5 JAMES WADE
(1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 0-3, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
REIGNING Ladbrokes World Darts Champion Adrian Lewis staged arguably the sport’s greatest ever fightback as he came from 5-1 down to defeat James Wade 6-5 in a classic semi-final and keep alive his hopes of retaining the £200,000 title on Monday night.

Wade seemed set to cruise into his first World Championship final when he won the game’s first two sets before a brief suspension of play, when the pair were affected by a crosswind on stage to win the third, saw play delayed for 20 minutes.

Although Wade won the third set, Wade turned on the style to win nine out of the next 11 legs to assume a 5-1 lead - only to miss one match dart at double 18.

Lewis fought back to level the match with a run of seven successive legs, and after Wade missed one match dart he then extended the run of winning legs to ten by taking the deciding set 3-0 - sealing an amazing comeback with a stunning 161 checkout.

“This is probably my greatest ever win,” said a triumphant Lewis, who will now face Andy Hamilton in an all-Stoke final for the £200,000 first prize.

“The problems with the draught coming on to the stage did affect me for a time, but I think tonight I showed that I’m a true champion.

“I do not want to lose my grip on this trophy. I’m going to get a good night’s sleep now, relax, and prepare myself properly before I play Andy in the final.”

Lewis won the first leg of the match on double top, before Wade converted a 76 finish which was followed by a fantastic 157 as he took the third.

Wade then won the set in the next by hitting double top at the first time of asking, before starting the second set in positive fashion, courtesy of a 96 finish.

Lewis hit back superbly by taking the next two legs with ton-plus finishes of 105 and 130, before Wade took the fourth after Lewis was off-target with three darts at double top for the set.

The decider saw Wade land double ten for the second successive leg to win the set and establish early command of the contest, although play was halted for around 20 minutes as the source of an on-stage draught was identified.

Following the resumption, Wade continued his dominance by winning the opening two legs of set three before Lewis produced a superb 11-darter in the third to kick-start his challenge.

He then levelled in the fourth, hitting a maximum in a 13-darter, before taking out 114 to win the set and halve the deficit.

Wade, though, found another gear himself to power through the fourth set in only 44 darts, finishing 104 and 143 as well as hitting a 14-dart finish to break Lewis’ throw in restoring a two-set cushion.

Lewis posted double top to win the first leg of set five, but Wade levelled with an 80 finish before recording a 126 checkout to break throw with a 12-darter.

The number three seed hit double top in the fourth leg to complete a 13-dart finish and win his fourth set to leave Lewis with an increasingly difficult task.

The sixth set began with Wade missing a dart at double top for a 120 checkout, allowing Lewis to hit double five and secure a break of throw with a 14-dart leg.

However, Wade immediately hit back by landing double top to win the second leg against the throw in 14 darts, and that was bettered when he took the third in just 13 darts on double 14.

The fourth leg saw Wade hit double seven to take his third successive set and move 5-1 clear - and only a set away from a place in the final.

Lewis won the opening leg of set seven, but wasted three chances to take the next and Wade capitalised with a successful attempt at double two.

Lewis won the third leg with a 70 finish, before taking the set in clinical fashion by following a 180 by taking out 94 in two darts to keep the match alive.

The world number two maintained the momentum at the start of the set eight by taking out an 85 finish to win the first leg in 12 darts, and then won the second with the aid of a 180.

Wade hit double top to win the third leg and also took the fourth by landing double five with a pressure third dart, after Lewis missed a dart at double top for the set.

The deciding leg saw Wade miss an opportunity at double 18 for the match, and Lewis took out 98 with two superbly placed darts to win his third set and crucially deny Wade a second chance to take victory.

Lewis won the ninth set without reply to reduce the gap to just one set, leaving Wade with something to think about as he took out double top twice and double 19 once.

The tenth set began in amazing fashion as Lewis hit back-to-back maximums to leave the opportunity of a nine-dart finish to repeat the feat he achieved 12 months ago in the final.

That was not to be as Lewis missed a seventh treble 20, and he then missed three darts at doubles before being handed a reprieve when Wade was unable to capitalise with two darts at doubles, returning to hit double one to end a dramatic leg.

Wade was unable to stem the tide as Lewis hit an 81 finish to take the second leg in 12 darts, and he hit double top to send the match into a deciding set.

Lewis made a winning start to set eleven by hitting double top, but a dramatic second leg saw him miss six darts at doubles.

However, Wade was guilty of missing seven chances of his own to level, and Lewis landed double one to move a leg away from the victory with his ninth successive leg.

The pair both hit two 140s in leaving 161 after nine darts in the next, and Lewis completed a remarkable comeback in emphatic style as he hit the showpiece finish.

Lewis added: “I think Andy’s been the best player in the tournament so far, but I’ve won it before and I think I’ll turn him over on Monday.

“It will be a great game and I’m pleased for him to have got this far - but friendship goes out of the window when we get on stage!”

Original Article

Todays Audio updates from The World Darts Cahmapionships with Dan Dawson

Todays audio updates from Dan Dawson.

Hamilton

listen to ‘Hamilton - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Part

listen to ‘Part - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Wade

listen to ‘Wade - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Anderson

listen to ‘Anderson - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Whitlock

listen to ‘Whitlock - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Jenkins

listen to ‘Jenkins - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Lewis

listen to ‘Lewis - QF - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Original Article

LEWIS KEEPS BULL AT BAY AS WHITLOCK MARCHES INTO SEMI-FINALS

REIGNING Ladbrokes World Darts Champion Adrian Lewis held off a thrilling Terry Jenkins fightback to reach the semi-finals of the £1 million tournament as Simon Whitlock knocked out Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace on Friday night.

Lewis looked on course to storm into the semis when he powered to the first three sets with a brilliant opening to the match, taking nine out of 11 legs.

Jenkins, though, won the fourth set and kick-started his fightback by coming from 2-0 down in the fifth, winning six straight legs to level the game.

Lewis won a crucial seventh set 3-1 and then came from a leg down in the next to seal victory and set up a semi-final with world number three James Wade on Sunday.

“I took the 3-0 lead and thought I was going to win 5-0, but Terry came back brilliantly,” said Lewis. “Every dart I threw for a while in those three sets was on the wire and Terry put me under pressure.

“As soon as I’m under pressure, I fire, and I’m in the semi-finals now. Wadey’s got a good record against me but I’m ready for a battle.”

2010 runner-up Whitlock, meanwhile, set up a semi-final against Andy Hamilton with his 5-1 win over last year’s beaten finalist Gary Anderson, who had been the favourite with sponsors Ladbrokes going into the quarter-finals.

The Scot took the game’s first set but would win only seven more legs in the match as Whitlock took five successive sets to storm to victory, continuing to defy the discomfort of his recovering broken ankle.

“I’m over the moon,” said Whitlock. “Gary missed a lot of doubles which made it easier for me, but I concentrated on my darts and enjoyed the game.

“I fully believe I can win this World Championship, even with a broken leg! I actually think it’s helped me because my concentration levels are higher and I’m going slower and trying to make every dart count.”

Left-hander Wade had earlier won his second World Championship semi-final place with victory over Canadian ace John Part in a sudden-death thriller.

Part hit back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, before Wade levelled and forced a decider which went all the way to an 11th leg which the world number three took with a fine 14-darter.

Hamilton powered to a 5-1 win over Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in the other quarter-final, hitting 11 180s, three ton-plus finishes and averaging over 102.

Lewis is now the 13/8 favourite to lift the £200,000 title on January 2, with Whitlock 9/4, Wade rated at 5/2 and Hamilton the 6/1 outsider in his bid for a first major title.

Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Quarter-Finals
Friday December 30
Andy Hamilton 5-2 Kim Huybrechts
John Part 4-5 James Wade
Simon Whitlock 5-1 Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis 5-3 Terry Jenkins

Semi-Finals
Sunday January 1 (7.30pm)
Andy Hamilton v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Best of 11 sets

SIMON WHITLOCK 5-1 GARY ANDERSON
(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
SIMON WHITLOCK reached the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a fine 5-1 victory against Gary Anderson.

[caption id=”attachment_1053” align=”alignright” width=”323” caption=”SIMON WHITLOCK”]SIMON WHITLOCK[/caption]

Whitlock had come into the tournament unfancied to make an impact after spending almost two months sidelined ahead of the event with a broken ankle sustained at the end of October.

However, he produced another determined effort to see off Anderson, who won the first set of the match but missed 29 darts at doubles as Whitlock claimed the next five sets to win the match.

“I’ve got belief in myself at the moment, and I’m not letting my ankle problem be a handicap to me,” said Whitlock, who is looking to play in his second World Championship final in the space of three years.

“I think Gary struggled with the pace of the game a little because I was having take more time with my throw, because of the injury.

“Gary missed a lot of doubles which made it easier for me, but I concentrated on my darts and enjoyed the game. I fully believe I can win this World Championship now.”

Anderson hit a maximum in the process of taking the first leg of the match before Whitlock levelled by taking the second on double top.

The Premier League Darts champion, who defeated Colin Lloyd in the third round, hit a 151 checkout to take the third leg and landed double five in the next to establish an early advantage.

Whitlock, who was taken to a final set by Michael van Gerwen in his third round match, hit double 18 to take the opening leg of set two, and after both players traded 180s in the next he took out a fabulous 121 checkout, finishing on the bullseye.

Anderson broke his opponent’s throw in the third leg, by landing double top with his third dart, and then won the fourth in 13 darts.

Whitlock held advantage of throw in the deciding leg, and he made that count with an accurate attempt at double four to take the set and level the match.

The start of set three saw Anderson miss five chances to win the first leg, but Whitlock missed four of his own to allow him to return and hit double one.

Whitlock landed double top to take the second leg in 13 darts, and the third also fell the way of the Australian as he took out 74 after Anderson wasted five darts at doubles.

Anderson missed a dart at the bullseye in the fourth leg, and Whitlock landed double eight to seal the set and lead the match 2-1.

Whitlock hit two maximums in the process of taking the first leg of the fourth set, and then landed double 16 with his first dart to take the second.

Anderson broke back with a 14-dart finish to win the third, and then hit double top to win the fourth leg, before Whitlock kicked-off the fifth with a 180.

That maximum pushed the 2010 runner-up to a finish first, and he hit double seven to take the set and move two clear of Anderson.

Whitlock capitalised on two more missed darts at doubles from his opponent to make a winning start to the fifth set, before Anderson hit a 177 at the start of the second leg.

The Scot was again first to a finish, but a missed dart at double top was punished by Whitlock, courtesy of an 81 finish.

That put the Australian in command of the set, and an accurate attempt at double ten in the third leg put Whitlock 4-1 ahead with a second 14-darter against the throw to leave him a set away from the semi-finals.

Anderson took the opening two legs of the sixth set with finishes of 68 and 76, before Whitlock hit another 14-dart finish to take the third.

The fourth leg saw Anderson off-target with five chances to win the set, and Whitlock hit double two with his third dart to level.

Anderson hit a 180 in the fifth leg, but a missed dart at tops proved expensive as Whitlock landed double eight to secure the match.

Whitlock now meets Andy Hamilton in the semi-finals, having lost 17-15 to the Stoke ace in the World Matchplay quarter-finals in July when his opponent won nine successive legs to come from 15-8 down to take victory.

“Andy Hamilton will be a tough opponent in the semi-finals,” added Whitlock. “He’s playing some fantastic darts at the moment, and he seems to thrive under pressure.

“I don’t want to get in a close match with him because Andy is one of the best players when it gets in a tight match, as he’s shown in the last few matches here.

“I want to get revenge for that but it’s nice to see him playing well because he’s a fantastic player and a really good friend as well.”

Anderson admitted: “I was miles off and deserved to get beaten. I wasn’t good enough on the night and I’ll put it behind me now and move on to next year.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 5-3 TERRY JENKINS
(3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS remains on course to defend his Ladbrokes World Darts Championship title after overcoming the challenge of Terry Jenkins with a 5-3 quarter-final victory at Alexandra Palace.

Lewis romped into a three-set lead and lost just two legs in the process before Jenkins fought back to win three of his own to leave the match finely balanced.

However, Lewis managed to win six of the next eight legs to end Jenkins hopes of claiming a first major title and progress to a semi-final with number three seed James Wade.

“I had to dig really deep to pull that off,” admitted Lewis. “I lost my way during the middle of the match, but I pulled myself together and got the job done, which I’m delighted with.

“Terry came back brilliantly and every dart I threw for a while in those three sets was on the wire. Terry put me under pressure but, as soon as I’m under pressure, I fire.”

Lewis, who enjoyed a straight-sets victory against Wayne Jones in the last 16, started the match in excellent fashion by taking first two legs with finishes of 89 and 101.

Jenkins managed to win the third leg on double top, after Lewis missed the bullseye for the set, but the Stoke star made no mistake in the next leg as he recorded a 71 finish to take first blood.

The second set began with Jenkins hitting double top, before Lewis left a chance of hitting a nine-dart finish after kicking-off the second with back-to-back 180s.

His hopes of achieving that feat for the second time in as many years at Alexandra Palace where ended when his seventh attempt at the treble 20 was off-target, but he posted double four to win the leg and then broke throw for a 2-1 lead.

Lewis added another maximum in the fourth leg, and secured the set by landing double ten to move 2-0 up.

The defending champion’s high standard continued into the third set as he hit a 13-dart finish to take the first leg, followed a clinical 76 checkout in the second.

Lewis then hit double 18 to win the third set without reply, and took out an 87 finish for a 12-darter to claim his sixth leg in a row at the start of the fourth.

Jenkins stopped the rot with a 117 finish to win just his third leg of the match, and the Ledbury man then recorded a 14-darter in the next.

Lewis was off-target with a dart at bullseye to take the fourth leg and Jenkins managed to hit double five to reduce the match score to 3-1.

Lewis won the opening two legs of set five, which included a 136 in the second to break his opponent’s throw with another 12-darter.

Lewis also hit a 180 in the third leg, but a missed dart at double top for the set, allowing Jenkins to step in on double 12.

Jenkins then hit double 15 to win the fourth leg against the darts, and he took the decider by hitting double ten to edge closer to Lewis at 3-2.

He then made a positive start to set six by taking the first leg, after Lewis was off-target with two darts at doubles.

The tenth seed hit double top at the first time of asking to take his fifth leg in a row, and then won the set in style with a two-dart 100 checkout to level the match.

The seventh set started in sensational fashion, as players kicked-off with 180s, and Lewis managed to take the opening leg on double five to end Jenkins’ run of six winning legs.

Jenkins won the second in 13 darts, but missed a chance to break throw in the third as he missed a dart at tops for 104 checkout.

Lewis hit double ten to win the leg and then took out double eight at the first time of asking to take the set and lead 4-3, after Jenkins crucially missed three darts at double top to force a deciding leg.

Jenkins won the first leg of the eighth set, courtesy of accurate dart at double ten after Lewis missed two chances for a break of throw on tops.

Lewis regained his range on tops to win the next two leg, and when Jenkins missed four chances to force a deciding leg, the reigning champion made him pay by finishing 90 with a bullseye-double top combination to seal victory in style.

Lewis, who now faces James Wade for a place in the final, added: “James has a very good record against me, but he has never won a World Championship and I have, so that gives me the advantage.”

Jenkins said: “Adrian started off like a train and there wasn’t much I could do.

“I wasn’t playing that badly and when I got back to three-each he was gone, but then I couldn’t find that treble 20. He started to crumble but I couldn’t make it count and if I’d have played a steady game he might not have come back.

“I’m a bit disappointed about losing it now and I feel I had my chances. I’ve had a good tournament, my form’s come back and I feel confident that I can be dangerous next year.”

Original Article

CHISNALL’S HOPES DEALT HAMMER BLOW AS ANDERSON & WHITLOCK SET UP CLASH

DAVE CHISNALL’S dream debut at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship was ended with a 4-0 defeat to Andy Hamilton on Thursday night, as former finalists Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock set up a high-profile quarter-final clash at Alexandra Palace.

Chisnall created history on Tuesday night with a 4-1 defeat of 15-time World Champion Phil Taylor, but his hopes of following that with his first major title were shattered by Hamilton.

The St Helens ace failed to reproduce the clinical finishing which had proved the difference against Taylor as another Stoke ace, Hamilton, took full advantage.

Hamilton now meets Kim Huybrechts in the quarter-finals on Friday afternoon, and was delighted to see off Chisnall by dropping only five legs after being taken to a deciding set in the previous two rounds.

“I was prepared for a battle and I went in there solid, but maybe this will be good for me going into the quarter-finals,” said Hamilton. “

“Dave threw brilliantly against Phil Taylor and I thought he was going to hit me with everything. When he didn’t I knew I had to close the game out quickly, and I did that.

“I’ve proven I’ve got the whole game to beat anybody - I came come from behind and I’ve won from in front. I’m on top of the world and can’t wait for the quarter-finals.”

Chisnall admitted: “Andy played well and deserved to win, but I didn’t get going. I missed a few doubles early on and after that I didn’t get going.

Last year’s beaten finalist Gary Anderson hit top gear for the first time in the 2012 tournament with a thrilling 4-1 win over Essex’s Colin Lloyd.

The Scot hit a ten-dart finish and two 11-darters as well as ten 180s in a brilliant display which included one set that lasted only four minutes and 13 seconds and used 36 darts!

“I’ve been struggling so it’s nice to wake up and it came good tonight,” said Anderson, who averaged 100.65 in the display. “Colin’s the type of player I like to play against, and it produced some good darts.”

Anderson now meets 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock in the last eight on Friday night, after the Australian held off Michael van Gerwen’s superb fightback.

Whitlock, continuing to play through the pain of his recovering broken ankle, took ten of the game’s first 11 legs to open up a three-set lead before van Gerwen overcame his early double trouble to hit back.

The 22-year-old Dutchman won the next three sets to level, but crucially missed two darts to win the opening leg of the decider, and Whitlock pounced to take victory.

“I kept thinking to myself I had to show some bottle and I knew how much I wanted this match, and that got me through,” said Whitlock. “I’m like when I was 15, I’m so keen again to get back on my feet and I want everything.

“I’m looking forward to the tough matches. That feeling you get when you’re under the pump is the best feeling in the world, when you know you have to throw good darts to win - and when you do it, it’s a wonderful feeling.”

The quarter-finals will kick off with Hamilton meeting impressive Belgian debutant Huybrechts in the opening clash, before three-time World Champion John Part meets number three seed James Wade.

Whitlock meets Anderson in the evening’s opening game before reigning champion Adrian Lewis takes on Terry Jenkins.

Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Third Round
Wednesday December 28
Adrian Lewis 4-0 Wayne Jones
Justin Pipe 1-4 Terry Jenkins

Thursday December 29
Afternoon Session
John Part 4-2 Kevin Painter
James Wade 4-0 Steve Farmer
Kim Huybrechts 4-1 Paul Nicholson

Evening Session
Simon Whitlock 4-3 Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall 0-4 Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson 4-1 Colin Lloyd

Quarter-Finals
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session (2pm)
Andy Hamilton v Kim Huybrechts
John Part v James Wade

Evening Session (7.30pm)
Simon Whitlock v Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis v Terry Jenkins

SIMON WHITLOCK 4-3 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
(3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 3-0)
SIMON WHITLOCK survived an incredible comeback from Michael van Gerwen to reach the last eight of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a thrilling 4-3 victory on Thursday evening at Alexandra Palace.

Whitlock won nine of the first ten legs to move in 3-0 ahead, and looked likely to move into the quarter-finals with a comfortable victory - which would have been much-needed to ease the strain on his injured right ankle.

However, van Gerwen produced an inspired display to take the next three sets and create a thrilling climax.

The first leg of the final set proved crucial as van Gerwen missed two darts to continue his resurgence, and Whitlock stepped in to take the leg and the next two to win the match.

“I’m very relieved to have won that,” admitted Whitlock, will now play fellow Alexandra Palace runner-up Gary Anderson for a semi-final place.

“I give full credit to Michael for the comeback he produced. He hit some amazing darts and had me very worried, but I managed to pull myself together, and taking the first leg against the darts in the final set was really important.”

Both players hit maximums in the first leg, which was won by Whitlock against the darts after van Gerwen missed four darts at doubles.

Van Gerwen hit another 180 in the second leg, but Whitlock took out 68 to double his lead and then won the third leg with a 62 finish to seal the opening set despite three maximums from the youngster.

The Dutch star, who defeated Colin Osborne and Mervyn King in his first two matches, took the opening leg of set two against the darts with a 70 finish.

Van Gerwen missed three darts to claim the second, which Whitlock won by landing double five with his third dart.

Whitlock hit double top to win the third leg and the fourth also fell in the Australian’s favour, as he recorded a 12-dart finish to seal a two-set advantage.

The opening two legs of the third set followed a similar pattern as van Gerwen missed three darts at doubles in both legs to allow Whitlock to move a leg away from a three-set lead.

The 2010 runner-up, who saw off Steve Beaton in the second round, hit a clinical 112 checkout to wrap up the set and then landed an 11-darter at the start of the fourth.

Van Gerwen then hit double 16 at the first time of asking to win just his second leg of the match to level the set also also took the next with a 72 finish.

Van Gerwen then won his third successive leg by landing double ten to win the set and reduce the gap to 3-1.

The 22-year-old hit double eight to keep the winning run going at the start of set five, but Whitlock stopped the rot by taking the next two with checkouts of 81 and 82, which both featured 180s.

Van Gerwen hit double 12 to win the fourth, with his opponent waiting on double eight for the game, and the Australian would get the chance to close out victory in the next only to miss two match darts as the youngster posted tops to win a second set and keep his hopes alive.

Van Gerwen broke throw at the start of the sixth set with a brilliant 11-darter, and then hit a 78 finish in two darts to take the second leg.

Whitlock hit a 180 in the third, but two missed darts at doubles allowed van Gerwen to hit double eight and force a deciding set by squaring the game.

With the momentum having turned van Gerwen’s way, the Dutchman crucially allowed a golden chance to lead in the seventh set slip when he missed two darts to win the opening leg.

Whitlock stepped in to finish 60 on double ten before taking the second leg in 12 darts with a 96 checkout to move a leg away from the win, and when van Gerwen missed tops to keep his hopes alive the Australian returned to hit the same bed for victory.

Whitlock added: “I’m relieved to have won that. When I was three sets up I started to feel comfortable and then Michael started hitting everything and it was a great comeback.

“Even though he made it hard for me it’s great to see him playing so well.

“I kept thinking to myself I had to show some bottle and I knew how much I wanted this match, and that got me through. I’m like when I was 15, I’m so keen again to get back on my feet and I want everything.

“I’m looking forward to the tough matches. That feeling you get when you’re under the pump is the best feeling in the world, when you know you have to throw good darts to win - and when you do it, it’s a wonderful feeling.”

Van Gerwen said: “I started the game awfully and left myself with so much to do. I kept giving Simon chances and he kept taking them.

“I’m pleased that I made a match of it after that and I played well to take the next three sets. It’s just a disappointment that I couldn’t carry that on in the decider.

“I’m proud that I have reached the third round of the World Championship for the first time, and I will go away and work harder to improve my game.”

ANDY HAMILTON 4-0 DAVE CHISNALL
(3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
ANDY HAMILTON ended Dave Chisnall’s dream Alexandra Palace debut with a convincing 4-0 victory in the third round of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Chisnall had created shockwaves in the sport by dumping out Phil Taylor in the second round, but was unable to recapture the magic which saw him triumph over the world number one 48 hours earlier.

The St Helens ace won just five legs in the four sets, as the clinical finishing which had proven so devastating against Taylor deserted him against another Stoke ace.

Hamilton, a semi-finalist in July’s World Matchplay, produced an excellent display to reach a World Championship quarter-final for the first time since 2007, ending with a three-dart average over 99.

“I just concentrated on my game and didn’t really take notice of the hype following Dave’s victory over Phil Taylor,” said a delighted Hamilton, will now play Kim Huybrechts in the last eight.

“I’m enjoying myself out there and I’m so focused. I fully believe that I can win this Championship and achieve my childhood dream.

“Kim played excellently against Paul Nicholson today, but if he doesn’t take his chances against me, then I will make him pay.”

Both players held throw in the opening two legs of the match, before Hamilton took the third with a 67 finish.

The fourth leg saw Hamilton miss double 19 for a 155 finish, but Chisnall failed with four attempts of his own to take the leg and the Stoke star returned to hit double 12 and win the set.

Chisnall held throw to take the first leg of the second set, before Hamilton levelled by landing double 16 for a 15-darter.

Both players hit maximums in the third leg, which Chisnall won with a 127 checkout, but a miss at tops for the set in the fourth proved costly as Hamilton hit double 12 to level.

Hamilton, who defeated Vincent van der Voort in an exciting second round encounter, then won the deciding leg courtesy of a 120 checkout to confirm his two-set advantage.

He then made a winning start to set three, with the aid of his third 180 of the game, but wasted three chances to take the second, allowing Chisnall to hit double top to level.

Both players fired 180s in the third leg, which Hamilton won on double 18, and he won the set in the next with an excellent 88 finish, completed on the bullseye, to pull further clear of his opponent with checkouts of 13 and 12 darts.

Chisnall hit double nine to take opening leg of set four, before Hamilton hit double 18 to claim the second and level the set.

Hamilton fired in an excellent 13-darter to secure the third leg to move a leg away from the sealing the match, and although Chisnall hit a fifth 180 in the next leg, the Stoke ace landed double eight to seal a place in the last eight.

“I was prepared for a battle and I went in there solid, but maybe this will be good for me going into the quarter-finals,” said Hamilton. “

“Dave threw brilliantly against Phil Taylor and I thought he was going to hit me with everything. When he didn’t I knew I had to close the game out quickly, and I did that.

“I’ve proven I’ve got the whole game to beat anybody - I came come from behind and I’ve won from in front. I’m on top of the world and can’t wait for the quarter-finals.”

Chisnall admitted: “Andy played well and deserved to win, but I didn’t get going.

“I missed a few doubles early on and after that I didn’t get going at all, but there wasn’t much I could do when he was banging in 180s and 140s for fun.

“To beat Phil Taylor is a good achievement for me and I’ve had a good year. I’ve not got much experience on stage but that will come, and I want to keep that progression going in 2012.”

GARY ANDERSON 4-1 COLIN LLOYD
(3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0)
GARY ANDERSON produced a stunning display to defeat Colin Lloyd 4-1 and set up a quarter-final clash against Simon Whitlock at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

After edging a tight first set, the Premier League Champion took seven legs in a row to lead 3-0, and take total command of the game with some incredible darts.

Lloyd fought back to take the fourth set, only for Anderson to win the fifth with three successive legs to complete a fine performance, which included a 10-darter and two 11-dart finishes.

“I was very motivated for tonight’s game, and I feel that I really showed up tonight,” said Anderson, who ended the match with a three dart average of 100.65.

“I’ve been a bit patchy in my first couple of games against Jyhan Artut and Devon Petersen. Tonight was much better and I’m looking forward to the quarter-finals now.”

Anderson hit double top at the first time of asking to open the match, before Lloyd claimed the second to level in 14 darts.

The Scot, who defeated Devon Petersen in the second round, hit a 120 checkout to take the third leg and then opened the fourth with a 177, only for Lloyd to post a 177 to level again.

A dramatic deciding leg saw Anderson miss a host of chances to seal the set, but Lloyd was unable to capitalise as he missed a dart at double 16 and the number four seed took out double one to edge the set.

Anderson then finished 81 for an 11-darter to start the second set, landed another 180 in winning the second in 15 darts before posting scores of 134, 180 and 171 to set up a ten-darter in establishing a two-set lead.

Lloyd could only applaud the Scot as they entered the break, with Anderson using just 36 darts to win the set in four minutes and 13 seconds, although the Essex star returned to open the third set with a 180 of his own.

Anderson, though, maintained the relentless pace with a 13-dart finish to make a winning start to set three, and he then hit double top to take the next, after Lloyd was off-target with three darts at double four.

Anderson then hit a second 13-darter in the space of three legs to move 3-0 up and go one set away from a place in the quarter-finals.

Anderson won his eighth successive leg at the start of the fourth set with a 70 finish, after Lloyd missed three attempts at doubles.

However, Lloyd stepped in after Anderson missed a dart at double 18 for a 156 checkout to take the second with a 64 finish to win his first leg since the opening set.

The Colchester-based thrower won the third leg on double one, before Anderson recorded another 13-darter to move one leg away from victory.

The deciding leg saw Lloyd miss two darts to win the set, but Anderson could set up a shot a double and allowed him back to hit double one again to win the set and reduce the gap to 3-1.

Anderson held throw at the start of the fifth set, before taking the second leg against the darts by landing double seven with his third dart.

That put the Scot one leg away from victory, and he fired in two 180s in the third leg before taking out 82 with a bullseye, double 16 combination for an 11-darter to end Lloyd’s challenge.

“I’ve been struggling so it’s nice to wake up and it came good tonight,” said Anderson. “Colin’s the type of player I like to play against, and it produced some good darts.

“Simon’s a class player and it will be a great fight on Friday.”

Lloyd admitted: “I could have taken the first set, but I didn’t and after that Gary produced his best game so far in the tournament.

“I knew it would be a hard game and I don’t think I played too badly, but he went crash, bang, wallop for a while. He was on top of his game and he put me to bed, and I can’t argue with that.

“I’ve enjoyed the tournament and I’m upbeat at the minute, and hopefully my performances have shown people that I’m playing well again.”

Original Article

Catch up with Audio updates

Audio updates from Dan Dawson at Alexandra Palace

listen to ‘Huybrechts - Round 3 - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Nicholson - Round 3 - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wade - Round 3 - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Painter - Round 3 - Ladbrokes World Darts’ on Audioboo

Original Article

PART & WADE SET UP TASTY QUARTER-FINAL AS HURRICANE BLOWS NICHOLSON AWAY

PDC big guns James Wade and John Part set up a tasty quarter-final clash at the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with on Thursday afternoon as

World number three Wade picked up his second successive 4-0 victory in the £1 million tournament with a straight sets win over Steve Farmer which took the left-hander just 45 minutes to complete.

Wade dropped only one leg in taking the first two sets, and came from 2-0 down in each of the next two as he moved into the last eight for the fourth time in five years at Alexandra Palace.

“It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggests,” said Wade. “I made the most of my opportunities, and he gave me plenty.

[caption id=”attachment_1033” align=”aligncenter” width=”614” caption=”JAMES WADE”]JAMES WADE[/caption]

“I’m looking forward to the next game against John because it will be a scrap, and I haven’t had one of those yet. I believe I’m ready for one and let’s see what I do, and I think I’ve got plenty in the tank.”

Part, meanwhile, joined Wade in the quarter-finals with a 4-2 defeat of in-form Kevin Painter, who took the game’s first set but fell 2-1 down as the Canadian hit a 161 finish in taking command.

Painter levelled by winning the fourth, but Part crucially finished 104 to take the next before edging the sixth to take victory on double ten.

“That was a very hard match for me and I’m pleased to win,” said Part. “Kevin and I have a lot of history in the World Championship and we have a great deal of respect for each other.

“We were pretty tight in that match and it was a traditional game of darts which I enjoyed playing in. I could have made life easier for myself but I got on with the game and had faith in myself.

“I’ve been down the rankings and haven’t had much luck in this tournament since I won it in 2008, so it would be lovely to come through and win again. I’ve got experience and the other players know I will exploit their mistakes.”

Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts won through to the quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-1 defeat of number nine seed Paul Nicholson, who won the first set but took only three more legs in the match.

One of those was a 170 finish, but he was unable to stem the tide as Huybrechts - buoyed by a ten-darter - sailed into the last eight with the biggest win of his career.

“I’m on such a high right now, I feel like the happiest man in the world,” said Huybrechts, nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’.

“If someone had said before the tournament that I would play in the quarter-finals, I wouldn’t have believed him, especially when you have Raymond van Barneveld and Paul Nicholson in your part of the draw.

“I’m loving it and, who knows, maybe I can win another match. I felt confident throughout this match and the support from the crowd was a positive from me.”

The third round concludes with the final three matches on Thursday evening, with 2010 finalist Simon Whitlock meeting Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall - who knocked out Phil Taylor on Tuesday - playing Andy Hamilton and last year’s runner-up Gary Anderson facing Colin Lloyd.

Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Thursday December 29
Afternoon Session
John Part 4-2 Kevin Painter
James Wade 4-0 Steve Farmer
Kim Huybrechts 4-1 Paul Nicholson

Evening Session
Simon Whitlock v Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall v Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson v Colin Lloyd
All games the best of seven sets

JOHN PART 4-2 KEVIN PAINTER
(2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2)
JOHN PART remains on course to win his fourth World Championship title after overcoming Kevin Painter in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with tough 4-2 victory.

The Canadian, who has previously tasted glory in the 1994 Lakeside Championship and 2003 and 2008 PDC World Championships, came from a set down to end Painter’s recent winning run.

Part led 2-1 in the early stages but missed a dart at double top in the fourth set to allow Painter to level the match, but he edged the next two sets to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since his 2008 triumph.

“We were both working really hard out there and it was a tough game to play,” said the three-time World Champion, who will now face James Wade for a semi-final place.

“Kevin and I have a lot of history in the World Championship and we have a great deal of respect for each other. I have beaten him in two semi-finals and that was a good feeling going into this match.

“The key to the match was that I hit my doubles when I needed to and took out some big shots at vital times, which got me over the finishing line.”

Painter started confidently with a 12-dart finish, which included a 180 with his first three darts of the match and a 100 checkout.

The second leg saw Painter miss the bullseye for a 170 checkout, and Part stepped in on double eight before securing a break of throw in the next by landing double nine with his first dart.

Painter hit a second 180 in the fourth leg to pressure on Part, which he succumbed to as his attempt at double eight fell into double 16, and the Daventry-based thrower took out a two-dart 63 finish to level before landing double 18 in the decider to claim an early advantage.

The three-time World Champion defied a maximum from Painter to hold throw at the start of set two, before Painter took the second leg after Part was guilty of missing five darts at doubles.

Both players began the third with 180s, before Painter fired in another to leave an opportunity of recording a nine-dart finish.

Painter’s attempt at a seventh treble 20 failed to hit the target, and he then missed two darts at double 16, allowing Part to snatch the leg by landing double top with his third dart.

Painter hit a 13-dart finish to take the fourth leg, which included his sixth 180 of the game, before Part hit the same double to win the set and level the match.

The Canadian began the third set in superb fashion by recording a fantastic 161 checkout to win the first leg against the darts.

Part, who defeated Richie Burnett in the second round, took the second after Painter missed two darts at doubles.

Painter hit double 16 to take the third leg before Part pinned the same double in the next to take the set and lead the match for the first time.

Part hit an excellent 127 checkout to win the first leg of the fourth set but Painter landed double top to claim the second in 13 darts, and hit the same bed to win the next against the darts.

The fourth leg saw Painter miss a dart at double top to win the set, and Part accepted the reprieve to hit double eight and force another decider.

Painter missed a dart at the bullseye in the deciding leg, but Part missed a dart at double top to move 3-1 up and the 2004 runner-up hit double eight with his first dart to level the match at two sets apiece.

The Canadian secured a break of throw at the start of set five by hitting double ten after Painter missed double top.

Part was off-target with three chances to take the second leg, allowing Painter to level as he landed double eight with an accurate third dart.

Painter hit an excellent 121 checkout to break his opponent’s throw but Part immediately hit back to take the next by landing double six and showed his class in the decider to record a 104 checkout to win the set and move ahead for the second time.

Part won the first leg of the sixth set - his third in a row - before Painter registered a 126 checkout to take the second.

Part moved one leg away from the match by landing double four for a 13-darter, but Painter replied in kind to take the fourth and keep his challenge alive.

The deciding leg saw the Canadian hit two 140s to forge ahead, and an accurate attempt at double ten ended the contest.

“We were pretty tight in that match and it was a traditional game of darts which I enjoyed playing in,” added Part. “I could have made life easier for myself but I got on with the game and had faith in myself.

“I’ve been down the rankings and haven’t had much luck in this tournament since I won it in 2008, so it would be lovely to come through and win again. I’ve got experience and the other players know I will exploit their mistakes.”

Painter, who had won his maiden major title at the Cash Converters Players Championship earlier in December, admitted: “I just didn’t turn up and if I’d hit my doubles I’d have rubbed him out easily, probably 4-1.

“I couldn’t find the treble 20, and my doubles were just on the wrong side of the wire. I’ve given legs to John and I think I’ve given the game away, and you can’t do that at this stage of the World Championship - it’s a wasted opportunity.”

JAMES WADE 4-0 STEVE FARMER
(3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
JAMES WADE powered in the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a straight-sets victory over Steve Farmer.

Wade, looking for his first World Championship crown, won the first two sets, dropping just one leg to his opponent, and establish total command.

Farmer missed one dart to claim both the third and fourth sets, allowing Wade secure a comfortable win and set up a mouth-watering clash against John Part.

“It wasn’t as easy as the scoreline suggests,” said Wade, whose best performance in this tournament is a semi-final appearance back in 2009.

“I feel fine and I’ll just keep playing the way I have been. I’ve only lost one set in three matches so far, so I must be doing something right!

“I’m looking forward to playing John on Friday. We had an epic quarter-final here back in 2008, which he won. I would like to get one back over him this time around.”

Wade, the number three seed for this year’s event, hit double five to take the first leg of the game and defied a maximum from Farmer to win the second on double top for a 13-darter.

Wade, who defeated Jelle Klaasen in straight sets in the second round, fired a 180 of his own in the third leg and won the set by landing double ten with his first dart to establish an early advantage.

Farmer won his first leg of the game at the start of the set two, before Wade hit double nine to take the second and then secured the third by taking out 70 in two darts.

The fourth leg saw Farmer off-target with a dart at double top for a 107 finish, and Wade hit double ten again to take the set and lead 2-0.

Farmer, who defeated Kevin Munch to reach this stage, capitalised on missed doubles from Wade to take the opening leg of the third set with double 12 for a 13-darter.

The Shropshire ace then hit double eight to win the second against the darts, before Wade took the third by landing double top.

Farmer missed a dart at double 18 to win the set in the next leg, which proved crucial as the reigning UK Open champion hit tops and then landed double two with his final dart in the fifth leg to move three sets clear.

Farmer, making his second appearance at Alexandra Palace, held throw at the start of the fourth set and then broke throw after Wade was guilty of missing eight darts at doubles.

Wade hit back from that disappointment to take the third leg with a 14-dart finish and then won the fourth in 12 to move a leg away from victory.

The fifth leg saw Farmer miss a dart at the bullseye for a 132 checkout, and Wade hit a clinical 116 finish to seal a last eight spot.

KIM HUYBRECHTS 4-1 PAUL NICHOLSON
(1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1)
KIM HUYBRECHTS secured a famous victory over Paul Nicholson with a 4-1 triumph as he reached the quarter-finals of his debut Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Nicholson, the number nine seed, made an excellent start to the match as he won four of the first five legs to take the early advantage.

However, Huybrechts - inspired by a brilliant ten-darter in the second set - put together a fantastic run by winning 12 of the next 14 legs to win the next four sets and dump Nicholson out of the event.

The 26-year-old, who only became a full-time professional this summer when he qualified for the European Championship, becomes the first Belgian to reach the quarter-finals of a PDC World Championship in his first appearance at Alexandra Palace.

“I’m on such a high right now, I feel like the happiest man in the world,” said a delighted Huybrechts, who will now face either Dave Chisnall or Andy Hamilton in the quarter-finals.

“The crowd were really behind me today, and the energy they gave me was a real driving force throughout the match.”

Nicholson hit double 16 at the first time of asking to take the opening leg before Huybrechts took the second with an excellent 110 finish.

Nicholson, who defeated Alan Tabern in the second round, bettered that with a 112 checkout to take the third leg, and then landed double four with his third dart to win the set, after Huybrechts missed two darts at double 16.

The ninth seed continued his good finishing form at the start of the second set with a 74 finish, before Huybrechts hit back-to-back 180s to open the next leg.

His hopes of a nine-darter were ended when the seventh attempt at a treble 20 fell below the target, but the Belgian won the leg in ten darts to level the set.

The third leg saw both players struggle to find a winning double, before Huybrechts made Nicholson pay for nine misses by hitting double two.

Huybrechts, who has defeated Brendan Dolan and James Richardson to reach this stage, then won the set by taking out 69 in the fourth leg as he levelled the match.

Huybrechts hit a 13-dart finish to make a positive start to set three and then won his fifth successive leg by landing double 14 with his third dart.

The third leg saw Huybrechts secure a second break of throw in the set, as he took out 67 on double top to move 2-1 up.

Huybrechts made a good start to set four by taking a seventh straight leg with a 14-dart finish before Nicholson stopped the rot with an amazing 170 checkout to level.

The Belgian hit a 180 to reply at the start of the third leg as he edged 2-1 up before landing another maximum in the next to set up a chance to take the set.

After Nicholson missed double five for a 130 checkout, Huybrechts wasted two opportunities at double 16 but was given a reprieve when his opponent missed the single one when needing five, and he returned to land double eight for the set.

Nicholson hit double top to claim the opening leg of set five in 13 darts before Huybrechts took the second with a clinical 94 finish for a 12-dart leg.

The third leg saw Nicholson miss a dart at the bullseye for his second 170 checkout of the game, and he paid for five more missed darts to win the leg as Huybrechts took out 80 to move a leg away from victory.

The Belgian missed a dart at double 16 to close out the match, but Nicholson failed with two darts to keep the game alive, and Huybrechts held his nerve to land double eight with his third dart and claim the win.

“If someone had said before the tournament that I would play in the quarter-finals, I wouldn’t have believed him, especially when you have Raymond van Barneveld and Paul Nicholson in your part of the draw,” he added.

“I’m loving it and, who knows, maybe I can win another match. I felt confident throughout this match and the support from the crowd was a positive from me.”

Original Article

Snooker ace Martin Gould at The World Championships this week

As Darts lovers you will probably not be too familiar with the name Martin Gould who is a rising star in The Snooker World, another one of Barry Hearn’s pies!

Martin Gould first caught my eye about 4 years ago while at The Welsh Open in Newport where he knocked out 7 times World Champion Stephen Hendry (Picture below from that match) ever since he has been creeping up The Snooker rankings and making a good name for himself with winning The Power Snooker Masters last month.

[caption id=”attachment_1023” align=”aligncenter” width=”604” caption=”Martin Gould & Stephen Hendry, Photo by Kevin Smithers www.TheSnookerForum.com”]Martin Gould & Stephen Hendry[/caption]

We had a quick chat to Martin earlier today;

When did you start playing Darts? “I have been playing darts on and off for about 20 Years now”

Do you play in a Darts league at all? ”I used to play in Darts league but don’t really have the time for it any more with such a busy Snooker calendar”

[caption id=”attachment_1028” align=”aligncenter” width=”640” caption=”Martin Gould in action at The World Championships”]Martin Gould[/caption]

Who are your favourite Darts players both past and present? “My favorite players are Taylor and Whitlock, in the past it would have to be Eric Bristow”

You have said in the past that you are a handy darts player, do you think you could hold your own against the likes of Taylor, Hanky and Jenkins? ”I think given time to practice, I can hold my own against most of the top players”

Having a preview of Alexandra Palace before The Masters in January do you think that the Snooker crowds will take to the new location? ”I think the new venue will be very good for Snooker, the atmosphere will be electric there”

Martin has been playing really well this season and has for the first time reached the elite top 16, this will see Martin competing in The Masters at Alexandra Palace next month for the first time in his career.

[caption id=”attachment_1025” align=”aligncenter” width=”640” caption=”Martin Gould”]Martin Gould[/caption]

I interviewed Martin at The 2010 World Snooker Championships, I have included some of this Q&A session below.

Kevin - Most players who get knocked out of a competition, go home and sulk, they don’t put the snooker on the TV!

Martin - Normally I would be like that but to be fair I did not feel like I have anything to be ashamed of, I put up a good performance, I lost 13-12 to who could be the eventual champion, I just thought that I am going to stick around and enjoy myself.

Kevin - Do you have any plans for the next few months while there is nothing much going on with Snooker in the UK?

Martin - I have been invited to a couple of tournaments, there is a invitational in India just outside of Mumbai which I won last year and they have invited me back again, but I am just waiting to see whats going to happen with the players meeting next week then I can decide what I am going to do.

Kevin - On the build up to The Crucible did you do any coaching?

Martin - No, I hired a meditation teacher, I have been doing some yoga, meditation, deep breathing, all sorts of stuff to help my mind set and composure and not letting anything bother me.

Kevin - Has that helped a great deal?

Martin - Yeah, actually it has helped me a hell of a lot when I played the qualifiers, when I played Bjorn I was getting a little adgitated and I just left the arena and I went through a few things that my Yoga teacher taught me and it paid off.

Kevin - You always look confident around the table, nothing seems to phase you, this was most aparent to me at the 2009 Welsh Open when you beat Stephen Hendry.

Martin - I like to walk around the table as if I own it, I don’t want to get myself down. I want to play the game as I see it, if I start rejecting pots then I am going bog myself down and end up going for some thing really stupid and I will get slated for it.

Kevin - Is there any players that you have not played yet that you want to?

Martin - I Would of loved to of played Steve Davis here, but my time will come, there is not really anybody, you know everybody says you must want to play Ronnie but if I get the opportunity I get the opportunity but I am not really too fussed if I don’t play him.

Kevin - Going back about 5/6 months ago you took delivery of a John Parris cue.

Martin - Yeah I got a new cue but I actually have not started to use it yet though, I just got it on the basis that I was thinking of changing cues half way through the season to see if it would inspire me to start getting some results, I went to see Dell Hill just before Christmas, he done some work with me that sorted me out then that was when I hired the meditation teacher, I am looking forward to next season and causing some damage.

Kevin - So what cue are you using at the moment?

Martin - I am not actually sure what the makers name is! The badge has come off, I have had it for about 15 years, I used to play at a club called Rileys and I saw the cue in the rack and I just fell in love with it straight away, I picked it up and the first frame I played with it I made a 139 and I thought that is the cue for me and I have used it ever since.

Kevin - Who is your tip for the title then?

Martin - I would like to see Robertson win it then that would mean that I have lost to the champion but I would like to see Carter get through.

[caption id=”attachment_1026” align=”aligncenter” width=”600” caption=”Martin Gould with John McDonald”]Martin Gould with John McDonald[/caption]

If you want to read more about Martin Gould I can recommend reading this article - http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board/showthread.php/34083-Ssb-all-that-glitters-is-gould

Original Article