Young Wins 2015 PDC Spectacular

DARIN YOUNG has claimed a place at the William Hill World Darts Championship by defeating Larry Butler in the final of the 2015 PDC Spectacular in Kingston, Ontario.

A weekend of darts at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center saw four qualifying events each produce eight players who took part in the last 32 knockout for the PDC Spectacular.

Last year’s winner Dave Richardson reached the last 16 before losing to Jerry Van Loan, with Young and Butler – the United States’ World Cup of Darts team at June’s event in Germany – progressing to contest the final.

Young took a 3-2 sets win over the former World Matchplay champion in the decider, earning himself a return to darts’ greatest tournament in December.

Young’s run included three straight sets wins over former World Championship qualifiers Norman Madhoo, David Fatum and Ken MacNeil – where the American left-hander missed double 12 for a nine-darter – before he then whitewashed Paul Bolduc to reach the final.

Butler, who had defeated Trevor Campbell, Jim Long, Shawn Brenneman and John Part to reach the decider, won the final’s opening set 3-2 in legs before Young took the second, also in the fifth leg, to level.

The next two sets also went the full distance to take the final into a fifth set, which saw Young land a 177 as he broke throw in the opening leg before posting a 13-darter to move 2-0 up.

Butler hit back in the third, but Young was too strong in the next leg as he claimed the win and his World Championship spot.

“I’m very humbled to have won the tournament,” said Young. “I’m thrilled to have won and I am looking forward to returning to the William Hill World Championship this December representing North America.”

Young has competed eight times previously in the World Championship, but saw his run of playing in six successive Alexandra Palace events ended last year.

Three-time World Champion John Part missed out with a semi-final loss to Butler, while Bolduc also reached the last four and Dan Olson, Shawn Brenneman, MacNeil and Van Loan were quarter-finalists.

2015 PDC Spectacular
Qualifier One Winners: Shawn Burt, Dawson Murschell, Gord Mills, Jerry Van Loan, Gary Broomhead, Darin Young, Bob Sinnaeve, Keith Way.
Qualifier Two Winners: Chris White, Dave Richardson, DJ Sayre, Larry Butler, Dan Olson, Terry Hayhurst, David Fatum, Ken MacNeil.
Qualifier Three Winners: Shawn Brenneman, Trevor Campbell, Paul Bolduc, Martin Tremblay, John Part, Norman Madhoo, Jim Long, James Kinney.
Qualifier Four Winners: Rod Schmidt, Fred Morgenroth, Pat Gallagher, Gary Mawson, Matt Campbell, Guy Connelly, Ross Snook, Tim Nicoll.

Last 32
John Part 3-0 Matt Campbell
Gary Broomhead 3-0 Guy Connelly
Chris White 3-1 Shawn Burt
Dan Olson 3-2 Dawson Muschell
Larry Butler 3-0 Trevor Campbell
Jim Long 3-0 Ross Snook
Shawn Brenneman 3-1 DJ Sayre
Gary Mawson 3-0 Pat Gallagher
Ken MacNeil 3-0 Ron Schmidt
Tim Nicoll 3-1 James Kinney
Darin Young 3-0 Norman Madhoo
David Fatum 3-2 Gord Mills
Bob Sinnaeve 3-0 Fred Morgenroth
Paul Bolduc 3-0 Terry Hayhurst
Dave Richardson 3-0 Keith Way
Jerry Van Loan 3-1 Martin Tremblay
Losers $150

Last 16
John Part 3-1 Gary Broomhead
Dan Olson 3-2 Chris White
Larry Butler 3-0 Jim Long
Shawn Brenneman 3-2 Gary Mawson
Ken McNeil 3-1 Tim Nicoll
Darin Young 3-0 David Fatum
Paul Bolduc 3-2 Bob Sinnaeve
Jerry Van Loan 3-1 Dave Richardson
Losers $300

Quarter-Finals:
John Part 3-0 Dan Olson
Larry Butler 3-2 Shawn Brenneman
Darin Young 3-0 Ken MacNeil
Paul Bolduc 3-2 Jerry Van Loan
Losers $600

Semi-Finals
Larry Butler 3-1 John Part
Darin Young 3-0 Paul Bolduc
Losers $1,100

Final
Darin Young 3-2 Larry Butler
Winner $5,000
Runner-Up $2,400

Sydney Darts Masters Final

Nine darts star Phil Taylor beat Adrian Lewis to claim the Sydney darts 2015 Masters Title.

He stormed past Stoke rival Lewis with an imperious showing in the final to lift the trophy for a third straight year in Sydney, dropping only three legs a he took the title.

“I’m over the moon to have won this again,” said Taylor. “I love it in Sydney and I’m a very proud man, and a very lucky man, to be a part of this event.

“The nine-darter was great and a very special moment for me. It’s a wonderful achievement and I’m always proud to hit a nine-darter – but I’ve also got to remember that it’s just one leg and it didn’t win me the match.

“Peter came back at me after that so I couldn’t celebrate for too long, but it’s great to have hit another nine-dart finish, especially for it to be the first on TV in Australia.

“I can’t wait for Auckland next week now because I’m loving every minute of it at the moment.”

Taylor added: “Adrian didn’t perform like he can do in the final, but I think his semi-final took a lot out of him. It’s more experience for him and he’ll be in a lot more finals in years to come.

“His 167 in the semi-final was absolutely brilliant and it won him the game. It was as good as Peter Wright’s 141 against Michael van Gerwen to win the semi-final in Japan but it took a lot out of him.”

Match Stats
Semi-Finals

Phil Taylor	10-7	Peter Wright
23	100+	24
9	140+	17
0	170+	0
6	180	2
98.32	Average	94.72
141	High Finish	87
3	Breaks of Throw	2
10/20 – 50%	Checkout %	7/18 – 39%

Raymond van Barneveld	9-10	Adrian Lewis
20	100+	27
16	140+	17
0	170+	0
3	180	3
93.08	Average	93.08
96	High Finish	167
3	Breaks of Throw	4
9/22 – 41%	Checkout %	10/42 – 24%

Final

Phil Taylor	11-3	Adrian Lewis
22	100+	14
8	140+	8
0	170+	1
4	180	4
99.63	Average	94.25
97	High Finish	47
4	Breaks of Throw	0
11/21 – 52%	Checkout %	3/9 – 33%

Judgement Night Elimination Battle

 

WES NEWTON, Dave Chisnall and Robert Thornton are competing to avoid elimination from the Betway Premier League Darts on Judgement Night at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on Thursday.

The trio will be bidding to escape joining Simon Whitlock, the Premier League’s bottom player, in dropping out of the tournament following the ninth league night of this year’s event.

All three contenders enter Judgement Night in Cardiff on six league points, with Chisnall and Newton facing each other before Thornton takes on Phil Taylor – the six-time Premier League champion who only secured his own survival last week.

Newton, who had been eliminated alongside Gary Anderson on Judgement Night 12 months ago, is in the most precarious position with Leg Difference of -13.

Chisnall has Leg Difference of -5, with Thornton -1 going into his ninth league game.

That means that Chisnall will be safe with a win or a draw against Newton, who knows that he has to win to secure safety, with a draw leaving him hoping for a Thornton defeat.

A defeat for Newton means that he would be eliminated regardless of Thornton’s result, while a loss Chisnall would Leg Difference, and possibly Legs Won Against Thrown, into play should Thornton also be defeated.

Should any players be tied for League Points, Leg Difference and Legs Won Against Throw, the final determining factor would be Tournament Average.

Betway Premier League Darts
Elimination Scenario
Robert Thornton
Is safe with a win or a draw.
Would be safe if Chisnall wins by any score, or if Newton wins 7-3 or better.

Dave Chisnall
Is safe with a win or a draw.
If he loses 7-5, he would need Thornton to lose 7-0 to have worse Leg Difference, other results could mean Legs Won Against Throw come into play.

Wes Newton
Is safe with a win.
If he draws, needs Thornton to lose to survive.
Is eliminated with a defeat.

Betway Elimination Odds
7/10 Wes Newton
7/4 Dave Chisnall
11/2 Robert Thornton

Latest League Table

After Week Eight	P	W	D	L	Legs +/-	LWAT	Pts
Michael van Gerwen	8	6	1	1	+20	20	13
Peter Wright	8	4	3	1	+15	18	11
Raymond van Barneveld	8	3	4	1	+8	15	10
Adrian Lewis	8	3	3	2	+1	18	9
Gary Anderson	8	4	0	4	-1	16	8
Phil Taylor	8	3	1	4	-4	15	7
Robert Thornton	8	1	4	3	-1	15	6
Dave Chisnall	8	1	4	3	-5	14	6
Wes Newton	8	2	2	4	-13	13	6
Simon Whitlock (E)	8	1	2	5	-20	10	4

Betway Premier League Darts
Week Nine – Judgement Night
April 3, Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld
Wes Newton v Dave Chisnall
Phil Taylor v Robert Thornton
Tickets: SOLD OUT

Betway Premier League Darts Week Eight

 

SIMON WHITLOCK was eliminated from the Betway Premier League Darts with a draw against Wes Newton in Dublin on Thursday, as Phil Taylor secured survival at The O2 and Michael van Gerwen ended Peter Wright’s unbeaten run in the event.

Australian ace Whitlock, the 2012 finalist, went into his eighth league match needing to claim victory to keep alive his hopes of survival into next week’s Judgement Night.

But despite hitting five 180s, Whitlock was only able to pick up a draw as Newton claimed up a point which could be key to his own survival going into Week Nine.

Earlier, Newton had lost 7-3 to Gary Anderson as the 2011 Premier League Darts champion ensured his own passage into the final weeks of the event, where he will now set his sights on claiming a Play-Off place.

Anderson continued his strong form as he picked up the victory – despite being on tenterhooks with partner Rachel at home in Somerset and due to give birth on Thursday.

“I’ve been waiting for the phone call from home all day to be honest but the PDC’s been great with my situation,” said Anderson. “If I’d got a call then I’d have been on the next flight home and I’ve been on edge, so it’s good to get the win.

“I’m enjoying the season and I can look ahead now to trying to get back into the Play-Offs. The hard work I’ve done in practice is paying off and my doubles are going in well, and it was great to give the fans plenty to cheer.

“Dublin’s always been one of the best venues for me and the fans gave me a great reception.”

Newton now faces a huge clash with Dave Chisnall in Cardiff next week, after being joined on six points in the league table by the World Grand Prix finalist after his draw with Adrian Lewis.

“It’s a massive game against Dave now, and with Robert Thornton on six points too it’s shaping up to be a really big night in Cardiff,” said Newton, who played two matches in Dublin after missing the earlier league night in Exeter through illness.

“I’m disappointed to only come away with one point but Gary played well in the first game, and I had a lot of pressure in the second game, so I’m happy with the point and it’s better than two points lost.

“Two points next week will keep me in the competition, so I’ve got to put this behind me and bring my best game to Cardiff.”

Chisnall and Lewis shared ten 180s and four ton-plus checkouts in a thrilling contest, with the Stoke ace taking out 134, 124 and 100 only to see the World Grand Prix runner-up follow an earlier 158 finish by landing double 18 to snatch a draw in the deciding leg.

“I’m happy with that and it was good entertainment for the crowd,” said Chisnall.“Adrian had a few chances but it’s swings and roundabouts, and at the end he let me in and I took my chance.

“I wanted to try and get at least a point this week and it means there’s a big game ahead against Wes next week. I know that a draw will keep me in the competition, but I’ll be going for a win and hopefully I can hit my doubles like I did tonight.”

Lewis said: “Dave ground out a draw at the end there but we both hit some good finishes and plenty of 180s, and it’s a good point for me.

“I’ve got seven or eight weeks now to fight to get into the top four and I’m looking forward to the rest of the tournament now.”

While Chisnall, Newton and Thornton – who sat out the Dublin night after previously doubling up in Exeter in Newton’s absence – will all be battling to avoid elimination alongside Whitlock next week, six-time Premier League Darts champion Phil Taylor pulled himself out of the struggle with a draw against Raymond van Barneveld.

Taylor had found himself in the midst of the battle at the foot of the table after losing his opening three games, but secured survival as he came from 5-3 down to claim a point against his great rival.

“In some ways this felt like a win because I’ve qualified for the second half of the season and I can relax now and get ready for the next six or seven weeks,”said Taylor.

“I know I can play better than I did here, but it’s been very difficult this season and this game was no different because Raymond produced some fantastic darts and finished well.

“We had a lot of nerves out there but for me it’s all about moving on now and trying to get into the top four.”

Van Barneveld’s point meant that he had to settle for a draw for a fourth successive week, although he remains in third place in the league table.

“It was a great battle and there’s no disappointment,” said van Barneveld. “After being 5-3 up and 6-4 down I thought I’d blown it but I’m happy with a point against the best player in the world.

“I’ve had four draws in the past four weeks and am the only player to have beaten Michael van Gerwen so far and I’m third in the table, so I’m very pleased.”

Away from the tension of the games involving players at the lower end of the league table, top two Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright clashed as the Dutchman ended his rival’s unbeaten start to the year in their rematch of January’s World Championship final.

Showman Wright’s attempt to play to the crowd when needing the bullseye to complete a 161 finish at two-all backfired as he missed and van Gerwen reeled off four successive legs.

The Scot hit back to 6-5, but van Gerwen secured victory with a brilliant 128 checkout in the game’s deciding leg to move two points clear of his rival in the table.

“He did a couple of things and I didn’t like them,” said van Gerwen. “Peter’s a good player anyway but I didn’t think he needed to do that, you should just play normal darts like Phil, Adrian or Raymond.

“There are a lot of people that like it, but I don’t and that’s my opinion. He doesn’t need to do that, and he knew that I didn’t like it and I’m very glad that I hit the 128 at the end and won the game.”

Watch Live
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Betway Premier League Darts
Week Eight
The O2, Dublin
Gary Anderson 7-3 Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis 6-6 Dave Chisnall
Wes Newton 6-6 Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen 7-5 Peter Wright
Phil Taylor 6-6 Raymond van Barneveld
All games are the best of 12 legs – first to seven, or six-all draw.

League Table

After Week Eight	P	W	D	L	Legs +/-	Pts
Michael van Gerwen	8	6	1	1	+20	13
Peter Wright	8	4	3	1	+15	11
Raymond van Barneveld	8	3	4	1	+8	10
Adrian Lewis	8	3	3	2	+1	9
Gary Anderson	8	4	0	4	-1	8
Phil Taylor	8	3	1	4	-4	7
Robert Thornton	8	1	4	3	-1	6
Dave Chisnall	8	1	4	3	-5	6
Wes Newton	8	2	2	4	-13	6
Simon Whitlock (R)	8	1	2	5	-20	4

MATCH INFORMATION
Gary Anderson v Wes Newton
0-1 – Newton lands the game’s opening 180 only to initially miss two darts to finish 85, but when Anderson is off-target on tops to take out 76, the Fleetwood ace returns to pin double five to break throw immediately.
1-1 – Anderson this time lands tops for a 76 finish to level with a break back.
2-1 – Anderson fires in a 180 to leave 42, and posts double eight to move ahead.
3-1 – Anderson takes out 82 with a bulleye, double 16 combination.
3-2 – The pair trade 180s before Newton breaks back by finishing 58 on tops, after Anderson missed double top and ten to extend his lead.
4-2 – Anderson breaks back again, hitting a 180 to be the first to a double before returning from a missed bullseye to finish double eight.
4-3 – Double ten sees Newton move back to within a leg of the 2011 champion.
5-3 – Anderson lands a 168 score during the leg, and when Newton misses double 16 to finish 70, he steps in to post tops in moving to the brink of a point.
6-3 – Anderson takes out 96 on double top to earn a minimum of a draw.
7-3 – Newton pays the price for further missed doubles as Anderson takes out 72 on tops to secure the win.

Match Stats

Gary Anderson	7-3	Wes Newton
12	100+	16
9	140+	4
0	170+	0
3	180	2
97.41	Average	91.45
96	High Finish	58
5	Breaks of Throw	3
7/14 – 50%	Checkout %	3/12 – 25%

Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
0-1 – Lewis misses double ten for a 140 finish, allowing Chisnall back in from a miss to break in the opening leg.
1-1 – Lewis opens with a 180, and though Chisnall fires in two maximums of his own, the St Helens ace can only watch as he waits on 32 as Lewis pins the bull for a 124 finish.
2-1 – Lewis takes out 79 on double 11 to move ahead.
2-2 – Chisnall lands double 18 to level the game.
2-3 – Chisnall regains the lead with a sparkling 11-darter, opening with a 180 before taking out 86 in two darts to break.
3-3 – Lewis takes out a 134 finish with a showpiece finish of treble 18 and two double tops to level again.
4-3 – Lewis opens with a 180 and finishes 80 on tops to move back ahead as the lead changes hands again.
4-4 – Chisnall levels with a sensational 158 checkout, hitting two treble 20s and double 19.
5-4 – Lewis takes out 70 on tops to move back ahead.
5-5 – Lewis lands a fourth maximum of the game, but misses double 12 and Chisnall steps in to finish 85 on the bull to level the game.
6-5 – Lewis earns a minimum of a point by hitting a 180 and a 100 finish.
6-6 – Both players open the deciding leg with a maximum, before Chisnall takes out double 18 to claim a draw.

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis	6-6	Dave Chisnall
9	100+	17
7	140+	8
0	170+	0
6	180	4
99.14	Average	101.22
134	High Finish	158
2	Breaks of Throw	2
6/8 – 75%	Checkout %	6/7 – 86%

Wes Newton v Simon Whitlock
0-1 – Whitlock makes an ideal start with a break of throw.
1-1 – Newton hits two 180s as he levels with a break.
2-1 – Whitlock fires in a maximumbut Newton moves ahead.
2-2 – Double one sees the Australian level.
3-2 – Double six edges Newton back ahead.
3-3 – Whitlock lands a 180 before finishing double four to square the game.
4-3 – The Australian misses tops and the same double sees Newton hold throw.
4-4 – Whitlock hits two 180s to Newton’s one in the leg, and double eight sees the Australian level.
5-4 – Double ten moves Newton back in front.
5-5 – Whitlock finishes 65 on tops to level the game – but he needs to take the game’s final two legs to keep alive his hopes of avoiding elimination.
6-5 – Newton fires in a 140 at a crucial time to leave 64, and takes out the finish in two darts to claim a point – ensuring that Whitlock will drop out of the tournament next week following Judgement Night.
6-6 – Newton leaves 81 after nine darts, but misses double 13 to claim the win as Whitlock follows a 168 score by landing double eight for a 13-darter to snatch a point.

Match Stats

Wes Newton	6-6	Simon Whitlock
17	100+	12
6	140+	8
0	170+	0
4	180	5
92.82	Average	91.89
64	High Finish	80
1	Breaks of Throw	1
6/13 – 46%	Checkout %	6/16 – 38%

Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
1-0 – van Gerwen takes out 97 in two darts for a 14-darter to open the game.
1-1 – Double eight sees Wright level.
2-1 – van Gerwen finishes 130 on double eight to move back ahead.
2-2 – Wright levels once more by finishing double 16.
3-2 – Wright misses the bull for a 161 finish – having encouraged the crowd to cheer on his attempt at the bullseye – to allow van Gerwen in to finish 84.
4-2 – van Gerwen breaks by finishing 68.
5-2 – van Gerwen lands a 180 and punishes missed doubles from Wright to hit tops.
6-2 – van Gerwen adds another maximum before posting an 88 finish to secure at least a point.
6-3 – The Dutch ace is unable to close out the win, and Wright keeps his hopes alive.
6-4 – Wright initially misses tops for a 120 finish but returns to continue his fightback.
6-5 – Wright misses the bull for a 132 finish, but returns to land double eight for a 14-darter to break and give himself a chance of grabbing a draw by sending the game into a deciding leg.
7-5 – van Gerwen opens with a 180 and claims victory with a brilliant 128 finish.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen	7-5	Peter Wright
14	100+	14
10	140+	13
0	170+	0
4	180	0
101.22	Average	96.84
130	High Finish	40
3	Breaks of Throw	2
7/15 – 47%	Checkout %	5/16 – 31%

Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
0-1 – van Barneveld opens with a 14-darter to break throw, finishing 60 on tops.
1-1 – Taylor misses double five for a 130 finish, but van Barneveld is unable to post double 18 to take out 116 as the world number two returns on double two.
2-1 – Taylor opens with a 177 as he moves ahead.
2-2 – van Barneveld takes out a sensational 160 checkout to level.
2-3 – Taylor misses three darts at double 14, and the Dutchman breaks on double 16.
2-4 – van Barneveld posts his first 180 before taking out 121 on double 14 to move two legs clear.
3-4 – Taylor fires in double 18 to hit back.
3-5 – Double 16 sees van Barneveld hold throw to regain his two-leg lead.
4-5 – van Barneveld misses darts at double top and ten to secure a point as Taylor steps in to post tops.
5-5 – The Dutchman is again punished for a miss at tops, for a 108 finish, as Taylor hits the same bed to level the game with a break.
6-5 – van Barneveld opens with two 180s to set up a possible nine-darter, but he misses out on a perfect leg and then sees Taylor follow a maximum by finishing double ten for a 12-darter to secure at least a draw.
6-6 – van Barneveld lands his fourth 180s of the game, and returns from missing double 16 for a 109 finish to take out double eight to secure a point.

Match Stats

Phil Taylor	6-6	Raymond van Barneveld
16	100+	18
4	140+	5
2	170+	0
1	180	4
96.92	Average	98.72
59	High Finish	160
2	Breaks of Throw	2
6/18 – 33%	Checkout %	6/12 – 50%

Betway Premier League Darts Preview

WES NEWTON will double up on Thursday for one of the biggest nights of his career as the Betway Premier League Darts visits Dublin, where top two Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright clash alongside great rivals Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld.

The penultimate night of league action before the bottom two players are relegated from the event features five huge contests, including Newton competing in two matches after missing the league night in Exeter earlier in March with tonsillitis.

Newton has slipped to second bottom in the table with 7-1 defeats to van Gerwen and Taylor over the past two weeks, but plays Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock in two huge games at the bottom end of the table.

2011 Premier League Darts winner Anderson slipped to seventh with a defeat last week and is only a point ahead of Newton, while Australian ace Whitlock is two points adrift at the foot of the table.

“It’s a massive night for me and probably one of the biggest of my career,” said Fleetwood’s Newton. “The Premier League’s massive and I’m determined to do well – not just to avoid relegation but to be fighting for the title in May.

“I’m feeling good and in the last two games I’ve played quite well and had ton-plus averages but come up against Phil and Michael when they’ve really been on form, and they’re the top two players in the world.

“I’m scoring well but I’ve been punished for missing the odd double here and there recently, so if I can take those chances this week then it should be a different story.

“I’m going out to win both matches, but whatever happens against Gary I’ve got to re-focus and get ready to play Simon because every leg in each match could be crucial.

“It’s a weird feeling, because if I win both matches then I could be in a really good position but if the results don’t go my way then I know I’m in the relegation scrap next week.”

Whitlock has picked up just one win and a draw so far this season, but is refusing to give up on his fight to escape relegation.

“It has been a difficult campaign for me but I’m still in with a chance,” said the Australian. “I know that I’ll have to win my last two games but I also know that I’ve got what it takes to do that.

“The target in Dublin is to make sure I take it to the last night and, after the poor start I had, that will be a mini-achievement in itself.

“I feel like a should’ve got a couple more points at least but I won’t dwell on that. That’s the standard of this Premier League – if you don’t take your chances, your opponent will and I just need to make sure I take mine against Wes.”

At the other end of the table, the league’s top two players – van Gerwen and Wright – meet in a repeat of January’s World Championship final.

Van Gerwen took a 7-4 sets victory that day, but Wright insists he has come of age since competing in his first major televised final, where he allowed the Dutchman into a four-set lead.

“In the World Championship final I was a scared little boy, but I think I’ve turned into a man now in darting terms,” said Wright, the league’s only unbeaten player following seven weeks.

“The Premier League’s definitely helped my game and I believe I can beat anybody in the world now, no matter who they are.

“A couple of weeks ago I looked at the league table and I was hoping that we would be first and second in the table going to Dublin. I’m looking to get my revenge on him this time!”

Wright had opened the season at odds of 4/1 to be relegated from the tournament, but is now 8/1 with sponsors Betway to lift the title in May.

“I don’t want to lose a match up to Week Nine when we have relegation, because that would be an amazing achievement in this field,” added the Scot, who snatched a draw with van Barneveld last week with a 161 finish in the game’s final leg.

“I couldn’t dream this at the start of the season, and before the tournament I was probably one of the favourites to be relegated, so for me to perform the way I am and enjoy these crowds is amazing.

“I’m trying to go up there and entertain the fans as well as perform well.”

Van Gerwen’s victory over Gary Anderson in Leeds last week saw him join Wright on 11 points, as the Dutchman moved top on Leg Difference ahead of his rival.

“I’m really up for it,” said van Gerwen, who hit a nine-dart finish during last weekend’s Players Championship events in Crawley.

“We’re level and it’s very close and he’s done very well so far this season – but he did well in the World Championship and I was the best at the end and he has to live with that.

“Peter likes to have a bit of fun and has been reminding me that he was unbeaten and top of the league – but you still need to do it on the stage and let your darts do the talking, and we’ll see who’s the best this week in Dublin!”

Another huge contest sees great rivals Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld meet in Dublin – having shared the points with a draw when they clashed at The O2 in last year’s event.

Taylor has won his last two games to move onto six points in the league table, and followed up last week’s stunning win over Newton with a brilliant weekend of darts as he won a Players Championship in Crawley and lost in a second final.

“I’ve been trying different things with my darts and it’s coming together,” said the 16-time World Champion. “I’m not in that bottom two now, and it’s a relief because it’s the worst feeling to be down there – but it’s still very close and it’ll be a battle over the next two weeks.

“Every time you say “Taylor v Barney” it brings a smile to my face because I love playing Barney and I always will, the same as playing against Jocky Wilson, John Lowe and Eric Bristow.

“There’s something about playing Barney that I love – I think it’s darts’ equivalent of the Man U v Liverpool match on paper. It’s a game I enjoy playing and I get a real buzz out of it.”

Van Barneveld admitted: “I have exactly the same feeling about playing Phil, and especially this week in Dublin because it’s a fantastic venue and the Irish fans are always brilliant.

“If I play the game like I did last week against Peter, there’s no reason why I can’t beat Phil and I’m going to have a good match with him.

“I’ve been practising hard to keep my finishing sharp. Against every player now you have to hit your finishes, but especially against Phil.”

The night’s other game sees two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis take on Dave Chisnall, who was the World Grand Prix finalist last October in his most recent visit to Dublin but sits above Newton only on Leg Difference going into the eighth league night of his debut Premier League Darts season.

The Betway Premier League Darts will be a 10,000 sell-out at The O2 in Dublin on Thursday, with coverage live on Sky Sports HD from 7pm.

Betway Premier League Darts
Week Eight
March 27, The O2, Dublin
Gary Anderson v Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
Wes Newton v Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
Tickets: SOLD OUT

BETWAY ODDS
Latest Outright Odds
11/10  Michael van Gerwen
3/1  Phil Taylor
5/1 Adrian Lewis
8/1  Peter Wright
14/1  Raymond van Barneveld
20/1  Gary Anderson
50/1  Robert Thornton
50/1  Dave Chisnall
100/1  Wes Newton
100/1  Simon Whitlock

Week Eight Match Odds
Gary Anderson v Wes Newton
3/4 Gary Anderson
4/1 Draw
9/4 Wes Newton

Adrian Lewis v Dave Chisnall
3/4 Adrian Lewis
4/1 Draw
9/4 Dave Chisnall

Wes Newton v Simon Whitlock
13/10 Wes Newton
4/1 Draw
13/10 Simon Whitlock

Michael van Gerwen v Peter Wright
11/20 Michael van Gerwen
9/2 Draw
3/1 Peter Wright

Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld
11/20 Phil Taylor
9/2 Draw
3/1 Raymond van Barneveld

For other bets and special offers, visit www.betway.com. Odds above correct at time of writing and may be subject to change.

Betway Premier League Darts Week One

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN kicked off the Betway Premier League Darts season with a stunning whitewash of Phil Taylor at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Thursday, as brilliant duo Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis and debutants Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright opened with victories.

Reigning Premier League Darts champion van Gerwen left the six-time winner stunned as he averaged 109.59 in a flawless performance during a repeat of last year’s final.

Taylor, returning to competitive action for the first time since his second round exit at the World Championship exit in December, had only four darts at a double during the 13-minute contest as he suffered his heaviest-ever Premier League Darts defeat.

Van Gerwen showed his intentions by breaking throw with a 13-darter in the game’s opening leg, and finished 121 on the bull to double his lead before another 13-darter moved him three legs clear.

Taylor hit three 140s in the fourth leg, but missed two darts at double 12 as the Dutchman finished a 14-darter before pinning a 12-dart leg for a 5-0 cushion.

Taylor, using a new design of dart in competition for the first time, landed a 180 in the sixth leg but was left waiting on a finish as tops put van Gerwen 6-0 up, before the new World Champion posted a 180 in a 15-dart leg as he wrapped up an incredible win.

“To start the Premier League with a 7-0 win over Phil Taylor is amazing,”admitted van Gerwen, who hit seven doubles from nine attempts. “I hope I can keep up this form for the next 15 weeks!

“All the pressure was on me and I was the favourite after winning the World Championship, but that didn’t bother me and I played well.

“Phil didn’t play his top game but I played really well and finished everything. I can’t remember anyone beating Phil 7-0 before but he’ll be back – he’s a true great and he’s won 16 World Championships, but it might take him a few weeks to get used to his new darts.”

The night also saw another brilliant performance from the Premier League’s other Dutch star, as Raymond van Barneveld averaged 108.52 in a superb 7-2 win over 2011 Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson.

The five-time World Champion opened the game with a 13-darter and added two 11-dart legs as he moved 3-0 up, with Anderson replying on tops only for the Dutchman to hit a third 11-dart finish of the game in another burst as he moved 6-1 up.

Anderson – last weekend’s German Darts Championship winner – traded 180s with his rival as double top kept him in the game, but he missed the bullseye for a 126 checkout in the next as van Barneveld sealed a huge victory.

“I’m very happy with that,” said van Barneveld, who took out 70 percent of his darts at a double. “Gary had a great weekend in Germany so I had to play that well to keep him at arms length.

“In the first couple of legs I scored brilliantly and every double went in, and Gary said there was nothing he could do about it.

“The nine-darter was very close and I really wanted to hit one here because it’s a great venue, but I had a couple of 11-darters and I’m delighted with the performance.

“If I believe in myself week in, week out, I know I can win this league, I really do believe that.”

Two-time World Champion Adrian Lewis was another heavy winner on the opening night, bringing the Echo Arena crowd to their feet with a 7-1 romp against another former Premier League Darts finalist, Simon Whitlock.

Lewis raced into a four-leg lead with some superb finishing on double top and ten, took out 61 on double four to win a fifth leg and then posted a 130 finish to lead 6-0.

Whitlock finished 61 to reply as he got avoided a whitewash, but two missed doubles in the next allowed Lewis to complete a heavy win, ending with a 99.13 average and seven doubles from 11 attempts.

“It’s a belting start for me to beat a player like Simon so well,” said Lewis. “I was trying to get the whitewash – I was annoyed with myself when Simon won a leg!

“Since I lost to Michael van Gerwen in the World Championship semi-finals, I haven’t been off the practice board. Michael was the better player on the night, but I’ve tried to put it right.

“This is a new season and a new me, and I’m looking to the future.”

Debutants Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright also enjoyed victories as they opened their Premier League Darts campaigns with defeats of Robert Thornton and Wes Newton respectively.

Chisnall punished missed doubles from Thornton as he won two of the opening three legs, and though the Scot edged into a 3-2 lead, the world number five hit back to regain the edge before breaking throw in the game’s final leg to claim victory.

“I’m very happy to kick off the season with a win,” admitted Chisnall. “I’ll get used to it out there and that’s going to give me bags of confidence, and the crowd were great and really got behind me.

“When it went to three-all tonight I started to feel comfortable, and I think I’ll embrace it as the league season goes on.”

World Championship finalist Wright, meanwhile, was a 7-3 winner against world number eight Newton, who never recovered from falling 3-0 and 4-1 down early on.

Newton pulled back to 4-3 only to miss two darts at double six to level the game, and Wright raced clear to punish further wayward finishing by securing the points.

“I’ve got admit that I was very nervous before the game, but I went out there to enjoy it and I’m full of beans now,” smiled colourful Wright afterwards. “The crowd were great and that spurred me on, and I want to play like this every week.

“I didn’t want to lose on night one because it can be downhill from there, but I’m a totally different player since reaching the World Championship final.

“There’s no pressure on me and I feel I can do some real damage here and in the major tournaments this year.”

The Betway Premier League Darts season continues next Thursday at the BIC in Bournemouth, with the five games on the night including the all-Stoke contest between Taylor and Lewis.

The week also sees van Barneveld face Newton as he returns to the venue of his famous nine-darter in 2006, while van Gerwen plays Thornton, Whitlock plays Anderson and the two newcomers, Wright and Chisnall, also clash.

Watch Live
The Betway Premier League Darts is being shown live on Sky Sports HD from 7pm (GMT).
Worldwide coverage can also be seen via:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
Sky New Zealand
OSN Middle East
Fox Italy
www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers outside of the UK & Ireland.

Live Scores
If you can’t watch the action live, follow Live Scores through the PDC Live Scores Website at http://live.dartsdata.com.

Get Involved
Join in the conversation online throughout the Betway Premier League Darts through the PDC’s Social Media Channels:
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And why not follow our sponsors Betway on Twitter for the latest tournament odds!

Betway Premier League Darts
Week One
Echo Arena, Liverpool
Dave Chisnall 7-5 Robert Thornton
Peter Wright 7-3 Wes Newton
Raymond van Barneveld 7-2 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 0-7 Michael van Gerwen
Simon Whitlock 1-7 Adrian Lewis
All games are the best of 12 legs – first to seven, or six-all draw.

League Table

After Week One	P	W	D	L	Legs +/-	Pts
Michael van Gerwen	1	1	0	0	+7	2
Adrian Lewis	1	1	0	0	+6	2
Raymond van Barneveld	1	1	0	0	+5	2
Peter Wright	1	1	0	0	+4	2
Dave Chisnall	1	1	0	0	+2	2
Robert Thornton	1	0	0	1	-2	0
Wes Newton	1	0	0	1	-4	0
Gary Anderson	1	0	0	1	-5	0
Simon Whitlock	1	0	0	1	-6	0
Phil Taylor	1	0	0	1	-7	0

Match Information
Dave Chisnall v Robert Thornton
1-0 – Thornton posts the tournament’s first 180 of the season, but wires tops to win the opening leg as Chisnall finishes 64 in two darts on double eight to get off the mark and settle any early nerves.
1-1 – Thornton finishes 96 on double nine to level.
2-1 – Thornton again hits a 180 leaves a finish, but misses two darts at double 18 to finish 61 as Chisnall hits tops to win his second leg.
2-2 – Chisnall lands a 180 in reply, but both players initially miss double 16 for ton-plus finishes before Thornton returns to hit double four to hold throw.
2-3 – The Scot opens with a 180 and breaks throw on tops.
3-3 – Chisnall lands another maximum, but initially misses the bull for a 121 finish and two darts at double eight, only for two misses from Thornton on his trusted double top to allow the debutant back to break and level.
4-3 – Chisnall posts his third 180 of the game, and hits double four to regain the lead.
4-4 – Chisnall hits another maximum, but can only watch on as Thornton finishes 95 on the bull to level once more.
5-4 – Chisnall takes out 92 on double 16 to move back ahead.
5-5 – Thornton hits back to level the contest again.
6-5 – Thornton lands a 180 but misses the bull for a 129 finish as well as two further darts at double four, allowing Chisnall in to finish double five to secure a minimum of a point.
7-5 – Chisnall, against the throw, is first to a finish as he lands double ten to claim victory on his Betway Premier League Darts debut.

Match Stats

Dave Chisnall	7-5	Robert Thornton
15	100+	14
6	140+	8
0	170+	0
4	180	4
93.87	Average	93.28
92	High Finish	96
2	Breaks of Throw	1
7/16 – 44%	Finishing %	5/17 – 29%

Peter Wright v Wes Newton
1-0 – Wright makes an ideal start as he finishes double 16 at the first time of asking to win the opening leg.
2-0 – Wright opens with a 180, before finishing double eight for a 12-darter to break throw immediately.
3-0 – The debutant continues his superb start by pinning double top.
3-1 – Newton kicks off the leg with a 180, and despite a 177 in reply from the World Championship finalist, the Fleetwood ace is first to a finish and hits double ten to get off the mark.
4-1 – Wright misses two darts at double eight, but Newton is unable to take out 151 and the Scot returns to pin double four.
4-2 – Newton again opens with a 180 before double 14 puts his second leg on the board.
4-3 – Newton misses two darts at doubles to finish 72, but Wright is unable to land two attempts at double 12 to take out 81 as the Fleetwood ace returns to break throw on double three.
5-3 – Newton misses two darts at double 16 to level the game, for an 83 finish, and Wright finishes 75 on double 12 to break back and restore his two-leg lead.
6-3 – Wright opens the leg with a 180 before double 12 secures at least a point for the newcomer.
7-3 – Newton misses four darts to save the game – with two at double 12, one at double six and another at double three – to allow Wright in to seal a debut victory on tops.

Match Stats

Peter Wright	7-3	Wes Newton
17	100+	12
2	140+	8
1	170+	0
2	180	2
97.53	Average	93.75
75	High Finish	28
3	Breaks of Throw	1
7/12 – 58%	Checkout %	3/13 – 23%

Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
1-0 – van Barneveld opens with two 140s, and though Anderson lands a 180 in his second visit, the Dutchman finishes tops for a 13-darter to lead.
2-0 – The Dutchman kicks off with five perfect darts in scoring 180 and 140, before pinning a 100 finish for an 11-darter.
3-0 – van Barneveld scores 180, 100 and 180 in another 11-dart leg, which he finishes on double 16.
3-1 – Anderson lands tops to get off the mark.
4-1 – van Barneveld takes out 110 on double 18 to continue his flawless finishing so far.
5-1 – van Barneveld lands two 180s to set up a possible nine-darter, and though he misses the treble 19 on the 141 finish, he returns to finish another 11-darter on double 18 for another break of throw.
6-1 – Anderson hits a 180 but can only watch on as double eight secures at least a point for van Barneveld.
6-2 – The pair trade 180s before Anderson pins tops to keep his hopes of grabbing a point alive.
7-2 – Anderson misses the bull to finish 126, and van Barneveld hits double ten to complete a stunning victory, averaging 108.52 in the process.

Match Stats

Raymond van Barneveld	7-2	Gary Anderson
12	100+	8
6	140+	6
0	170+	0
6	180	3
108.52	Average	100.71
110, 100	High Finish	40
2	Breaks of Throw	0
7/10 – 70%	Checkout %	2/4 – 50%

Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen
0-1 – van Gerwen wins the opening leg against the darts on double 18 as Taylor, using new darts, makes a slow start.
0-2 – van Gerwen takes out 121 on the bull to double his advantage.
0-3 – The World Champion lands a 180 before posting double 16 to break again and move three legs clear of the six-time Premier League winner.
0-4 – Taylor hits three 140s, but misses two darts at double 12 as van Gerwen finishes double eight for a 14-darter.
0-5 – van Gerwen takes out 81 on double 16 to move five legs clear with a third break of throw, maintaining an average around 110.
0-6 – Taylor opens the leg with a 180, but is unable to take out 122 and van Gerwen hits tops to ensure at least a point.
0-7 – van Gerwen opens with a 180, and when Taylor misses darts at double top and ten, the Dutchman steps in to inflict a first-ever Premier League Darts whitewash on the Stoke legend.

Match Stats

Phil Taylor	0-7	Michael van Gerwen
6	100+	9
6	140+	7
0	170+	0
1	180	2
99.45	Average	109.59
–	High Finish	121
0	Breaks of Throw	4
0/4 – 0%	Checkout %	7/9 – 78%

Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis
0-1 – Lewis opens the game with a 180, and finishes 80 on tops to pick up an immediate break of throw.
0-2 – Double ten sees Lewis move two legs up.
0-3 – Whitlock misses two darts at double eight to finish 70, and Lewis takes out 62 on tops for another break.
0-4 – Lewis hits a 180 before pinning double ten to continue his charge.
0-5 – Lewis finishes 61 on double four to break again and continue his hunt for another whitewash on the evening.
0-6 – Lewis takes out 130 on double five to ensure he will pick up at least a point.
1-6 – Lewis hits a 180 to leave 43, but Whitlock takes out 61 on double 18 to finally get off the mark.
1-7 – Whitlock misses darts at double top and ten to keep the game alive, and Lewis completes a rapid win by landing tops.

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock	1-7	Adrian Lewis
8	100+	11
6	140+	6
0	170+	0
0	180	4
86.31	Average	99.13
61	High Finish	130
0	Breaks of Throw	2
1/5 – 20%	Checkout %	7/11 – 64%

The new Unicorn Darts range 2014

The new Unicorn range can be seen using the following link:

http://www.unicorn-darts.com/range/newproducts.aspx

As you can see they have kept the Phil Taylor ranges and simply called them the power. Although it’s a positive they have kept them I think they missed a trick by not releasing them in other weights.

The most interesting release from my point of view is the machina gold and black darts as I think this could have an interesting feel to them.
There are a few new stems but nothing major.

There is also a new range called mogul which looks interesting although without trying them it’s impossible to say what the grip will be like as it looks like something new.

Have a look through and let me know what your thoughts of it all are.

partypoker.com World Grand Prix QFs

 

World number seven Chisnall produced arguably the finest performance of his career so far as he hit ten 180s and held off van Gerwen’s fightback from two sets down to rally and claim a five-set victory.

The St Helens ace will now play Pipe for a place in Sunday’s final at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, but was able to savour a memorable win over the Dutch star.

Chisnall left the reigning champion reeling by taking the first set without reply, hitting 180s in all three legs, before taking the second set 3-1 by continuing his brilliant start.

Van Gerwen began his comeback by winning the third set 3-2, taking out a superb 127 finish in the deciding leg, only for Chisnall – a former Lakeside Championship runner-up and UK Open semi-finalist – to land an 11-darter as he moved 2-0 up in the fourth set.

Van Gerwen hit back to level as Chisnall missed one match dart, at double 16 in leg four, before the world number two took out 92 to win the set and level the game.

Chisnall, though, steadied himself by winning the opening two legs of the deciding set in 13 and 15 darts, and after van Gerwen won leg four, he posted a tenth 180 of the game and finished double ten to seal a fine victory.

“I’m over the moon, I can’t believe it,” said Chisnall. “This is my best win because I knew that if I produced what I can do then I’d have a chance, and I played well.

“Michael didn’t play his best darts and even when he came back I felt I was scoring better than him. I’m really happy to be through and I’ve not shown my best yet – but that was close to it.

“You have to have a good start against Michael because if you don’t, he’ll get confidence from you not hitting your doubles, but I was building confidence from him not hitting his doubles.

“I’ve beaten Phil Taylor in the World Championship before and now I’ve beaten Michael here, so I’ve shown that I can beat the two best players in the world.”

He added: “I’m going to take one step at a time, relax on Saturday and see how I go on against Justin. I’ve played Justin a lot of times before and I’ll just focus on my own game, but it will be one of the biggest matches of my career.”

Pipe’s earlier 3-1 win over Andy Hamilton put him into the semis against Chisnall – with the winner not only guarateed a place in the World Grand Prix final but also a spot in next month’s William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

Pipe, who had not dropped a set in his victories over Andy Smith and Adrian Lewis, also won six of the game’s first seven legs as he took a two-set cushion against Hamilton.

The UK Open finalist hit back to take the third 3-1, but Pipe won the fourth set in a deciding leg to seal his place in only a second major televised semi-final.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Pipe. “We’re both grinders and I’ve learned a lot from Andy, and I’m so happy to beat him and reach the semi-finals.

“I think it’s the biggest win of my career. Last night was massive to beat Adrian, and this is huge – it means a huge amount to me to be in the semi-finals. It shows how far I’ve come in the game in the last three years.

“I’ve got a big task in the semi-finals and it’s going to be hard to beat Dave – but I can do it and I’ll be confident.”

Pipe had endured personal tragedy earlier this year when his brother Mark passed away suddenly in June, and he added: “Losing Mark was very hard and it would be amazing if I could win this tournament and dedicate it to him because he’s a driving force for me.”

Saturday’s other semi-final will feature ten-time World Grand Prix winner Phil Taylor taking on two-time finalist James Wade.

Taylor booked his place in the last four with a comfortable straight sets victory over Gary Anderson with an imperious display.

The World Champion took the opening set in 12, 13 and 13 darts and took the second set 3-1, and though Anderson kicked off the third with a 160 finish, Taylor won the next three legs to seal the win.

“I wanted to lay down a marker and it was important to win that first set and put him under pressure, which I did,” said Taylor. “It was a tough match but Gary missed a few crucial doubles and let me off.

“Gary’s a great player, world class, and I want to shake him sometimes! He could be better than me, he’s a better 180 scorer and when he hits his doubles then you might as well go home, but I took advantage tonight.”

Taylor added: “It will be tough in the semi-finals but I’d love to go on and win this tournament now.

“James is there and thereabouts in every event and it’s probably better for me to be playing him because I know what he’s capable of. I’ve played him many times so I know what to expect.”

2007 and 2010 champion Wade showed his class by twice coming from a set down against Simon Whitlock before winning a sudden-death leg in their clash with a 101 checkout.

Whitlock took the first set 3-2 before the left-hander won the second 3-1 to level, landing a 106 finish along the way, only for the Australian to punish his missed doubles by sweeping through set three without reply.

Wade, though, took out 160 as he won set four in a deciding leg, after Whitlock missed the bull to claim victory, as the game went into a fifth set.

Whitlock led 2-1 to move once again to the brink of victory, but Wade hit two 180s in a 12-darter to send the game into a one-leg shoot-out before progressing to the semis with a 101 checkout.

“I’m very happy,” said Wade. “Maybe I was a bit lucky but I hit the right shots at the right times, and that’s a good sign.

“I’m making myself dig deep; I’m not starting off with big shots but I’m due a good game and I’m looking forward to the semi-finals.”

The format for Saturday’s semi-finals sees the games extend to the best of nine sets at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel. Tickets are available from the Citywest Hotel by calling 01 401 0500 or in person from 6pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

Watch Live
Coverage is live on Sky Sports HD in the UK & Ireland, and internationally through the following broadcasters:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
OSN Middle East
Plus coverage is also live for www.LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands)

Live Scores
Live Scores are available through the PDC Live Scores Website – http://live.dartsdata.com.

Get Involved
Follow the partypoker.com World Grand Prix and join the conversation with the PDC’s social media channels:
www.twitter.com/OfficialPDC – using the tournament hashtag #partypokerWGP
www.facebook.com/OfficialPDC
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Tickets
Tickets for the partypoker.com World Grand Prix are still available by calling the Citywest Hotel on 01 401 0500, or from 6pm on each evening on the door.

partypoker.com World Grand Prix
Friday October 11
Quarter-Finals
Andy Hamilton 1-3 Justin Pipe – Pipe Video
James Wade 3-2 Simon Whitlock – Wade Video
Phil Taylor 3-0 Gary Anderson – Taylor Video
Michael van Gerwen 2-3 Dave Chisnall – Chisnall Video

Semi-Final Order of Play
Dave Chisnall v Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor v James Wade

partypoker.com World Grand Prix Day Three

 

World Champion Taylor endured a frustrating night on his finishing at the Citywest Hotel, hitting 11 doubles from 41 attempts as he overcame Nicholson 3-1 in sets to progress.

Taylor looked set to cruise into the last eight when he took the game’s first set without reply, only for Nicholson to hit back from 2-1 down in the second to win the set in a deciding leg to level, after the Stoke legend missed ten darts at doubles to move 2-0 up.

Nicholson then took the third set’s opening leg to lead in the game, but Taylor levelled and then took out 70 and 130 to win the set 3-1 and regain control.

A tricky double eight, after his first two darts landed just outside the wire to block the bed, gave Taylor the fourth set’s opener, but Nicholson took out 158 to level and shared the next two to send the set into a deciding leg.

Nicholson hit a 180 and had a chance to level the contest again when Taylor missed two match darts at double eight, but the Australian World Cup star missed two darts of his own at double 16 and the world number one made him pay, hitting another tricky third-dart double eight as he progressed.

“It’s good to be through but I didn’t seem to click tonight,” said Taylor. “There are no excuses, I just didn’t play very well.

“The ten darts I missed to win the second set crucified me for a while and I didn’t hit my doubles as well as I wanted to, but the last dart at double eight was the best dart I’ve thrown all week and one of the hardest doubles I’ve hit.”

Taylor will now play 2011 Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson in the last eight, after the Scot won through to his first major quarter-final of the year with a narrow 3-2 win over Wes Newton.

Newton edged the opening set in a deciding leg before Anderson took the next two 3-1 to put himself in command, and he then moved 2-1 up in set four only to see the number eight seed produce a brilliant 101 finish and a ten-darter to keep his hopes alive by taking the set.

However, Anderson killed off the game superbly by sweeping through the final set without reply with legs of 14, 14 and 15 darts as he sealed his last eight place.

Click here for Gary Anderson Video Interview at the OfficialPDC YouTube Channel

“It’s great to be in the quarter-finals because it’s been a while for me,” said Anderson. “My game’s coming back and I’ve gone back to just getting up on stage and trying to throw my darts and enjoy the game.

“It seems to be working so far. I’ve been finding the starting quite easy and it’s been the finishing which has been a bogey for me, but it’s going alright so far.

“I’ve been playing well and not winning games, and tonight there were some good darts and some bad darts. I thought I had him in the fourth set, but the final set was really good.”

Two-time World Grand Prix champion Wade was another five-set winner, as he came from behind to to defeat Ireland’s Connie Finnan 3-2 as he continued his bid to win an eighth major title.

Limerick’s Finnan, who overcame Terry Jenkins on his World Grand Prix debut on Monday, had returned to the Citywest Hotel for his game following a four-hour morning shift working in a factory in Shannon making plastic bag closures earlier on Wednesday – but took the game’s first set in a decider.

Wade hit back to win the second set 3-1, but Finnan then finished 115 and 102 as he won the third set without reply to move 2-1 up in the game.

Wade, though, took out 116 as he won the fourth set 3-1 before proving the more clinical in the decider, which he took by the same scoreline as a 91 finish sealed his last four spot.

“I’m really happy with how I played there after a poor start,” said Wade. “I let someone who’s inexperienced in terms of stage games get ahead of me and I shouldn’t have, but I got through the final two sets okay.

“I know I can turn my game around and I’m getting close to my best.”

Australian ace Whitlock won through to the quarter-finals for the first time in Dublin with a straight sets win over Ronnie Baxter, punishing the Blackpool star for hitting just three finishing doubles from 15 attempts.

The pair traded 180s in the game’s opening leg as Whitlock drew first blood, and though Baxter levelled, the Australian took the next two legs to win the first set 3-1.

Baxter moved 2-1 up in the second, but Whitlock levelled with the aid of a 180 and posted another maximum in the deciding leg, before stepping in to punish three missed doubles from his opponent by taking out 94 on double 11.

The Australian punished more Baxter misses as he took the third set’s opening two legs, and when the former World Grand Prix semi-finalist missed two darts at tops in the third, another double 11 checkout – this time to finish 102 – sealed Whitlock’s last eight spot.

Click here for Simon Whitlock video interview at the OfficialPDC YouTube Channel

“The game probably wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline says,” said Whitlock. “Ronnie missed a lot of doubles to win legs there and I took advantage.

“Our starting was pretty equal but my finishing was the difference. The 94 and 102 to win the last two sets were killer shots, especially the 94 to go 2-0 up.”

He added: “The key thing for me tonight was starting well. I was all over the place with my starting in the first round, but I had a plan this time and stuck with it.

“I felt as though I had to settle down on a starting double and I finished off the game against Michael Mansell quite well using double 16 to start so I stuck with that and it went very well.

“I know it will be hard against James in the quarter-finals and we’ve had some great games. He had a tough match against Connie Finnan, who played a fantastic game, but James is one of the best players in the world and he shows that every time he plays.”

The second round concludes on Thursday night with the remaining four matches, which include the all-Dutch encounter between reigning champion Michael van Gerwen and two-time finalist Raymond van Barneveld.

European Champion Adrian Lewis plays Justin Pipe, Dave Chisnall faces Wayne Jones and Andy Hamilton takes on Kevin Painter in the night’s other contest, as they bid to win places in Friday’s quarter-finals at the Citywest Hotel.

Tickets are available from the Citywest Hotel by calling 01 401 0500 or in person from 6pm on each night of the event.

Watch Live
Coverage is live on Sky Sports HD in the UK & Ireland, and internationally through the following broadcasters:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
OSN Middle East
Plus coverage is also live for www.LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands)

Live Scores
Live Scores are available through the PDC Live Scores Website – http://live.dartsdata.com.

Get Involved
Follow the partypoker.com World Grand Prix and join the conversation with the PDC’s social media channels:
www.twitter.com/OfficialPDC – using the tournament hashtag #partypokerWGP
www.facebook.com/OfficialPDC
www.youtube.com/OfficialPDC

Tickets
Tickets for the partypoker.com World Grand Prix are still available by calling the Citywest Hotel on 01 401 0500, or from 6pm on each evening on the door.

partypoker.com World Grand Prix
Wednesday October 9
Second Round
James Wade 3-2 Connie Finnan
Wes Newton 2-3 Gary Anderson – Anderson Video
Phil Taylor 3-1 Paul Nicholson
Simon Whitlock 3-0 Ronnie Baxter – Whitlock Video

partypoker.com World Grand Prix Day Two

World number two van Gerwen opened the defence of his title with a brilliant 2-0 win over two-time finalist John Part, averaging 104.47 in a fine display in his first round clash in the double-start event at the Citywest Hotel.

He hit two 12-dart legs in taking the first set without reply, and though Part moved 2-1 up in the second, the Dutch star posted a key double ten to level and sealed victory in style by hitting a 180 and a 171 in a 13-darter in the set’s deciding leg.

“It’s a very good win for me, and to start with a 104 average is amazing,” said van Gerwen. “The first set was great and I was very happy with that, but to win the game was the most important thing, and I’ve settled into the tournament now.

“It’s good for my confidence to win this game 2-0 because John’s a fabulous player and there was a lot of pressure on the game.”

Van Gerwen added: “I’m really looking forward to the second round against Raymond. He beat me in the Grand Slam of Darts final last year but I’ve won the last few games on stage, and we always have good matches.”

Van Barneveld was also a straight sets winner as he defeated Stuart Kellett, although the outcome of their game eventually hinged on the deciding leg of the first set.

The five-time World Champion had moved 2-0 up early on, only for Kellett to hit a 111 finish as he hit back to level – but he crucially missed one dart for the set at tops to allow van Barneveld to steal in on double 16.

The Dutch legend, who had won Sunday’s Players Championship in Dublin as an ideal warm-up for this event, then swept through the second set without reply, hitting two 180s in a 12-darter and finishes of 118 and 94 to move into the last 16.

“I’m really happy with the win,” said van Barneveld. “Every round now is like a final and I knew this wouldn’t be easy because Stuart beat me two weeks ago in Germany, and I was ready for him.

“I was so comfortable in the first two legs, but Stuart played a good two or three legs, but I hit a good finish to win the first set and that was important.”

World number three Adrian Lewis was a deciding-leg winner against Brendan Dolan in the night’s only game which went to sudden-death.

Lewis took the first set 3-1 before the 2011 finalist hit back to level by winning the second set in five legs – but Lewis crucially took the third set’s decider, hitting a key 177 in the process, as he progressed.

“It’s really good to be through and I enjoyed that,” said Lewis. “I think Brendan’s one of the most underestimated players in the top 16 and, in my opinion, he’s in the top eight so I knew how tough it would be.

“In the first couple of sets I wasn’t quite getting my starting doubles but later on I started hitting tops straight off, and I’m happy with that.”

Lewis now meets Justin Pipe, who overcame Andy Smith in two sets in their first round game, edging a nervy opening set 3-2 before hitting a 160 finish as he raced through the second without reply.

“The double-start is a massive challenge and it’s a relief to be through,” said Pipe. “My finishing was great but I wasn’t as happy with my starting, and I felt that I took too long to settle in.

“I was a bit nervous, which is really strange, and I know I’ll have to play better on Thursday.”

Andy Hamilton, the number six seed, produced a flawless display of finishing as he hit six doubles from as many attempts in his fine 2-0 win over Kim Huybrechts.

Hamilton took out 120, 118 and 96 in taking the first set 3-1, and then finished 96 and 132 to move 2-0 up in the second, with Huybrechts’ double top only stemming the tide before the UK Open finalist hit the same bed to seal a clinical win.

“I’m really pleased with that,” said Hamilton, who now plays Kevin Painter. “I had to concentrate on my finishing against Kim because if you give him a chance, he’s a front-runner and he likes to get on a roll.

“I had to stop his momentum, and to finish like I did shows what I can do. With how I started, he was always on the back foot and I’m happy with that.

“I’m looking forward to playing Kevin. We both love the big stage and I’m sure it will be a great game.”

Painter booked his second round spot by dropping only one leg in a convincing victory over Richie Burnett, who was a semi-finalist two years ago.

“I’m delighted to get through the first round because it’s a tough format and I was playing against a class player,” said Painter. “You just want to get the job done, and luckily for me it went quite well.

“My starting doubles were good and that’s vital in this format. I thought I played well in the first set and I did the damage there.”

2012 World Grand Prix finalist Mervyn King was dumped out of the event with a straight sets loss to resurgent Wayne Jones, who only booked his place in the tournament with two recent ProTour semi-finals but completed a confidence-boosting win with a 130 checkout.

“Things have been going well for the last four weeks and, after the past eight months I’ve had, I’m really feeling confident and things are going well again,” said Jones.

“I’ve won some good games, beaten some great players and got my confidence back. I’ve been really consistent over the last two or three weeks, and I’m absolutely delighted.

“It was totally unexpected to win in straight sets, but it was an okay performance – not great. I had a few chances and took them.”

Jones’ second round game will see him come up against number seven seed Dave Chisnall, a double ProTour winner last month, after the St Helens ace’s three-set victory over Stoke’s Ian White.

“It’s good to get through that because Ian’s a good player,” said Chisnall. “We both started well and scored well, and it came down to finishing in the end – we let each other in a couple of times.

“In the last three months I’ve practised really hard on doubles as that’s what’s been costing me matches, so it’s good to see it pay off – and anything can happen now.”

Wednesday sees the opening four games from the second round take place at the Citywest Hotel, headlined by ten-time World Grand Prix champion Phil Taylor’s clash with Paul Nicholson.

Irish hero Connie Finnan, who knocked out Terry Jenkins on Monday, plays two-time winner James Wade, while number four seed Simon Whitlock takes on Ronnie Baxter and 2012 semi-finalist Wes Newton meets Gary Anderson, who had the first round’s highest average.

Tickets are available from the Citywest Hotel by calling 01 401 0500 or in person from 6pm on each night of the event.

Watch Live
Coverage is live on Sky Sports HD in the UK & Ireland, and internationally through the following broadcasters:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
OSN Middle East
Plus coverage is also live for www.LIVEPDC.TV International Pass Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands)

Live Scores
Live Scores are available through the PDC Live Scores Website – http://live.dartsdata.com.

Get Involved
Follow the partypoker.com World Grand Prix and join the conversation with the PDC’s social media channels:
www.twitter.com/OfficialPDC – using the tournament hashtag #partypokerWGP
www.facebook.com/OfficialPDC
www.youtube.com/OfficialPDC

Tickets
Tickets for the partypoker.com World Grand Prix are still available by calling the Citywest Hotel on 01 401 0500, or from 6pm on each evening on the door.

partypoker.com World Grand Prix
Tuesday October 8
First Round
Wayne Jones 2-0 Mervyn King
Justin Pipe 2-0 Andy Smith
Kevin Painter 2-0 Richie Burnett
Dave Chisnall 2-1 Ian White
Andy Hamilton 2-0 Kim Huybrechts
Stuart Kellett 0-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 2-0 John Part
Adrian Lewis 2-1 Brendan Dolan