2010 Fantasy League Darts!
Posted on April 13th, 2010
The premier Fantasy League Darts (FLD) competition is back for 2010 and it is bigger and better than before!
For the first time ever you can manage a squad of PDC and BDO players side by side. It looks like the unification of darts is still some time away so DartsMad.com has unified darts for you!
Based on our exclusive Unified World Darts Ranking (UWDR) system, the 2010 FLD competition will award points to players from both sides of the divide, based on our UWDR points structure.
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Tags: Fantasy League Darts
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Bodog To Sponsor World Grand Prix
Posted on September 2nd, 2010
BODOG, the largest online betting brand in the world*, have been confirmed as the new title sponsors of the Bodog.com World Grand Prix darts championship.
The poker, casino and online betting website are the new sponsor for the £350,000 event, which will be held from October 4-10 at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland.
Screened live on Sky Sports in the UK and also around the world, the Bodog.com World Grand Prix is one of the sport’s most exciting events, with the unique double-start format meaning that players have to begin and end every leg with a double.
Reigning champion Phil Taylor will be bidding to win the event for an incredible tenth time in October, with the 32-player field of competitors being confirmed in mid-September.
As part of their online gaming, darts fans will be able to place bets on the World Grand Prix via the Bodog.com website, as well as at the Citywest Hotel’s on-site betting facility.
Patrik Selin, CEO of Bodog Europe, the licensee of the Bodog brand in the UK, commented: “We have made some giant strides in establishing the Bodog brand here in the UK recently with our sponsorship with Fulham Football Club and this is another important landmark for us.
“Darts and Bodog are a perfect fit on every level.”
Tags: World Grand Prix
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Jaws Takes Canadian Masters
Posted on September 1st, 2010
COLIN LLOYD picked up his third tournament win of 2010 with a 6-1 defeat of Jamie Caven in the final of the Canadian Masters Players Championship.
The Essex star denied Caven back-to-back PDC ProTour titles to take the £5,000 first prize – continuing the form which saw him reach the European Championship semi-finals a month ago.
He showed his best form throughout the day, having missed double 12 for a nine-darter in his opening game, a 6-1 defeat of Jim Long, and then saw off Matt Clark by the same scoreline and Martin Tremblay 6-4 to reach the last eight.
There, he overcame Kevin Painter 6-4 and repeated that scoreline to see off in-form Wes Newton in the semi-finals, before sweeping past Caven in the decider.
Lloyd broke throw in the opening leg of the final before doubling his lead, and after Caven got off the mark in the third the former world number one took the fourth for a 3-1 cushion.
Another break gave him a 4-1 lead, and after Caven missed his chances in the next double 12 put him to the brink of victory, which was sealed in the seventh leg.
Caven followed up Saturday’s London Ontario Players Championship victory with a run to the final, as he took home £7,500 for his weekend’s work in Canada.
Tags: Canadian Master, Results, Review
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Canadian Joy For Caven
Posted on September 1st, 2010
JAMIE CAVEN took victory in Saturday’s London Ontario Players Championship in Canada to claim his third PDC ProTour title.
The Derby ace defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the final to round off a fine day of darts, which included a 6-2 semi-final win over Dennis Priestley – last week’s Australian Open Players Championship winner and the champion in Canada for the past two years.
Caven had overcome Dave Watson and John Morrison in the early rounds before seeing off Steve Evans 6-4 and Justin Pipe in a deciding leg to reach the last eight.
There he saw off Andy Hamilton 6-4 before overcoming Priestley in the semis and Dutch ace van Gerwen in the final.
Caven opened the final with a 130 finish, and took the next two legs before van Gerwen wired a 160 checkout as Caven took out 78 for a 4-0 cushion.
A 14-darter from van Gerwen saw him get off the mark in leg five, but Caven won the next and then missed four match darts as van Gerwen took the next and two more legs to reduce the gap to 5-4.
However, Caven was not to be denied and he took the tenth to seal victory and the £5,000 title.
Van Gerwen’s run was his best since last November as he reached the final and boosted his chances of qualifying for the World Grand Prix in October.
Tags: PDPA Players Championship, Results, Review
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Priestley Turns Up Down Under
Posted on August 22nd, 2010
DENNIS PRIESTLEY defeated Mark Hylton 6-3 to win the Australian Open Players Championship in Sydney.
Priestley, who turned 60 last month, took the £5,000 title at the Revesby Workers Club in Sydney on Sunday – a triumph which will secure him a place in October’s World Grand Prix and edge him back towards the world’s top 16.
The two-time World Champion opened his challenge in Sydney with a whitewash of David Clegg and a 6-3 win over Heath Daley before edging out Steve Hine in a deciding leg in the last 16.
He then overcame top Australian Simon Whitlock 6-3 in the quarter-finals and edged out Paul Nicholson – last year’s Australian Open Players Championship winner – in another 11-leg tussle at the semi-final stage.
Priestley secured victory in the final with a 6-3 win over Mark Hylton, the Rugeley-based left-hander who had won through to his first PDC ProTour decider.
Hylton opened with wins over Australian pair Pat Orreal and Peter Asmussen, and then battled through a tricky path to the final – picking up wins over Robert Thornton and Mark Walsh before edging out Sean Reed 6-5 in the semis.
Although he went down in the final, Hylton’s run will almost certainly win him a Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship debut as a Players Championship Order of Merit qualifier, as well as increasing his hopes of winning a World Grand Prix spot.
Tags: PDPA Players Championship, Results, Review
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Under-21 World Darts Championship is Launched
Posted on August 21st, 2010
£10k prize and road to pro career starts at Rileys
Young darts players have the chance to be crowned the PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Champion and pick up the £10,000 first prize.
Preliminary qualifying for the first-ever Under-21 World Championship will take place at 42 Rileys Darts Zones on Saturday October 16 and Saturday October 23.
Fifty winners from Rileys clubs across the UK will join 14 of the best young players from around the world in a 64-man tournament at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday November 6.
Two winners will then go head-to-head in the Final, which will be held at London’s Alexandra Palace during the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in front of a full house and live on Sky Sports.
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Tags: Under 21 World Championship
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Top Darts Aces in The Zone at Rileys
Posted on August 11th, 2010
Nationwide tour of clubs by eight greats
Eight of the world’s best players are darting into Rileys clubs around the country to open 17 new Darts Zones.
BDO World Champion Martin Adams has been booked for the tour along with Adrian Lewis, Terry Jenkins, Tony O’Shea, Colin Lloyd, Kevin Painter and former ladies’ World Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova.
Each of the 17 events, which are scheduled to run from mid-August, will see two giants of the darts world do battle in a best-of-seven challenge match in a Rileys Darts Zone.
The Darts Zones provide players with top quality facilities including six or eight wide throwing lanes, championship-quality boards and electronic scoring.
The tour professionals will also take on local players and then join in a Q&A session with the audience in the club.
With the 17 new Darts Zones, Rileys now have a total of 42 in their 119 clubs throughout the UK.
Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said: “Rileys are committed to darts. Our Darts Zones offer top quality venues for players of all levels.
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Dominant Taylor Retains Euro Crown
Posted on August 2nd, 2010
PHIL TAYLOR claimed a third successive PartyPoker.net European Championship with a super 11-1 defeat of Wayne Jones at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken on Sunday night.
The world number one followed up his 11-10 win over Terry Jenkins in the semi-finals with a superb display to see off Jones by dropping just one leg in the final.
When Jones missed one dart to take the first leg on double top, Taylor pounced on double eight to break throw and set the tone for the final, with finishes of double seven, double four, double three and double seven putting him into a 5-0 lead at the first break.
Double six put him further ahead and he took advantage of a missed double 12 from the Wolverhampton man to lead 7-0 before a miss at double top allowed Jones to take out 116 on double 18 to get on the scoreboard in superb fashion.
Taylor replied in style, opening the next leg with a 180 and taking out 81 for a 12-darter, before finishing 121 for a 9-1 cushion.
Jones hit a second maximum of the game to leave a finish in the 11th leg, but Taylor clinically dispatched 84 for an 11-darter before sealing the win on double 14.
“I’m delighted to win another title, especially so soon after winning the World Matchplay last week,” said Taylor.
Tags: European Championship, Results, Review
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PartyPoker.net European Championship Quarter-Final Round-Up
Posted on August 1st, 2010
WAYNE JONES took arguably the biggest win of his career with a 10-8 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld as he reached the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.
The Wolverhampton man will now meet Colin Lloyd in the last four in Dinslaken, having held his nerve to knock out the five-time World Champion and number two seed.
The duo traded legs throughout a high-quality encounter, but it was Jones who made the crucial breakthough when he moved 8-6 and 9-7 up before sealing a famous win on the bullseye.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever beaten Raymond and it feels great,” said Jones. “It was a really good game to be involved in and win or lose I enjoyed it.
“But to win was very special. I’m really having fun at the moment, it was another good performance from me and I can’t wait for the semi-finals now.”
Lloyd had powered past Ronnie Baxter 10-7 to book his place in the last four with a second successive ton-plus average, hitting a 160 finish and ten of 14 darts at a double in an impressive display.
Reigning champion Phil Taylor and Terry Jenkins will meet in the other semi-final, having overcome Mark Walsh and Jamie Caven respectively in the last eight.
Tags: European Championship, Results, Review
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PartyPoker.net European Championship – Saturday Evening Round-Up
Posted on August 1st, 2010
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD came close to one of darts’ greatest ever upsets before defeating Germany’s Bernd Roith 10-7 in the PartyPoker.net European Championship second round on Saturday, while Phil Taylor remains in the hunt for a third successive title in Dinslaken.
Roith, a caterer from Tuebingen in Germany who overcame Denis Ovens in the first round on his televised debut, set up the prospect of an incredible victory over the world number two when finishes of 101 and 141 helped him into a 7-5 lead.
However, van Barneveld regained his composure to punished three misses from Roith to level in the 14th leg, before completing a run of five successive legs to set up a quarter-final with Wayne Jones on Sunday.
“This is one of the hardest battles I’ve had in my career,” said van Barneveld. “I didn’t underestimate him but he played superbly and I am very relieved to come through it.”
Reigning champion Taylor, meanwhile, progressed to the quarter-finals in more comfortable fashion with a 10-5 defeat of Andy Smith, who held the world number one for eight legs before succumbing to a typical charge from the Stoke great.
Taylor will now meet Mark Walsh in the quarters, after the number eight seed overcame Jelle Klaasen 10-6 earlier on Saturday.
Colin Lloyd produced a superb display to defeat Michael van Gerwen 10-6, hitting a 101 average in seeing off the Dutch youngster in a thriller.
Lloyd will take on Ronnie Baxter on Sunday afternoon, with the Blackpool man defeating local rival Wes Newton 10-9 earlier in the day.
Jamie Caven won through to his second televised quarter-final with a 10-6 defeat of Wales’ Barrie Bates, and he now faces world number five Terry Jenkins on Sunday.
Jenkins had earned his last eight place with a 10-8 defeat of Simon Whitlock, while Jones set up his clash with van Barneveld by seeing off Robert Thornton 10-4.
PartyPoker.net European Championship
Saturday July 31
Second Round
Mark Walsh 10-6 Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Ronnie Baxter 10-9 Wes Newton
Wayne Jones 10-4 Robert Thornton
Barrie Bates 6-10 Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld 10-7 Bernd Roith
Phil Taylor 10-5 Andy Smith
Colin Lloyd 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
Sunday August 1
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Play commences 2pm German time (1pm UK time)
2.00pm Terry Jenkins v Jamie Caven
3.00pm Colin Lloyd v Ronnie Baxter
4.00pm Phil Taylor v Mark Walsh
5.00pm Raymond van Barneveld v Wayne Jones
Best of 19 legs
Evening Session
Play commences 8pm German time (7pm UK time)
Semi-Finals
8.00pm
9.15pm
Best of 21 legs
Final
11.00pm
Best of 21 legs
JAMIE CAVEN 10-6 BARRIE BATES
JAMIE CAVEN won through to his second major quarter-final, producing a high-quality display to defeat Barrie Bates 10-6 in the PartyPoker.net European Championship.
Caven’s previous best televised display came when he reached the last eight at the UK Open just over a year ago, and he could better that when he faces Terry Jenkins in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
While Bates made a brilliant start to lead 2-0 and 4-2, Caven landed six maximums and averaged almost 100 in powering through to secure victory.
Bates broke throw in the opening leg on double top, and a superb 136 checkout doubled his lead before Caven, fired up by a 180, got his first leg on the board in the third.
Double eight gave Bates a 3-1 lead, and while Caven matched that to win a second leg the Welshman posted double top in the sixth for a 4-2 cushion.
A 60 finish saw Caven cut the gap to one leg, before he opened the eighth with a maximum and took out a superb ten-darter to leg.
He also hit a maximum and double five in taking the ninth to lead for the first time in the match, and finished double eight to move 6-4 up.
Bates defied another 180 from Caven to win the next, but the Derby ace took out double 16 and then double two in taking an 8-5 advantage.
He then landed a sixth maximum of the game, only to be punished for a missed double top when Bates landed the same bed for a 66 finish.
However, a 127 finish from Caven pushed him to the brink of victory, and a stylish 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top put him through to the quarter-finals.
“Barrie made a brilliant start and I took a few legs to get going,” said Caven. “When I did I felt I played well and I’m really pleased with my scoring.
“It was nice to put in a decent performance and I’m over the moon.”
Caven takes on Terry Jenkins in Sunday’s quarter-finals, and he added: “Last year I beat Terry in the first round and we meet this time in the last eight, and hopefully I can win again.
“I was the underdog against Gary Anderson in the first round and probably will be again when I play Terry, but I’m looking forward to it.”
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-7 BERND ROITH
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD came close to one of darts’ greatest ever upsets before defeating Germany’s Bernd Roith 10-7 in a thrilling PartyPoker.net European Championship second round clash.
Roith, a caterer from Tuebingen in Germany who overcame Denis Ovens in the first round on his televised debut, set up the prospect of an incredible victory over the world number two when finishes of 101 and 141 helped him into a 7-5 lead.
However, van Barneveld regained his composure to punished three misses from Roith to level in the 14th leg, before completing a run of five successive legs to set up a quarter-final with Wayne Jones on Sunday.
The Dutchman made a confident start, hitting double six for the first leg and double 18 for a 2-0 lead, before the German hit double six to get off the mark.
The pair traded 180s in the next leg, but two missed doubles from van Barneveld allowed Roith in to level double nine.
Van Barneveld kicked off a second successive leg with a maximum, and was grateful of the breathing space after missing four more doubles before landing double one for a 3-2 lead.
He hit another 180 in leg six, only for Roith to post double nine to square the match, and the next two legs were also shared before van Barneveld took out 96 in the ninth leg and the home favourite posted a 101 finish to level at five-all.
He then punished misses at double 18 and double nine from van Barneveld with a sensational 141 checkout to move ahead for the first time, and then took out 80 on double top for an incredible 7-5 lead.
Van Barneveld won the next on double eight, and crucially levelled in the 14th leg as the tension reached boiling point in the Stadthalle, as Roith missed three darts for an eighth leg and the Dutchman squared the game.
Van Barneveld posted a 170 score in setting up a double ten finish to regain the lead, before hitting back-to-back 14-dart legs on double top to take victory.
“This is one of the hardest battles I’ve had in my career,” said van Barneveld. “Bernd was relaxed all the way through and he finished well to go 7-5 up.
“I didn’t underestimate him but he played superbly and I am very relieved to come through it.”
Roith admitted: This was my first time on television and I like playing on stage. It’s very calm up there and I can play my game because I was relaxed.”
PHIL TAYLOR 10-5 ANDY SMITH
PHIL TAYLOR secured his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a 10-5 defeat of Andy Smith at Dinslaken’s Stadthalle on Saturday night.
Taylor’s bid for a third successive European Championship win seemed on rocky ground when Smith shared the opening eight legs, but a superb mid-game surge from the world number one saw him sweep to victory.
Taylor now faces Mark Walsh in Sunday’s quarter-finals, and he admitted: “I’m feeling great and hopefully I’ll be holding the trophy again on Sunday night.
“Andy’s a great bloke and it’s hard playing against him because I like him so much, but now I’ve got through that match I can get ready for a hard Sunday.”
Taylor hit a 177 score in the first leg, but two missed doubles allowed Smith in on double eight to sneak the opener.
Taylor broke back immediately and then landed a 180 and a 103 checkout to lead for the first time, while another maximum and double 12 for an 81 finish put him 3-1 up.
Smith hit a 180 in the fifth before punishing four missed doubles from Taylor on double top, and took out 52 to square the match at three-all.
Taylor posted another maximum in a 13-darter to edge back ahead, and though Smith levelled he continued his charge with legs of 14, 11, 13 and 14 darts to suddenly move from four-all to 8-4 up.
Double top from Smith saw him pull back a leg, but Taylor reasserted his dominance with an 11-darter and then sealed the win on double ten.
COLIN LLOYD 10-6 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
COLIN LLOYD produced a fine display to see off Michael van Gerwen 10-6 and reach the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship in Germany.
The Essex star had bounced back from his first round World Matchplay exit by knocking out world number three James Wade on Friday night, and progressed to the last eight with a high-quality defeat of van Gerwen.
The Dutch youngster played his part in an epic, matching Lloyd for much of the game but unable to live with some spells of magic from the former world number one.
Van Gerwen had kicked off the match with a 113 finish in taking the opening leg, and also hit a 171 score in the second leg, but a miss at double 16 allowed Lloyd in with a 70 finish to level before posting double 16 to break throw.
The Dutchman broke back with a fine 13-dart leg, which he kicked off with five perfect darts, and then landed double 16 to lead 3-2 at the first break.
Lloyd, though, returned with a brilliant spell to win four of the next five legs, hitting three 14-dart legs and an 11-dart finish – with only a 13-darter from van Gerwen, which featured his second maximum of the game, keeping him in the hunt at 6-4.
A 180 from Lloyd left him 68 in the 11th leg, but van Gerwen held his nerve to take out double top for another 13-darter, although Lloyd finished a fine 130 checkout on the bull for a 7-5 lead.
Another 180 from Lloyd left him on a finish in the next, with van Gerwen again showing his quality by taking out 70 in two darts to win the 13th leg and reduce the gap to one.
Double top from Lloyd saw him edge back in front, and when van Gerwen missed three darts to punish his first lapses at a double in the next the Englishman hit double one to move a leg away from the win.
Lloyd then completed a fine win by posting a bullseye-double top 90 checkout to ensure his quarter-final spot, where he will face Ronnie Baxter on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m delighted to be into the quarter-finals and to have won such a high-quality game,” said Lloyd. “I got stuck in tonight and I’ve proved to myself in the last two days that I’m good enough to compete at the top level, after the disappointment of Blackpool.
“It was always going to be tough playing Michael because he’s a quality player who is back in form, but I played my own game and it’s lovely to get through.
“It will be a hard day on Sunday with three games to play if I’m going to win the title, but I’ll be giving it my best shot.”
Tags: European Championship, Results, Review
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PartyPoker.net European Championship – Saturday Afternoon Round-Up
Posted on July 31st, 2010
RONNIE BAXTER progressed to the PartyPoker.net European Championship quarter-finals with a second successive deciding leg victory, as he defeated Wes Newton 10-9 in Dinslaken.
Baxter took out 126 in the 11th leg to edge past Alan Tabern in Friday’s first round, and was pushed all the way by local rival Newton in a thriller.
The Blackpool man led 7-4 and 9-6 before Newton – who hit a 170 earlier in the game – hit back to level, but both players struggled to find the treble in the decider before Baxter finished double ten for a last eight spot.
Number five seed Terry Jenkins was also pushed all the way before seeing off Australian star Simon Whitlock 10-8 in their second round clash.
The duo shared the game’s opening 14 legs before a double salvo from Jenkins put him into a crucial 9-7 lead before he closed out victory.
Mark Walsh held off a fightback from Jelle Klaasen before defeating the Dutch youngster 10-7.
Klaasen found himself 6-1 down following a slow start, but a change of darts sparked a comeback as he pulled back to 8-6 before Walsh found another gear to seal victory with a 128 checkout.
Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones booked his place in a second successive major quarter-final, defeating Scotland’s Robert Thornton 10-4.
Saturday’s evening session will feature the remaining four second round games, including reigning champion Phil Taylor against Andy Smith and world number two Raymond van Barneveld facing Germany newcomer Bernd Roith.
Barrie Bates and Jamie Caven will kick off the night, while Lloyd and van Gerwen also do battle for a spot in the last eight.
PartyPoker.net European Championship
Saturday July 31
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Mark Walsh 10-6 Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Ronnie Baxter 10-9 Wes Newton
Wayne Jones 10-4 Robert Thornton
Evening Session
Play Commences 8pm German time (7pm UK time)
Barrie Bates v Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld v Bernd Roith
Phil Taylor v Andy Smith
Colin Lloyd v Michael van Gerwen
MARK WALSH 10-7 JELLE KLAASEN
MARK WALSH held off a spirited fightback from Jelle Klaasen before sealing his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a 10-7 victory.
Walsh romped into a 6-1 lead as he made Klaasen pay for a slow start, with the Dutchman changing his darts after failing to settle in the first five legs.
The number eight seed extended that lead to 8-2 before Klaasen took three in a row, but Walsh held his nerve to move into the last eight.
Walsh landed maximums in the first two legs in a confident start, although some edgy finishing meant he needed to finish double two and double four to move 2-0 up.
Klaasen finished 124 on the bull to get off the mark in the third, but missed double top to level in the next as Walsh posted double five with his third dart for a 3-1 cushion.
He also repeated the finish to move 4-1 up at the first break, which saw Klaasen change darts – with a 180 in the sixth leg suggesting an immediate improvement before four missed doubles allowed Walsh in on double top.
Another double top finish put Walsh 6-1 up, although misses in the next allowed Klaasen in to edge the eighth.
The next two were shared before Walsh hit a 180 and took out his trusted double top to move six legs clear at 8-2.
A maximum from Klaasen to open the 11th leg seemed to spur the youngster to life, and he posted scores of 140 and 165 in setting up a superb ten-dart finish on double eight.
He also hit a 180 in taking the next in 13 darts, and double top reduced the gap to 8-6 and ensured Walsh some nervy moments.
Double top in the next edged Walsh a leg from victory, and after Klaasen finished double five for a seventh leg the Englishman sealed the win on the bull for a 128 checkout.
“Jelle made a great comeback and it was getting edgy for a minute,” admitted Walsh. “He changed his darts and it worked for him, but I just concentrated on my game and got the job done.”
TERRY JENKINS 10-8 SIMON WHITLOCK
TERRY JENKINS edged out Simon Whitlock 10-8 to win his place in the last eight of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.
Jenkins followed up his hard-fought win over Andree Welge in the first round in Dinslaken with a gritty display to see off the Australian in a tight battle.
The pair were locked for 14 legs before Jenkins made the crucial breakthough to lead 9-7 before sealing victory and a quarter-final spot.
Whitlock took the game’s opening leg but missed double top to extend his lead as Jenkins finished 80 and then broke on tops for a 2-1 lead.
Whitlock hit the same finish to take the fourth, and after Jenkins won the next the Australian took out double eight and then 90 on the bull to take the lead at 4-3.
Jenkins levelled, and the next six went with the throw as the players searched for a break to move clear – with the number five seed being the man to win a leg against the darts, punishing two misses from Whitlock to win the 15th on double 14.
Double ten put him 9-7 up – the first time either player had been two legs clear, and though Whitlock took out double 16 for the next leg he missed two darts to keep the match alive as Jenkins hit double ten at the third time of asking for victory.
RONNIE BAXTER 10-9 WES NEWTON
RONNIE BAXTER progressed to the PartyPoker.net European Championship quarter-finals with a second successive deciding leg victory, as he defeated Wes Newton 10-9 in Dinslaken.
Baxter took out 126 in the 11th leg to edge past Alan Tabern in Friday’s first round, and was pushed all the way by local rival Newton in a thriller.
The Blackpool man led 7-4 and 9-6 before Newton hit back to level, but both players struggled to find the treble in the decider before Baxter finished double ten for a last eight spot.
Newton made a brilliant start to take out a 170 finish, the highest of the tournament so far, to take the lead, only for Baxter to reply with a 112 checkout and an 11-darter to lead 2-1.
Baxter missed the bull in the next two legs as Newton hit back to move 3-2 up, only for the Blackpool man to power in a 104 finish to level and win the next three to move clear at 6-3, twice punishing misses from his opponent.
Double three saw Newton pick up a fourth leg, but he missed four darts for the 11th leg as Baxter finished 76 to maintain his three-leg lead.
The duo traded double 16 finishes to leave Baxter 8-5 up, and Newton then produced an 11-darter to win himself a sixth leg, only for Baxter to post double ten and move a leg away from the win.
Newton kick-started his comeback with a 180 amongst two successive legs to pull back to 9-8, and a superb 11-darter saw him send the match into a deciding 19th leg.
Both players showed the pressure in the final leg, but Baxter regained his composure to be first to a finish, and had enough breathing space to return from two misses at double top to post double ten for the win.
“I got the better of him in the middle of the game and when I went 9-6 up the trebles didn’t want to go in,” said Baxter.
“At 9-6 I was playing really well but Wes came back brilliantly with those three legs. Wes was pounding the treble but in the last leg we were both probably as nervous as you can get, and fortunately I got the win.”
WAYNE JONES 10-4 ROBERT THORNTON
WAYNE JONES powered into his second successive major quarter-final with a 10-4 win over Robert Thornton in the PartyPoker.net European Championship.
Jones followed up last week’s run in the World Matchplay and an encouraging win over Adrian Lewis on Friday night with a confident display to see off Thornton.
The Wolverhampton ace never looked back after taking a 4-0 lead, and landed seven 180s in sealing a comprehensive win with an average of 96.
Jones opened the match with an 11-dart finish, and traded 180s with Thornton in the second before punishing three missed doubles frmo the Scot to double his lead.
Thornton missed four more darts at a double in the third leg and two in the fourth as Jones capitalised for a 4-0 cushion.
The Scot then posted the bullseye for an 86 finish in getting off the mark, although double 16 for a 13-darter and double nine from Jones put him 6-1 up.
Thornton won the next two legs to pull back to 6-3, and after Jones took the tenth he took out 80 for a 14-dart finish in reducing the arrears to 7-4.
Jones replied with a 14-darter of his own, and that was bettered when he hit a 180 and double 16 to take the next in 13 darts for a 9-4 cushion.
He then hit two maximums to set up a chance to seal victory, which he took on double four to move into the last eight.
Tags: European Championship, Results, Review
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Both poker and darts are highly popular pursuits. The games are available online, in fact, that there are organizations dedicated to making sure the rules of video poker and online darts are conformed. Similar to darts having the World Darts Federation, among others, and poker has the Tournament Directors Association. These rules are put into place in highly competitive tournaments, in which as many as hundreds or even thousands of people compete for cash prizes as well as prestige.
