Lakeside 08 Review - Day 5
Posted on January 10th, 2008
SIMON WHITLOCK 4-1 FABIAN ROOSENBRAND
Wizard of Oz Simon Whitlock continued his spellbinding run to conjure up an impressive 4-1 victory over teenage Dutch sensation Fabian Roosenbrand.
In a rare second round game without any seeds it took the Aussie number one just 41 minutes to despatch the left hander from Holland.
The confident Aussie said:” I had a shaky start but then relaxed and got into the match. I knew I had to take control and prevent him from getting into the game.
“I enjoyed myself and am here to win this week like the other guys. I have confidence in my own ability but you need to believe in yourself,” said Whitlock.
The Aussie, who reached the semi finals three years ago had the chance to take the opening set, edging into a 2-1 lead and was first to the double but missed two attempts for double 16 and then double eight as the cool Dutchman levelled with double tops. Whitlock, throwing first held his nerve to clinch the set.
The Aussie had the chance to make a mark in the next but missed double 16 to take away the throwing advantage, Roosenbrand producing a spellbinding 12 darter with a 124 checkout finished on bull to set up a 3-1 set victory.
The Wizard producing a spellbinding run to take six consecutive legs to open up a comfortable 3-1 match lead. The left hander from the far east part of Holland was unable to to respond.
Despite the Dutch painter hitting his fifth 180 Whitlock served up a 3-0 set whitewash finished on double four to win through to the last eight.
TED HANKEY 4-1 ANDY BOULTON
Ted “The Count” Hankey believes the omens are with him after his comprehensive 4-1 second round victory over Stoke-on-Trent’s Andy Boulton.
It was an impressive performance from Telford-based Hankey who required just 48 minutes to dash the hopes of karaoke-loving Boulton.
And then Hankey revealed how he believes the week is beginning to mirror what happened when he won his world title in 2000.
“There are a lot of similarities and everything is following the pattern when I won the title such as matches falling on the same days.
It’s seven years on and I am seventh seed. I believe in such things,” declared The Count.
“I was happy with the way I played tonight but know I can play 50 per cent better. I went 3-0 up and it was easy after that but Andy did not play well, no where near as good as he can throw. Although I only hit two 180s I hit a lot of 140s and hit a lot of double tops. Once I get the lie right I can hit double tops every time,” declared Hankey.
The Count made a near perfect start to the match annexing nine of the opening 11 legs to open up a commanding 3-0 match lead.
Boulton led the fourth set but Hankey levelled and then his second 180 of the match steered him 2-1 in front, Boulton blazing back to level on double tops.
The Count missed the same finish in the next and Boulton exited to steal the set but it was a short-lived revival, Hankey swooping to open up a 2-0 fifth set lead on his favourite double tops.
Although he missed double tops he had time on his side and after missing tops for a second time, coolly booked his quarter final place with double10.
BRIAN WOODS 4-2 CO STOMPÉ
Cumbrian Brian Woods shunted former tram driver and sixth seed Co Stompe out of the championship with a clinical 4-2 victory.
It was a polished performance from the 41-year-old 11th seed from Egremont who twice battled from behind to topple the popular Dutchman.
“Matchstick” Stompe competed once again in a long-sleeved shirt – this time in royal blue – preferring it to the customary short sleeved sports shirt but roasted on stage under the glare of the TV lights and Woods’ good form.
The first four sets went with the throwing advantage, Stompe equalling the best checkout of the tournament –170 in the second set. The perfect finish was also achieved by Scotland’s unseeded Robert Thornton against his defeat of fifth seed Tony O’Shea.
The opening legs of the fifth set went with the throw, Stompe missing three doubles, in the third to allow Woods to peck off double nine.
Despite The Matchstick striking his third 180 in the next, Woods swept home double 10 for a 3-1 match lead.
After taking the opening leg of the sixth set with the throw, Woods produced a stunning 12-dart leg including a maximum and bull finish to move within one leg of a shock victory.
Throwing first in the next the Cumbrian won the sprint to the double wiring double 16 for an 88 victory flourish but having sufficient lead to return and hit the match-winning double eight with his first dart.
Woods was pleased with his performance and said that the flu bout was improving: “I knew that Co would be hard to beat but aimed to keep matching his scoring and then hit the doubles as he was missing them.
“If I play my own game I am capable of beating anyone. Tonights performance was not brilliant and I know there’s a lot more to come.
“The secret to my performances this year is that I feel more comfortable up on stage. I think it might be that I came through the playoffs during the past two years but qualified through the rankings this year,” said Brian.
Stompe said: “I’m disappointed but its my own fault – I missed crucial doubles.”
SCOTT WAITES 4-2 REMCO VAN EIJDEN
Third seed Scott Waites toppled fellow 30-year-old Remco van Eijden 4-2 to set up a quarter final clash with Cumbria’s Brian Woods.
It was workman-like performance from Waites in the battle of the debutants and is likely to see his 8/1 odds further reduced as Holland’s world title hopes are left in tatters.
Van Eijden carried the hopes of the Netherlands after the “orange army” had seen five of their title hopefuls fall.
Waites made the perfect start, coasting to a comfortable 3-1 first leg to lay the foundation for his bid to reach the last eight.
Enjoying the throwing advantage, the Englishman surged through the second unchallenged, clinching the set on double seven.
Van Eijden lost the opening leg of the third set but went on to lead 2-1, Waite hitting his favourite double 18 to level but then missed seven doubles to extend his match lead, the Dutchman himself only hitting the set-winning double with his seventh attempt.
Fortunes fluctuated in the next set as Waites and then van Eijden led, before the man from Halifax blasted in a bull finish to take it into a deciding fifth leg but the Dutchman hit the all-important finish.
Waites trailed the fifth but swept back for a 3-1 success. He then annexed the opening leg of the sixth with the throw and sneaked the next against the throw on double one after both players missed a total of 14 doubles.
The Englishman who was visibly tensing when throwing saw the Dutchman miss two doubles to save the match and responded by clinching the match with a brilliant 107 checkout, finishing on double 16.
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