2009 Lakeside World Championship Day 2
Posted on January 6th, 2009
Confident Webster powers into second round
Defending champ and second seed Mark Webster swept into the second round whitewashing Dutch newcomer Willy van der Wiel 3-0.
It took Webby from Denbigh – an apprentice plumber – just 23 minutes to wash away the title aspirations of the 26-year-old from southern Holland.
It was a clinical and confident display from the left hander who is bidding to emulate Eric Bristow and Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld and successfully retain his title.
Webster seized the initiative from the off, taking the opening set against the throwing advantage. He edged 2-0 in front, the young Dutchman nipping in to annex the third on double 18.
Van der Wiel hit a maximum in the next but then missed five double attempts to level, the defending champ also requiring five attempts to clinch the set on double five.
Throwing first in the next he notched double 10 with his first attempt and then hit a maximum to open up a second set 2-0 lead, wrapping up the second set after just 16 minutes on double 10.
A further 180 swept him ahead in the third set, holding his throw in the second leg and then wiring double 20 for a 114 victory flourish, returning with his next set of darts to clinch victory on double 10.
Flushed with his success trainee plumber Webster commented: “I am chuffed to get through, the first round is so nerve-wracking. I didn’t sleep well and was restless all night worrying about todays match.
“I watched Willy practising before the game and he didn’t miss a thing but then up on stage he didn’t perform. I felt sorry for him but know what it is like as it happened to me two years ago on the same stage.
“Although I have not played well during the past year, my employer gave me unpaid leave since October to concentrate on this tournament,” said Webster.
Hot Scott scorches into next round at expense of teenager Smith
Yorkshire ace Scott Waites produced a red hot performance, scorching into the second round after whitewashing 19-year-old Ross Smith 3-0.
It was tough baptism for the Kent teenager in his first world championship as he felt the full wrath of the 31-year-old fourth seed.
Waites, a quarter finalist 12 months ago needed just 24 minutes to book his second round berth and move a step nearer to his dream of being crowned champion of the world.
He took six straight legs unchallenged as the Kent teenager struggled to come to terms with occasion of the Lakeside stage.
After opening up a 2-0 lead in the third set, Waites missed three darts for victory and a grateful Smith grabbed his first leg on double three.
But his comeback was shortlived as Waites pounced to win through in the next leg.
“I’m pleased to get through but Ross never really hit anything and I was a little worried that my scoring would suffer. I much prefer a player to give me a hard game because it pushes me and makes me work that much harder.
“I came into the tournament with a lot of confidence and am lookng forward to a good run this week,” said the fourth seed.
A bitterly disappointed and dejected Smith declared: “I just didn’t give him a game. At one point I looked and saw three boards in front of me. I have to take away the experience of the occasion and use it to help me in the future.”
Gutsy Greatbatch gets players “guard of honour” after clash with John Boy
Former world champ John Walton coasted to a 3-0 victory over Shaun Greatbatch but darts took a back seat as players and spectators acknowledged the bravery of the Suffolk sharpshooter.
The 39-year-old from Lakenheath was given a player’s “guard of honour” as he left the stage after his 24 minute class with John Boy.
There was hardly a dry eye in the Lakeside arena as gutsy Greatbatch, looking drained and emotional, left the stage to standing applause.
He has been waging a battle against myeloma – a cancer of the bone marrow – which has left him without any hair and exposed him to six months of painful chemotherapy.
He has also been forced to readjust his throwing style after the cancer left him four inches shorter and quite weak.
Walton had started confidently hitting double 12 to take the opening leg, taking the next against the throw but then suffering double trouble and needing seven darts to clinch the set after Greatbatch himself missed four finishing attempts.
There was a huge cheer as the Suffolk sharpshooter blasted in a maximum and then fired out on double eight in the opening leg of the second set.
He hit another maximum in the next leg but the Yorkshireman levelled and then hit a 180 in the third leg as he exited on double 18, clinching the set on double 10.
Greatbatch, visibly drained by the match, hit his third maximum in the opening leg of the third set but then just faltered as Walton clinched the set unchallenged and victory on double eight.
After the emotionally draining match Greatbatch said that he had suffered during the match.
“When I got up this morning I sat on my bed with a massive headache and no energy but I wanted to play. I thought to myself I have got to do it for myself and all the people who had come to watch me at Lakeside.
“I had no energy during the game and if I had won the set would not have been able to win the match, there was just no energy,” declared Greatbatch.
Walton, wiping away tears admitted: “That is the hardest game I have played and I don’t ever want to go through it again.
“We are all one big family in darts and this was going to affect everyone in the Lakeside arena and I am not afraid to admit I was filling up on stage,” said Walton.
Polished performance from carpenter Norris as he nails 13th seed West
Ex-pat Alan Norris stormed into the last 16 of the championship sweeping aside 13th seed Steve West.
The 36-year-old carpenter turned in a polished performance in his debut appearance at Lakeside, reproducing the form that has made him Sweden’s top player over the past 24 months.
For West, who lives in Culemborg, it was an unlucky 13th seeding as found himself losing the opening set 3-1 to the fast-throwing Norris.
“Chuck” a motor racing fan, simply moved up a gear in the second set to open up a surprise 2-0 match lead.
And he stayed in the fast lane in the third set sweeping through unchallenged to book a place in the second round and guarantee himself at least £4250.
The victorious Norris said: “It is a lifetime dream to be here. I know all the boys and they know me because I play on the circuit.
“I felt really sorry for Steve but I want to do well this week.
“I came back to the UK about three weeks to prepare for the championship and have had a great time in Bowness in Scotland playing at the New Town pub. It is a real spit and sawdust place but the people are great and gave me a real good workout as preparation for this tournament.
“I’ve got Scotty (Waites) in my next match and have never lost to him but he is playing well this week and is a superb player. I know I need to lift my game by four or five points but I have the capacity to beat him,” said the confident Norris.
Ted “The Count” Hankey buries hopes of Woods
Ted “The Count” Hankey buried the title hopes of last year’s losing semi finalist Brian Woods 3-0 with a clinical 30 minute display.
The “prince of dartness” imposed his will on the game from the opening game, dictating the pace and unsettling fast-throwing Woods.
Hankey made his trademark entrance to the stage in his high-collared cape and then flung out plastic bats to the fans, while Woods adopted a less sinister approach, dancing on waving his lucky mascot Woody Woodpecker.
Hankey stamped authority in the first set taking it unchallenged and including two 180s and an eye-catching 116 checkout (60,16,double 20), Woods wiring his favourite double 16 for a set-saving 104 finish.
Woods notched treble 17 and double 16 to win the opening leg of the second set with an 83 finish the following three legs going with the throwing advantage but Woods was struggling to cope with the slow pace set by The Count.
Hankey won the race to the double and requiring 80, hit treble 20 with his first dart, missing double 10 but stealing a 2-0 match lead with double five.
A 97 finish saw the slow-throwing Hankey steal the march in the third set, taking the next against the throw and adding his fourth 180 in the next as he clinched victory on double two.
Hankey put his comfortable victory down to a new approach to his play.
“I have changed my lifestyle and am now cool and calm up on stage. I realised I do not need to shout and scream. I have learned my lesson from the past matches and decided to just play darts.
“Brian just did not turn up – he did not play at all well,” declared the 2000 champ.
Big Robbo shoots down “The Bullets” title hopes
Big Gary Robson shot down the title aspirations of Stephen “The Bullet” Bunting in an intriguing 35 minute 3-2 encounter.
After coasting into a comfortable 2-0 match lead he saw Bunting level and force the match into a deciding fifth set.
But Robson, the 2007 losing semi finalist was appeared to be in control with his power-scoring and precision finishing proving too much of a handicap for Bunting, who was making a return appearance to Frimley Green, five years after making his debut as a rookie 18-year-old.
The 23-year-old Bunting is sponsored by an electrical company from Rochdale but it was sixth seed Robson who provided the sparkle needing just seven minutes to register a 3-1 opening set success.
The opening legs of the second set went with the darts, Robson holding his nerve to hit double two after missing double 14 for a 12-darter, to edge 2-1 in front against the throwing advantage. He then added the next leg for a confidence-boosting 2-0 match lead.
A 180 and double 16 with his second attempt saw him annex the opening leg of the third set, Bunting delaying the inevitable with a 90 checkout to level.
The St Helens player was punished for missed doubles in the next leg, Robbo exiting on his favourite double 16, The Bullet sweeping back to level on double five and hold his throw and then steal the set with double four after Robson appeared to lose his way.
Bunting nipped in to take the opening leg of the deciding set on double 12 after Robson fluffed double 12 but Big Robbo moved up a gear to take successive legs, adding his fifth 180 as he clinched victory on double 16.
Delighted Robson from Northumberland, declared: “It was a great game. At 2-0 up I felt comfortable and lost control a little bit but that made the match more enjoyable.
“I changed my darts about four weeks ago, modifying the grip. I have had them about two years and I think that it has meant that I have been thinking about how I throw, which is helping my game. I’m definitely going to stick with them.
“I reached the semi finals a couple of years ago, let’s hope I can go one better this week,” said a smiling Robson.
Second seed Francis wins all-Dutch affair
Second seed Francis Hoenselaar remained on course to achieve her darting dream, dismissing international team mate Carla Molema 2-0.
The “Dutch Crown” remained cool despite taking to the stage in long sleeves to claim victory in 23 minutes.
Because of a condition she suffers which means that she has to insulate herself during cold conditions, she chose a long sleeved pink shirt for her match and produced some red hot darts.
Hoenselaar, five times a runner-up in the final swept to a 2-0 lead and then missed double tops for a set-winning 72 checkout, Molema pouncing to finish on double 18 with a single dart.
The veteran Dutch ace missed double tops for a 107 finish in the fourth leg but her power-scoring gave her a significant lead, enabling her to take a 1-0 match lead with her fourth double attempt.
She launched the second set with a faultless 114 checkout completed on her favourite double 20, Molema holding her throw to finish on double tops.
Hoenselaar then held her nerve to annex the following two sets to book her place in Thursday nights semi final.
Hot-shot Rilana melts “The Ice Cube”
Dutch ace Rilana Erades melted “The Ice Cube” Julie Gore – the third seed – 2-1 to win through to the last four in her first world championship.
It was a case of the 24-year-old pupil handing out a darting lesson to the 50-year-old former quarter finalist and winning her first match on the world championship stage at Frimley Green.
But she had to overcome countless missed doubles to keep her world title aspirations alive as both players suffered big night nerves in the dour 39-minute clash.
The opening set saw the darts go with the throw in the first three legs, the Welsh player’s strong scoring steering her to the set 3-1 on double 10.
Gaining in confidence Erades overcame double trouble to annex the opening leg of the next set and then added the next two legs to coast through the set unchallenged and take the match into a deciding third set.
Erades missed three attempts for double 10, gifting the first leg of the third set to gleeful Gore, the Dutch player levelling but then losing the third to the Welsh player who hit double eight with her second dart.
A 140 from Gore steered her ahead but she missed double 16 for a 64 match-winning checkout, Erades levelling the set with double 10.
The sprint to the double in the deciding leg was won by Erades thanks to 132 and 120 scores, overcoming three missed doubles to clinch her place in the last four on double eight.
Tags: Lakeside World Professional, Results, Review
Filed under BDO-WDF, Lakeside World Professional |
