The 13-time World Champion took the £20,000 title with a clinical display to defeat the world number three.

Taylor kicked off the tournament by averaging almost 109 against Kevin Painter, and romped to an 11-2 semi-final win over Roland Scholten earlier on Sunday, hitting 11 of 13 attempts at a double in a ruthless display.

He then despatched Wade 13-7, taking a 4-0 lead early in the game before Wade pulled back to 5-3, including a 101 finish and a 14-darter to break Taylor’s throw.

Taylor, though, took five of the next six to punish a sloppy mid-game display from Wade, who sparked back into life with a 126 checkout, finishing on the bullseye, to reduce the arrears to 10-5.

Legs of 14 and 13 darts from Taylor, including a 100 checkout, put him to the brink of victory before Wade fired in two maximums in an 11-darter just to stay in the game.

Wade also took the next leg to pull back to 12-7, but Taylor was in no mood to allow a further comeback, firing in a maximum in an 11-darter to take the victory.

“It’s very special for me,” said Taylor, who previously won the title in 2002, 2004 and 2005.

“I’m delighted with how I’ve played this week. I’ve worked hard and my form is reflecting that.

“I was hitting my doubles early in the final but then I started missing and he came back.

“I think James’ semi-final against Peter Manley took a lot of him and I had to put him under pressure as soon as I could.”

Taylor’s win was his third over Wade in a major final, following his victories in the 2006 Stan James World Matchplay and May’s Whyte & Mackay Premier League decider.

“James is a cracking young player and he’ll keep getting better and better,” added Taylor.

“He has a big future ahead of himself, he’s a fantastic player and he’ll do a lot in this game – after I’ve retired!”

Taylor will celebrate by spending a week with pop star Robbie Williams in Los Angeles before returning to prepare for the Stan James World Matchplay, which begins on Sunday 20 July.

“Robbie invited me to stay with him in Los Angeles and I’m heading over to see him,” said Taylor. “Robbie’s got a dartboard up at home which he had sent from the UK and I’ll be practising while I’m there.

“The World Matchplay’s a special event for me, I’ve won it eight times and I love the Winter Gardens in Blackpool so I’ll be going all out to get the trophy back.”

Wade came up a game short in his bid for a fourth major title inside 12 months, but the 25-year-old admitted: “The last year has been a massive learning curve for me.

“After a tough semi-final against Peter Manley I had nothing left to give in the final and I was gassed out.

“I made the most of a few misses from to stay in the game but it wasn’t enough for me.

“Phil again showed why he’s the best player in the world and I’ve finished in second place to him again, so I’ve got to try harder.”

PHIL TAYLOR 11-2 ROLAND SCHOLTEN

PHIL TAYLOR stormed into the final of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a ruthless 11-2 demolition of Roland Scholten.

The three-time Desert Classic champion remains on course for a fourth title in Las Vegas following a brilliant display of finishing to end Scholten’s hopes.

Taylor hit 11 of 13 attempts at a double to book his place in the decider, leaving Scholten unable to claw back into the contest.

Scholten had chances early on, missing the bullseye in the opening leg for a 161 finish and two darts at double 12 in the fourth as Taylor took an early 3-1 cushion.

A second 106 finish of the game saw Taylor move further ahead, and a missed double nine from Scholten allowed him to move 5-1 up on double top.

Taylor then hit the double at the first attempt in taking the next five legs to move to the brink of victory, before Scholten took out double top to stay in the game.

But a missed bullseye in the next allowed Taylor in, and he made no mistake on double 12 to march into the final.

“I hope Peter Manley was watching in the practice room – I might steal his ‘One Dart’ nickname,” said Taylor.

“Roland didn’t find his distance today and was moving around the oche, but even at 10-1 he was trying to come back at me.”

JAMES WADE 11-8 PETER MANLEY

JAMES WADE set up a final against Phil Taylor at the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 11-8 victory over Peter Manley.

Wade reached his first Desert Classic decider in clinical fashion, coming from 8-6 down with five successive legs to edge a thriller.

Manley, the 2003 champion, played his part in a superb contest, leading 2-0, 4-3 and 8-6 only for some crucial doubles to cost him dear late on.

Manley had won through to the semi-finals with some superb finishing during the event, living up to his ‘One Dart’ nickname, and took out double 18 and double top to lead 2-0 against Wade.

The world number three replied well, taking out double 14, then a 12-darter to break Manley’s throw and double 12 to lead 3-2,.

He kicked off leg six with a third maximum in as many legs, only for Manley to level on double ten and edge himself back in front at 4-3 after Wade missed double top.

Wade took the next two to move 5-4 up, but Manley won four of the next five to leave the youngster rattled.

He regained his composure to break Manley’s throw in leg 15, and levelled on double 12 before a key break put him back in front, with Manley missing his doubles before Wade landed double two.

Manley’s range on double top deserted him at a key moment, though, with Wade moving to the brink of victory on double ten and then sealing his place in the final after further misses from Manley.

“Peter’s a great player, he has been around for years and done everything in the game so it’s a lovely feeling to beat him,” said Wade.

“He played good darts but I played better than him at the end.”

Taylor was knocked out of last year’s SkyBet World Grand Prix by Gray, and the youngster threatened another upset when he took a 3-1 lead.

However, Taylor found an extra gear to reel off ten of the next 11 legs and move into the semis.

“I didn’t kick into gear early on and wasn’t hitting my doubles,” said Taylor. “I was a bit on edge but I relaxed and got through.”

Taylor meets Roland Scholten on Sunday in his bid for a fourth Desert Classic title, with the Dutchman booking his semi-final place with an 11-2 win over under-par Mervyn King.

World number three James Wade included a 170 checkout in his 11-7 win over Andy Hamilton, and will meet Peter Manley – who overcame Alan Tabern 11-8 – in the last four.

Wade is bidding for a fourth major title and a second successive televised victory, following last month’s Blue Square UK Open win.

Sunday’s play will see the semi-finals and final played at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, with the winner taking home £20,000.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Quarter-Finals
Roland Scholten 11-2 Mervyn King
Phil Taylor 11-4 Adrian Gray
James Wade 11-7 Andy Hamilton
Peter Manley 11-8 Alan Tabern

Semi-Finals (Sunday, 10.30am start)
Phil Taylor v Roland Scholten
Peter Manley v James Wade
Best of 21 legs
Followed by
Final
Best of 25 legs

ROLAND SCHOLTEN 11-2 MERVYN KING

ROLAND SCHOLTEN powered into the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 11-2 rout of Mervyn King.

The Dutchman was never in trouble against King, who followed up a superb second round display – where he hit six 180s and three ton-plus checkouts to defeat Darin Young – with a disappointing showing.

Scholten took the opening leg before King levelled, although seven missed doubles before he landed double ten was an indication of the struggle the Englishman would face.

Scholten took the next seven legs without reply, with King failing to find his range on the trebles as the Dutch ace took full advantage, including a 97 finish.

King landed double 18 to hit back in leg ten, but a sparking 11-darter from Scholten restored his cushion.

He then took out double four to move a leg away from the win, and put King out of his misery on double 16.

“It was never easy, even though the scoreline looked that way,” said Scholten. “Mervyn never gives up, but he didn’t perform today.

“I had to focus on my own game and I did that, and I can look forward to the semi-finals now.”

PHIL TAYLOR 11-4 ADRIAN GRAY

PHIL TAYLOR survived a scare against Adrian Gray before booking his place in the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 11-4 victory.

Gray threatened a repeat of his victory over Taylor in last year’s SkyBet World Grand Prix when he took a 3-1 lead against the three-time Desert Classic winner.

However, Taylor hit back to lead 4-3 and then won seven successive legs to storm to victory.

Gray took the game’s first two legs, with a 159 score setting up a double 16 finish in the opener before he took advantage of three misses from Taylor in the second.

Gray also had a chance to lead 3-0, but missed double 18 before Taylor landed double ten to get off the mark.

The 27-year-old from Sussex found double 18 to take leg four, but Taylor took the next three to edge in front, with Gray missing two darts at a double in the sixth.

Double ten saw Gray level again at four-all, but Taylor found another gear to pull away, finding his range on the treble 20 to fire maximums in three successive legs.

A 14-darter put him 5-4 up, and he followed that with a 104 finish to leave Gray reeling, and three more legs saw him take a 9-4 advantage.

Gray then missed double eight to hit back as Taylor moved a leg away from the win, and he booked his semi-final berth on double one.

“Adrian played really well,” said Taylor. “He started superbly and was consistent early on.

“I didn’t kick into gear early on and wasn’t hitting my doubles. I was a bit on edge but I relaxed and got through.”

Taylor was full of praise for Gray, who battled through the qualifiers at Mandalay Bay earlier this week before enjoying his best run at the Desert Classic to reach the last eight.

“I’m a big fan of Adrian’s,” said Taylor. “He’s very dedicated, works hard at his game and looks after himself. That will benefit him in the future.”

JAMES WADE 11-7 ANDY HAMILTON

JAMES WADE held off the challenge of Andy Hamilton to win a place in the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 11-7 victory.

The world number three looked set to cruise to victory when he took a 10-4 lead, only for Hamilton to threaten a comeback when he took three successive legs before Wade closed out the win.

Wade kicked off the game with a 170 finish and led 2-0 before Hamilton won the next three to lead.

Wade, though, found another gear to win the next five without reply, punishing Hamilton with some clinical finishing, twice hitting double top and also plucking out two tricky double six checkouts.

Hamilton took advantage when Wade missed a double-double top in leg 11, but three more legs from Wade, including a bullseye finish, took him to the brink of victory.

Stoke star Hamilton replied with a 135 finish and continued his fightback with two more legs to leave Wade nervous.

But missed doubles in the next allowed Wade his shot for victory, and he landed double top to progress.

“I thought I was in a lot of trouble towards the end,” admitted Wade. “Andy let me off a lot of shots early in the game but came back well and I’m just glad to be through!”

PETER MANLEY 11-8 ALAN TABERN

PETER MANLEY ended Alan Tabern’s hopes of a first major title with an 11-8 quarter-final victory in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Tabern had knocked out defending champion Raymond van Barneveld in the second round on Friday, but paid for missed doubles as Manley marched into the last four.

The first half of a scrappy contest saw both players struggle with their finishing, with Manley taking a 5-1 advantage early on.

Tabern pegged him back to 5-4, including a 13-darter, and eventually levelled at six-all as both players’ double troubles continued.

A 120 “Shanghai” finish sparked Manley back into life, and he added a 13-darter and checkouts of 161 and 118 in taking a 10-7 cushion.

Tabern replied in 14 darts to stay in the game, but another missed double came back to haunt him in the next as Manley took out double top for the win.

The Dutchman had whitewashed Matt Clark in the first round at the Mandalay Bay Resort on Thursday, but failed to reproduce that form as the left-hander sent him packing.

Tabern won the final four legs of the match to pull clear from 4-4 to take victory and move into the quarter-finals.

“It’s the biggest win of my career on TV, without a doubt,” said Tabern. “I feel I got what I deserved today, I didn’t throw away any legs and was pretty solid.”

Tabern now meets Peter Manley in the last eight, after the 2003 champion knocked out Adrian Lewis 8-6 in a thrilling contest, which featured 11 maximums and saw Manley come from 4-1 down to win.

Three-time Desert Classic champion and world number one Phil Taylor cruised past Dennis Priestley 8-4, and now takes on Adrian Gray on Saturday.

Gray defeated Hampshire qualifier Sam Rooney 8-3, including a 160 finish to set up a repeat of his meeting with Taylor in the 2007 World Grand Prix, which the Sussex-based carpet-fitter won.

World number three James Wade moved into the quarter-finals with an 8-5 defeat of Mark Walsh, and faces Andy Hamilton, with the Stoke player seeing off Jelle Klaasen in a deciding leg after overcoming a 6-3 deficit.

The other quarter-final will see Roland Scholten, who overcame Terry Jenkins 8-6, take on Mervyn King.

King landed six 180s and three ton-plus finishes in his 8-6 victory over Darin Young to end American hopes at the tournament.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Second Round
James Wade 8-5 Mark Walsh
Peter Manley 8-6 Adrian Lewis
Andy Hamilton 8-7 Jelle Klaasen
Roland Scholten 8-6 Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor 8-4 Dennis Priestley
Alan Tabern 8-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Gray 8-3 Sam Rooney
Mervyn King 8-6 Darin Young

Quarter-Final Order of Play
Roland Scholten v Mervyn King
Phil Taylor v Adrian Gray
James Wade v Andy Hamilton
Alan Tabern v Peter Manley
Best of 21 legs
Play begins at 11am on Saturday (7pm BST)

JAMES WADE 8-5 MARK WALSH

JAMES WADE progressed to the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a battling 8-5 win over Mark Walsh.

Wade remains on course for a second successive major title, although he was forced to battle all the way by resurgent Walsh.

A year ago, Watford-based Walsh was fighting dartitis and had tumbled to the edge of the top 32, but pushed Wade all the way and even had his chances, pulling back from 4-1 to level at 5-5 but eventually paying for a missed dart at double top to lead.

Walsh landed two maximums in the second leg as the first two were shared, but double top edged Wade ahead and he then broke the throw after Walsh missed three darts at double top.

Wade kicked off leg five with a 180 of his own, and took out 72 in two darts to move 4-1 up.

Walsh replied on double ten and Wade took out a tricky double 13, but three successive legs, including a break of his own, saw Walsh square the contest.

Wade steadied any nerves with a 180 in the 11th leg, and he stepped in to move back ahead after Walsh missed one dart at double top for a 6-5 lead.

It proved crucial, with Wade then taking out 96 in two-darts to break Walsh’s throw again before he hit double four to seal the win.

“I’m just glad to be through,” admitted Wade. “I’m not happy with my performance and I know I’ve got lots of improvement in me.

“Mark fought hard and came back well, but I did enough in the end.”

PETER MANLEY 8-6 ADRIAN LEWIS

PETER MANLEY booked his place in the last eight of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic, edging out Adrian Lewis 8-6 in a classic contest at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

The 2003 champion was in sensational form with his finishing to overturn a 4-1 deficit and take the win.

Lewis played his part in a brilliant game, averaging over 100 for most of the clash but paying for missed doubles – especially at double top – as Manley battled through.

Lewis found an extra gear after the first two legs were shared, winning the next three to storm into a 4-1 lead.

Manley returned from the break to win three legs in a row himself, twice punishing misses from Lewis to level with two 13-darters and a 14-dart leg.

The pair traded 180s in the next, with Lewis taking a 5-4 lead before Manley took out 62 in two darts to square matters again with a 14-darter.

A 13-dart leg from Manley broke Lewis’ throw to put him ahead for the first time at 6-5, although the Stoke youngster hit his fifth maximum of the match to reply in the next after Manley missed double top.

But three missed darts at double top in the next cost Lewis dear, with Manley taking out 87 on the bullseye to steal the leg and move one away from victory.

Lewis also had chances in the next, missing four darts to stay in the game before Manley eventually landed double one to put himself into the quarter-finals.

“Maybe at 4-1 Adrian thought he would coast the game, but I did a job and just to get the win is fantastic,” said Manley.

“Adrian will be a fantastic player in years to come, but he thinks he’s the best in the world at the moment and he still has to prove it.

“Although I finished up just under a 100 average, I think the Premier League this year proved I can average over 100 and that’s what you have to do to win a game at this level.”

ANDY HAMILTON 8-7 JELLE KLAASEN

ANDY HAMILTON edged a final-leg thriller to knock out Jelle Klaasen in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 8-7 victory at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

Hamilton trailed the youngster 6-3 and was staring defeat in the face, only to take victory in a deciding leg.

The game’s first five legs went with the throw to leave Klaasen 3-2 up before the Dutchman took advantage of seven missed doubles in the next to break the throw.

A 127 finish from Hamilton saw him hit back, but two double top checkouts from Klaasen put him 6-3 ahead.

Hamilton landed double six in the next two legs, and then squared the contest on double ten after two missed doubles from Klaasen.

He landed a maximum on his way to the next leg, moving ahead for the first time in the game at 7-6.

Klaasen took out double top, with Hamilton on 41, to send the match into a decider, but the Dutchman lost his range and Hamilton, aided by a timely 180, had the breathing space to land double five for the win.

“That was the best double five I’ve ever hit,” admitted Hamilton, who had averaged 100 in his first round win over Shawn Brenneman and now faces James Wade in the quarter-finals.

“Getting the win is the most important thing but I was nervous and didn’t play half as well as the first round.

“I played Jelle rather than playing the board. He’s quick and I quickened up with him but when I relaxed I scored well.

“I’ve got to improve on this against James but I beat him the last time we played and I know what I need to do in the quarter-finals.”

ROLAND SCHOLTEN 8-6 TERRY JENKINS

ROLAND SCHOLTEN sneaked past Terry Jenkins 8-6 to reach the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

The Dutchman continued a strong challenge at the Mandalay Bay Resort to see off the world number five.

A game of two halves saw the opening seven legs go against the throw before both found another gear, with a break from Scholten – in leg 13 – proving crucial in pulling him to the win.

Scholten took out 120 to win the opening leg, and both players traded 12-darters as the Dutchman held a slender 4-3 lead.

He then landed double top to hold throw for the first time in the game in leg eight and move 5-3 up, but six perfect darts in the next were not enough to extend the advantage, with Jenkins taking out 81 on the bullseye.

The two traded maximums in leg ten before Scholten held throw and he led 6-5 before Jenkins took advantage of a missed bullseye to level at six-all.

But, crucially, Scholten broke straight back on double top to go 7-6 up and then landed the same bed to take victory.

PHIL TAYLOR 8-4 DENNIS PRIESTLEY

PHIL TAYLOR saw off old foe Dennis Priestley 8-4 to march into the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Taylor was in merciless form to see off Kevin Painter in round one, and produced some ruthless finishing and remain on course for a fourth Desert Classic title.

Taylor kicked off the match with a 14-darter, and added a 101 finish before breaking Priestley’s throw in leg four after the Yorkshireman missed three doubles.

Taylor then added a third maximum of the match to open leg give, and landed double eight for a 4-1 lead at the first break.

Priestley responded in 14 darts and then took out 76 on double top to pull back to 4-3.

But two double top finishes pulled Taylor clear again at 6-3, and though Priestley hit back to take the tenth leg a 109 finish from Taylor took him to the brink of victory.

Taylor then ensured his place in the last eight on double top.

“My average wasn’t as good as Wednesday against Kevin but it’s a win and that’s what is important,” said Taylor.

“Dennis was strong and at 4-1 he could still have come back. He’s a fantastic scorer and he grinds you down, but I managed to hold him off.”

ALAN TABERN 8-4 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

ALAN TABERN sent defending champion Raymond van Barneveld crashing out of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a sensational 8-4 win at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Tabern had to win through the qualifiers just to earn a place in the televised stages of the tournament, but claimed the biggest victory of his career to move into the quarter-finals.

Van Barneveld failed to find the form which took him to the title 12 months ago, slumping to defeat as Tabern won four successive legs to pull away from four-all to take the win.

The opening five legs went with the throw to leave Tabern 3-2 up, and the St Helens man took the first break of throw in leg six.

Van Barneveld responded well to break back in 13 darts, and matched that in the next to level at 4-4.

But he missed four darts at a double in the next, with Tabern taking out double 12 and then breaking again on double top after landing his first maximum of the game.

Double 16 put Tabern a leg away from victory, and the pair traded maximums in the next before Tabern landed double ten for the win.

“It’s the biggest win of my career on TV, without a doubt,” said Tabern, “I feel I got what I deserved today, I didn’t throw away any legs and was pretty solid.”

ADRIAN GRAY 8-3 SAM ROONEY

ADRIAN GRAY reached his first quarter-final at the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 8-3 victory over Sam Rooney.

The 27-year-old from Sussex produced a brilliant finishing performance to overcome the PDC newcomer, who had knocked out Colin Lloyd in round one.

Gray pulled clear from 2-2 to 5-2 with a flawless display of finishing, including a double 16 to break Rooney’s throw in leg six and a double 18 in the next after his opponent had missed three darts at the same bed.

Double 18 helped Gray break throw in the next to move 6-2 up, but his first misses of the match in leg nine allowed Rooney back in.

The youngster then produced a killer blow to take a 7-3 cushion, taking out a sensational 160 with Rooney sat on a finish.

And he landed a third maximum of the game in the next to pull clear of Rooney, allowing for four misses at the double before sealing victory on double one.

Gray now meets world number one Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals, having defeated the 13-time World Champion in last year’s SkyBet World Grand Prix.

“My finishing was great and that proved the difference,” said Gray. “I felt comfortable, especially on double 18, and I’m in confident mood.

“I’ve got Phil next and I’ve beaten him before so he holds no fear for me, and I can go up there and enjoy it.”

MERVYN KING 8-6 DARIN YOUNG

MERVYN KING produced a heavy-scoring showing to see off Darin Young and book his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

King landed six maximums and three ton-plus finishes to end American hopes in the Desert Classic on Independence Day.

Young played his part in a superb contest, but a mid-game blitz from the Englishman saw him into the last eight for the first time in Las Vegas.

Young led 2-1 early on, only for King to then win three successive legs, taking out 114 and 116 before a 12-darter from the American pulled him back to 4-3 – with King having hit back-to-back maximums to leave 41 after nine darts.

King then opened leg eight with two more 180s to hit four successively, winning the leg in 11 darts and also taking out a key 150 finish in leg ten to lead 6-4.

Young responded well with legs of 15 and 11 darts to square the match, only for King to again find another gear, hitting three ton-plus scores in the next two legs as he posted 14 and 13-darters to seal his place in the quarter-finals.

The Dutchman claimed the title in Las Vegas 12 months ago, and never looked in trouble in seeing off the Manchester-based qualifier in straight sets.

Van Barneveld included a 118 finish on his way to the win, and praised his finishing following the victory.

“Matt had chances to win two or three legs but you have to hit your doubles and I did that,” said van Barneveld. “I can score better than this but my doubles were great and I’m pleased with that.

“It’s a year since I’ve won a major tournament and hopefully this is the start of a good week.”

Van Barneveld now faces Alan Tabern for a place in the quarter-finals, after the emerging left-hander came from behind to win 6-4 against Larry Butler his opening game.

Stoke duo Andy Hamilton and Adrian Lewis both booked their places in round two earlier in the day, following contrasting games.

Hamilton averaged over 100 in an excellent 6-1 victory over Canada’s Shawn Brenneman, while Lewis twice came from behind to level before edging out Robert Thornton 6-5.

Lewis will now take on Peter Manley in the last 16, with the 2003 Desert Classic champion producing some brilliant finishing to defeat Steve Maish 6-3.

World number three James Wade made a strong start to his bid for back-to-back major titles, seeing off Dennis Smith 6-1, while Jelle Klaasen stormed past Canada’s Gerry Convery by the same scoreline.

Mark Walsh set up a second round meeting with Wade thanks to his final-leg victory over Bill Davis.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
First Round – Thursday Results
Andy Hamilton 6-1 Shawn Brenneman
Mark Walsh 6-5 Bill Davis
Jelle Klaasen 6-1 Gerry Convery
Adrian Lewis 6-5 Robert Thornton
Raymond van Barneveld 6-0 Matt Clark
James Wade 6-1 Dennis Smith
Peter Manley 6-3 Steve Maish
Alan Tabern 6-4 Larry Butler

Second Round Order of Play
Friday 10.30am Start – 6.30pm BST
James Wade v Mark Walsh
Adrian Lewis v Peter Manley
Andy Hamilton v Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins v Roland Scholten
Phil Taylor v Dennis Priestley
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Tabern
Sam Rooney v Adrian Gray
Mervyn King v Darin Young

ANDY HAMILTON 6-1 SHAWN BRENNEMAN

ANDY HAMILTON powered into the second round of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-1 demolition of Shawn Brenneman.

Hamilton began his challenge at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino with a fine performance, averaging over 100 in seeing off the Canadian qualifier.

Brenneman was never in the contest, with Hamilton producing some fine finishing to open up a 5-0 lead, hitting double 16, top, 14 and 18 before taking out 128 on the bullseye.

Brenneman got off the mark in leg six, taking out 96 on double eight, but Hamilton responded in superb fashion to take the win with a ten darter, scoring 140, 180, 165 and double eight.

“I didn’t realise my average was so good but it’s pleasing,” said Hamilton. “I had a few sloppy darts in there but I can work on that before the second round.

“I felt good on stage and was relaxed – maybe too much at times!”

MARK WALSH 6-5 BILL DAVIS

MARK WALSH edged out Bill Davis in a deciding leg to book his place in round two of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

American star Davis looked set to claim victory when he took a 5-3 lead, only for Walsh to take the final three legs and the win.

Walsh broke Davis’ throw in the opening leg and led 2-0 before being pegged back, with Davis taking advantage of two missed doubles to level before then moving 3-2 up.

Walsh defied a maximum from Davis to hit back on double four, but the American took the next two to move withing sight of the win.

But a 13-darter against the throw saw Walsh hit back, double top sent the game into a decider and he then took the win on double ten, with Davis waiting on 40 but never getting a dart for the victory.

JELLE KLAASEN 6-1 GERRY CONVERY

JELLE KLAASEN blasted his way into the second round of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-1 win over Gerry Convery.

The young Dutchman won through the qualifiers at Mandalay Bay to earn a Desert Classic debut, and performed superbly to set up a round two date with Andy Hamilton.

He took the first three legs to put himself immediately in command of the contest, with Convery twice missing doubles.

The Canadian took leg four on double 18, and kicked off the next with back-to-back 180s to set up a possible nine-darter.

However, he missed his seventh treble 20, and went on to miss two darts to pull back to 3-2 before Klaasen – who had hit a maximum himself – landed double 16.

He then took out 100 on double top before securing the win with a 111 finish.

“I’m pleased with the win because that was a pretty good display,” said Klaasen. “I felt good and finished well, and hopefully I can do well here this week.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 6-5 ROBERT THORNTON

ADRIAN LEWIS twice came from behind before booking his place in round two of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a thrilling 6-5 win over Robert Thornton.

Lewis, the number seven seed, found himself facing an early exit when Thornton took leads of 2-0 and 4-2, only for the Stoke youngster to sneak through.

Thornton opened by breaking the throw with a 14-darter, and landed a maximum on his way to doubling the lead.

Lewis took out double 12 twice to level matters, but Thornton took advantage of missed doubles to once again take a two-leg cushion.

He missed two darts at double top for a 5-2 lead, with Lewis landing double five with his third dart to pull back again.

A 14-darter saw Lewis level, and a 121 finish on the bull put him ahead for the first time.

Thornton then took out 116 to send the match into a decider – with Lewis waiting on 40 – before both players traded 180s in the final leg.

It was Lewis who was first to the double, and he took out double 18 with his first dart to move into the last 16.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 6-0 MATT CLARK

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD began the defence of his PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic title with a whitewash over Matt Clark at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

The Dutchman was never in trouble against the Manchester-based qualifier, who failed to find his rhythm until it was too late.

Van Barneveld included a 118 finish in taking the first three legs comfortable, before Clark missed four darts at a double in the fourth as the Dutchman extended his advantage.

Clark kicked off the next with a maximum, but it was van Barneveld who was first to the double, and he wrapped up the win on double 16 after three more misses from his opponent.

“Matt had chances to win two or three legs but you have to hit your doubles and I did that,” said van Barneveld. “I can score better than this but my doubles were great and I’m pleased with that.

“It’s a year since I’ve won a major tournament and hopefully this is the start of a good week.”

Van Barneveld used a pair of earplugs to aid his concentration during the game, and added: “The crowd are quite quiet but occasionally you hear little noises and it can put you off, so I put them in.

“In front of thousands of people in the UK it’s different and you manage to focus despite the noise, but it worked for me.”

JAMES WADE 6-1 DENNIS SMITH

JAMES WADE swept past Dennis Smith 6-1 to reach the second round of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic.

The world number three made a confident start to his bid for a fourth major title, having won last month’s UK Open, and had few problems against Smith after a nervy start.

Smith, who came through the qualifiers to win a place in the event, missed two darts to win the game’s opening leg before winning the second to level matters.

But a quick double salvo from Wade saw him push clear at 3-1, before a 174 score set up a double 16 finish to extend the cushion.

Two misses from Smith in the next allowed Wade to move a leg away from victory, and he sealed the win on double top.

“I’m glad that’s over and done with because I was nervous going into the game,” admitted Wade. “It was an enjoyable game and Dennis did well, but I’m starting to show my experience on stage now.

“I’ve never played well in Las Vegas before so hopefully I’ll settle down on stage this week and do well.”

PETER MANLEY 6-3 STEVE MAISH

PETER MANLEY opened his PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic bid with a clinical 6-3 win over Steve Maish.

The 2003 Desert Classic champion lived up to his “One Dart” nickname with some superb finishing to see off the qualifier from Essex.

Maish actually led 2-1, taking out 101 on double 16 to break Manley’s throw.

Manley immediately broke back, and a superb two-dart 75 finish saw him lead 3-2, despite Maish opening the leg with five perfect darts.

Maish took out 86 on the bullseye to level again after Manley burst his 80 finish, but three misses cost him dear in the next as Manley moved 4-3 up.

A 107 finish saw Manley put breathing space between the pair, and an 86 checkout on double 16 earned him victory and sets up a tasty clash with Adrian Lewis in round two.

ALAN TABERN 6-4 LARRY BUTLER

ALAN TABERN battled past Larry Butler to put himself into the second round of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-4 victory.

The duo enjoyed a fine battle, with Butler showing glimpses of the form which took him to the 1994 World Matchplay title as he took a 4-3 lead.

But Tabern finished the stronger, winning the final three legs without reply to set up a clash with Raymond van Barneveld on Friday.

Tabern kicked off the match with a 180 and took the first leg before Butler, buoyed by a maximum of his own, took the next two to lead.

The next four legs were shared, but a crucial missed double eight from the American saw his hopes of a 5-3 lead ended, with Tabern levelling on double 16.

A two-dart 68 finish put Tabern in front 5-4, and he sealed the win with an 84 finish on double six.

“It was a real battle,” said Tabern. “Larry took out some good finishes when I was waiting on a finish myself, and I had to fight all the way.

“I had to grind out the result but if I can play on stage the way I do away from TV I could go a long way in this tournament.

“I’ve got Raymond next but he holds no fear for me. I’ve loads of respect for him and am looking forward to it.”

Painter battled through the qualifiers just to win a place in the main event but was simply overpowered by Taylor, who averaged 108.8 in the win to his opponent’s 104.

Taylor lost 6-5 to Mark Dudbridge in last year’s first round and admitted that memory helped him to victory this time around, with an early 3-0 lead proving crucial in the final outcome.

“Last year’s gone but you do think about it,” he said. “You can only do something about the future and I’m up for it this year.

“Kevin was superb and won some great legs but I had to try and keep my throw – when he had his back against the wall he hit and 11 or 12-darter.

“At 5-4 I couldn’t let him get to five each, especially after what happened last year, and I kicked in.

“It was a cracking average but I’ve got a toughie against Dennis Priestley next and I’ll have to average 110 or so to beat him.”

Priestley won the tournament’s opening game with a 6-2 demolition of Dutchman Co Stompe, but there was misery for three seeds who crashed out of the tournament on the opening day.

World Champion John Part, the 2006 champion, lost 6-4 to Mervyn King, while 2004 and 2005 finalist Wayne Mardle went down by the same scoreline to qualifier Adrian Gray.

Colin Lloyd suffered a first round exit in Las Vegas for a third successive year with a 6-5 defeat to Sam Rooney, a qualifier from Hampshire.

World number five Terry Jenkins, the 2007 runner-up, made a winning start to his challenge with a 6-4 win over Ireland’s Mick McGowan, and will meet Roland Scholten in round two, after the Dutchman came from 3-0 down to see off Barrie Bates.

American Darin Young defeated Martin Burchell 6-4 in the final game of the day, setting up a clash with King in the second round on Friday.

The first round concludes on Thursday, with Raymond van Barneveld beginning the defence of his title against Matt Clark.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
First Round
Wednesday 2 July
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Co Stompe
Terry Jenkins 6-4 Mick McGowan
Wayne Mardle 4-6 Adrian Gray
John Part 4-6 Mervyn King
Phil Taylor 6-4 Kevin Painter
Colin Lloyd 5-6 Sam Rooney
Roland Scholten 6-4 Barrie Bates
Darin Young 6-4 Martin Burchell

Thursday Fixtures (11am start local time, 7pm BST)
Andy Hamilton v Shawn Brenneman
Bill Davis v Mark Walsh
Gerry Convery v Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
Raymond van Barneveld v Matt Clark
James Wade v Dennis Smith
Peter Manley v Steve Maish
Larry Butler v Alan Tabern

DENNIS PRIESTLEY 6-2 CO STOMPE

DENNIS PRIESTLEY denied Co Stompe a dream debut in the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-2 victory in the tournament’s opening game.

Stompe battled through Monday’s qualifiers to earn his first appearance in a major PDC tournament, but the Dutchman paid for missed doubles at crucial moments as the veteran Yorkshireman moved into the last 16.

Stompe led after taking the opening leg, hitting a maximum and landing double ten to make a confident start.

But he was punished in the third, missing three darts at a double before Priestley landed double six to break the throw and lead 2-1.

Stompe then missed seven doubles in the next as Priestley scrambled home double one and the two-time World Champion added 180s in the next two in taking a 5-1 cushion.

A 102 finish from Stompe kept him in the contest, but Priestley sealed the win on double 12 to move into round two.

“I was a bit nervous, being first on, and I was never totally comfortable,” said Priestley. “But it’s a win and that’s all that matters!

“I have a day off now so can get some more practice in and get ready for Phil Taylor or Kevin Painter on Friday.”

TERRY JENKINS 6-4 MICK McGOWAN

TERRY JENKINS held off Mick McGowan’s fightback to move into the last 16 of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-4 victory.

The 2007 runner-up looked set to power through when he took an early 3-0 lead against the Irish qualifier.

But McGowan – who reached the second round two years ago on his only previous Desert Classic appearance – took advantage of some wayward finishing from Jenkins to battle back into the game.

McGowan took the fourth and sixth legs to pull back to 4-2, and five misses from Jenkins allowed him to win the next on double 18 before levelling at four-all on tops.

McGowan landed a maximum in leg nine as he scented a lead for the first time in the game, but a double ten finish saw Jenkins steady his nerves and move a leg away from the win.

The world number five then landed two 180s in the next and took advantage of three misses from McGowan to regain his range on double top and seal victory.

“It was a real battle but I’m pleased to be through,” said Jenkins. “I missed too many doubles and let Mick back in.”

ADRIAN GRAY 6-4 WAYNE MARDLE

ADRIAN GRAY dumped two-time finalist Wayne Mardle out of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a thrilling 6-4 win at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

The 27-year-old from Sussex – nicknamed “The Conqueror” – dumped Phil Taylor from last year’s World Grand Prix and added another leading name to his list of victims with some assured finishing in Las Vegas.

He took out superb finishes of 156 and 126, on the bullseye, in edging 3-2 ahead before a 96 checkout saw him pull clear at 5-2.

Mardle landed double nine to stay in the game and stepped in after Gray missed three darts for the match in leg nine to land double two and pull back to 5-4.

But the world number ten failed to leave a double in the next after a 180 left him on a finish, and Gray took his chance on double five.

“I’m delighted,” said Gray, who still works as a carpet fitter by trade. “I took out some good finishes but I needed to because Wayne could have gone ahead 4-1.

“It’s great to be through but I’ve always lost in the second round when I’ve qualified before so hopefully I can change that this week.”

MERVYN KING 6-4 JOHN PART

WORLD CHAMPION John Part was knocked out of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-4 loss to Mervyn King at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Part had claimed the Desert Classic title two years ago and was bidding for a second win in the event, only to become the second seed to crash out of the event in the first round.

King, who won through Monday’s qualifier at the Mandalay Bay, never looked back after taking a 3-1 lead early on, and held off Part’s fightback to secure his last 16 berth for a second successive year.

“I felt good and am pleased with that,” said King. “I’ve practiced hard for two-and-a-half months and it’s a good start.

“John didn’t play as well as he can and he left me in, but I did enough to get through and had more in my tank.

“He’s a fantastic player but even though he’s World Champion I had to treat him as just another player and I did that.”

Part landed a 180 in taking the opening leg, but King took the next three – including a 100 finish – to lead 3-1.

Misses from King in two of the next three allowed Part to pull back to 4-3, but a crucial 70 from the Englishman – after Part hit a 180 to leave 88 – saw him move 5-3 up.

King missed two darts for the win in the next leg as Part landed double top to keep alive his challenge.

But King swiftly closed out victory, hitting a 180 to pull clear in the next and then taking out double 16.

PHIL TAYLOR 6-4 KEVIN PAINTER

PHIL TAYLOR made a storming start to his bid for a fourth PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic title with a 6-4 win over Kevin Painter.

Painter, who battled through the second qualifier on Tuesday just to win a place in the main event, performed superbly but was simply overpowered by Taylor, who averaged 108.8 in the win to his opponent’s 104.

The 13-time World Champion was 3-0 up following a blistering start, breaking Painter in leg two on double 16 in taking a key advantage.

Painter got off the mark with a fine 11-darter, with Taylor responding in 12 to lead 4-2.

Painter landed a 12-darter to break back, only for Taylor to kick off the next leg with five perfect darts against the throw before moving 5-3 up.

Leg nine also went against the throw, with Painter hitting double 12 for another break as he stayed in the game.

But another maximum from Taylor gave him the edge in leg ten, and double four ensured his place in round two, where he meets Dennis Priestley.

Taylor lost 6-5 to Mark Dudbridge in last year’s first round and admitted that memory helped him to victory this time around.

“Last year’s gone but you do think about it,” he said. “You can only do something about the future and I’m up for it this year.

“Kevin was superb and won some great legs but I had to try and keep my throw – when he had his back against the wall he hit and 11 or 12-darter.

“At 5-4 I couldn’t let him get to five each, especially after what happened last year, and I kicked in.

“If Kevin had played anyone else maybe he’d have gone through but playing on TV, and against me, brings the best out of him.

“It was a cracking average but I’ve got a toughie against Dennis next and I’ll have to average 110 or so to beat him.”

SAM ROONEY 6-5 COLIN LLOYD

QUALIFIER Sam Rooney enjoyed a dream PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic debut with a 6-5 win over Colin Lloyd.

The railway worker from Hampshire, whose only previous televised appearances have come in the UK Open as a pub qualifier, booked his place in the second round of the Desert Classic in dramatic fashion.

He trailed Lloyd 3-1 early on, but took advantage of some wayward finishing to send the former world number one crashing out in the first round for a third successive year in Las Vegas.

The opening three legs went with the throw before a bullseye finish from Lloyd in the fourth saw him secure the first break of throw to lead 3-1.

Rooney hit back to level with a double top finish followed by a two-dart 76 checkout.

Lloyd moved 4-3 up but three misses at double 12 cost him in the next as Rooney squared the match.

Lloyd again edged in front but failed to close out the win in leg ten, missing the single 17 on a 57 finish before missing with one dart at double top.

Rooney hit the same bed to send the match into a decider, and edged clear against the throw to give himself enough cushion to miss five darts for the win before hitting double four.

ROLAND SCHOLTEN 6-4 BARRIE BATES

ROLAND SCHOLTEN came from 3-0 down to book his place in round two of the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 6-4 win over Barrie Bates.

Scholten seemed on course to follow up a first-game exit in last month’s UK Open with another early defeat in Las Vegas when Bates moved clear early on.

The Welshman won a place in the event through Tuesday’s qualifiers, and continued his run of form to take the opening three legs.

Scholten lifted his scoring to get off the mark on double 16, hit double 18 to break throw in leg five and then took out double four to level.

Bates edged back in front on double ten, but Scholten squared the match again in the eighth before winning the next to lead for the first time in the game at 5-4.

Three 100 scores put him clear in the next, and he checked out 100 to ensure his place in round two.

DARIN YOUNG 6-4 MARTIN BURCHELL

AMERICA’S Darin Young made a steady start to his PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic challenge to edge out Martin Burchell in Wednesday’s final game.

Burchell, a qualifier from Crawley making his Desert Classic debut, came from 3-1 down to push the US number one all the way before seeing his bid ended at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Young took the game’s first two legs, including a break of throw in the opener, before Burchell got off the mark in the third.

Young defied a 180 from Burchell to take the fourth, only for the Englishman to return the favour in the next, taking out double 12 to pull back to 3-2.

Young landed double top to win the sixth, but both players lost their range on the doubles in the next, with Burchell eventually hitting double five after the American missed nine darts for a 5-2 lead.

The next leg was almost a polar opposite, with Young checking out 158 on double 19 to go 5-3 up and within a leg of victory.

He missed the bullseye for the game in the next leg as Burchell hit double 16 to stay alive, but Young wrapped up the win on double top.

“That was very hard work,” said Young. “I seemed to get it together but then got in a slump and had to work out of it.

“Luckily I came out on top in the end. This is my fifth year and hopefully I can get myself together and get past the second round on Friday.”

The Dutchman moved onto the PDC circuit in mid-June, and has made an immediate impression to win a place in the first round of the Desert Classic, which begins on Wednesday.

He defeated Roger Carter 5-2 in his deciding game, was a 5-4 winner against Denis Ovens in the last 32 and had dropped only one leg in opening wins over John Murray and Simon Whatley.

American Carter hit a nine-darter in defeating Wes Newton in the last 32, only to fall at the final hurdle in his bid for a place in the main event.

Scotland’s Robert Thornton, another recent mover onto the PDC circuit, was pushed all the way by Joe Slivan before taking a 5-4 win in his deciding game, after the American missed darts for victory in the eighth leg.

Mervyn King qualified for the main tournament for a second successive year, defeating Barrie Bates 5-3 in the decider

Adrian Gray, who is likely to claim the final qualifying place for the Stan James World Matchplay, overcame Kevin Dowling 5-3 to win his place in the main tournament.

Canadian Shawn Brenneman will make his debut on the televised stage later in the week after he sneaked past Bristol’s Steve Brown 5-4, and also defeated Ireland’s Mick McGowan and Australian Paul Nicholson during the opening day of qualifiers.

Mark Walsh knocked out Kevin Painter 5-3 to win his place in the first round draw, having followed up his run to the semi-finals of Sunday’s Las Vegas Players Championship by dropping only one leg in his three games to reach the decider.

Steve Maish celebrated his third wedding anniversary with a 5-3 win over Alan Tabern to qualify, while former World Championship qualifier Martin Burchell, from Crawley in West Sussex, produced a fine display to whitewash Kit Young and earn his first appearance on the Mandalay Bay stage.

Number one seed Ronnie Baxter was a first round casualty, going down 5-4 to Jelle Klaasen, who was defeated in a deciding leg by Dowling in the last 32.

They will join just under 200 players who return on Tuesday to play off for the final eight places in the Desert Classic.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Day One Qualifiers
Adrian Gray
Mervyn King
Co Stompe
Shawn Brenneman
Mark Walsh
Robert Thornton
Martin Burchell
Steve Maish

Day One Qualifier Results
Preliminary Round
Ron Colvard 5-0 Keith Luck
Martyn Graham 5-1 Roger Goswell
Steve Smith 5-2 Taro Yachi
Kevin McDine 5-1 Tony Little
Kevin Dowling 5-1 Brian Jones
Paul Lim 5-2 Dave Essex
Scott Burnett 5-0 Danny Llanes
Mark Tiller 5-3 Wayne Atwood
Robbie Clear 5-4 Alan Codlin
Richie Burnett 5-0 Ron Peppers
Tom Wilson 5-0 Davey Harris
Brian Derbyshire 5-3 Jerry Hull
Sam Sawyer 5-0 Steve Randall
Tomokazu Onoda 5-3 Marcus Maraitis
Anton Pein 5-0 Niall Rooney
Dave Cameron 5-2 Robbie Newland
Dave Honey 5-0 Joe Formica
Eddie White 5-4 Cyril Pearce
Michael van Gerwen 5-1 John Worthington
Sam Rooney 5-0 Bobby Peters
Alan Matthews 5-2 Alan Wyatt
John Murray 5-1 John Hursey
Simon Whatley 5-0 Par Rihonen
Scott Kirchner 5-0 Darren Dixon
Gary Blades 5-4 Robert Heckman
Steve Mason 5-0 Steve Hogan
Donnie Strode 5-0 Marc Garcia
Sue Cusick Bye (Steven Harbert timed out)
Roger Carter 5-1 Kenji Mayama
Steve Hine 5-0 Jason Smith
Nick Rivera 5-0 Takeyama Daisuke
Steve Beaton 5-0 James Stephenson
Geoff Daniels 5-4 Christopher Eberley
Steve Brown 5-2 Russell Stewart
Peter Walford 5-2 Scott Clifford
Michael Rosenauer 5-0 Dan Lauby
Chris White 5-0 Mark K Robinson
Shawn Brenneman 5-1 John Dawes
Steve Hills 5-1 Joseph Swick
Andy Mason 5-2 Dave Ansell
Robert Watson-Lang 5-3 Matt Clark
Mark Nielsen 5-1 David Uribe
Mark Frost 5-0 Jayson Barlow
Sean Palfrey 5-3 Dave Smith
Dan Olson 5-0 David Ley
Dale Arthur 5-3 Napoleon J MacPherson
Ben Hendon 5-1 Robert Race
Graham Warburton 5-0 Vasilios Gavrielatos
Keith Bedding 5-0 Gary Mawson
Robert Thornton 5-1 Isaac Julian
Stephen Panuncialman 5-3 Paul Nicholson
Ben Burton 5-1 Isen Veljic
Peter Wright 5-1 Thomas Jackowski
Steve Cusick Bye (Tarek Hamdy)
Joe Slivan 5-4 Dale Masterman
Mark Card 5-2 Alexander Plachutin
Steve Grubb 5-4 Pete Riehl
John Quantock 5-1 Paul Cohen
Steve Farrow 5-0 Gilbert Llanes
Dennis Smith 5-3 Anthony Clark
Martin Burchell 5-2 Gregor Cruickshank
Mark Carter 5-0 Stephen Grant
Philip Smith 5-3 Gordon Dixon
Greg Lewis 5-4 John Kuczynski
Terry Stewart 5-2 Jim Withers
Andy Beardmore Bye (Victor DeWilde)
Stacy Bromberg 5-3 Frederick Krueger
John Ferrell 5-1 Nigel Panton
Danny King 5-4 Bryan Willis
Mena Maximo 5-1 Brenda Roush
Mark Stephenson 5-4 Geoff Dyer
Stuart Holden 5-0 Karl Loiseau
Tony Ayres Bye (Martin Tremblay)
Alan Caves Bye (Anthony Eugenia)
Danny Pinhorne 5-1 Grant Firmager
Dan Zimmerman 5-2 Tony Thompson
Steve Maish 5-2 Rocco Maes

First Round
Jelle Klaasen 5-4 Ronnie Baxter
Ron Colvard 5-4 Martyn Graham
Aaron Turner 5-4 Steve Smith
Kevin Dowling 5-4 Kevin McDine
Adrian Gray 5-1 Gary Broomhead
Paul Lim 5-1 Scott Burnett
Lee Holden 5-1 Steve Perkins
Mark Tiller 5-0 Robbie Clear
Mervyn King 5-2 Jimmy Williams
Tom Wilson 5-2 Richie Burnett
Brian Derbyshire 5-1 Peter Webb
Sam Sawyer 5-2 Tomokazu Onoda
Barrie Bates 5-2 Alan Warriner-Little
Anton Pein 5-2 Dave Cameron
Dave Honey 5-1 David Fatum
Michael van Gerwen 5-0 Eddie White
Denis Ovens 5-0 Mark Billing
Alan Matthews 5-4 Sam Rooney
Co Stompe 5-0 John Murray
Simon Whatley 5-1 Scott Kirchner
Wes Newton 5-4 Masahiko Sano
Steve Mason 5-2 Gary Blades
Donnie Strode 5-0 Chris Chadwick
Roger Carter 5-1 Sue Cusick
Colin Osborne 5-0 Phil Jones
Steve Hine 5-0 Nick Rivera
Steve Beaton 5-3 Terry Takacs
Steve Brown 5-0 Geoff Daniels
Mick McGowan 5-3 David Wilderman
Michael Rosenauer 5-3 Peter Walford
Tony Eccles 5-2 Chris White
Shawn Brenneman 5-4 Steve Hills
Kevin Painter 5-1 Richie Blake
Robert Watson-Lang 5-3 Andy Mason
Ken MacNeill 5-0 Mark Nielsen
Sean Palfrey 5-2 Mark Frost
Mark Walsh 5-0 Ian Frame
Dan Olson 5-0 Dale Arthur
Ian Jopling 5-1 Pat Breithaupt
Graham Warburton def Ben Hendon
Andy Jenkins 5-0 Andy Relf
Robert Thornton 5-1 Keith Bedding
Stephen Panuncialman 5-1 Kim Whiffen
Ben Burton 5-2 Peter Wright
Kirk Shepherd 5-3 Lee Williams
Joe Slivan 5-4 Steve Cusick
Darren Moulsley 5-1 Mark Card
John Quantock 5-1 Steve Grubb
Mark Dudbridge 5-2 Brian Cyr
Dennis Smith 5-0 Steve Farrow
Martin Burchell 5-0 Danny White
Mark Carter 5-4 Philip Smith
Alan Reynolds 5-4 Andy Smith
Greg Lewis 5-2 Terry Stewart
Kit Young 5-2 Dennis Sayre Jnr
Andy Beardmore 5-3 Stacy Bromberg
Alan Tabern 5-0 Eddie Lawrence
Danny King 5-4 John Ferrell
John Rutherford 5-1 Mena Maximo
Stuart Holden 5-1 Mark Stephenson
Alex Roy 5-0 Scott Cummings
Tony Ayres 5-2 Alan Caves
Steve Evans 5-3 Danny Pinhorne
Steve Maish 5-1 Dan Zimmerman

Second Round
Jelle Klaasen 5-1 Ron Colvard
Kevin Dowling 5-2 Aaron Turner
Adrian Gray 5-3 Paul Lim
Mark Tiller 5-2 Lee Holden
Mervyn King 5-4 Tom Wilson
Brian Derbyshire 5-1 Sam Sawyer
Barrie Bates 5-3 Anton Pein
Michael van Gerwen 5-2 Dave Honey
Denis Ovens 5-2 Alan Matthews
Co Stompe 5-1 Simon Whatley
Wes Newton 5-0 Steve Mason
Roger Carter 5-0 Donnie Strode
Steve Hine 5-4 Colin Osborne
Steve Brown 5-4 Steve Beaton
Mick McGowan 5-3 Michael Rosenauer
Shawn Brenneman 5-2 Tony Eccles
Kevin Painter 5-0 Robert Watson-Lang
Ken MacNeill 5-2 Sean Palfrey
Mark Walsh 5-0 Dan Olson
Ian Jopling 5-1 Graham Warburton
Robert Thornton 5-2 Andy Jenkins
Stephen Panuncialman 5-2 Ben Burton
Joe Slivan 5-2 Kirk Shepherd
John Quantock 5-2 Darren Moulsley
Dennis Smith 5-4 Mark Dudbridge
Martin Burchell 5-2 Mark Carter
Alan Reynolds 5-1 Greg Lewis
Kit Young 5-2 Andy Beardmore
Alan Tabern 5-0 Danny King
John Rutherford 5-4 Stuart Holden
Alex Roy 5-2 Tony Ayres
Steve Maish 5-1 Steve Evans

Third Round
Kevin Dowling 5-4 Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Gray 5-2 Mark Tiller
Mervyn King 5-2 Brian Derbyshire
Barrie Bates 5-3 Michael van Gerwen
Co Stompe 5-4 Denis Ovens
Roger Carter 5-3 Wes Newton
Steve Brown 5-3 Steve Hine
Shawn Brenneman 5-2 Mick McGowan
Kevin Painter 5-4 Ken MacNeill
Mark Walsh 5-1 Ian Jopling
Robert Thornton 5-1 Stephen Panuncialman
Joe Slivan 5-3 John Quantock
Martin Burchell 5-4 Dennis Smith
Kit Young 5-2 Alan Reynolds
Alan Tabern 5-3 John Rutherford
Steve Maish 5-3 Alex Roy
Losers £100

Fourth Round
Adrian Gray 5-3 Kevin Dowling
Mervyn King 5-3 Barrie Bates
Co Stompe 5-2 Roger Carter
Shawn Brenneman 5-4 Steve Brown
Mark Walsh 5-3 Kevin Painter
Robert Thornton 5-4 Joe Slivan
Martin Burchell 5-0 Kit Young
Steve Maish 5-3 Alan Tabern
Losers £200

KEVIN PAINTER, Alan Tabern and Barrie Bates bounced back to come through Tuesday’s final qualifier were among the final eight qualifiers for the PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic on Tuesday.

The trio all lost in the deciding games of Monday’s first qualifier, but took their second chance to earn a place in the main Desert Classic event.

Painter defeated Richie Blake 5-1 in his deciding game to win his place in the first round, with Tabern a 5-2 winner against former World Champion Steve Beaton.

Bates, meanwhile, overcame World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd in his decider to put his name in the hat for the first round draw, which will be made later on Tuesday.

Ronnie Baxter hit a nine-darter during a win over Simon Whatley during the event, but fell at the final hurdle when he was defeated 5-3 by Holland’s Jelle Klaasen.

Irishman Mick McGowan and England’s Matt Clark qualified for the second time in three years with their wins over Denis Ovens and Andy Jenkins respectively.

Jenkins missed seven darts for a 5-3 win against Clark before losing out in a deciding leg.

Dennis Smith, who reached the quarter-finals last year, won a place in the tournament with a 5-2 win over Andy Beardmore, a hopeful from Stoke who reached the last 16 on Tuesday in his first attempt to qualify for a major PDC tournament.

Hampshire’s Sam Rooney, who has starred at the Blue Square UK Open as a Pub Qualifier in the past two years, won the final place in the tournament with a 5-3 win over top American player Chris White.

White had knocked out two-time Desert Classic semi-finalist Wes Newton in the first round, while Greg Lewis knocked out Alex Roy.

Mark Dudbridge and Andy Smith were other big names to fall at the first hurdle, losing to David Fatum and Peter Wright respectively.

Tuesday Qualifiers
Jelle Klaasen
Barrie Bates
Mick McGowan
Dennis Smith
Kevin Painter
Matt Clark
Sam Rooney
Alan Tabern

News Updates
Preliminary Round
Bristol’s Steve Brown is eliminated 5-2 by Dan Lauby.
Steve Evans defeats top US lady player Stacy Bromberg, while Germany’s Michael Rosenauer knocks out Dan Olson.
Roger Carter, who hit a nine-darter and went to within a game of qualifying on Monday, is defeated by Dennis Smith.
Russell Stewart and Paul Nicholson, who are representing Australia in the qualifiers, move into the first round with wins.
Jelle Klaasen moves into first round with 5-1 win over Ian Frame.
First Round
Robert Watson-Lang defeats Frederick Krueger 5-1 to progress.
Mark Dudbridge loses 5-4 to David Fatum, who comes from 4-2 down to win.
Chris White knocks out two-time Desert Classic semi-finalist Wes Newton.
Alan Tabern and Michael van Gerwen progress with whitewashes, as does Tony Eccles.
Seeded Andy Smith is dumped 5-1 by Peter Wright, while Alex Roy is defeated 5-3 by Greg Lewis.
Second Round
Steven Harbert defeats Danny Pinhorne 5-4 to move into last 32.
Jelle Klaasen whitewashes Alan Caves to win board four, while Paul Nicholson is board two’s winner after a 5-2 defeat of Mark Carter.
Tony Eccles defeats Mark K Robinson 5-1, while Alan Tabern knocks out Steve Hine.
Scott Kirchner comes from behind to win 5-4 against Robert Watson-Lang in a deciding leg.
World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd wins 5-1 against Ian Jopling.
Kevin McDine edges out German Michael Rosenauer in a thriller, with the lead changing hands three times before the young Englishman won the decider.
Ronnie Baxter hits nine-darter in winning leg against Simon Whatley.
Dennis Smith ends Colin Osborne’s hopes with a 5-3 win.
Third Round
Kirk Shepherd is the first player through to the deciders after his 5-4 win over Steven Harbert.
Alan Tabern overcomes Michael van Gerwen 5-2 to continue his challenge, and will now meet Steve Beaton for a place in the Desert Classic.
Denis Ovens and Mick McGowan to battle for place in the main tournament after their wins against Brian Derbyshire and Scott Kirchner.
Jelle Klaasen defeats Wayne Atwood 5-1.
Andy Jenkins and Matt Clark see off Robbie Newland and Dave Honey to progress.
Ronnie Baxter’s win over Paul Nicholson means he will meet Klaasen for a place in the Desert Classic, having lost to the Dutchman in Monday’s first round.
Chris White defeats Kevin McDine in a deciding leg to move into the last 16.
Barrie Bates ends the hopes of American star John Kuczynski in a final-leg contest.
Kevin Painter sees off Tony Eccles 5-1 and will face Richie Blake for a place in the main event.
David Fatum’s hopes of a place in the Desert Classic are ended in a final-leg battle with Sam Rooney.
Dennis Smith sees off Ben Burton to set up decider with Andy Beardmore.
Fourth Round
Jelle Klaasen takes out 127 on the bullseye to defeat Ronnie Baxter and win a place in the main tournament.
Andy Jenkins misses seven darts to defeat Matt Clark 5-3, eventually losing in a deciding leg.
Irishman Mick McGowan defeats Denis Ovens 5-2 to qualify, repeating his success of 2006.
Alan Tabern wins 5-2 against Steve Beaton to book his place in the Desert Classic.
Kevin Painter, the number two seed, wins 5-1 against English hopeful Richie Blake to qualify.
Welshman Barrie Bates qualifies for main tournament with a 5-3 win over World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd.
Hampshire’s Sam Rooney wins 5-3 against America’s Chris White to book his place in the main event.
Dennis Smith claimed the final qualifying spot with a 5-2 win over Stoke’s Andy Beardmore.

PartyPoker.net Las Vegas Desert Classic VII Qualifiers – Day Two Results
Preliminary Round
Stuart Holden 5-0 Eddie Lawrence
Brian Cyr Bye (David Wilderman)
Simon Whatley 5-1 David Uribe
Paul Nicholson 5-1 Lee Williams
Gary Broomhead 5-0 James Stephenson
Scott Burnett 5-1 Donnie Strode
Wayne Atwood 5-0 Peter Walford
Jerry Hull 5-0 Robert Heckman
Jelle Klaasen 5-1 Ian Frame
Joe Slivan 5-1 Anthony Clark
John Dawes 5-3 Napoleon McPherson
Jim Withers 5-0 Kenji Mayama
Steve Mason 5-1 Bobby Peters
Peter Webb 5-2 Marcus Maraits
Ian Jopling 5-0 Niall Rooney
Brian Jones Bye (Tomokazu Onoda)
Danny Pinhorne Bye (Keith Luck)
Tony Ayres 5-2 Darren Moulsley
Danny King 5-1 Bryan Willis
Joseph Swick 5-4 Mena Maximo
Brian Derbyshire 5-0 Vasilios Gavrielatos
Dale Masterman 5-3 Dave Ley
Steve Cusick 5-2 Ron Peppers
Stephen Panuncialman Bye (Darren Dixon)
Scott Kirchner Bye (John Murray)
Dennis Smith 5-1 Roger Carter
Mark Tiller 5-4 Graham Warburton
Andy Mason 5-3 John Hursey
Tom Wilson 5-4 Sam Sawyer
Steve Evans 5-3 Stacy Bromberg
Andy Beardmore 5-2 Anton Pein
Andy Relf 5-0 Joe Formica
Alan Reynolds 5-0 Ben Hendon
Kit Young 5-4 Terry Takacs
Mark Billing 5-0 Chris Chadwick
Rocco Maes 5-4 Steve Hills
Tony Eccles 5-0 Steve Perkins
Cyril Pearce Bye (Mark Card)
Karl Loiseau Bye (Alan Codlin)
Richie Blake 5-0 Marc Garcia
Keith Bedding 5-2 Anthony Eugenia
Eddie White 5-2 Steve Grubb
Dave Cameron 5-1 Terry Stewart
Dave Ansell 5-4 Philip Smith
Mark Stephenson 5-4 Gordon Dixon
Sean Palfrey Bye (Danny White)
Matt Clark 5-0 Sue Cusick
Kim Whiffen 5-4 Gary Blades
Takeyama Daisuke 5-2 Mark Neilsen
Dave Honey 5-0 Dave Essex
John Rutherford 5-0 Isaac Julian
Nick Rivera 5-2 John Ferrell
Sam Rooney 5-0 Dennis Sayre Jnr
John Worthington 5-1 Alan Wyatt
Paul Cohen 5-3 Jimmy Williams
Aaron Turner 5-2 Jason Smith
Michael Rosenauer 5-1 Dan Olson
Isen Veljic 5-3 John Quantock
Lee Holden 5-3 Tony Thompson
Steve Hine 5-1 Jayson Barlow
Russell Stewart 5-2 Steve Farrow
Gregor Cruickshank 5-2 Steve Hogan
Kevin Dowling 5-0 Robbie Clear
Ken MacNeill 5-0 Roger Goswell
Dan Lauby 5-2 Steve Brown
Alan Matthews 5-0 Pete Reihl

First Round
Ronnie Baxter 5-1 Lee Holden
Simon Whatley 5-4 Brian Cyr
Mark Carter 5-0 Brenda Roush
Paul Nicholson 5-0 Gary Broomhead
Alan Warriner-Little 5-4 Davey Harris
Wayne Atwood 5-4 Scott Burnett
Alan Caves 5-0 Stephen Grant
Jelle Klaasen 5-1 Jerry Hull
Barrie Bates 5-0 Phil Jones
Joe Slivan 5-2 John Dawes
John Kuczynski 5-2 Pat Breithaupt
Jim Withers 5-1 Steve Mason
Kirk Shepherd 5-0 Steve Randall
Ian Jopling 5-1 Peter Webb
Steven Harbert 5-0 Gilbert Llanes
Danny Pinhorne 5-1 Brian Jones
Denis Ovens 5-3 Ron Colvard
Tony Ayres 5-1 Danny King
Mark Frost 5-1 Dan Zimmerman
Brian Derbyshire 5-3 Joseph Swick
Mick McGowan 5-2 Dave Smith
Steve Cusick 5-0 Dale Masterman
Robert Watson-Lang 5-1 Frederick Krueger
Scott Kirchner 5-4 Stephen Panuncialman
Colin Osborne 5-3 Taro Yachi
Dennis Smith 5-2 Mark Tiller
Ben Burton 5-4 Paul Lim
Tom Wilson 5-0 Andy Mason
Greg Lewis 5-3 Alex Roy
Andy Beardmore 5-3 Steve Evans
Scott Cummings 5-4 Martyn Graham
Alan Reynolds 5-1 Andy Relf
Kevin Painter 5-2 Kit Young
Rocco Maes 5-0 Mark Billing
Mark K Robinson 5-4 Thomas Jackowski
Tony Eccles 5-0 Cyril Pearce
Gary Mawson 5-3 Par Rihonen
Richie Blake 5-1 Karl Loiseau
Grant Firminger 5-3 Christopher Eberley
Eddie White 5-1 Keith Bedding
Andy Jenkins 5-0 Geoff Dyer
Dave Cameron 5-1 Dave Ansell
Robbie Newland 5-1 Alexander Plachutin
Mark Stephenson 5-3 Sean Palfrey
Peter Wright 5-1 Andy Smith
Matt Clark 5-3 Kim Whiffen
Nigel Panton 5-0 Scott Clifford
Dave Honey 5-2 Takeyama Daisuke
David Fatum 5-4 Mark Dudbridge
Nick Rivera 5-3 John Rutherford
Steve Smith 5-2 Masahiko Sano
Sam Rooney 5-1 John Worthington
Chris White 5-2 Wes Newton
Aaron Turner 5-0 Paul Cohen
Kevin McDine 5-0 Dale Arthur
Michael Rosenauer 5-0 Isen Veljic
Alan Tabern 5-0 Danny Llanes
Steve Hine 5-1 Lee Holden
Michael van Gerwen 5-0 Geoff Daniels
Russell Stewart 5-3 Gregor Cruickshank
Steve Beaton 5-0 Robert Race
Kevin Dowling 5-4 Ken MacNeill
Richie Burnett 5-0 Tony Little
Dan Lauby 5-2 Alan Matthews

Second Round
Ronnie Baxter 5-2 Simon Whatley ** Ronnie Baxter hits nine-darter
Paul Nicholson 5-2 Mark Carter
Wayne Atwood 5-1 Alan Warriner-Little
Jelle Klaasen 5-0 Alan Caves
Barrie Bates 5-3 Joe Slivan
John Kuczynski 5-4 Jim Withers
Kirk Shepherd 5-1 Ian Jopling
Steven Harbert 5-4 Danny Pinhorne
Denis Ovens 5-3 Tony Ayres
Brian Derbyshire 5-2 Mark Frost
Mick McGowan 5-1 Steve Cusick
Scott Kirchner 5-4 Robert Watson-Lang
Dennis Smith 5-3 Colin Osborne
Ben Burton 5-4 Tom Wilson
Andy Beardmore 5-2 Greg Lewis
Scott Cummings 5-4 Alan Reynolds
Kevin Painter 5-3 Rocco Maes
Tony Eccles 5-1 Mark K Robinson
Richie Blake 5-4 Gary Mawson
Eddie White 5-1 Grant Firminger
Andy Jenkins 5-0 Dave Cameron
Robbie Newland 5-4 Mark Stephenson
Matt Clark 5-4 Peter Wright
Dave Honey 5-0 Nigel Panton
David Fatum 5-4 Nick Rivera
Sam Rooney 5-4 Steve Smith
Chris White 5-3 Aaron Turner
Kevn McDine 5-4 Michael Rosenauer
Alan Tabern 5-2 Steve Hine
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Russell Stewart
Steve Beaton 5-3 Kevin Dowling
Dan Lauby 5-2 Richie Burnett

Third Round
Ronnie Baxter 5-3 Paul Nicholson
Jelle Klaasen 5-1 Wayne Atwood
Barrie Bates 5-4 John Kuczynski
Kirk Shepherd 5-4 Steven Harbert
Denis Ovens 5-2 Brian Derbyshire
Mick McGowan 5-0 Scott Kirchner
Dennis Smith 5-2 Ben Burton
Andy Beardmore 5-1 Scott Cummings
Kevin Painter 5-1 Tony Eccles
Richie Blake 5-0 Eddie White
Andy Jenkins 5-1 Robbie Newland
Matt Clark 5-3 Dave Honey
Sam Rooney 5-4 David Fatum
Chris White 5-4 Kevin McDine
Alan Tabern 5-2 Michael van Gerwen
Steve Beaton 5-0 Dan Lauby
Losers £100

Fourth Round
Jelle Klaasen 5-3 Ronnie Baxter
Barrie Bates 5-3 Kirk Shepherd
Mick McGowan 5-2 Denis Ovens
Dennis Smith 5-2 Andy Beardmore
Kevin Painter 5-1 Richie Blake
Matt Clark 5-4 Andy Jenkins
Sam Rooney 5-3 Chris White
Alan Tabern 5-2 Steve Beaton
Losers £200

FORMAT
First Round – Best of 11 legs
Second Round – Best of 15 legs
Quarter Finals – Best of 21 legs
Semi Finals – Best of 25 legs
Final – Best of 31 legs

Quarter-Final Order of Play
Saturday 5th July
Roland Scholten v Mervyn King
Phil Taylor v Adrian Gray
James Wade v Andy Hamilton
Alan Tabern v Peter Manley
Best of 21 legs
Play begins at 11am on Saturday (7pm BST)

Second Round Order of Play
Friday 10.30am Start – 6.30pm BST
James Wade v Mark Walsh
Adrian Lewis v Peter Manley
Andy Hamilton v Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins v Roland Scholten
Phil Taylor v Dennis Priestley
Raymond van Barneveld v Alan Tabern
Sam Rooney v Adrian Gray
Mervyn King v Darin Young

First Round Schedule of Play
Wednesday 2 July
Dennis Priestley v Co Stompe
Terry Jenkins v Mick McGowan
Wayne Mardle v Adrian Gray
John Part v Mervyn King
Phil Taylor v Kevin Painter
Colin Lloyd v Sam Rooney
Roland Scholten v Barrie Bates
Darin Young v Martin Burchell

Thursday 3 July
Andy Hamilton v Shawn Brenneman
Bill Davis v Mark Walsh
Gerry Convery v Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
Raymond van Barneveld v Matt Clark
James Wade v Dennis Smith
Peter Manley v Steve Maish
Larry Butler v Alan Tabern

The PDC are offering fans the holiday of a lifetime in Las Vegas this summer, taking in one of the most exciting tournaments in the darting calendar.

The week-long package includes tickets to the Las Vegas Desert Classic VII, as well as seven night’s accommodation at the host venue, the fabulous Mandalay Bay Resort.

The package also includes a welcome reception, a Las Vegas city tour and the chance to celebrate American Independence Day in the gambling capital of the world!

Las Vegas Desert Classic Tour 30 June-7 July 2008

Includes:
Return economy flights direct from London Gatwick to Las Vegas
Seven night’s accommodation at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Tickets for the Las Vegas Desert Classic VII
Airport ‘Meet & Greet’ and return hotel transfers
Welcome reception at the hotel
Las Vegas city tour
Local representative throughout the tour
Airport & local taxes included

Tour Tariffs (costs per person)
Twin/Double Share £1,345
Single Occupancy £1,745

For further information and bookings, contact our Official Travel Agent Incentevents on:
Tel: 01926 888 027
E-mail: vegasdarts@incentevents.co.uk

Defending champion Part will meet current World Champion van Barneveld at the last four stage in a repeat of the 2006 Desert Classic final, which the Canadian won 6-3.

Part edged out Dennis Smith 10-9 in Saturday’s quarter-finals, while van Barneveld was a 10-4 winner against fellow Dutchman Roland Scholten at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

The other semi-final will see the players ranked fourth and fifth in the world, Peter Manley and Terry Jenkins, clash for a place in the decider.

Manley won a see-saw battle with Adrian Lewis 10-8, while Jenkins ended American hopes with a 10-7 defeat of Gary Mawson in the final game.

Sunday’s semi-finals, which begin at 10am local time (6pm BST) will be followed by the final of the tournament.

Las Vegas Desert Classic Quarter-Finals
John Part 10-9 Dennis Smith
Adrian Lewis 8-10 Peter Manley
Raymond van Barneveld 10-4 Roland Scholten
Gary Mawson 7-10 Terry Jenkins

Semi-Final Draw & Order of Play
Peter Manley v Terry Jenkins
John Part v Raymond van Barneveld
10am Sunday (6pm BST)
Best of 21 legs
followed by
Final
Best of 25 legs

JOHN PART 10-9 DENNIS SMITH

DEFENDING champion John Part was forced to dig deep to maintain his challenge for a second successive title before defeating Dennis Smith in a deciding leg at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

The Canadian was pushed all the way by qualifier Smith, who continued his resurgence with a third gritty display to take Part to the wire.

Smith had overcome Dennis Priestley and Darin Young in a final leg shoot-out in his two previous rounds, but this time fell short in the 19th leg.

He did have a chance to steal the win when Part missed two match darts at double 16 – only to match that himself before the defending champion returned to win the game on double four.

“It was a very good match and very enjoyable to play in,” said Part. “Dennis battles so hard and I had to dig deep.

“I’m through to the semis now and there could be two games tomorrow. I’m used to that format from the UK Open at Bolton and it will be a fantastic day of darts.”

Part opened by winning the game’s first two legs before Smith took four in a row, including a maximum finish of 170 and a 102 checkout, to lead 4-2.

The Canadian hit back with legs of 15, 16 and 15 darts and a 109 finish to edge himself back ahead, and pulled out to 7-5 before Smith against showed his fighting spirit.

He produced his best leg of the match with a 13-darter, and then levelled at seven-all on double four.

The next four legs all went with the throw to send the game into the decider, which Part took to move into the last four.

Smith’s run will see him move back up the rankings after slipping out of the top 32 last year, and he admitted: “It’s coming back for me again now and this week has given me plenty of confidence.”

PETER MANLEY 10-8 ADRIAN LEWIS

PETER MANLEY remains on course for a second Las Vegas Desert Classic title following a gritty 10-8 defeat of Adrian Lewis.

Manley, the 2003 Desert Classic winner, looked set to exit this year’s event at the quarter-final stage when Lewis roared into a 3-0 lead.

The Stoke youngster took the second leg with a 118 finish against the throw, and then won the third in 14 darts.

But the world number four hit back to win seven of the next eight legs, including five in a row and a 130 finish for a 12-darter.

Lewis – who famously walked off stage when the pair clashed during the 2006 World Championship – took four in a row, with a 12-darter and a 13-darter, to put himself back in front at 8-7.

But Manley regained his range on his favoured double top to level, then hit double two under pressure to break Lewis’ throw and go 9-8 up before wrapping up the win with a quality leg – following up three 140s with another double top finish.

“It was a tough game,” said Manley. “Adrian played really well but I had to hold my nerve and hit my doubles.

“It’s been built up that there’s a rivalry between us and maybe there is a little bit, but it’s nothing dramatic. He may have been talking up there, but I wasn’t listening!

“When I won my first TV title here I beat the guy who was then World Champion [John Part] in the final, and it would be great to play John again on Sunday.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-4 ROLAND SCHOLTEN

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD’S charge towards a second successive televised title continued with a 10-4 defeat of Roland Scholten at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

The Dutchman claimed the Blue Square UK Open last month, and produced another impressive performance to continue his run of success against Scholten.

The pair have met five times this year, with van Barneveld taking victory on each occasion, and he was rarely troubled this time to book his semi-final place.

Although Scholten won the game’s opening leg, van Barneveld won the next five without reply to put himself in command.

Scholten responded with an 11-darter, but the World Champion hit back with legs of 13 and 14 darts to open up a 7-2 cushion.

The next four went with the throw to leave van Barneveld on the brink of victory, and he landed double four with his final dart in the next to seal the win.

“I’m pleased,” said van Barneveld. “Early on we missed a lot of doubles and after ten legs it should have been five-all, but I managed to finish him.

Last year I made a few mistakes with my schedule because of the time difference but I’m not making them this year.

“Phil Taylor might be out but it doesn’t give us any guarantees as both Peter Manley and John Part have won this tournament in the past.”

TERRY JENKINS 10-7 GARY MAWSON

TERRY JENKINS booked his place in a second major semi-final with a 10-7 victory against America’s Gary Mawson.

Jenkins has enjoyed a superb 12 months on the circuit, reaching the final of the SkyBet World Grand Prix last October as well as being runner-up in this year’s Holsten Premier League.

He is now on course to pick up a first major title should he prevail when the semis and final take place on Sunday.

Mawson, who qualified as the third highest American over a series of US ranking tournaments, overcame Stuart Holden and Alan Tabern to reach the last eight and produced another highly creditable showing.

He actually led Jenkins 5-3 at one point before the Englishman won seven of the next nine legs to book his place in the last four, where he now meets Peter Manley.

“Gary has done really well this week and I knew it would be a hard game,” said Jenkins. “I’m relieved to get past him and looking forward to the semis now.”

Jenkins took out finish of 116 and 96 in opening up a 3-2 lead in a high-quality start to the match, which saw the first five legs completed in four 15-darters and one 13-dart leg.

Mawson then won three successive legs to move clear of Jenkins, only to see the Englishman power back with five in a row – without Mawson even reaching a double.

A 116 finish from Canadian-born Mawson saw him stop the rot, and an 11-darter kept him in the game at 9-7.

But Jenkins produced a sixth maximum of the match in the next leg before taking out double top on his first dart for the win.

Part, the defending champion, continued his challenge for a second successive title with a narrow 8-7 win over Mark Dudbridge in a tight encounter which went right to the wire.

Dudbridge hit back from 7-5 down to send the game into a decider, but failed to set up a double when he left 110, and Part stepped in to land double 15 to progress.

He will now face Dennis Smith on Saturday, after the Swindon qualifier came from behind for the second successive game to win in a final leg shoot-out, this time ending American Darin Young’s hopes.

World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, who lost to Part in the final 12 months ago, produced another impressive display to romp past Wayne Mardle 8-1.

Mardle hit seven 180s in the match, but had no answer to the clinical finishing of the Dutchman.

Van Barneveld will meet fellow countryman Roland Scholten in the last eight, following the 2004 UK Open champion’s 8-5 defeat of Steve Beaton.

Peter Manley and Adrian Lewis will clash following their wins over Colin Osborne and Mervyn King respectively, while the other quarter-final sees world number five Terry Jenkins take on Gary Mawson.

Jenkins edged out Wes Newton 8-7 in another thriller, while Mawson is now the only American remaining in the competition following an 8-6 defeat of Alan Tabern.

Las Vegas Desert Classic VI – Second Round
Roland Scholten 8-5 Steve Beaton
Wes Newton 7-8 Terry Jenkins
Peter Manley 8-4 Colin Osborne
Raymond van Barneveld 8-1 Wayne Mardle
Adrian Lewis 8-6 Mervyn King
Mark Dudbridge 7-8 John Part
Darin Young 7-8 Dennis Smith
Gary Mawson 8-6 Alan Tabern

Quarter-Final Draw & Order of Play
Dennis Smith v John Part
Adrian Lewis v Peter Manley
Raymond van Barneveld v Roland Scholten
Gary Mawson v Terry Jenkins
Best of 19 legs
Play begins 11am local time, 7pm BST

ROLAND SCHOLTEN 8-5 STEVE BEATON

ROLAND SCHOLTEN progressed to the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 8-5 win over Steve Beaton.

The Dutchman has reached the last eight on three previous occasions in the Desert Classic, and kept alive his hopes of a second major title by seeing off the qualifier.

Beaton competed throughout, but was punished for some sloppy finishing by Scholten.

The Dutchman took out 103 in the first leg to break Beaton’s throw, and moved 2-0 up with a 91 checkout on double ten in the second.

Beaton got off the mark in 13 darts to win leg three, and levelled matters on double top before giving himself a chance to go ahead in leg five.

However, he was off target with six darts before Scholten took out double top, and Beaton missed double 13 in the next to allow Scholten to move 4-2 up.

He did win leg seven on double 16, but three in a row from Scholten put him 7-3 up and on the brink of victory.

Beaton took the next two to stay in the match and pull back to within two legs, but Scholten was able to land double ten for the win.

TERRY JENKINS 8-7 WES NEWTON

TERRY JENKINS sneaked past Wes Newton in a final-leg thriller to progress to the last eight of the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

The pair enjoyed a close battle throughout as Newton pressed his claims for a third successive run to the semi-finals at the Desert Classic.

He hit back from 7-6 down to send the match into a decider, and even gave himself a chance of victory when Jenkins missed five match darts in the final leg.

But Newton was off target twice on double top to allow Jenkins back to the oche, and the world number five made no mistake on double four to seal the win.

Newton took a two-leg lead twice early in the contest, continuing the form which saw him seep aside Colin Lloyd in the first round.

Jenkins battled back to lead 5-4 with three successive legs, only for Newton to swing back ahead with two double ten finishes.

A 142 checkout from Jenkins saw him level matters at six-all before moving to within one leg of victory on double ten.

He wasted one chance to seal the match in leg 14, hitting double eight when needing 32, only for a second dart at the bed to miss – with Newton stepping in to hit a tricky double three and ensure a final leg battle.

But the Fleetwood thrower’s poor start to the leg allowed Jenkins to reach the double first and, although he missed five chances as the pressure mounted, the Premier League runner-up eventually hit double four to send himself into the quarters.

PETER MANLEY 8-4 COLIN OSBORNE

PETER MANLEY remains on course for a second Las Vegas Desert Classic title following an 8-4 victory over Colin Osborne.

The 2003 champion survived a late challenge from Osborne to move into the last eight, punishing a below-par display from the rising star from Derby.

Manley took the first two legs to put himself in command early on, before Osborne hit back to trail just 3-2.

Manley then stepped up a gear with his finishing, living up to his “One Dart” nickname by taking out 86, 74 and 93 to pull clear at 6-2.

However, he then lost his range on double top, with Osborne stepped in to take the next two legs but wasting his chance in the third as Manley moved 7-4 up.

Both began the next leg with back-to-back 140s, but Osborne’s two misses at double top allowed Manley in, and he nailed double eight with his last dart to progress.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8-1 WAYNE MARDLE

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD’S impressive start to the Las Vegas Desert Classic continued with a thumping 8-1 defeat of Wayne Mardle.

Mardle out-scored van Barneveld throughout, landing seven 180s in nine legs, but was punished for some missed doubles as a clinical van Barneveld stormed into the last eight.

Mardle had darts to win two of the first three legs, including six at double top in the third, as the Dutchman took a 3-1 lead.

Back-to-back maximums from Mardle left him six in the fourth leg, and he nailed double one to get off the mark.

But a two-dart 76 restored van Barneveld’s cushion, and he returned from the break to win four successive legs and take the match.

ADRIAN LEWIS 8-6 MERVYN KING

ADRIAN LEWIS produced a sensational display to overcome Mervyn King 8-6 and book his place in the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Lewis took out three ton-plus finishes and landed four maximums to see off the in-form qualifier.

The first four legs of the match were shared before Lewis landed finishes of 146 and 124 in moving 4-3 in front.

The next six legs went with the throw, including a 13-darter from King and a 155 finish from Lewis for a 12-darter as the youngster moved to within one leg of victory.

He missed double 18 for a 108 finish for the match, but a miss from King at the same bed allowed him back to complete the triumph.

JOHN PART 8-7 MARK DUDBRIDGE

JOHN PART edged out Mark Dudbridge in a last-leg thriller to stay on course for a second successive Las Vegas Desert Classic title.

Dudbridge had taken out 13-time World Champion Phil Taylor in round one, but was left to rue missed doubles as Part prevailed.

Part took out three ton-plus finishes in the game, and landed a fifth maximum of the match in a tense deciding leg.

The Canadian was first to the double in the final leg, only to allow Dudbridge in – but the Englishman’s missed dart at the single ten – hitting six to deny a double top chance – gave Part the chance to return and hit double 15 for the match.

Part roared out of the blocks, hitting a 160 finish for a 12-darter against the throw in the opening leg.

Dudbridge responded with a 124 finish in the second and also won the third to lead 2-1.

The next four legs were shared to leave Dudbridge 4-3 up, only for Part to take out 124, 93 and 105 for three in a row to push 6-4 ahead.

A two-dart 82 finish saw Dudbridge hit back, but Part took out 56 on double 18 to punish his opponent’s missed double eight for a 126 finish in the next and move to within a leg of victory.

He missed the bullseye and double four in the 13th leg, and four more match darts in the next as Dudbridge sent the game into a decider.

The plucky former World Championship runner-up hung in to give himself a chance in the final leg – but perhaps summed up his mixed display by failing to leave a double and allow Part to move into the quarters.

“I am a little relieved,” admitted Part. “I thought of Mark’s finish to win against Phil and expected it to happen to me too, especially when he hit his first dart at 110.

“I’d missed some match darts previously and had some silly darts but I finally snapped into gear and finished him off.

“This has been a great event for me down the years and I’m looking forward to the next game now.”

Dudbridge admitted: “I’m disappointed because I didn’t play as well as I can but still gave myself a chance to win the match – but John’s double 15 was class at the end.”

DENNIS SMITH 8-7 DARIN YOUNG

DENNIS SMITH again showed his battling qualities to come from behind to move into the last eight of the Las Vegas Desert Classic.

Smith came from 4-0 down to defeat Dennis Priestley in the first round, and found himself two legs behind on four occasions before forcing another final leg finish.

His chance of victory appeared to pass when he missed six darts at the double to allow Young back, but the American missed double top and double 12 in the deciding leg before Smith eventually landed double five.

Smith took the first leg in 14 darts before Young replied with two of his own to edge in front.

Smith levelled but then saw Young lift his game with a 13-darter and then a 105 finish to move 4-2 up, with the next six legs going with the throw as the home favourite moved to within a leg of the match.

Smith landed double 16 and then took out 78 to stay in the match and force a sudden-death 15th leg.

Young opened the decider with a maximum – his sixth of the game – only to see three ton-plus scores from Smith give him the edge.

He missed three match darts before Young was off-target on double top for the game, and three misses at double five allowed the American to return to the oche needing 39.

However, he hit single two when aiming for 15 to leave double 12 – leaving him just the one dart for victory, which he missed.

Smith came back and made no mistake this time around to seal the win.

“I think I want to stay on stage as long as possible so I keep taking it to the final leg!” joked a relieved Smith afterwards.

“I was chasing Darin all the way through the match, I was always a leg behind but the leg to make it seven each was probably the biggest of my life and I hit it.

“In the decider I had the shot at tops and missed and left double five, and then Darin missed. Going for my third dart then at double five I heard Sid Waddell and stopped, and then missed.

“That’s nothing against Sid, but I thought I was going out and then Darin missed his chance, his dart was nearer double five and I thought he’d miscounted. But I got another poke and knew if I missed I’d be going home, and I was lucky enough it went in.”

Smith had to come through the qualifiers to win a place in the tournament, and he admitted: “All the lads know from the days I was world number five that I’ll never give in.

“You work so hard and have to give it 100 percent when you’re on stage. As the saying goes, I’ll take every game as it comes and see how far I can get.”

GARY MAWSON 8-6 ALAN TABERN

GARY MAWSON kept American hopes alive in the Las Vegas Desert Classic with an 8-6 victory over Alan Tabern.

The 44-year-old from Ohio overcame qualifier Stuart Holden in round one and was in fine form to see off Tabern.

He took out three ton-plus finishes in the match, and hit back from 6-5 down to take three successive legs and the win,

The first five legs went with the throw, with Mawson’s 104 in the fifth seeing him edge 3-2 up before he broke Tabern to move two clear on double top.

He also added a 106 finish to go 5-3 up, before Tabern took the next three, punishing misses from Mawson in each leg to go 6-5 up.

However, a 104 checkout from Mawson stopped Tabern in his tracks before he took out 96 for a 15-darter against the throw to move 7-6 up and landed double 16 at the first attempt to seal the win.