Bolton Goes DartsMad – Finals Day at the UK Open
Posted on June 9th, 2011
After two days at the Reebok, finals day would be watched from the comfort of the spare room. America’s Next Top Stick Insect, or some such drivel, took precedence downstairs so I was banished to the ‘darts room’ with my crowd of mini bendy bullies who were about to be allocated new homes through our UK Open competitions.
Congratulations to our new follower winner, Ally Steele, our UK Open quiz question winner, Becky Taylor, and our 500th follower, Alex Bibby, who all won Bendy Bullies!
Sunday’s action is described elsewhere on the site – James Wade saw off Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Wes Newton to claim his seventh major title as the threads were tied up on a number of sub-plots that culminated in Wade’s remarkable catharsis.
Newton’s run to the final was his best showing in a major and it contained probably his finest display on TV when he demolished Raymond van Barneveld 9-1 in the last 16. That match was the peak of The Warrior’s weekend though as his performances bore a resemblance of Blackpool’s Big One ride.
Tags: James Wade, Review, UK Open, Wes Newton
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Well Done To The Rileys 32!
Posted on June 7th, 2011
Our final article on the 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open is Rileys own press release, Rileys are working hard both in the amateur and professional games, the UK Open being the point where the two overlap and the amateurs try their hand at giant killing. Why not head down to your local Rileys DartZone and it could be you next year!
Also extra kudos to Rileys for facilitating our competition and providing one lucky DartsMad winner with tickets to both final day sessions. Read on….
The Rileys 32 did themselves proud at the recent Speedy Hire UK Open.
The UK Open is known as the FA Cup of darts; it gives amateurs the chance to play against the big boys of the darts world on live television, and maybe cause a few upsets!
Thanks to Rileys, 32 amateur darts players got the chance to compete in this major tournament which is broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Rileys UK Open Qualifiers competition ran in April at Rileys Darts Zones across the UK. The competition was open to anyone, and the prize was a place in the Speedy Hire UK Open which took place 2-5 June at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.
There were 32 places up for grabs at heats across the country. The winners came from all walks of life including a sports coach, builder, cabinet maker, publican, gardener and salesman.
Out of the 32 qualifiers ten made it through to the money rounds, winning a collective £18,000 prize money between them!
Richard North, Sam Hill, Stuart Monaghan, Richie Howson, Graham Hollis and Paul Harvey all made it through to the third round, winning themselves £1,000 each.
Jo Murnan and Andrew Gilding progressed to the fourth round where they both bowed out with £2,000 prize money.
Two of the Rileys qualifiers brilliantly made it through to the last 16 of the tournament, causing a few surprises along the way.
John Bowles, a builder from Widnes and a former Widnes rugby league player, knocked out Peter Manley on the main stage live on Sky before going on to beat Devon Peterson, Justin Pipe, and knocking out the housewives favourite, Steve Beaton.
Bowles was eventually knocked out in the fifth round by Dave Chisnall by 9 games to 4, taking away £4,000 in prize money. Not bad for a man with two metal plates in his throwing arm!
Hard Landscaper Andy Boulton, originally from Stoke but now living in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire also bagged himself £4,000. Boulton beat Jimmy Mann in the first round then went on to knock out another of Rileys qualifiers Jon Bott, followed by Vincent van der Voort and Matthew Edgar before getting beaten 9 – 4 by Mark Webster in the fifth round.
Talking about the qualifiers competition, Maurice Kelly, CEO of Rileys said: “We introduced this competition to give the amateur darts player the chance to play in one of the biggest darts competitions around. There’s a prize fund of £200,000 so it’s a great opportunity for the qualifiers and a chance for them to be seen in front of millions of viewers on live TV.”
Maurice adds: “It was a great tournament, excellently run and everyone enjoyed themselves. I’m delighted for the qualifiers, particularly those who got through to the latter stages to come away with prize money!”
To keep up to date with news and competitions on Rileys visit www.Rileys.co.uk
Tags: 2011, Andy Boulton, John Bowles, Rileys 32 Qualifiers, SpeedyHire, UK Open
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Bolton Goes Darts Mad – Sunday at the UK Open
Posted on June 6th, 2011
After two days at the Reebok, finals day would be watched from the comfort of the spare room. America’s Next Top Stick Insect, or some such drivel, took precedence downstairs so I was banished to the ‘darts room’ with my crowd of mini bendy bullies who were about to be allocated new homes through our UK Open competitions.
The day’s action is described elsewhere on the site; James Wade saw off Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Wes Newton to claim his seventh major title as the threads were tied up on a number of sub-plots that culminated in Wade’s remarkable catharsis.
More to come…
Tags: James Wade, Review, UK Open, Wes Newton
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James Wade Wins the 2011 UK Open
Posted on June 5th, 2011
JAMES WADE bagged the seventh major title of his career, defeating Wes Newton 11-8 in the Speedy Hire UK Open final at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Sunday.
Left-hander Wade followed up his 2008 success in Bolton with a second UK Open title, scooping £40,000 with wins over Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Newton in a gruelling final day of darts.
The Aldershot ace picked up his first major since revealing his battle with bipolar affective disorder and ADHD in a tight final against Newton as the lead changed hands three times.
Newton took three legs in a row to come from 4-3 down to lead 6-4, but Wade won four of the next five in taking command before going on to seal victory with double top.
“It’s amazing for me,” said Wade. “I’ve had so many problems but I’ve got through it and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
“My sponsors stuck by me and my manager stuck by me and this is dedicated to them. My life’s easier now and the World Championship is a possibility for me now after this.
“The UK Open’s such a hard tournament to win and I started in the first round on Thursday, which seems ages ago, so it’s a proud moment.”
Tags: James Wade, Results, Review, UK Open, Wes Newton
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2011 UK Open Quarter Final Review
Posted on June 5th, 2011
JAMES WADE’S bid to win the Speedy Hire UK Open title for a second time continued as he ended Paul Nicholson’s hopes at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Mark Webster, Wes Newton and Denis Ovens joined him in the semi-finals.
Nicholson had knocked out Gary Anderson and reigning champion Phil Taylor in a brilliant day of darts on Saturday, but was unable to add world number four Wade to his list of victims in a tense quarter-final contest.
Wade pulled clear from two-all to lead 5-2 and 8-5, and despite a rally from the 2010 Players Championship Finals winner the left-hander held on to book his semi-final berth.
“It was a really tough game,” said Wade, the 2008 UK Open champion. “Paul’s had a great tournament and he pushed me all the way there too but I showed I’ve got the game to challenge this weekend.
“I’ve done it the hard way by starting in the first round on Thursday but I’m still in there and I think my odds are pretty good now!”
Wade will face another left-hander, Mark Webster, in Sunday evening’s semi-finals, with Wes Newton or Denis Ovens awaiting the winner in the final in a testing night.
Tags: James Wade, Results, Review, UK Open
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The Good the Gracious and the Sweaty
Posted on June 5th, 2011
Nicholson v Anderson in their words
We spoke to both players after Nicholson’s stunning 9-8 win against the Scotsman in the fourth round of the 2011 UK Open and they revealed a few interesting thoughts. What shined through from talking to them both (separately) was how gracious a loser Anderson is and how engaging Nicholson is as an interviewee.
Both spent far longer chatting to us than I expected; Nicholson even dragging a chair over and sitting with us, eager to air his views and insights.
Anderson put his collapse mostly down to the heat, saying he struggled to grip his darts at times. When we put the same question to Nicholson he said he is constantly wiping his hands and controls the sweat quite well. Watch out for this next time Nicholson is on stage and you will indeed see he works his hands in the same way a cricketer constantly shines the ball.
Tags: Paul Nicholson, UK Open, UK Open 2011
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2011 UK Open Night 3 Review
Posted on June 4th, 2011
PAUL NICHOLSON sensationally knocked reigning champion Phil Taylor out of the Speedy Hire UK Open on Saturday night with a 9-8 triumph at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, as Wes Newton sent two-time winner Raymond van Barneveld packing.
Nicholson followed up his deciding-leg win over Gary Anderson in Saturday afternoon’s Fourth Round with another thrilling performance, edging out the 15-time World Champion to reach Sunday’s final stages.
The Newcastle-born ace opened up leads of 5-2 and 7-3 before Taylor hit back to within a leg, but a 100 finish saw him move to the brink of victory at 8-6.
A missed bullseye for the match in the next saw Taylor hit back before the defending champion levelled on double 12 – but crucially he was unable to reach a double in the decider as Nicholson posted a 180 and finished double eight for an amazing triumph.
Nicholson had defeated Taylor on his way to winning last year’s Players Championship Finals in Purfleet, and he must now face James Wade in the first of three games he will need to play on Sunday if he is to win a second major title.
Tags: Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson, Phil Taylor, Results, Review, UK Open, Wes Newton
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Bolton Goes Darts Mad – Saturday at the UK Open
Posted on June 4th, 2011
A reporter’s eye view of the FA Cup of Darts – Saturday Afternoon
Saturday was less about alcohol and more about darts. Feeling gratefully chipper we went behind the scenes, invited into the press area to cover proceedings from inside as well as out.
The commentary team were in good humour, John Gwynne as warm and welcoming as ever, and the PDC, led by Dave Allen, always extend the welcome mat when attending these events. Even the coffee tasted ok. The place was awash with sweets and treats courtesy of the Speedy Hire team who were having plenty of fun interacting with the world via Twitter and Facebook.
The drama opened with a belter of a match, Paul Nicholson recovering from 5-1 to win 9-8 in a deciding leg against Gary Anderson. It was a tough draw for both so early in the tournament but Nicholson held his nerve, and sweaty darts, the best to prevail.
Citing trance DJ Armin van Buuren as an inspiration is a novel line from a darts player, the pumping music puts Nicholson in a good frame of mind to relax and concentrate. Although I can’t see the likes of Dennis Priestley following suit and sticking some Tiesto on his iPod.
Click here for our engaging post match interview with both players.
Tags: Gary Anderson, Paul Nicholson, Results, Review, UK Open
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2011 UK Open Day 3 Review
Posted on June 4th, 2011
NICHOLSON STUNS ANDERSON TO SET UP TASTY TAYLOR TUSSLE IN BOLTON
PAUL NICHOLSON produced a brilliant comeback to knock Gary Anderson out of the Speedy Hire UK Open on Saturday afternoon, and will take on reigning champion Phil Taylor in the Fifth Round at the Reebok Stadium.
Nicholson avenged last year’s defeat to Anderson in the UK Open with a 9-8 triumph in a thriller, as in-form Anderson swept into leads of 5-1 and 7-4, hitting a ten-darter in the process
However, he missed key doubles to lead by four legs in the 12th as Nicholson began his fightback, taking out 124 and a huge 88 on the bull to put himself 8-7 up, before taking out 83 on double nine to win the deciding leg.
Nicholson now takes on reigning champion Taylor on Saturday night, after the world number one swept aside old rival Dennis Priestley 9-3 with a 105 average as he aims for a third straight Bolton win.
“I’m not scared of anybody and I never have been,” said Nicholson. “At 5-1 down against Gary I knew I had to get myself back closer at the second break and I made it 6-4.
“The 88 on the bull was a huge shot and the 83 at the end was brilliant. It doesn’t matter to me that I’ve drawn Phil and I’ll relish the challenge.”
Van Barneveld, the champion in 2006 and 2007, overcame youngster Michael Smith 9-4, and now takes on in-form world number eight Wes Newton, who powered past Michael van Gerwen 9-3.
Newton was a quarter-finalist in Bolton last year and at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, and is due to become a father for the first time in a fortnight as he bids for a maiden major title.
“My form’s been good going into this tournament and I want to keep it going against Raymond,” said Newton. “I’m enjoying my darts at the moment and am not worried about anybody.
“When you get to this stage of a tournament there are no easy games, and it’s time for me to put up or shut up!”
2008 winner James Wade completed a treble of former winners who are in the last 16 after being a 9-6 victor in his clash against resurgent Terry Jenkins.
Mark Webster, meanwhile, eclipsed Nicholson’s comeback by hitting back from 6-0 and 8-4 down to defeat Holland’s Co Stompe in a decider, and he will now meet Andy Boulton in the last 16.
Boulton, one of the two remaining Rileys Amateur Qualifiers left in the competition, defeated Daventry newcomer Matthew Edgar 9-5, while Widnes’ John Bowles continued his success with a narrow 9-8 win over Steve Beaton, who had led 6-3 at one stage.
Scotland’s Robert Thornton was another 9-8 winner in a thriller against John Part, who hit back from 7-4 down but missed five match darts in the deciding leg.
Thornton now plays 2009 runner-up Colin Osborne, who defeated Kirk Shepherd 9-7, while Richie Burnett’s reward for a 9-6 win over local amateur Joe Murnan is a clash with Wade.
Andy Smith and Denis Ovens will now clash in the Fifth Round following their respective wins over Hull youngster Reece Robinson and Mark Walsh, while Dave Chisnall’s 9-7 victory against Ronnie Baxter means he plays Bowles.
The afternoon’s other games saw wins for Mark Hylton, who knocked out amateur qualifier Andrew Gilding 9-2, and Peter Wright, who won the final four legs without reply in a 9-5 defeat of Joe Cullen.
Speedy Hire UK Open
Fourth Round
Paul Nicholson 9-8 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 9-3 Dennis Priestley
James Wade 9-6 Terry Jenkins
Dave Chisnall 9-7 Ronnie Baxter
Wes Newton 9-3 Michael van Gerwen
Andy Smith 9-8 Reece Robinson
Raymond van Barneveld 9-4 Michael Smith
Mark Webster 9-8 Co Stompe
Richie Burnett 9-6 Joe Murnan
Denis Ovens 9-4 Mark Walsh
Robert Thornton 9-8 John Part
Colin Osborne 9-7 Kirk Shepherd
Andy Boulton 9-5 Matthew Edgar
Mark Hylton 9-2 Andrew Gilding
John Bowles 9-8 Steve Beaton
Peter Wright 9-5 Joe Cullen
Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Tags: 20011, Paul Nicholson, Results, UK Open
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2011 UK Open Last 16 Results
Posted on June 4th, 2011
Paul Nicholson powered past Phil Taylor in a final leg thriller against the throw, despite at one stage being 4 legs clear of the 15 times World Champion (and reigning UK Open Champ). Entering the break at 3-7 in arrears Taylor came back to square the match at 8-8, however in the tense final leg it was The Asset who held his nerve as Taylor failed twice to exceed a score of 50 with his three darts.
In his first televised tournament since having laser eye surgery, Nicholson had earlier staged a comeback of his own as he knocked out the newly crowned Premier League Champion Gary Anderson, in another last leg shootout. With a quarter final meeting with James Wade, should The Asset go on to win the title, nobody could argue about the quality of his opposition en-route.
James Wade seemingly enjoying his darts for a change, edged out the Prince of Wales, Richie Burnett 9-7. Burnett the 1995 Embassy World Champion seems to have found some form of late and hopefully we will be seeing a lot more of him as he continues his resurgence. Wes Newton demolished Raymond van Barneveld 9-1, in a confident performance that those in the know have always been convinced he is capable of. A 100 average for the man from Fleetwood on the big stage facilitates a quarter final clash with Dave Chisnall. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2011, Bolton, Paul Nicholson, Phil Taylor, Reebok, Results, Speedy Hire, UK Open
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Both poker and darts are highly popular pursuits. The games are available online, in fact, that there are organizations dedicated to making sure the rules of video poker and online darts are conformed. Similar to darts having the World Darts Federation, among others, and poker has the Tournament Directors Association. These rules are put into place in highly competitive tournaments, in which as many as hundreds or even thousands of people compete for cash prizes as well as prestige.
