PHIL TAYLOR won his fourth Rileys Darts Zones UK Open title with an 11-5 defeat of Gary Anderson at the Reebok Stadium.

Taylor followed up Saturday’s world record average for a televised game of 118.66 against Kevin Painter, with victories over Adrian Lewis, Denis Ovens and Anderson on Sunday to take the £40,000 title.

The Stoke legend opened the final with a 161 finish and led 5-1 before the Scot – appearing in his first major final with the PDC – took two of the next three to pull back to 6-3.

But Taylor put his foot on the accelerator to storm to victory, hitting a 167 finish amongst winning five of the next seven legs to take the title with a 121 checkout.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Taylor. “It’s a real challenge to win this event and I was up against a brilliant player in the final against Gary.

“I really enjoyed all the games, against Adrian, against Denis and then Gary today and in the final he did well. You could tell he was a bit tired and I hit him then, but he kept coming back at me.

“To follow up winning the Premier League trophy back with this is special for me and it’s an event I love.”

Taylor bounced onto stage for the final, defying any fatigue in his third game of the day to open the final with a 161 checkout.

He hit a 180 in taking the next leg before Anderson took the third to get himself on the scoreboard.

But the Scot crucially missed four darts at a double to level the game, and Taylor stepped in on double ten before hitting the same bed for a 4-1 lead – trading 180s with Anderson and punishing another missed double.

Double eight gave Taylor a 5-1 lead before Anderson regained his range on the doubles to win two of the next three in pulling back to 6-3.

Anderson, though, had little answer as Taylor pulled clear in the next three legs, taking out double 16, double eight and an 81 checkout to lead 9-3.

A 110 finish for Anderson gave him a fourth leg, but Taylor bettered that and his own earlier 161 finish by taking out 167 to move a leg away from the win.

Anderson delayed Taylor’s crowning moment by taking the 15th leg on double ten, but the World Champion ensured the UK Open trophy would remain in his possession by taking out 121 on the bullseye for the title.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose the final but I have to pay tribute to Phil because he was superb,” said Anderson. “He has set the standard for everyone to follow and I know what I have to do to win major titles against him.

“His finishing was great and even though we were both tired he managed to find the energy he needed to win.

“I’m pleased to get to the final, though, because I had some really hard games along the way against Paul Nicholson, Mervyn King and Andy Hamilton. It’s my first big final with the PDC and hopefully the first of many.”

Anderson had seen off Hamilton in Sunday afternoon’s quarter-finals before then defeating Tony Ayres 10-3 in the semis.

Billingshurst’s Ayres, ranked 62nd in the world going into the tournament, won through to his first ranking semi-final with a superb 10-9 win over 2008 UK Open winner James Wade in the quarters.

Taylor overcame Denis Ovens 10-5 in a high-quality semi-final where both players averaged over 100, with the Stoke star posting a 113 average to follow his world record 118.66 on Saturday.

Taylor had earlier defeated Adrian Lewis in the quarters, while Ovens’ 10-3 defeat of Wes Newton saw him reach the first televised semi-final of his 25-year career.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 10-3 Tony Ayres
Phil Taylor 10-5 Denis Ovens

Final
Phil Taylor 11-5 Gary Anderson

Semi-Final Reports
GARY ANDERSON 10-3 TONY AYRES
GARY ANDERSON marched into the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open final with a 10-3 defeat of Tony Ayres at the Reebok Stadium.

Anderson followed up his quarter-final defeat of Andy Hamilton with another high-quality display in seeing off Ayres, the world number 62 who had battled through to the last four in his best-ever run in a professional event.

The duo shared the opening two legs before the Scot took three in a row to lead 4-1, including a 121 finish for a 12-darter which was bettered by an 11-dart finish.

Double 16 gave Ayres the sixth leg, but Anderson began the next two with 180s, and finishes on double top and double ten gave him a 7-2 cushion.

Ayres, from Billingshurst in Sussex, took out 64 to win the tenth leg and hit a 180 in the next – only to see Anderson take out double top for a 13-dart finish.

The Scot hit a third 180 of the game and finished 76 to move to the brink of victory, and double top in the next saw his place in the final secured.

“It’s a tough event but I’m really pleased to be in the final,” said Anderson. “I’m feeling confident and it would be great to win this.”

PHIL TAYLOR 10-5 DENIS OVENS
PHIL TAYLOR set up a final against Gary Anderson at the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open with a 10-5 defeat of gritty Denis Ovens at the Reebok Stadium.

Ovens, appearing in his first major semi-final after 25 years as a professional, gave as good as he got against Taylor, taking an early 2-0 lead and trading maximums throughout the contest with the reigning champion.

Taylor ended the game with an average of 113, and hit ten from 12 attempts at a double in a clinical display.

Ovens opened the final with a 180 and broke Taylor’s throw with a 14-darter before taking out a bullseye finish of 90 to move 2-0 up.

He was also sat on 81 after nine darts in the third leg, but Taylor followed up a 180 with a bull checkout of his own to get off the mark.

Ovens finished double five and 64 to take two of the next three, with an 11-darter from Taylor sandwiched between them as the Hertfordshire man led 4-2.

Taylor, though, raised his game to superbly reel off five successive legs in taking command of the match – putting together a run of 14, 12, 11, 13 and 14-dart finishes which included a 124 finish, two 180s and a 177 score.

Ovens checked out 71 to win a fifth leg and kicked off the next with a maximum, only for Taylor to fire in another 11-darter – his third of the game – to lead 8-5.

Further 180s from Ovens were not enough in the next two legs as Taylor produced legs of 14 and 12 darts to move into the final.

“I haven’t seen Denis play that well on TV and I’m pleased for him,” said Taylor. “He countered everything I did so I had to hit that big average to win that.”

TONY AYRES’ dream run in the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open continued as he won through to the semi-finals in Bolton, where he is joined by Gary Anderson, Denis Ovens and Phil Taylor.

Ayres, the world number 62, had won through to his first ever ranking quarter-final at the Reebok Stadium with four victories since Thursday night.

The Billingshurst-based star then knocked out 2008 champion James Wade to reach the semis, prevailing 10-9 in a brilliant encounter.

Ayres led 3-0 and 7-4 before Wade hit back to lead for the first time at 9-8, only to then miss three match darts as the newcomer to the big stage held his nerve with a sensational 152 finish before winning the decider in 13 darts.

“I don’t know what to say!” admitted Ayres. “I’ve done brilliantly this weekend and enjoyed it, and I’ve thrown the darts I know I can play.

“When James has darts at double top for the match you expect to be out, but he missed and I took my chance. I’m not scared of anyone at the moment and I can’t wait for the semi-finals.”

Ayres’ chance to prove that will come against Gary Anderson in Sunday evening’s semi-finals, after the Scot superbly defeated Andy Hamilton 10-6 with a 106.49 average.

Anderson also missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during the game, having been on the receiving end of a perfect leg during his win over Mervyn King in the previous round.

The other semi-final sees reigning champion Phil Taylor face Denis Ovens, who won through to the last four of a televised event for the first time with a fine 10-3 rout of Wes Newton.

Ovens was in control from the opening leg and led 5-0 before wrapping up the win with a 101 average thanks in part to six 180s.

Taylor, meanwhile, swept aside Stoke rival Adrian Lewis 10-2 to reach the last four with an average of 108.52 and a clinical checkout ratio of 53 percent.

The quartet return on Sunday evening at 7pm to challenge for the £40,000 title in the semi-finals and final across one session.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Quarter-Finals
Tony Ayres 10-9 James Wade
Gary Anderson 10-6 Andy Hamilton
Denis Ovens 10-3 Wes Newton
Phil Taylor 10-2 Adrian Lewis

Semi-Finals
Tony Ayres v Gary Anderson
Denis Ovens v Phil Taylor
Best of 19 legs

Followed by Final – best of 21 legs

TONY AYRES 10-9 JAMES WADE
TONY AYRES sealed a dramatic deciding leg victory over 2008 winner James Wade with a 13-darter to reach the semi-finals of the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open.

Ayres continued his best-ever run as a professional, following up his first quarter-final with a brilliant display to end the hopes of the world number three.

Ayres took a 3-0 lead in the game, and held his nerve after Wade hit back to lead 9-8 – taking out 152 to force a decider before romping away with the final leg.

“I don’t know what to say!” admitted Ayres. “I’ve done brilliantly this weekend and enjoyed it, and I’ve thrown the darts I know I can play.

“When James has darts at double top for the match you expect to be out, but he missed and I took my chance. I’m not scared of anyone at the moment and I can’t wait for the semi-finals.”

A brace of double top finishes gave Ayres, from Sussex, the opening two legs before a 78 finish gave the nerveless star the third leg.

A miss at double top allowed Wade in to get off the mark in the fourth, although an 84 finish put Ayres 4-1 up at the first break.

Wade landed a pair of 13-dart finishes to take two of the next three, but a missed double 12 allowed Ayres to move 6-3 up.

Double 18 gave Wade the tenth leg, but he missed two darts at a double to punish a miscount from Ayres as the Billingshurst man returned to take out 73 for a 7-4 advantage.

Wade replied with a 12-darter and a 101 finish to pull back to 7-6, but Ayres finished a 14-dart leg to move two legs away from the win.

With the pressure of a potential maiden ranking semi-final looming, Ayres missed five darts to win the 15th leg as Wade stepped in on double top to pull back to 8-7, and he landed the same bed to level.

Double ten from Wade put him ahead for the first time in the game, and he landed a 180 in taking the advantage in the next – only to miss three darts for the match before Ayres produced a stunning 152 finish to earn a decider.

Three ton-plus scores gave Ayres the advantage in the decider, and he held his nerve to take out double 18 for a 13-darter for the biggest win of his career.

GARY ANDERSON 10-6 ANDY HAMILTON
GARY ANDERSON produced a display of the highest order to win through to the semi-finals of the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open with a 10-6 defeat of Andy Hamilton.

The Scot missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish, a day after Mervyn King achieved the feat against him in the last 16, and averaged 106.49 to see off the challenge of Hamilton.

Anderson hit scores of 177 and 180 in the opening leg, which he took in 13 darts, before doubling his lead despite a maximum from Hamilton.

Hamilton took two of the next three to cut the gap to 3-2, before Anderson pulled clear with five successive legs, including a 106 finish, to take a six-leg lead.

Hamilton hit legs of 14 and 11 darts to pull back to 8-4, before Anderson kicked off the 13th leg with back-to-back 180s.

He then hit treble 20 and treble 19 but missed double 12 in his bid for a nine-dart finish, although he took the leg in 11 darts to move one away from the match.

Hamilton won the next two as Anderson stumbled at the finishing line, but the Scot took leg 16 with the aid of a seventh 180 and a 92 checkout to seal the win and set up a semi-final against Tony Ayres.

“I was going okay but lost my way a little bit towards the end and Andy made me nervous,” said Anderson. “I’m happy with the performance and I was pretty good on the doubles – apart from the nine-darter!

“I’ll look forward to the semi-finals now and it would be great to reach the final, but Tony is a lovely guy who goes about his business well, and he’s a cracking player.”

DENIS OVENS 10-3 WES NEWTON
DENIS OVENS won through to his first ever televised semi-final at the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open with a superb 10-3 defeat of Wes Newton.

Ovens produced arguably his finest performance in a major championship, averaging almost 101 and leaving Newton with little chance after winning the opening five legs without reply.

The Stevenage-based star took out 85 for the opening leg, and a 13-darter secured an immediate break of throw as he moved 2-0 up, and he hit a pair of maximums in legs four and five to create a five leg cushion

Newton took out 120 to get off the mark in the sixth leg, and also won the eighth to pull back to 6-2.

Ovens, though, hit two 180s in an 11-darter and then won the next two legs to move 9-2 up before double top gave Newton a glimmer of hope.

But Ovens produced a brilliant winning leg, landing two more 180s and double 16 to book his semi-final spot.

PHIL TAYLOR 10-2 ADRIAN LEWIS
PHIL TAYLOR’S charge towards a fourth Rileys Darts Zones UK Open title continued with a superb 10-2 defeat of Adrian Lewis in the quarter-finals at the Reebok Stadium.

Taylor, who hit a world record televised average on Saturday, set up a semi-final against Denis Ovens in thrilling fashion, maintaining his unbeaten record on the big stage against Lewis.

The world number one made a statement by taking the opening two legs in 14 and 12 darts and he also fired in a 180 in the third – although Lewis took out 96 to get off the mark.

The youngster, though, missed two darts to level in leg four, before his opponent landed double 14 to move 3-1 up – a lead which was swiftly extended to 6-1 with the aid of 180s in each of the next three legs.

Lewis landed a maximum of his own in taking the eighth and traded 180s with Taylor in the next, but a 12-darter from the World Champion gave him a 7-2 cushion.

Lewis saw two darts at double ten for the next leg land wide of the mark, with double ten putting Taylor two legs away from victory.

Taylor also landed double 16 for the 11th leg, after the pair again traded 180s, and landed a seventh maximum and a 100 finish in completing the rout.

“I love playing Adrian but it’s difficult because we’re pretty close friends and he maybe respects me too much,” said Taylor.

“He’s a really good player who will batter me one day – but he’s not doing it against me at the moment and he’s got a mental block there.”

Taylor now takes on Denis Ovens in the semi-finals, and added: “Denis has been there and thereabouts for years and he deserves to be in the semi-finals. He had a convincing win against Wes and is playing really well.”

KING NINE-DARTER NOT ENOUGH AGAINST ANDERSON!

MERVYN KING lit up the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open with a nine-darter in the fifth round on Saturday night – but was dumped from the tournament in a deciding leg by Gary Anderson.

King became only the second player, behind Phil Taylor, to achieve a nine-darter at the Reebok Stadium, hitting successive 180s and a 141 checkout in the 13th leg of his clash with the Scot.

The feat put him 7-6 up, and he also led 8-7 before Anderson forced a deciding leg and then landed double six to seal victory – the first time in the game he was ahead.

“The nine-darter was fanastic but it was only one leg and it didn’t win me the match,” said King, who had hit a nine-dart finish in the Virgin Atlantic South African Masters last September and received a £5,000 bonus.

“When I hit a nine-darter last year I went on to lose to James Wade and I knew I had to keep my focus this time, which I did. Gary was fantastic, though, and full credit to him for producing a great final leg.”

Anderson admitted: “I couldn’t believe the double six went in and I didn’t really expect to get a chance in the final leg because Mervyn had the throw, but I got the chance and had to hit it.”

Reigning champion Phil Taylor followed up his world record televised average of 118.66 in a whitewash of Kevin Painter in Saturday afternoon’s fourth round with a 9-6 win over Australian Simon Whitlock.

The Australian hit back from 4-0 down but missed chances to level when he trailed 4-3 and 7-6, and Taylor proved too strong to repeat his Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final win over Whitlock to remain on course for a fourth UK Open win.

“Simon was great but I’m delighted to be in the quarter-finals,” said Taylor. “He never lets you relax and you’re always on your guard, but I got through it and I’ll have to pace myself on Sunday now if I’m going to keep the title.”

Taylor will face former protege Adrian Lewis in the quarter-finals, with the 25-year-old overcoming Wayne Jones 9-4 to reach the last eight in Bolton for the first time.

Five other players are also appearing in the quarter-finals of the UK Open for the first time, with 2008 champion James Wade the only player other than Taylor with experience of the tournament’s climactic final day, which sees the players compete in three matches on the Reebok Stadium stage.

Wade was a comfortable 9-2 winner against Kevin McDine in the fifth round and now takes on Tony Ayres, the Sussex qualifier who defeated Alan Tabern 9-5 to reach his maiden televised quarter-final.

Denis Ovens brushed aside Andy Smith 9-1 to progress, and now meets Wes Newton, who defeated Leamington Spa-based undertaker Nigel Heydon 9-5.

Andy Hamilton’s reward for a brilliant comeback from 7-5 down to defeat Ronnie Baxter was a draw against Anderson in the last eight.

Tickets are still available for both sessions on Sunday, with the quarter-finals beginning at 1pm and the semi-finals and final being held from 7pm.

Tickets are available in person from the Reebok Stadium Box Office from 12pm-1.30pm and 6pm-7.30pm.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Fifth Round
Andy Hamilton 9-7 Ronnie Baxter
James Wade 9-2 Kevin McDine
Phil Taylor 9-6 Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson 9-8 Mervyn King (nine-dart finish from Mervyn King)
Adrian Lewis 9-4 Wayne Jones
Denis Ovens 9-1 Andy Smith
Tony Ayres 9-5 Alan Tabern
Wes Newton 9-5 Nigel Heydon

Quarter-Final Draw
1pm Sunday
Tony Ayres v James Wade
Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton
Wes Newton v Denis Ovens
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis

Semi-Finals
7pm Sunday
Ayres/Wade v Anderson/Hamilton
Newton/Ovens v Taylor/Lewis
Followed by Final

Fifth Round Reports
First Set of Matches
Andy Hamilton battled back from 7-5 down to win 9-7 against Ronnie Baxter and book a first UK Open quarter-final spot. Hamilton landed a 180 in winning the game’s opening leg, but Baxter broke his throw in the third leg, taking cushions of 3-1 and 4-2. Hamilton levelled by winning the next two, but Baxter moved 7-5 up before a missed bullseye gave the Stoke-born star his chance. Hamilton took out double three before then finishing 104 in the next and then taking out double eight to lead for the first time since leg one, before sealing victory on double 18.
Denis Ovens joined Hamilton in qualifying for the last eight for the first time in Bolton with a 9-1 rout of Andy Smith. Smith took the opening leg against the darts, but failed to win another as the Hertfordshire star progressed.

Second Set of Matches
James Wade powered past Kevin McDine 9-2 to remain on course for a second UK Open title. Wade took out 122 in the opening leg and also won the next three before McDine finished 107 to get off the mark. Wade’s renewed accuracy on double top and double ten helped him win another four without reply, and though he missed three match darts in the tenth leg, which McDine won on double 19, the left-hander took the next to move into Sunday’s last eight.
Sussex’s Tony Ayres continued a dream run in the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open, knocking out Alan Tabern 9-5. Tabern held an early 3-2 lead but Ayres edged 6-4 up before crucially taking out 154 to break throw and 100 to lead 8-4, and though the left-hander took the 13th leg it was Ayres who progressed to reach his first televised quarter-final.

Third Set of Matches
Phil Taylor battled into the quarter-finals with a 9-6 defeat of Simon Whitlock following a gritty battle. Taylor followed up his fourth round world record average of 118.66 with a 105 average in seeing off the Australia, who played his part by coming back from 4-0 down to give Taylor some nervous moments. Taylor kicked off the game with a 180 and produced two more maximums in taking the first four legs without reply, but Whitlock included a 90 finish in taking three in a row to reduce the gap to one. He missed one dart to level as Taylor took the eighth on double eight, which was followed by a double top finish as he moved 6-3 up. Whitlock hit 180s in winning the next two and also reduced the gap to 7-6, but again saw the chance to level escape him, missing one dart at double 15 for a 90 finish. Taylor hit double top, and then finished 101 in the next to seal the win.
Wes Newton became the latest first-time quarter-finalist in the Rileys Darts ! Zones UK Open, overcoming Nigel Heydon 9-5 to reach the last eight. Newton took command early on by leading 3-1, and also le 5-2 and 8-3 before the undertaker from Leamington Spa hit back. Heydon, in his debut UK Open, won the next two legs to threaten a comeback before the Fleetwood ace took the 14th leg to seal a last eight berth, having gone out at this stage for the past two years.

Fourth Set of Matches
Mervyn King hit a nine-darter finish but still lost his game with Gary Anderson, going down 9-8 in a thriller! King threatened a nine-darter in the game’s opening leg, hitting back-to-back 180s to open the game before taking the first leg in 11 darts, and he also led 3-0 before Anderson, aided by a brilliant 160, hit back to level. King landed a 108 finish as the pair traded legs like prize boxers slugging it out, before the Norfolk-based star produced a moment of magic in leg 13, hitting back-to-back 180s and taking out 141 on double 12 for a sensational nine-dart finish, becoming the second player, behind Phil Taylor, to achieve the feat in Bolton. Anderson took the next leg to level again, before King hit an eighth 180 in moving 8-7 up. The Scot, though, won the 16th leg with the aid of a maximum, before posting double six to seal victory – the winning dart being the only time in the match he led.
Adrian Lewis joined Stoke duo Phil Taylor an! d Andy Hamilton in the last eight with a 9-4 win over Wayne Jones. Lewis pulled clear from one-all to lead 5-1 and 6-3. Jones did his best to stay in the game by sharing the next two, but finishes of 110 and 100 saw Lewis progress.

PHIL TAYLOR created a new world record average in a televised game, whitewashing Kevin Painter to set up a fifth round clash with Simon Whitlock in the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open.

Taylor’s record-breaking fortnight continued with a sensational 118.66 average in denying Painter a dart at a double in the nine legs.

Taylor launched a relentless barrage from the opening dart, when he kicked off the match with a 180, and ended the contest with six maximum scores, three 11-darters and a 126 checkout.

“Kevin’s a great player and I knew I had to perform to beat him,” said Taylor, who had hit two nine-darters in winning the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts final a week last Monday.

“It sends a message out to the other players for the next round, and I love the competition of darts at the moment.”

Taylor now faces in-form Australian Simon Whitlock in the last 16 in a repeat of their meeting in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final in January.

Whitlock’s UK Open debut continued in style with a brilliant 9-4 defeat of Robert Thornton, as he reeled off seven successive legs to come from 4-2 down against the Scot.

Australian ace Whitlock hit a ten-darter and averaged 104.55 in sweeping to victory with a 50 percent checkout ratio.

Gary Anderson and Mervyn King will meet in another tasty fifth round game, having overcome Paul Nicholson and Michael Smith respectively in the last 32.

Anderson avenged last year’s loss to Nicholson in Bolton with a 9-7 victory, as he hit back from 7-6 down to take the final three legs without reply, while King pulled clear from five-all to defeat Smith 9-6.

2008 champion James Wade remains on course for another UK Open title after ending the hopes of Irish youngster William O’Connor with a 9-3 win, and he faces Kevin McDine after the Geordie saw off Rileys Amateur Qualifier Paul Warwick 9-8 from being 8-6 down.

Ronnie Baxter and Andy Hamilton set up a fifth round meeting with wins over Tony Eccles and Alex Roy respectively, while Sussex thrower Tony Ayres came from 5-0 down to win 9-7 against former finalist Mark Walsh.

Fleetwood’s Wes Newton bettered Whitlock’s finishing with a superb 60 percent in a 9-1 win over Steve Maish, matching his scoreline in defeating Terry Jenkins in Friday’s third round as he reached the last 16 for a third successive year.

Newton will take on Nigel Heydon, an undertaker from Leamington Spa, in the last 16 after the UK Open debutant defeated Wales’ Wayne Atwood 9-6.

Defeats for Jelle Klaasen and 2004 winner Roland Scholten, against Wayne Jones and Alan Tabern respectively, saw the Dutch challenge in Bolton ended, while last year’s beaten finalist, Colin Osborne, was defeated 9-5 by Adrian Lewis.

Lewis now faces Jones, while Tabern takes on Ayres in the last 16, with the other fifth round game seeing Andy Smith face Denis Ovens.

Smith overcame Jamie Caven 9-5, while Ovens came from 5-3 down to win 9-7 against Dennis Smith.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Fourth Round
Simon Whitlock 9-4 Robert Thornton
James Wade 9-3 William O’Connor
Phil Taylor 9-0 Kevin Painter
Gary Anderson 9-7 Paul Nicholson
Wes Newton 9-1 Steve Maish
Kevin McDine 9-8 Paul Warwick
Andy Hamilton 9-6 Alex Roy
Adrian Lewis 9-5 Colin Osborne
Alan Tabern 9-5 Roland Scholten
Denis Ovens 9-7 Dennis Smith
Ronnie Baxter 9-4 Tony Eccles
Andy Smith 9-5 Jamie Caven
Tony Ayres 9-7 Mark Walsh
Wayne Jones 9-6 Jelle Klaasen
Mervyn King 9-6 Michael Smith
Nigel Heydon 9-6 Wayne Atwood

Fifth Round – 7pm Saturday
Main Stage
Ronnie Baxter v Andy Hamilton
Kevin McDine v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Simon Whitlock
Gary Anderson v Mervyn King

Board Two
Andy Smith v Denis Ovens
Alan Tabern v Tony Ayres
Nigel Heydon v Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis v Wayne Jones

First Set of Matches
Simon Whitlock produced a sensational display to defeat Robert Thornton 9-4. Thornton made a fine start, breaking throw in the opening leg and taking out finishes of 101 and 96 in moving 4-2 up. Whitlock, though, reeled off seven successive legs to win the game – hitting legs of ten, 11 and 12 darts in ending the match with an average of 105, a 50 percent checkout ratio and hitting six 180s.
Kevin McDine edged past Rileys Amateur Qualifier Paul Warwick in a thriller, which went all the way to a deciding leg. The pair shared the opening four legs but Warwick pulled clear at 6-3 only for McDine to level. Two more legs for the Milton Keynes qualifier took him to the brink of victory, but he failed to close out the win and McDine snatched the decider.
Denis Ovens reached the last 16 for the first time since 2006 with his 9-7 win over Dennis Smith. Smith led 2-0 but Ovens drew level and took a key 5-3 lead, with his opponent never able to bridge t! he gap as the Hertfordshire man held on to progress.
Tony Ayres made a brilliant comeback from 5-0 down to defeat Mark Walsh 9-7. Walsh, the 2005 runner-up, looked set to cruise to victory when he won the opening five legs without reply. Ayres hit back to level but Walsh won the 11th to lead again – only for his opponent to take four of the next five and reach the last 16.

Second Set of Matches
2008 champion James Wade ended the challenge of brave Irish debutant William O’Connor with a 9-3 victory. O’Connor shared the opening two legs but was punished for missed doubles as Wade won the next three to lead 4-1. The next four were split evenly, but three misses from O’Connor in the tenth were punished by another clinical double top from Wade, who then took the next two legs to move through.
Wayne Jones moved into the fifth round with a 9-6 win over Jelle Klaasen, remaining on course for a third Bolton quarter-final. Klaasen edged the early stages to lead 2-1 and 3-2, but Jones fought back to level and moved 7-5 up. Klaasen took the next, but successive legs from the Wolverhampton man gave him victory.
Andy Hamilton reached the last 16 for the second time in the UK Open, squeezing out Alex Roy 9-6. The pair were inseparable for the opening eight legs, before Hamilton won the ninth and took a crucial break in the tenth to lead 6-4 – the! first time either player pulled clear – and maintained the advantage to progress.
Ronnie Baxter, a semi-finalist last year, defeated Tony Eccles 9-4 to move into the fifth round. Baxter secured an early break to lead 2-0 before Eccles hit back to reduce the gap at 4-3. Three successive legs for Baxter pulled him clear, and after Eccles took a fourth leg the Blackpool man fired in a brace of legs to wrap up the win.

Third Set of Matches
Phil Taylor created a new world record average in a televised game, whitewashing Kevin Painter with a sensational 118.66 average in denying his opponent a dart at a double in the nine legs. Taylor launched a relentless barrage from the opening dart, when he kicked off the match with a 180. He hit a 174 in the second leg, an 11-darter in the third and a 126 finish to take the fourth. Finishes of double eight and double four to lead 6-0, hit a 177 and an 89 checkout to win the seventh, two 180s in an 11-darter to win the next before posting scores of 100, 177, 140 and 84 for another 11-dart leg in wrapping up a whitewash.
Mervyn King battled past Michael Smith to move into the last 16 with a 9- win. Smith led 2-0 before King won four of the next five to edge ahead 4-3. Smith hit back to level at five-all before King put his foot to the floor, taking the next three legs to move to the brink of victory. St Helens youngster Smith kept his hopes alive! by taking the 14th leg, but King swiftly sealed the win.
Adrian Lewis defeated Colin Osborne 9-6 to win his fifth round place. Osborne fell 2-0 down but hit back to lead 4-2, only for Lewis to take four successive legs in regaining the lead. Osborne won another leg, but Lewis held his advantage and took out two double tops in the 14th leg to seal victory.
Andy Smith moved into the last 16 for the second successive year, following up Friday night’s defeat of Colin Lloyd with a 9-5 win over Jamie Caven. Caven took the opening leg but Smith won three in a row to take command of the match. Caven won the fourth, but Smith took a 6-2 cushion and also led 7-3 before holding his nerve to progress.

Fourth Set of Matches
Gary Anderson avenged last year’s loss to Paul Nicholson in the UK Open with a 9-7 victory in the last 32. Nicholson took an early break of throw to lead 3-1 before Anderson levelled, but January’s Players Championship winner held his throw to maintain the edge at 7-6. Anderson, though, kicked off the next with a 177 before levelling, matched that and took out 81 to break and lead for the first time at 8-7 before landing double ten for the win.
Nigel Heydon’s UK Open debut continued in style with a fine 9-6 win over Wayne Atwood. Heydon, an undertaker from Leamington Spa, lead 3-1 and 6-4 before the Welshman hit back to level – only for the PDC newcomer to take the next three without reply in reaching the last 16.
Alan Tabern’s return to form continued as he progressed to round five with a 9-5 defeat of Roland Scholten. Scholten, the 2004 UK Open champion, shared the opening four legs but Tabern took a crucial break to lead 6-4, and two furt! her legs gave him an 8-4 cushion. The Dutchman won the next, but left-hander Tabern was too strong to secure his spot in Saturday’s evening session.
Wes Newton reached the last 16 of the UK Open for a third successive year, seeing off Steve Maish 9-1 to stylishly progress. Newton had dropped only one leg in seeing off Terry Jenkins on Friday night, and repeated the scoreline with a clinical display, hitting 60 percent of his attempts at a finish – including checkouts of 116 and 108 – to see off the Essex man.

PHIL TAYLOR eased past Wayne Mardle 9-2 to open his bid for a fourth Rileys Darts Zones UK Open title at the Reebok Stadium.

Taylor, fresh from hitting two nine-darters in winning the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts 11 days ago, wasted little time in progressing to the last 32 of the UK Open.

He won the opening eight legs against Mardle without reply before the Essex star kept the game alive, albeit briefly, with back-to-back legs before Taylor completed the rout with an average of just over 100.

“I’m flying at the moment and enjoying my darts,” admitted Taylor. “I’ve got to really push for this over the next two days because I want to keep this title.”

Mardle has dropped to the edge of the world’s top 32 in the past six months and Taylor added: “It was a bit of a mismatch. Wayne was a bit flat at the beginning and didn’t play as well as he can do.

“I’d love to see him get back on track and I’ve invited him to come and practice with me. If he listens to that and does what I tell him he might do that.”

Taylor has drawn long-term rival Kevin Painter for Saturday afternoon’s fourth round, with the 2004 World Championship finalist defeating Surrey’s Mark Harris – the only BDO County qualifier to reach the last 64 – 9-5 in his opener in Bolton.

Another tasty tie will see Gary Anderson and Paul Nicholson meet at the Reebok Stadium for the second successive year, with the latter taking a 6-4 win when they met in round two in 2009.

Scotland’s Anderson produced the best display of the tournament so far with a 106 average in powering past Holland’s Michael van Gerwen 9-4.

Anderson hit eight 180s in the game, and said: “My scoring was great but I only hit a third of my doubles and if I improve that I could go a long way in this event.

“The only person who scares me in darts is myself and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Nicholson, meanwhile, was a 9-6 winner against Kirk Shepherd to progress to the last 32.

World number four Mervyn King safely progressed into round four with a 9-5 defeat of young star Joe Cullen – but 23-year-old Irish prospect William O’Connor won a spot in the last 32 in his first-ever televised event by defeating Peter Wright 9-7.

O’Connor drew 2008 UK Open champion James Wade in round four, with the left-hander holding off a Steve Hine comeback before taking a 9-7 victory in their Friday night battle.

Teenager Reece Robinson, one of the 32 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers, gave World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock a scare in their clash, taking out finishes of 127, 120 and 116 before the Australian – who hit a 170 checkout himself – took a 9-5 win.

Wes Newton sent world number five Terry Jenkins crashing from the event with a superb 9-1 win, a result which was bettered by Kevin McDine’s whitewash of Tony Broughton.

The father-and-son combination of Colin and Arron Monk both exited the tournament, losing to Dennis Smith and Denis Ovens respectively, while 2009 runner-up Colin Osborne opened up his challenge with a 9-3 win over Gibraltar’s Dylan Duo.

Osborne now takes on Adrian Lewis in the fourth round, while Whitlock drew Robert Thornton, who was a narrow 9-8 winner against Swindon’s Mark Cox.

Paul Warwick is the sole survivor from the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers in the last 32, with the Milton Keynes qualifier having defeated Holland’s Co Stompe 9-3.

Broughton and Robinson were joined in defeat by Oxford-based Pete Fisher, a former European powerlifting champion, who lost out 9-3 to Tony Ayres.

Saturday afternoon’s fourth round will be followed in the evening session by round five, featuring the last 16, before the eight remaining players return on Sunday to battle for the £40,000 title.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Third Round
Mervyn King 9-5 Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson 9-4 Michael van Gerwen
Phil Taylor 9-2 Wayne Mardle
Simon Whitlock 9-5 Reece Robinson
James Wade 9-7 Steve Hine
Mark Walsh 9-6 John Part
Paul Nicholson 9-6 Kirk Shepherd
Wes Newton 9-1 Terry Jenkins
Ronnie Baxter 9-4 Chris Thompson
Steve Maish 9-8 Dennis Priestley
Andy Smith 9-5 Colin Lloyd
Wayne Atwood 9-5 Vincent van der Voort
Alex Roy 9-8 Barrie Bates
Tony Eccles 9-6 Mark Webster
Kevin Painter 9-5 Mark Harris
Colin Osborne 9-3 Dylan Duo
Roland Scholten 9-3 Simon Cunningham
Denis Ovens 9-5 Arron Monk
Michael Smith 9-3 Matt Clark
Alan Tabern 9-8 Stephen Hardy
Andy Hamilton 9-1 Brendan Dolan
Robert Thornton 9-8 Mark Cox
Jamie Caven 9-3 Steve Beaton
Nigel Heydon 9-7 Mark Dudbridge
Kevin McDine 9-0 Tony Broughton
William O’Connor 9-7 Peter Wright
Adrian Lewis 9-3 Michael Barnard
Paul Warwick 9-3 Co Stom! pe
Tony Ayres 9-3 Pete Fisher
Jelle Klaasen 9-6 Steve Evans
Dennis Smith 9-5 Colin Monk
Wayne Jones 9-2 Matt Padgett

Fourth Round Draw
Main Stage
Simon Whitlock v Robert Thornton
William O’Connor v James Wade
Kevin Painter v Phil Taylor
Gary Anderson v Paul Nicholson

Board Two
Kevin McDine v Paul Warwick
Alex Roy v Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis v Colin Osborne
Roland Scholten v Alan Tabern

Board Three
Denis Ovens v Dennis Smith
Ronnie Baxter v Tony Eccles
Andy Smith v Jamie Caven
Steve Maish v Wes Newton

Board Four
Mark Walsh v Tony Ayres
Wayne Jones v Jelle Klaasen
Michael Smith v Mervyn King
Wayne Atwood v Nigel Heydon

WAYNE MARDLE will take on reigning Rileys Darts Zones UK Open champion Phil Taylor at the Reebok Stadium on Friday night, as the world’s top players enter the tournament at the third round stage.

Mardle overcame Mick McGowan 6-3 as the £200,000 event kicked off on Thursday night, with the Essex man holding off the challenge of both the Irishman and his own nerves to progress to the last 64 in Bolton.

The game was Mardle’s first appearance on television since he slumped to Germany’s then-unknown Jyhan Artut in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in December, but he admits he will enter Friday’s clash with Taylor in confident mood.

“I’m happy to get through and I can relax on Friday,” said Mardle. “I was a bag of nerves and I’ve got no composure at all at the moment. I’m scoring well and have to convert those positions into wins.

“I have to go into the game with Phil confident. I’m a professional dart player and I’m going up there to win it – and I know how good I can be if I play my best game. I’ve not done it for a couple of years on TV but I’m getting back there.”

Another crowd favourite, Peter Manley, suffered disappointment in his bid to retain a place in the world’s top 32, losing 6-3 in the second round to St Helens-based 19-year-old Michael Smith.

Smith was one of a number of youngsters who shone on the tournament’s opening night, with 18-year-old Reece Robinson, a Rileys Amateur Qualifier from Hull, rewarded for three victories on the night with a clash against World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock in the third round.

Robinson whitewashed Scotland’s Hugh Ringland in the preliminary round to begin his charge, and dropped only five legs in subsequent wins over Danny Pinhorne and Louis Blundell to reach the last 64.

Another eye-catching youngster was Ireland’s William O’Connor, who whitewashed Stuart Monaghan in round one with a 94 average and then defeated Stoke’s Mark Frost 6-3 to reach the last 32 in his first ever appearance in a major tournament.

“I’m speechless,” admitted O’Connor, who drew Lowestoft’s Peter Wright in round three. “I’m delighted to win two matches and I’ll prepare myself for Friday night and hopefully do well again.”

Bradford’s young star Joe Cullen, 20, overcame Darren Latham and Mike Nott to reach the third round, where he meets world number four Mervyn King.

Other eye-catching third round games include Michael van Gerwen against Gary Anderson, three-time World Champion John Part against Mark Walsh – who was the leading qualifier for the event with two wins in the eight qualifying events – and Wes Newton against world number five Terry Jenkins.

2008 UK Open champion James Wade will begin his challenge for a second Bolton title with a clash against Coventry’s Steve Hine, who defeated Ian Gleeson and Melvyn Johnston to progress.

The father-and-son combination of Colin and Arron Monk both won through to round three, with the elder defeating Darren Johnson 6-4 before cheering his 20-year-old son to a 6-3 win over Nick Fullwell.

Kirk Shepherd, the 2008 World Championship finalist, edged out Adrian Gray 6-4 and now meets Paul Nicholson, who was a 6-4 winner against Leeds’ Dave Smith in round two.

Two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley faces Steve Maish, Adrian Lewis takes on Michael Barnard, Ronnie Baxter drew York’s Chris Thompson and 2009 UK Open runner-up Colin Osborne meets Gibraltar’s Dylan Duo.

2004 UK Open champion Roland Scholten’s reward for a win over Rileys Amateur Qualifier Joe Palmer is a clash with Plymouth-based newcomer Simon Cunningham.

Gary Mawson, the runner-up in Bolton two years ago, defeated Essex-based tractor driver Ashley Whisker in the preliminary round but then lost 6-4 to Duo in the first round.

Robinson is joined in the third round by fellow Rileys Amateur Qualifiers Tony Broughton, Pete Fisher and Paul Warwick, with the quartet the most successful of the 32 players who had won places at Bolton by coming through knockouts held in Rileys clubs around the UK.

Broughton, from the Isle of Wight, now takes on Kevin McDine, Oxford’s former European powerlifting champion Fisher faces Sussex’s Tony Ayres and Milton Keynes-based Warwick drew Co Stompe.

Play continues at 7pm on Friday night at the Reebok Stadium, with tickets still available on 0844 871 2932 or from the Bolton Wanderers Box Office in person.

Live coverage of the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open is available on Sky Sports HD1 and also, for users outside of the UK and Ireland, via www.pdc.tv.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Preliminary Round
Gary Mawson 6-2 Ashley Whisker
Darren Webster 6-3 Andy Hutchings
Jyhan Artut 6-1 Kevin Dowling
Dylan Duo 6-2 Dean Stewart
Prakash Jiwa 6-4 John Lakeman
Scott Rand 6-1 Andy Murray
Steve Farmer 6-5 Par Riihonen
Jason Clark 6-4 Kevin Lowe
Reece Robinson 6-0 Hugh Ringland
Peter Hudson 6-1 Paul Neate

First Round
Louis Blundell 6-5 Richie Burnett
Joe Cullen 6-1 Darren Latham
Steve Hine 6-5 Ian Gleeson
William O’Connor 6-0 Stuart Monaghan
Matt Padgett 6-3 John Quantock
Paul Whitworth 6-5 Chris Loudon
Dave Smith 6-3 Peter Hudson
Steve Farmer Bye (Dean Edlin disqualified)
Tony Hutchinson Bye (Darren Sullivan disqualified)
Melvyn Johnston 6-3 Sam Allen
Joe Palmer 6-1 Bradley Williams
Jason Clark 6-4 Ryan Murray
Robbie Newland 6-5 John Robertson
Paul Gibbs 6-3 Mark Wilson
Darren Webster 6-1 Dean Harris
Scott Rand 6-3 Jyhan Artut
Gary Eastwood 6-5 David Martin
Henry O’Neill 6-2 Michael Hammond
Mike Nott 6-2 Dave Honey
Jay Foreman 6-1 Barrie Knight
Jamie Green 6-1 Alex Harrison
Ricky Evans 6-4 Noel Grant
Paul Warwick 6-3 Henry Murphy
Simon Cunningham 6-4 Prakash Jiwa
Mark Harris 6-2 Matt Draper
Anton Liscsey 6-3 Paul Rowley
Martyn Turner 6-4 Nicky Bache
Dylan Duo 6-4 Gary Mawson
Tony! Broughton 6-3 Mark Stephenson
Pete Fisher 6-2 Barrie Webb
John Bowles 6-4 Simon Jones
Reece Robinson 6-4 Danny Pinhorne

Second Round
Kirk Shepherd 6-4 Adrian Gray
Wayne Mardle 6-3 Mick McGowan
Arron Monk 6-3 Nick Fullwell
Alex Roy 6-3 Mark Lawrence
Kevin McDine 6-2 Jamie Green
Steve Beaton 6-2 Ricky Evans
William O’Connor 6-3 Mark Frost
Paul Nicholson 6-4 Dave Smith
Chris Thompson 6-4 Justin Pipe
Dennis Smith 6-1 Robbie Newland
Dylan Duo 6-4 Gary Eastwood
Andy Smith 6-5 Darren Webster
Colin Monk 6-4 Darren Johnson
Mark Cox 6-5 Henry O’Neill
Reece Robinson 6-1 Louis Blundell
Matt Padgett 6-5 Jason Clark
Wayne Atwood 6-4 Steve Brown
Michael Barnard 6-3 John Bowles
Mark Harris 6-4 Martyn Turner
Robert Thornton 6-2 Paul Gibbs
Michael Smith 6-3 Peter Manley
Steve Hine 6-1 Melvyn Johnston
Tony Broughton 6-4 Scott Rand
Pete Fisher Bye (Chris Mason withdrew through illness)
Steve Evans 6-1 Tony Hutchinson
Joe Cullen 6-3 Mike Nott
Roland Scholten 6-3 Joe Palmer
Paul Warwick 6-3 Steve Farmer
Tony Ayres 6-4 ! Paul Whitworth
Barrie Bates 6-5 Anton Liscsey
Stephen Hardy 6-4 Jay Foreman
Simon Cunningham 6-5 Stuart Dutton

Third Round Draw
Main Stage
Mervyn King v Joe Cullen
Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson
Wayne Mardle v Phil Taylor
Reece Robinson v Simon Whitlock

Board Two
John Part v Mark Walsh
Kirk Shepherd v Paul Nicholson
Wes Newton v Terry Jenkins
Steve Hine v James Wade

Board Three
Steve Maish v Dennis Priestley
Andy Smith v Colin Lloyd
Vincent van der Voort v Wayne Atwood
Barrie Bates v Alex Roy

Board Four
Mark Webster v Tony Eccles
Kevin Painter v Mark Harris
Dylan Duo v Colin Osborne
Roland Scholten v Simon Cunningham

Board Five
Denis Ovens v Arron Monk
Matt Clark v Michael Smith
Stephen Hardy v Alan Tabern
Andy Hamilton v Brendan Dolan

Board Six
Robert Thornton v Mark Cox
Steve Beaton v Jamie Caven
Mark Dudbridge v Nigel Heydon
Tony Broughton v Kevin McDine

Board Seven
Peter Wright v William O’Connor
Adrian Lewis v Michael Barnard
Paul Warwick v Co Stompe
Ronnie Baxter v Chris Thompson

Board Eight
Tony Ayres v Pete Fisher
Steve Evans v Jelle Klaasen
Dennis Smith v Colin Monk
Wayne Jones v Matt Padgett

THE Rileys Darts Zones UK Open begins on Thursday night, as amateur stars from around the country get their chance to take on the sport’s top names at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

The four-day tournament, screened live on Sky Sports HD, pits the leading 96 professional players against 42 amateur qualifiers, with play in the unique event being held on eight stages simultaneously in the early rounds.

While the likes of reigning champion Phil Taylor, James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Mervyn King enter in the third round, Thursday’s opening rounds see unknown amateurs pitted against nervous professionals at the Reebok Stadium.

The £200,000 event will kick off when Gary Mawson, the American who reached the UK Open final two years ago, takes on 26-year-old Ashley Whisker, a tractor driver from Essex who won through the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers to earn a spot in Bolton.

“I don’t know anything about him other than that he’s a friend of Steve Maish’s from Essex,” admitted Mawson, a fans favourite at the Reebok Stadium whose parents hail from Bolton.

“He’s obviously a good young player to have qualified but it doesn’t matter. It’s all about me and what I do when we get on stage.

“It’s a venue I love and one where I had success a couple of years ago, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The preliminary round also features former World Championship quarter-finalist Darren Webster up against Birmingham-based Andy Hutchings, a HGV driver for Royal Mail nicknamed “The Postman”.

Germany’s Jyhan Artut, who knocked Wayne Mardle out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in December, takes on Coventry’s Kevin Dowling and Gibraltar’s Dylan Duo faces Dean Stewart, one of 32 the Rileys Amateur Qualifiers who won through knockouts held in Rileys Darts Zones across the UK.

The first round matches include former World Champion Richie Burnett up against Chorley’s Louis Blundell, a Las Vegas Desert Classic qualifier last year, while 20-year-old Joe Cullen takes on Lancashire’s Darren Latham.

Coventry-based muffin baker Steve Hine faces Ian Gleeson, one of ten BDO County Qualifiers for the event, while Irish debutant William O’Connor faces Rileys Qualifier Stuart Monaghan, a part-time rugby league referee who also competed in Bolton last year.

Thursday night also sees several top names enter at the second round stage, including Peter Manley, Wayne Mardle, Steve Beaton and Robert Thornton.

Manley, who was sidelined for a month earlier this year with a heart problem, takes on St Helens teenager Michael Smith, while Mardle faces Ireland’s Mick McGowan on the main stage in his first televised appearance since his World Championship loss to Artut, who was at the time a debutant qualifier.

Beaton drew either Noel Grant or Ricky Evans, a pair of Rileys Qualifiers who meet in round one, while Thornton is up against Mark Wilson or Paul Gibbs.

Former World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd faces Adrian Gray on the main stage, while highly-rated youngster Arron Monk joins father Colin in the field, with the 20-year-old facing Stourbridge’s Nick Fullwell.

Alex Roy, twice a quarter-finalist in the Bolton event, takes on Yorkshire’s Mark Lawrence, who made it through to the last eight a year ago before losing to Phil Taylor.

Former UK Open champion Roland Scholten, who picked up the title in 2004, takes on the winner of the first round clash between Rileys Qualifiers Bradley Williams and Joe Palmer.

The 32 second round winners will go into the draw for the third round at the end of Thursday’s play, with reigning UK Open champion Phil Taylor, 2008 winner James Wade amongst the 32 players entering at the last 64 stage.

Australia’s Simon Whitlock, the World Championship runner-up, Scottish ace Gary Anderson and Premier League Darts stars Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis, Terry Jenkins and Ronnie Baxter also come into the event in round three.

Play will progress through the last 32 and last 16 on Saturday before Sunday sees the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final spread across two sessions at the Reebok Stadium, with the eventual champion taking home £40,000.

Tickets for the Rileys Darts Zoens UK Open are still available by calling 0844 871 2932 or by visiting the Reebok Stadium Box Office.

The Rileys Darts Zones UK Open is live on Sky Sports in High Definition, with coverage also available for users outside of the UK & Ireland via www.pdc.tv.

Rileys Darts Zones UK Open
Schedule of Play
Thursday June 3
7pm-11pm
Main Stage
Preliminary Round
Ashley Whisker v Gary Mawson
First Round
Louis Blundell v Richie Burnett
Darren Latham v Joe Cullen
Steve Hine v Ian Gleeson
Stuart Monaghan v William O’Connor
Second Round
Kirk Shepherd v Adrian Gray
Wayne Mardle v Mick McGowan
Nick Fullwell v Arron Monk
Hudson/Neate/Dave Smith v Paul Nicholson

Board Two
Preliminary Round
Andy Hutchings v Darren Webster
First Round
John Quantock v Matt Padgett
Chris Loudon v Paul Whitworth
Hudson/Neate v Dave Smith
Riihonen/Farmer v Dean Edlin
Second Round
Alex Roy v Mark Lawrence
Kevin McDine v Harrison/Green
Grant/R Evans v Steve Beaton
Monaghan/O’Connor v Mark Frost

Board Three
Preliminary Round
Kevin Dowling v Jyhan Artut
Dean Stewart v Dylan Duo
First Round
Darren Sullivan v Tony Hutchinson
Sam Allen v Melvyn Johnston
Bradley Williams v Joe Palmer
Ryan Murray v Lowe/J Clark
Second Round
Justin Pipe v Chris Thompson
Newland/Robertson v Dennis Smith
Eastwood/Martin v Whisker/Mawson/Stewart/Duo
Harris/Hutchings/D Webster v Andy Smith

Board Four
Preliminary Round
Prakash Jiwa v John Lakeman
First Round
Robbie Newland v John Robertson
Mark Wilson v Paul Gibbs
Dean Harris v Hutchings/D Webster
Dowling/Artut v A Murray/Rand
Second Round
Colin Monk v Darren Johnson
Mark Cox v Hammond/O’Neill
Blundell/Burnett v Pinhorne/Robinson/Ringland
R Murray/Lowe/J Clark v Quantock/Padgett

Board Five
Preliminary Round
Andy Murray v Scott Rand
Par Riihonen v Steve Farmer
First Round
Gary Eastwood v David Martin
Michael Hammond v Henry O’Neill
Dave Honey v Mike Nott
Jay Foreman v Barrie Knight
Second Round
Wayne Atwood v Steve Brown
S Jones/Bowles v Michael Barnard
Draper/M Harris v Bache/Turner
Murphy/Warwick v Riihonen/Farmer/Edlin

Board Six
Preliminary Round
Kevin Lowe v Jason Clark
First Round
Alex Harrison v Jamie Green
Noel Grant v Ricky Evans
Henry Murphy v Paul Warwick
Simon Cunningham v Jiwa/Lakeman
Second Round
Robert Thornton v Wilson/Gibbs
Michael Smith v Peter Manley
Hine/Gleeson v Allen/Johnston
Broughton/Stephenson v Dowling/Artut/A Murray/Rand

Board Seven
Preliminary Round
Reece Robinson v Hugh Ringland
First Round
Matt Draper v Mark Harris
Paul Rowley v Anton Liscsey
Nicky Bache v Martyn Turner
Whisker/Mawson v Stewart/Duo
Second Round
Fisher/Webb v Chris Mason
Sullivan/Hutchinson v Steve Evans
Honey/Nott v Latham/Cullen
Williams/Palmer v Roland Scholten

Board Eight
Preliminary Round
Peter Hudson v Paul Neate
First Round
Tony Broughton v Mark Stephenson
Pete Fisher v Barrie Webb
Simon Jones v John Bowles
Danny Pinhorne v Robinson/Ringland
Second Round
Tony Ayres v Loudon/Whitworth
Rowley/Liscsey v Barrie Bates
Stephen Hardy v Foreman/Wright
Stuart Dutton v Cunningham/Jiwa/Lakeman

Friday June 4
7pm-11pm
Round Three (last 64)
Best of 17 legs

Saturday June 5
1pm-5pm
Round Four (last 32)
Best of 17 legs

7pm-11pm
Round Five (last 16)
Best of 17 legs

Sunday June 6
1pm-5pm
Quarter-Finals
Best of 19 legs

7pm-11pm
Semi-Finals
Best of 19 legs

Followed by
Final
Best of 21 legs

From the end of Round Two onwards on Thursday evening, a free draw will be made for subsequent rounds, with no seeding in operation.

The event – now officially called the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open – takes place at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, from Thursday June 3 to Sunday June 6.

The tournament’s prize fund is £200,000, with £40,000 to the winner. All sessions will be screened live on Sky Sports in High Definition.

Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said: “Rileys are proud to become the official main sponsor such a great tournament.

“We’re committed to investing in darts at grass roots and the professional level. The Rileys Darts Zones UK Open sponsorship gives us the perfect opportunity to do both.

“Rileys are opening Darts Zones, with up to eight throws, top quality boards, electronic scoring and focussed lighting, at the majority of our 120 clubs across the country. We aim to have over 100 operational by the end of this year.”

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We’re delighted that Rileys are to sponsor the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open.

“They have recently become a valued partner of the PDC. Their successful staging of the Amateur Qualifiers for the UK Open in their Rileys Darts Zones shows what a great innovation they are for grass roots darts players.

“We look forward to working with them at the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open for what will be a memorable tournament.”

The Rileys Darts Zones UK Open is affectionately known as ‘the FA Cup of Darts’. The free draw format puts 32 Rileys qualifiers and ten BDO County qualifiers up against the top 96 PDC professionals, with play being held on eight stages simultaneously at the Reebok Stadium.

The Rileys qualifiers came through nationwide regional heats played in the Darts Zones at Rileys clubs.

To find your nearest Darts Zone please visit www.rileys.co.uk

Tickets for the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open are available on 0844 871 2932 or in person from the Reebok Stadium Box Office.

For more information on the Rileys Darts Zones UK Open, visit www.pdc.tv.

American ace Mawson, whose family hail from Bolton, enjoyed the finest weekend of his darts career two years ago when he battled through to the final of the UK Open, defeating reigning champion Raymond van Barneveld along the way, before losing out to James Wade.

Mawson is one of 106 players who will take part in the Preliminary, First and Second Rounds at the Reebok Stadium when the four-day UK Open – nicknamed “The FA Cup of Darts” due to the free draw format for each round – begins on June 3, screened live on Sky Sports.

The Preliminary and First Rounds feature the players placed from 65-96 in the UK Open Order of Merit, following eight qualifying events, along with the 32 Rileys Amateur Qualifiers and ten BDO County Qualifiers.

Mawson has drawn Basildon-based Ashley Whisker – a 26-year-old tractor driver – in the Preliminary Round, with their match opening the tournament on the Main Stage, which is one of eight stages which will host simultanous action around the Reebok Stadium’s Premier Suite.

Chorley’s Louis Blundell meets former World Champion Richie Burnett in one of four First Round games to be played on the Main Stage, which also include the Roses battle between Lancashire’s Darren Latham and Yorkshire starlet Joe Cullen, Steve Hine’s clash with Northumberland’s Ian Gleeson and Leeds-based Rileys Qualifier Stuart Monaghan against Irish debutant William O’Connor.

Thursday’s opening night also features the Second Round games involving the players who finished from 33-64 in the UK Open Order of Merit, with popular star Wayne Mardle drawn against Ireland’s Mick McGowan on the Main Stage.

Former World Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd was drawn with Adrian Gray, while promising youngster Arron Monk – the son of experienced professional Colin Monk – faces Nick Fullwell and Paul Nicholson, the totesport.com Players Championship winner in January, will face either Peter Hudson, Paul Neate or Dave Smith.

Board two’s matches on the opening night include Manchester-based Rileys Qualifier Paul Whitworth up against Scotland’s Chris Loudon, last year’s quarter-finalist Mark Lawrence taking on Alex Roy and games involving former World Champion Steve Beaton, Kevin McDine and Mark Frost.

Jyhan Artut, the emerging German who knocked Mardle out of the World Championship last December, meets Kevin Dowling in a Preliminary Round contest on Board Three, while Bristol’s Steve Brown clashes with Welshman Wayne Atwood in the Second Round on Board Five.

Peter Manley, the former Las Vegas Desert Classic winner who recently returned to action after suffering a health scare, has drawn St Helens-based teenager Michael Smith, with their game on Board Six likely to draw plenty of attention and coming after Scotland’s Robert Thornton faces the winner of a clash between Rileys Qualifiers Mark Wilson and Paul Gibbs.

Roland Scholten, the 2004 UK Open champion, comes up against either Bradley Williams or Joe Palmer in the Second Round as he bids to repeat his success at the Reebok Stadium.

The top 32 players, including reigning UK Open champion Phil Taylor and 2008 winner James Wade, enter the event on Friday June 4 at the Third Round stage.

Tickets for the UK Open cost from £20 and are available by calling 0844 871 2932 or by visiting the Reebok Stadium Box Office.

2010 UK Open – Schedule of Play
Thursday June 3
Main Stage
Preliminary Round
Ashley Whisker v Gary Mawson
First Round
Louis Blundell v Richie Burnett
Darren Latham v Joe Cullen
Steve Hine v Ian Gleeson
Stuart Monaghan v William O’Connor
Second Round
Kirk Shepherd v Adrian Gray
Wayne Mardle v Mick McGowan
Nick Fullwell v Arron Monk
Hudson/Neate/Dave Smith v Paul Nicholson

Board Two
Preliminary Round
Andy Hutchings v Darren Webster
First Round
John Quantock v Matt Padgett
Chris Loudon v Paul Whitworth
Hudson/Neate v Dave Smith
Riihonen/Farmer v Dean Edlin
Second Round
Alex Roy v Mark Lawrence
Kevin McDine v Harrison/Green
Grant/R Evans v Steve Beaton
Monaghan/O’Connor v Mark Frost

Board Three
Preliminary Round
Kevin Dowling v Jyhan Artut
Dean Stewart v Dylan Duo
First Round
Darren Sullivan v Tony Hutchinson
Sam Allen v Melvyn Johnston
Bradley Williams v Joe Palmer
Ryan Murray v Lowe/J Clark
Second Round
Justin Pipe v Chris Thompson
Newland/Robertson v Dennis Smith
Eastwood/Martin v Whisker/Mawson/Stewart/Duo
Harris/Hutchings/D Webster v Andy Smith

Board Four
Preliminary Round
Prakash Jiwa v John Lakeman
First Round
Robbie Newland v John Robertson
Mark Wilson v Paul Gibbs
Dean Harris v Hutchings/D Webster
Dowling/Artut v A Murray/Rand
Second Round
Colin Monk v Darren Johnson
Mark Cox v Hammond/O’Neill
Blundell/Burnett v Pinhorne/Robinson/Ringland
R Murray/Lowe/J Clark v Quantock/Padgett

Board Five
Preliminary Round
Andy Murray v Scott Rand
Par Riihonen v Steve Farmer
First Round
Gary Eastwood v David Martin
Michael Hammond v Henry O’Neill
Dave Honey v Mike Nott
Jay Foreman v Barrie Knight
Second Round
Wayne Atwood v Steve Brown
S Jones/Bowles v Michael Barnard
Draper/M Harris v Bache/Turner
Murphy/Warwick v Riihonen/Farmer/Edlin

Board Six
Preliminary Round
Kevin Lowe v Jason Clark
First Round
Alex Harrison v Jamie Green
Noel Grant v Ricky Evans
Henry Murphy v Paul Warwick
Simon Cunningham v Jiwa/Lakeman
Second Round
Robert Thornton v Wilson/Gibbs
Michael Smith v Peter Manley
Hine/Gleeson v Allen/Johnston
Broughton/Stephenson v Dowling/Artut/A Murray/Rand

Board Seven
Preliminary Round
Reece Robinson v Hugh Ringland
First Round
Matt Draper v Mark Harris
Paul Rowley v Anton Liscsey
Nicky Bache v Martyn Turner
Whisker/Mawson v Stewart/Duo
Second Round
Fisher/Webb v Chris Mason
Sullivan/Hutchinson v Steve Evans
Honey/Nott v Latham/Cullen
Williams/Palmer v Roland Scholten

Board Eight
Preliminary Round
Peter Hudson v Paul Neate
First Round
Tony Broughton v Mark Stephenson
Pete Fisher v Barrie Webb
Simon Jones v John Bowles
Danny Pinhorne v Robinson/Ringland
Second Round
Tony Ayres v Loudon/Whitworth
Rowley/Liscsey v Barrie Bates
Stephen Hardy v Foreman/Wright
Stuart Dutton v Cunningham/Jiwa/Lakeman

THE countdown is on to darts’ UK Open at the Reebok Stadium next month after the 138-player field for the tournament was finalised on Sunday.

The £200,000 UK Open sees the world’s top darts players battling it out from June 3-6 in front of the Sky Sports cameras for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.

Nicknamed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’ because of the free draw format after each round, the UK Open features play on eight boards simultaneously in the early rounds in Bolton before play focuses on the main stage for the quarter-finals onwards.

Reigning UK Open champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor will enter the event alongside many of the other top names on Friday June 4 at the third round stage, mirroring football’s FA Cup.

However, stars such as Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley, former World Champions Steve Beaton and Richie Burnett and the 2004 UK Open winner Roland Scholten will all be in action on the opening night on Thursday June 3.

Bolton-born American star Gary Mawson will also feature on the opening night, returning to the scene of his finest hour after reaching the UK Open final two years ago, where he lost to James Wade.

Worsley-based Matt Clark will enter in round three, while Eccles’ Peter Hudson will make his debut in a major tournament after impressing in his first year on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit.

PDC players battled through a series of eight qualifiers to earn their places in the tournament, with 96 qualifying alongside 32 amateurs, who won through free-to-enter knockouts held in Rileys Clubs around the UK, and ten top County players.

Bolton’s Paul Williams, a former UK Open semi-finalist, agonisingly missed out on qualification in the final qualifier last Sunday, losing to eventual winner James Wade in the first round in his bid to get through at the final attempt.

Chorley’s Louis Blundell, Heywood’s Darren Latham and St Helens-based professionals Michael Smith, 19, and Alan Tabern – a quarter-finalist in Bolton last year – are other local qualifiers, with the latter enjoying his best performance of 2010 by reaching the last eight of Sunday’s final qualifier.

Prestwich’s Paul Whitworth is among the Rileys Qualifiers, along with former Widnes rugby league player John Bowles, Skelmersdale’s Bradley Williams and Liverpool’s 19-year-old Jamie Green, the son of former PDC player Robbie Green.

Tickets for the UK Open cost from £20 and are available by calling 0844 871 2932 or by visiting the Reebok Stadium Box Office.

The full field of qualifiers is listed below: