Sky Bet Word Matchplay Final Result

Posted on July 24th, 2011

IMPERIOUS TAYLOR MARCHES TO 12^TH SKY BET MOBILE WORLD MATCHPLAY WIN

PHIL TAYLOR won his 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with an 18-8 demolition of James Wade at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.

Taylor claimed a fourth successive World Matchplay victory but only his second major ranking title since last summer with a brilliant display of darts.

After trailing 2-1 early on, he won eight successive legs to lead 9-2 and take control of the game, and held off Wade’s fightback – after the left-hander won five out of seven legs in mid-game – to retain the Blackpool title.

He dedicated the victory to former mentor Eric Bristow, the five-time World Champion who brought Taylor onto the professional circuit in the late 1980s and has remained a driving force in his amazing career since.

“I’m overjoyed to win this,” said Taylor. “I didn’t think I’d win anything this year so to keep this title is brilliant.

“This is probably the second biggest title behind the World Championship, and so many other players would love to win it, but I’ve won it four years on the trot now. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: 2011, Final, James Wade, Phil Taylor, Results, Review, winner, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Semi-final Results

Posted on July 24th, 2011

TAYLOR & WADE TO MEET IN SKY BET MOBILE WORLD MATCHPLAY FINAL

PHIL TAYLOR and James Wade will meet for the third time in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay final on Sunday night, following their semi-final defeats of Andy Hamilton and Adrian Lewis.

Reigning champion Taylor’s bid to win the World Matchplay for a 12th time continued as he defeated Hamilton 17-9 at the Winter Gardens with a powerful display.

Taylor finished over half of his 30 chances at a double in the game, and won seven of the final eight legs to progress, hitting finishes of 116, 119 and 121 in the process.

The Stoke legend defeated Wade in both the 2006 and 2008 World Matchplay finals, and will get the chance to complete a treble against the left-hander on Sunday night.

“I’m over the moon that I’m in the final and I’d love to retain this trophy,” said Taylor.

“After the year I’ve had, I’m very happy to be in the final and even more so because it’s such a strong field now and every game’s like a final.”

Wade won through to the decider with a 17-10 victory over Lewis, who failed to hit top gear and never recovered from a run of five successive legs from the left-hander in mid-game, as he hit a 170 finish in moving into a key 10-4 lead.

2007 winner Wade eventually sealed the win with a 127 checkout on the bull, and will get the chance to win a second successive major tournament on Sunday, following last month’s Speedy Hire UK Open triumph.

“I’m glad to be in the final and honoured to be on the same stage as Phil Taylor on Sunday,” said Wade. “I don’t think anyone’s pushed Phil yet, and possibly I am the man to do that.

“There are different ways of beating Phil, and it’s not averaging 110, it’s doing things at the right time. If I do those things at the right time anything could happen, and I wouldn’t want to play me!”

Of his performance against Lewis, he added: “I play to win and I’ve done that, but there wasn’t much in front of me to beat and I was expecting more from Adrian, but he didn’t play like he can.”

Lewis had overcome six missed match darts from Kevin Painter in the first round in Blackpool, and also defeated Vincent van der Voort and Mark Webster, but admitted: “It was awful.

“James wasn’t brilliant but I’ve played like that for the last couple of games and got away with it, and I didn’t tonight. I’m disappointed with myself but that game’s gone now and I’ll be back.”

Hamilton had won nine successive legs to come from 15-8 down and defeat Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals, but was unable to repeat the magic against Taylor, despite hitting ten 180s.

“I’ve got to pay credit to Phil because he was brilliant there,” said Hamilton, who returns to the world’s top 16 after his run in Blackpool.

“I’m happy to have got to the semi-finals because I came into the tournament on a bit of bad form, but I’ve got the fear factor back with people who will be playing me.”

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 17-9 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 10-17 James Wade

Sunday July 24 (7pm)
Final
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Best of 35 legs

PHIL TAYLOR 17-9 ANDY HAMILTON
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course to win a 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title after booking his place in the final with a 17-9 victory over Andy Hamilton on Saturday night.

The reigning champion will compete for the £100,000 first prize on Sunday after producing another fine performance, averaging 105.59 and finishing 57 percent of his chances at a double.

Hamilton had hit back from trailing by four legs at one stage to be just 10-8 down, but could do little as Taylor won seven of the final eight legs, including checkouts of 116, 119 and 121.

Taylor broke in the opening leg with a 13-dart finish, and he matched that to double his lead as the pair traded 180s before Hamilton won the third on tops to get off the mark.

A missed double 18 from Hamilton allowed Taylor a reprieve on double 11 in the fourth, before the world number one was punished for three misses as Hamilton cut back to 3-2 at the first break.

Taylor found another gear to win the next three in brilliant fashion with finishes of 11, 12 and 13 darts as the pair hit two 180s apiece, although Hamilton replied well with maximums in a brace of 12-darters, which included a 121 finish, to stay in touch at 6-4.

A 68 checkout from Taylor was followed by a 13-darter as he established a four-leg cushion, and the next two legs were shared before Hamilton won three in a row, including a 13-darter to break, in pulling back to 9-8 as Taylor showed some vulnerability on double top.

Double eight from Taylor stopped that run, and he hit a 171 and tops to lead 11-8 and a superb 116 checkout gave him a 12-8 cushion as he restored his advantage.

Two misses allowed Hamilton back to win his ninth leg in the next, but Taylor posted double 16 and then finished 84 after two missed doubles from his opponent to lead 14-9 before producing killer finishes of 119 and 121 on the bull, with Hamilton waiting to pounce in both legs.

They put him to the brink of victory, and the win was sealed when he took out 71 on tops to move into the final.

“I’m over the moon that I’m in the final and I’d love to retain this trophy,” said Taylor.

“After the year I’ve had, I’m very happy to be in the final and even more so because it’s such a strong field now and every game’s like a final.

“Andy hit a lot of 180s at great times and he was superb. He didn’t give in and he made it a great game for the crowd too.

“I need to play better in the final. A few times against Andy I missed doubles and he punished me, and I’ve got to stamp that out in the final.”

Hamilton said: “I’ve got to pay credit to Phil because he was brilliant there.

“I didn’t put up a bad show there and I’ll try to take this form into the European Championship next week and become a bit more consistent.

“I’m happy to have got to the semi-finals because I came into the tournament on a bit of bad form, but I’ve got the fear factor back with people who will be playing me.”

JAMES WADE 17-10 ADRIAN LEWIS
JAMES WADE booked his place in the final of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a 17-10 victory over World Champion Adrian Lewis at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 2007 World Matchplay champion won through to his fourth Winter Gardens final in comfortable fashion, taking full advantage of a below-par Lewis display.

The Stoke ace never hit top gear as Wade hit a 170 finish in taking control with five successive legs in mid-game before he sealed victory with a 127 checkout.

The opening leg set the tone for the match, with Lewis missing three darts to lead as Wade took an immediate break on double two.

He doubled his lead with double top, and could have won the third leg but missed double 15 for a 110 finish as Lewis took out double ten to get off the mark.

The pair traded double top finishes in the next two, before a miss at the same bed from Wade, for a 102 finish, allowed Lewis to follow up an earlier 177 with double four to level.

Wade replied with his first 180 of the game in a 13-darter, and another double top finish gave him a 5-3 lead, although Lewis powered home the bull for a 126 checkout to reduce the gap to one leg.

However, Wade produced his best spell of the match to win the next five legs, hitting a 170 finish and an 11-darter which featured two 180s as he took command of the game at 10-4.

Lewis hit finishes of double four and double 18 to win two of the next three, but Wade landed double ten and double five to edge back into a 13-6 advantage.

A missed double top allowed Lewis in to win a seventh leg on double five, and he then traded maximums with Wade in taking the next in 12 darts.

Wade responded with a key 96 finish as Lewis waited on 80, and when he took out double top and double six he found himself on the brink of victory with a 16-8 advantage.

Lewis kicked off the next leg with a 180 and posted double three to keep the game alive, and when he hit a sparkling 11-darter he began to threaten a comeback akin to Andy Hamilton’s against Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals.

But Wade had other ideas, and hit three ton-plus scores to pull clear in the next before sealing victory on the bull with a 127 checkout.

“I’m glad to be in the final and honoured to be on the same stage as Phil Taylor on Sunday,” said Wade.

“I don’t think anyone’s pushed Phil yet, and possibly I am the man to do that. There are different ways of beating Phil, and it’s not averaging 110, it’s doing things at the right time.

“If I do those things at the right time anything could happen, and I wouldn’t want to play me!”

Of his performance against Lewis, he added: “I play to win and I’ve done that, but there wasn’t much in front of me to beat and I was expecting more from Adrian, but he didn’t play like he can.”

Lewis admitted: “It was awful. James wasn’t brilliant but I’ve played like that for the last couple of games and got away with it, and I didn’t tonight.

“I’m disappointed with myself but that game’s gone now and I’ll be back.”

Match Stats

Source PDC – Lawrence Lustig

Tags: 2011, Adrian Lewis, Andy Hamilton, clackpool, James Wade, Phil Taylor, Results, Semi-final, Sky Bet, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Quarter Finals Evening Session Results

Posted on July 23rd, 2011

TAYLOR BRILLIANCE ENDS NEWTON’S HOPES AS WADE BEATS BARNEY IN BLACKPOOL

PHIL TAYLOR and James Wade moved into the semi-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay on Friday night, defeating Wes Newton and Raymond van Barneveld in thrilling quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Reigning champion Taylor produced one of his finest performances on the Winter Gardens stage with a 16-5 victory over Newton, a win which was made more remarkable as he had to come from 4-1 down.

Fleetwood’s world number eight Newton took the early advantage in an inspired opening, but Taylor followed a 150 checkout with a brace of 128 finishes in taking the lead, and eventually won nine straight legs in storming to victory.

Taylor averaged over 108 – his highest of the event this year – in taking the victory, and will now play Stoke-born Andy Hamilton in an all-Potteries semi-final on Saturday.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Taylor. “I’m not starting brilliantly but it’s going well after that, and I’m playing maybe as well as I can.

“Wes is setting a good standard at the moment and he’s getting better and better. He doesn’t miss and you have to play well to beat him.

He hit everything early on but the 150 and 128 were massive shots and you could see his head drop a little bit.

“I’m loving this event and with the way the players are playing, you have to be completely on your game.

“I want to hit a 110 average against Andy and to keep improving too because I want to leave here on Sunday with the trophy again.

With World Champion Adrian Lewis having won through to the last four earlier in the day, seeing off Mark Webster, James Wade secured a spot in the semis against the Stoke ace with a 16-11 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld.

The Dutchman shared the opening 14 legs against Wade, who pulled clear in the final stages with some clinical finishing, notably on his favoured double top.

“I’m not in top gear but I’m winning and I need five more percent in my game before I’m at my best,” said Wade.

“This is the best tournament in the world, for me it’s bigger than the World Championship and I get a feeling from this tournament that I don’t get from any other.”

Hamilton, the world number 17 who had claimed the last of 16 Players Championship qualifying places just to get into the World Matchplay before defeating Scottish pair Gary Anderson and John Henderson, had won through to the semis in dramatic fashion earlier on Friday.

He looked set to crash out to Simon Whitlock when the Australian ace led 15-8, but he incredibly won nine successive legs in arguably the greatest comeback in the 18-year history of the World Matchplay.

Coverage of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay semi-finals will be shown live on Sky Sports HD1 on Saturday evening, as well as in 3D on the Sky 3D channel.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock 15-17 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 16-12 Mark Webster
Raymond van Barneveld 11-16 James Wade
Phil Taylor 16-5 Wes Newton

Saturday July 23
Semi-Finals (7pm)
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Best of 33 legs. Matches must be won by two clear legs.

JAMES WADE 16-11 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
JAMES WADE secured his place in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay quarter-finals with a 16-11 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld at the Winter Gardens on Friday night.

Dutch star van Barneveld had defeated Wade during his run to the World Matchplay final in Blackpool last year, and had performed superbly against Steve Brown and Paul Nicholson to book his last eight spot this week.

However, he was punished for missed doubles at key times as Wade, the 2007 World Matchplay champion, took out four ton-plus finishes to set up a tantalising semi-final with World Champion Adrian Lewis.

Van Barneveld made a bright start, hitting double top to win the opening two legs without reply before Wade landed a second 180 of the game and double ten to get off the mark in the third.

When he hit tops to take the next three legs and a 4-2 lead, Wade’s early double troubles seemed to have been put behind him, only for the left-hander to then miss three darts to win the seventh as van BArneveld hit back.

Wade hit a 180 in the eighth, but double six drew van Barneveld level – and the tables were turned in the next when the Dutchman landed a maximum only to see his opponent finish 121.

The next two were shared before van Barneveld finished 126 on the bullseye to square the match at six-all, and the pair traded the next two legs as the match remained finely poised.

Wade, through, produced two fine finishes to take the next two legs, taking out 95 and 96 to lead 9-7, assuming an advantage he would never lose.

Van Barneveld landed a 174 and double eight to take the next, but when he missed his chance to level in leg 18 Wade hit double ten to break and a 100 finish for a 14-darter to move 11-8 up.

Finishes of double eight and double six pulled the five-time World Champion back into the game, but again a chance to level slipped away as he missed the bull for another 126 finish, with Wade taking out 116.

Three further missed doubles from van Barneveld gave Wade the chance to hit double ten for a 13-10 lead, and when he took out 127 on double eight the winning line loomed into sight.

Double top saw Wade edge to the brink of victory, and although van Barneveld landed double 16 to stay in the contest it proved only brief respite as the left-hander’s trusted double top secured the win.

“I’m not in top gear but I’m winning and I need five more percent in my game before I’m at my best,” said Wade. “The big finishes were good but they were rescue shots for me – I’m not scoring as well as I can.

“It’s not felt comfortable for the first two games and it didn’t quite click for me, and it’s testing my ability.

“This is the best tournament in the world, for me it’s bigger than the World Championship and I get a feeling from this tournament that I don’t get from any other.”

Wade defeated Lewis in last year’s World Grand Prix final and also in the 2007 World Matchplay semi-finals, but is expecting a huge test against the World Champion.

“He’s supposed to be the best player and roughly is, more times than not,” added Wade.

“He’s done very well to win the one title I want, the World Championship. He’s brilliant at darts, amazing, and there’s no other player who can string together two or three legs when you need them like he can.”

PHIL TAYLOR 16-5 WES NEWTON
PHIL TAYLOR stormed into the semi-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with an amazing fightback to hit back from 4-1 down and defeat Wes Newton 16-5 at the Winter Gardens.

Local star Fleetwood, the world number eight who was appearing in his first World Matchplay quarter-final, stunned the reigning champion by taking an early 4-1 lead.

But Taylor showed his quality in a relentless barrage as he won 15 of the next 16 legs, including nine in a row, to take a superb win, hitting a key 150 finish and a brace of 128 checkouts along the way.

Following his victories over Andy Smith and Justin Pipe earlier in the event, home favourite Newton made a great start by winning the opening leg on double 16 and hitting the same bed to double his lead with an immediate break of throw.

After hitting a 180 in the third, Newton missed the bullseye for an 84 finish in a bid to move further clear as Taylor opened his account with a 66 checkout.

The duo traded maximums in the fourth, and after Taylor missed the bull Newton finished double top for a fine 11-dart leg, and then took the fifth to move 4-1 up at the first break.

He also hit a 180 in the sixth leg, but was left waiting on 40 when Taylor took out 150 before the reigning champion piled in a 128 finish in the next and a 14-darter to draw level.

Taylor then hit another 128 finish to take the lead for the first time, despite a fourth 180 of the game from Newton, and landed a 180 and double ten to edge 6-4 up.

Newton hit back well in the 11th, with Taylor hitting a 174 to leave 32 but being denied a dart at the double as Newton finished 72 on double six to win his fifth leg.

However, Taylor asserted his dominance with a clinical 64 finish before breaking in a key 13th with a 71 checkout after trading 180s with Newton, and double 18 gave him a 9-5 cushion.

He added a 12-darter win his tenth leg, and also produced an 11-dart finish which featured a 180 and a 96 checkout, but it was his accuracy on double 16 – allied to his pounding of the treble 20 and treble 19 beds – which saw him power to victory.

Taylor hit the double 16 bed in five of the final six legs, with none being over 13 darts as he stormed into a a semi-final against Stoke-born Andy Hamilton.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Taylor. “I’m not starting brilliantly but it’s going well after that, and I’m playing maybe as well as I can.

“Wes is setting a good standard at the moment and he’s getting better and better. He doesn’t miss and you have to play well to beat him.

He hit everything early on but the 150 and 128 were massive shots and you could see his head drop a little bit.

“I’m loving this event and with the way the players are playing, you have to be completely on your game.

“I want to hit a 110 average against Andy and to keep improving too because I want to leave here on Sunday with the trophy again.

“Andy will battle for every dart and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He showed that against Simon Whitlock with the best performance I’ve seen all year.

“I can’t think of anyone who can take nine legs in a row against Simon, but Andy never legs his concentration slip. He works hard for what he’s got and he earns everything he gets.”

Taylor added: “It’s a great semi-final line-up and I’m glad I’m on first so that I can watch the other semi-final. Everyones a little bit in awe of Adrian because he’s World Champion and James is on a high at the minute, so that will be a cracking game.”

Newton said: “I’m obviously very disappointed but I gave it my all.

“It’s starting to get on my nerves a bit that Phil seems to play at his very best against me, but I’ve got to take the positives from that because perhaps he does it for a reason, and maybe I’m bringing the best out in him.

“I will keep plugging away and hopefully get the better of him one day. I’ll regroup now and get ready for the European Championship now.

“It’s been a good step forward for me. I’ve come into this tournament and won a couple of games in Blackpool at last.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

Tags: 2011, James Wade, Phil Taylor, Quarter Final, Raymond van Barneveld, Results, Wes Newton, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Quarter Finals 1st Session Results

Posted on July 22nd, 2011

HAMILTON STUNS WHITLOCK AS LEWIS HITS BACK TO REACH QUARTERS

ANDY HAMILTON produced the most remarkable comeback in the history of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay as he came from 15-8 down to defeat Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals in Blackpool on Friday, and he was joined in the semis by World Champion Adrian Lewis.

Australian ace Whitlock looked set to progress to his second successive semi-finals at the Winter Gardens when he took a 15-8 lead in their first-to-16 contest.

But Hamilton incredibly clawed his way back into the match, and as Whitlock missed five match darts at double top across three legs as the world number 17 won nine straight legs in an amazing fightback.

“At 15-8 I had nothing to lose and I started clawing it back, and that’s the greatest comeback of my career,” said Hamilton. “Simon kept missing and he gave me a glimmer, and I pounced on him.

“I was probably trying too hard early on and missed too many doubles, but I relaxed as the game went on and it paid off.”

Hamilton will now meet the winner of Friday night’s quarter-final between reigning champion Phil Taylor and Fleetwood’s Wes Newton in the semis on Saturday, while Lewis will take on Raymond van Barneveld or James Wade following his 16-12 defeat of Mark Webster.

Welshman Webster led 4-1 and 6-2 in his bid to claim a place in the semi-finals of a second successive major tournament, but Lewis hit finishes of 118 and 110 in hitting back to take the win.

“When I was 4-1 down at the first break against Mark I knew I had three or four more gears and I knew what I had to do,” said Lewis.

“He kept giving me chances and I didn’t take them early on, but I never felt under pressure. I’ll have to improve, though, and I will probably have to average 103 or 104 to win the semi-finals, but I’ve got the game to do it.”

The remaining two quarter-finals will be played on Friday evening, with 2007 champion Wade meeting last year’s runner-up Raymond van Barneveld, before Taylor seeks to complete a treble of victories for Stoke-born players when he plays Newton.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Simon Whitlock 15-17 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 16-12 Mark Webster

Evening Session (7pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Wes Newton
All matches the best of 31 legs. Matches must be won by two clear legs.

ANDY HAMILTON 17-15 SIMON WHITLOCK
ANDY HAMILTON produced the most remarkable comeback in the history of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, winning nine successive legs in coming from the brink of defeat to Simon Whitlock to win 17-15 in their classic quarter-final.

Hamilton, who only earned his spot in the event as the last of 16 Players Championship qualifiers a month ago, seemed set to see his Winter Gardens challenge end when Whitlock took a 15-8 lead.

However, the Australian’s accuracy on the doubles evaded him as he missed five match darts across three separate legs as Hamilton clawed his way back level and snatched the most dramatic of victories.

Whitlock made the stronger start, hitting a 174 and double eight to win the opening leg and recovering from allowing Hamilton in to level on tops in the second with some clinical finishing to win three successive legs.

The first came courtesy of a 116 checkout, the second saw him hit tops for an 80 finish and the third, for a 14-darter saw Whitlock follow a 180 with double 16.

Hamilton hit his first 180 of the match in the sixth leg, and swiftly added a second in posting a superb 11-dart leg to halt the run.

The next two were shared courtesy of double 16 finishes, before Whitlock took the ninth in spectacular fashion by following a 180 with a 105 checkout.

Hamilton landed another 11-darter to pull back to 6-4, but Whitlock again hit top gear, winning six out of the next seven legs to pull clear at 12-5, with only a third 11-dart finish of the game from the Englishman coming in reply.

Hamilton hit his fifth 180 of the game and double top to slow Whitlock’s progress, although the Australian replied with a 106 checkout and also shared the next four legs as he edged towards victory by moving 15-8 up.

Double 16 from Hamilton saw him begin the fightback, and when he broke throw for the first time in the match in the 24th leg with a 12-darter which featured two 180s, the gap was reduced to 15-10.

Whitlock was first to a finish in the next, but when he missed three match darts just above double top, Hamilton stepped in with an 86 finish to stay alive.

Another missed double top in the next, this time for a 120 finish, allowed Hamilton to finish double 16, and when he hit a pressure double five to reduce the gap to 15-13, the comeback was truly underway.

Whitlock posted a 180 in the next, and when Hamilton missed double 16 for a 142 finish he was handed another chance to take the win – but again was off-target on double top, and his opponent returned to pull to within a leg.

Hamilton then finished 68 to level the match, and landed his ninth 180 and a 68 finish to incredible lead for the first time at 16-15 after Whitlock missed five darts to regain his advantage.

Whitlock replied with a maximum in the next as he battled to keep the game alive, but Hamilton secured the victory in style, finishing 94 on the bullseye with a superb dart to complete the most remarkable of fightbacks.

“I can’t believe it,” said Hamilton. “At 15-8 I had nothing to lose and I started clawing it back, and that’s the greatest comeback of my career.

“Simon kept missing and he gave me a glimmer, and I pounced on him. I got back in the game and at 15-13 I was on a roll.

“I was probably trying too hard early on and missed too many doubles, but I relaxed as the game went on and it paid off.”

Hamilton’s win followed up defeats of number four seed Gary Anderson and a second Scot, John Henderson, and ensures that he will return to the world’s top 16.

“I’m growing in confidence and I’ve nothing to lose in the semi-finals,” said Hamilton. “Because I beat Gary it’s given me more self-belief and I’ve nothing to lose.

“I’m the underdog but I could go all the way, and I’m shutting the doubters up about my game. People said I was gone and that I’d never come back but this will shut them up.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 16-12 MARK WEBSTER
ADRIAN LEWIS overcame a slow start before defeating Mark Webster 16-12 to reach the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay semi-finals at the Winter Gardens on Friday.

The World Champion trailed 4-1 and 6-2 as Webster made a swift start in his bid to reach the semis in a second successive major, following his run in the Speedy Hire UK Open last month.

However, Lewis won seven out of eight legs in mid-game to edge into a 9-7 lead, and he eventually proved too strong as he booked his place in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Webster made an ideal opening to the game, taking the first leg and then breaking to win the second after Lewis suffered some early double trouble.

A makeshift finish of double 11, double three from Webster saw him move into a 3-0 lead, and although Lewis got off the mark by hitting a 180 and tops in the fourth a 13-darter from Webster saw him take a 4-1 advantage at the first break.

A 70 finish from Lewis saw him win the sixth, but Webster edged the next two to take a 6-2 advantage, only to miss two chances in the next as Lewis posted double five to break.

He followed that with a 14-dart leg and checkouts of 110 and 118 for four successive legs in levelling the contest, before Webster took out 72 on double 12 to 7-6 up.

A two-dart 85 finish from Lewis saw him level once more, and he took the lead for the first time with a 13-dart leg, which was followed by double top as he moved clear at 9-7.

Webster finished 104 to win the 17th leg, but Lewis moved three legs ahead with a brace of double tops as he edged towards the winning line.

Webster replied with two double ten checkouts to pull back to 11-10, and hit a 180 in the next only to see Lewis finish 72 on double 18 to five himself breathing space.

After the Welshman took the next, Lewis held his cool to hit a 180 and a 90 finish to lead 13-11 and then moved two legs away from the semis by winning the 25th leg.

Webster produced a brilliant ten-darter to keep his hopes alive at 14-12, but Lewis replied with back-to-back 180s in winning the next before sealing victory on double 11.

Having stared defeat in the face against Kevin Painter in the first round, as his opponent missed six darts to knock him out, Lewis now sits two victories away from claiming his second major title in the space of seven months following defeats of Vincent van der Voort and Webster.

“In the first match Kevin played well and I was lucky to get through, but you have to take your chances and I’ve shown a lot of bottle,” said Lewis. “That’s part of why I’m World Champion and I think I can go on to win this tournament now.

“When I was 4-1 down at the first break against Mark I knew I had three or four more gears and I knew what I had to do.

“He kept giving me chances and I didn’t take them early on, but I never felt under pressure. I’ll have to improve, though, and I will probably have to average 103 or 104 to win the semi-finals, but I’ve got the game to do it.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

Tags: Andy Hamilton, Blackpool, Results, Simon Whitlock, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Night 6 Results

Posted on July 22nd, 2011

PHIL TAYLOR returned to top gear with a 13-7 defeat of Wayne Jones as he cruised into the quarter-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, setting up a clash with home favourite Wes Newton on Friday night.

Reigning champion Taylor, the 11-time World Matchplay winner, improved on Monday’s 10-8 victory over Mark Hylton with a more comfortable defeat of Wolverhampton’s Jones at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Although Jones hit back from 5-1 down to trail only 5-4, Taylor pulled clear with a fine run of legs before sealing victory with a 124 finish and an 11-darter.

“It was a good night at the office,” said Taylor, who meets Wes Newton in the last eight on Friday night. “It was brilliant for me to win so well because I’d not played like that for a couple of months.

“I’m trying to improve because I love this tournament and I want to win it. Every round’s a great game and it will be a cracker on Friday. I’m not feeling under pressure, I’m just going out to enjoy myself and do my best.”

Fleetwood favourite Wes Newton booked a spot in his first World Matchplay quarter-final with a 13-8 victory over Justin Pipe, which included checkouts of 170 and 126 in an impressive display.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Andy Hamilton, Phil Taylor, Results, Review, Simon Whitlock, Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, Wes Newton
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Night 4 Results

Posted on July 20th, 2011

ANDY HAMILTON produced the biggest upset of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay first round with victory over number four seed Gary Anderson on Tuesday night, as former champion Colin Lloyd and Blackpool favourite Ronnie Baxter also crashed out of the competition.

Anderson entered the £400,000 event as the second favourite with sponsors Sky Bet, but although he hit ten 180s the Scot paid for missed doubles as Hamilton took out finishes of 135, 130 and 122 on the bull in progressing with a 10-6 win.

Ironically, Anderson’s win over Dennis Smith in the quarter-finals of the final Players Championship had meant Hamilton hung onto the last qualifying place for the World Matchplay, but he showed no mercy in booking his own last 16 spot.

“I’ve not had the best year but it feels great to be winning and performing like I can do,” said Hamilton. “I had nothing to lose and everything to gain against Gary, and I went into the game relaxed and felt great on stage.

“When Gary got back into the game at six-all I thought I’d lost it but my 140 scoring was good throughout the game and there were a couple of good finishes which got me going again, and those big bull finishes won me the match.”

2005 champion Colin Lloyd, meanwhile, was defeated 10-7 by Scottish debutant John Henderson, who won the final four legs without reply – including a ten-darter – to take victory in a see-saw game, which saw the lead change hands five times.

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Tags: Andy Hamilton, Colin Lloyd, Gary Anderson, John Henderson, Results, Review, Simon Whitlock, Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Night 3 Results

Posted on July 19th, 2011

TAYLOR KEEPS COOL TO DEFEAT HYLTON AS NEWTON CHEERS HOME FANS

PHIL TAYLOR overcame the spirited challenge of Mark Hylton to begin his challenge to win a 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a win on Monday night, as local star Wes Newton finally broke his Winter Gardens jinx.

Newcomer Hylton, the emerging left-hander from Staffordshire, led Taylor 3-1 early on and hit back from 9-5 down to reduce the gap to one leg as he threatened an amazing fightback against the reigning champion.

Hylton also opened the 18th leg with a 180, but when he was unable to finish 121 Taylor crucially held his nerve to secure a narrow victory, as he seeks to claim his first major televised title of the year.

“I’m relieved to get through that because Mark came back well at me and when he hit that 180 in the last leg I was thinking we were going have a tie-breaker!” said Taylor.

“I’ve got a lot of improvement in me yet and I know I need to be averaging around 106 to be in contention here, but the key thing is that I’m still in and I’ll prepare well to play Wayne Jones on Thursday.”

Jones booked his place in the second round with a 10-6 victory over another debutant, Coventry’s Scott Rand, who performed well in only his second appearance in front of the television cameras.

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Tags: 2011, Justin Pipe, Phil Taylor, Results, Review, Wayne Jones, Wes Newton, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Night 2 Results

Posted on July 18th, 2011

WADE WHITEWASHES CAVEN AS BARNEVELD OVERCOMES LOST DARTS TO PROGRESS!

JAMES WADE made a stunning start to his bid for a third Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a whitewash of Jamie Caven on Sunday night, as Raymond van Barneveld shrugged off the loss of his darts to move into the last 16.

Wade, the 2007 champion at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, made the perfect start to his challenge in the £400,000 event, making the Derby ace pay for a nightmare showing.

Caven failed to produce the free-flowing scoring which has aided his rise to 18th in the world rankings, and missed all of his nine attempts at a double in the game as Wade capitalised, sealing victory with a 136 checkout in the final leg.

“It’s not nice to play a player when he’s not playing well, and we’ve all been there, and I just had to do my job and finish him off,” said Wade, the recent Speedy Hire UK Open champion. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: First Round, Mark Walsh, Paul Nicholson, Results, Review, World Matchplay
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Sky Bet World Matchplay Night 1 Results

Posted on July 17th, 2011

PART HITS NINE-DARTER AS LEWIS SURVIVES BLACKPOOL EPIC

JOHN PART hit a nine-dart finish in defeat to Mark Webster on the opening night of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay on Saturday, as World Champion Adrian Lewis edged past Kevin Painter in a classic at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Canadian ace Part, a three-time World Champion, became only the third player behind Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld to achieve a nine-darter in the 18-year history of the World Matchplay.

Part is now in line to claim a £10,000 bonus should no other player hit a nine-darter during the remaining eight days of the tournament in Blackpool, although that would be double his prize money of £5,000 after he went on to lose 10-8 to Mark Webster.

Webster capitalised on a string of missed doubles by Part in taking a 7-1 lead, and although the nine-darter came as Part hit back to trail only 8-7 at one stage, the Welshman held his nerve to take the win.

“For a player who’s been around a long time and been acknowledged for a lot of achievement’s it’s great,” said Part. “Some other guys hit nine-darters all the time but I’m a three-time World Champion and I hadn’t had one, so now I’m in there too and it’s nice. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Adrian Lewis, darts, Kevin Painter, Night 1, Results, Review, World Matchplay 2011
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2011 Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay Preview

Posted on July 14th, 2011

Draw | Schedule | Roll of Honour | History & Related News | 2010 Results | PDC Preview

Changes are afoot in the PDC; the major tournaments are being sponsored by ever more obscure companies (what the Dickens are Speedy Hire doing sponsoring darts?) and the names no longer roll off the tongue, as the upcoming Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay demonstrates.

In fact several of the majors do not currently have a sponsor (the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship, World Cup) which reflects the global economy and must be a continual struggle for Barry Hearn and his team to find backers. Watch out for the ‘Domino’s Pizza UK & Ireland Championship League Darts’ coming soon to a laptop near you.

That is all away from the board and regardless of any suspected financial struggles darts is reported to be booming so prize money continues to rise. £400,000 is up for grabs in Blackpool next week, with a quarter of it going to the winner.

The World Matchplay is generally considered to be second only to the World Championship and a favourite of many fans. The ornate majesty of the Winter Gardens is an unlikely darts venue but is a sight to behold and a pilgrimage that all darts fans should experience.

In keeping with the sea change away from the oche there is a strong whiff of change on it. Phil Taylor is no longer the domineering force we have gotten used to and although he still goes off 11/8 favourite with tournament sponsors, Sky Bet, now is the time to take him on in the tournament he loves.

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Tags: Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, James Wade, Phil Taylor, Preview, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock, Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay 2011, Winter Gardens
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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.