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.

“I’m grateful to Eric Bristow for his support and this is dedicated to him. He’s been texting me for the last few weeks when I’ve been losing my Premier League and UK Open titles, he’s been pushing me and he’s always behind me.”

There were few signs of what would follow in the early exchanges as Wade opened the match strongly.

He won the opening leg on double top, and after Taylor checked out a brilliant 135 in the second leg the left-hander won the third in 11 darts for a 2-1 lead.

However, he missed one dart to win each of the next two legs as Taylor firstly levelled on double four before breaking on double two to edge 3-2 up.

Legs of 12 and 11 darts, which included scores of 180 and 174 as well as a 90 finish, moved Taylor 5-2 up, and despite a 180 from Wade in the eighth he landed double top to lead by four legs.

Taylor then broke throw again with a killer blow, following an earlier 180 with a bullseye finish of 86 as Wade waited on 32 – and the reigning champion posted another maximum and a 100 finish for successive 12-darters in leading 8-2.

An 87 finish gave Taylor an eighth successive leg before Wade finally hit back, finishing 100 for a 12-darter to win his third leg of the game.

Taylor, though, replied in style with legs of 13, 13 and 14 darts to take the next three and a 12-3 lead, before double 12 put him ten legs clear.

A double six from Wade saw him hit back, and he powered in 180s in the next two legs in reducing the gap to 13-6 to threaten a fightback.

But he saw a chance to win the 20th go begging, with Taylor missing double top for a 110 finish only for the left-hander to miss the same bed and allow the Stoke legend to win his first leg in four on double five and go 14-6 up.

Taylor also shaded the next leg after Wade missed double 19 for a 158 checkout, but the left-hander followed up a double top finish by opening the 23rd leg with back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter.

He hit a seventh treble 20, but was just off-target on treble 19 before returning to win the leg in 12 darts, pulling back to 15-8 in the match.

However, that would be his final winning leg, as Taylor hit a brace of double top checkouts to move 17-8 up before posting a 74 finish to claim the title on double 16.

“I got so far in front that I started to relax and I thought there was no way he was going to come back,” admitted Taylor.

“Then he started clawing back, I lost one session 4-1 and started to panic a bit, but I took advantage when he hit bad shots, and tried to keep putting the pressure on him.”

Taylor had been priced at 7/4 to take the title with sponsors Sky Bet ahead of the tournament, having found himself odds-on for the majority of events in recent years.

“I doubt I’ll be that price again in a hurry!” Taylor joked. “But it’s not about trying to prove anybody else wrong, it’s about trying to prove myself right, trying to believe in myself and still win major tournaments.

“I know I’m still capable and I showed that tonight.”

Wade admitted: “I wasn’t good enough. I played alright later in the game but the first half was diabolical and Phil showed why he’s the best player in the world.

“It’s a shame that I didn’t play well at the start of the game. I missed a few shots but Phil out-played me and deserved to win.”

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

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

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

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.

“It’s as big a game as they come on Friday,” said Newton. “Phil’s the best player that there has ever been and I’ve got massive respect for him.

“I’ll approach it like it’s the toughest game of my life, which it is, but I’m confident that I can play well and give him a game.”

Simon Whitlock and Andy Hamilton had earlier set up a last eight clash with contrasting victories against Denis Ovens and John Henderson respectively.

Whitlock stormed to a 13-1 defeat of Ovens, who took out a 132 finish to win the game’s second leg but had no answer to a superb display of doubling from the Australian.

Hamilton, meanwhile, edged out Henderson 13-11, after the Scottish ace hit back from 10-7 down to level at 11-all before Derby-based Hamilton took the final two legs without reply.

The quarter-finals will also feature two other mouth-watering clashes, with World Champion Adrian Lewis taking on Welshman Mark Webster and 2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade facing last year’s runner-up Raymond van Barneveld.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Thursday July 21
Second Round
Simon Whitlock 13-1 Denis Ovens
Andy Hamilton 13-11 John Henderson
Phil Taylor 13-7 Wayne Jones
Wes Newton 13-8 Justin Pipe

Friday July 22
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Simon Whitlock v Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis v Mark Webster
Evening Session (7pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Wes Newton
All games are the best of 31 legs. Matches must be won by two clear legs.

SIMON WHITLOCK 13-1 DENIS OVENS
SIMON WHITLOCK romped into the quarter-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, dropping only one leg in a superb victory over Denis Ovens on Thursday.

The Australian picked up the most comprehensive win of the second round with a clinical display, hitting over 50 percent of his attempts at a double and winning 12 successive legs in sweeping to victory.

The win keeps Whitlock on course for a second successive semi-final in Blackpool in as many years of competing in the World Matchplay, as he moves on to play in the last eight on Friday against Andy Hamilton.

He made an ideal start to the match with a 180 in his first visit to the board, and although Ovens replied with a maximum of his own it was the Australian who drew first blood with double ten for a 14-darter.

Whitlock also hit a 180 in the second leg, but Ovens levelled with a classy 132 checkout of outer bull, treble 19 and a tricky bullseye, which he hit after having to move left along the oche.

That, though, would be the brightest moment of the game for Ovens, who could offer little as Whitlock took the next three legs in assuming control of the contest.

The first came with a 13-darter, before double four broke Ovens’ throw and a 63 finish moved him 4-1 up at the first break.

Whitlock also hit a 180 in the sixth leg, and although he missed two darts at double top, Ovens would miss three darts at double 16 to hit back to allow him back in to break again.

Whitlock then followed a 64 checkout with a sensational 154 finish, before landing double ten in successive legs to move into a 9-1 lead.

After 62 checkout gave Whitlock a tenth leg, he then traded 180s with Ovens in a 12-darter to extend his lead further before punishing two misses from the UK Open semi-finalist by hitting double eight to move 12-1 up, before sealing the win in the next on tops.

“It felt really good,” said Whitlock, who dedicated the win to his son Nicholas, who celebrated his birthday in Australia on Thursday by watching live coverage of the tournament.

“I started off fantastically by kicking off with a 180, and managed to keep up a good performance, although Denis didn’t play too well and never got into the match.

“I’ve been working hard for the last six-to-eight weeks and my game is back very close to its best.

“I always work on my doubles, it’s all I do in practice, but I’ve also changed the shafts on my darts since the end of the Premier League because they didn’t feel quite right, and they’re going great.

“I’m just plodding along, doing the business and I’m happy to be progressing quietly, which suits me. Last year I was a bit ill and I didn’t appreciate the event but I’m really enjoying it, the atmosphere is fantastic and the crowd have been great.”

ANDY HAMILTON 13-11 JOHN HENDERSON
ANDY HAMILTON completed a Scottish double at the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a 13-11 defeat of John Henderson as he booked a quarter-final place at the Winter Gardens.

Hamilton followed up Tuesday’s first round victory over Gary Anderson by knocking out the tournament’s other Scottish qualifier, PDC newcomer Henderson, with a gutsy performance.

Having led 4-1 early on, Hamilton also maintained that cushion to lead 10-7 before Henderson won four of the next five to level – but the Derby-based ace finished the stronger with back-to-back legs to kill off the game.

He had shown early signs of nerves with three missed doubles in the opening leg, as Henderson finished 60 to break in the opening leg.

Hamilton also missed three darts to win the second leg, but a brace of misses from the Huntly thrower allowed him back on double four to level.

Double two gave Hamilton the lead at 2-1, and he followed another break of throw with a 100 finish of two double tops to move 4-1 up.

Henderson won two of the next three, missing double top in between, as he pulled back to 5-3, and the next four were also shared before double 16 gave Hamilton an 8-5 cushion.

The pair then traded 180s in the 14th leg, but Hamilton missed double 11 for a 124 finish to steal the leg before double ten allowed Henderson to hit back.

Hamilton did manage a ton-plus checkout in the next, taking out 147 to lead 9-6 and moving 10-7 up as the pair hit 180s in sharing two more legs.

Henderson then took out double ten and a 120 finish to win back-to-back legs for the first time in the game as the deficit was cut to just one leg at 10-9.

He also missed a dart at the bull to level, allowing Hamilton in on double two to hit back and restore his cushion.

Henderson, though, hit a 180 and double ten to win the 21st leg, and then double top saw him draw level and threaten an amazing comeback.

Hamilton settled any nerves with a 180, and took out double eight for a 14-darter to move to the brink of victory at 12-11.

And although Henderson posted a maximum – his fifth of the match – in the next, Hamilton was already waiting on a finish and took out 113 to seal victory.

“I was too relaxed and I’m relieved to get the win in the end,” said Stoke-born Hamilton. “John has got a good record against me and I had to go up there and play good darts, which I didn’t do but I hit some good finishes when I needed to.

“I was in control of the game at one point and then I allowed him back in, and that 113 finish was nice to kill it off under a bit of pressure.

“I’ll be better prepared for the quarter-finals now. I’ll learn from that because I was too relaxed and I know I have to be more focused against Simon.”

PHIL TAYLOR 13-7 WAYNE JONES
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.

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.

Taylor’s tactic of winning the bullseye but allowing Jones to throw first in the opening leg, in a bid to break throw immediately, almost paid off when he hit three 140s, but the Wolverhampton man – who had hit a 180 – recovered from a missed bullseye to land double four to lead.

Taylor levelled on double 16 and secured his first break in the third leg on double top, before hitting a 13-dart leg to move 3-1 up.

Finishes of double 16 – after three missed doubles from Jones – and double top saw Taylor establish a 5-1 advantage, but that would be cut to just one leg as the 2010 European Championship finalist won the next three without reply.

Jones also landed a 180, his fifth of the game, in leg ten, but Taylor finished 62 to end that run, before hitting a 180 and double 16 to break and tops for a third straight leg of his own.

Jones finished 68 to pull back to 8-5, and the next two were shared before Taylor produced a timely pair of 14-dart finishes to move clear at 11-7 and edge towards victory.

Jones checked out 62 to win his seventh leg, but a 124 finish from Taylor dealt a hammer blow to his hopes of a comeback, which were ended swiftly in the next when Taylor posted scores of 180, 140 and 165 to set up an 11-darter.

“It was a good night at the office,” said Taylor. “It was brilliant for me to win so well because I’d not played like that for a couple of months.

“Wayne did well and changed a few things in his game and he’ll improve in the next few 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.”

WES NEWTON 13-8 JUSTIN PIPE
WES NEWTON won through to his first Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay quarter-final with a 13-8 defeat of Justin Pipe at the Winter Gardens on Thursday night.

The Fleetwood ace set up a tasty quarter-final with Phil Taylor on Friday night with another strong performance, averaging almost 100 and taking out a 170 finish in seeing off Pipe.

He made an ideal start, hitting a 180 and double top to win the opening leg in 13 darts, and landed double ten for the second and another maximum in a 12-dart leg to lead 3-0.

He also won the fourth in 14 darts before Pipe, aided by his first 180 of the contest, got off the mark on double top.

Pipe also landed a maximum and double eight to break Newton’s throw, and the next three legs also went against the darts as the UK Open finalist established a 6-3 cushion, which was extended in style with a show-stopping 170 checkout.

Pipe won two of the next three to edge closer, and traded 180s with Newton in the 19th leg before seeing his opponent fire in a 126 checkout for a 12-darter as he took a 9-5 cushion.

An 81 finish saw Pipe take the next, but finishes of double top and double 16 saw Newton move two legs away from victory at 11-6.

Newton also hit a 174 in the next leg, but missed three darts to extend his advantage as Pipe broke with a 76 finish and then hit double top to reduce the gap to three legs.

Pipe also landed a maximum in leg 20, but Newton hit a pressure double 16 at the third time of asking to lead 12-8 before sealing the victory in style with an 81 checkout.

“It was a really tough game,” said Newton. “Justin’s quite a slow player and that made it hard for me as a quicker player to get into a rhythm, but I prepared for it and played well.

“Justin never laid down and kept coming back at me, which made it a really tough game to the end.

“The 170 was nice. I’ve left it a few times this week so it’s good to hit it, and it gave the fans something to cheer and me a chance to celebrate on stage.”

Newton will meet reigning champion Phil Taylor on Friday night in the quarter-finals, and admitted: “It’s as big a game as they come.

“Phil’s the best player that there has ever been and I’ve got massive respect for him. I’ll approach it like it’s the toughest game of my life, which it is, but I’m confident that I can play well and give him a game.

“Phil’s not playing the darts that we know he can, but I watched him against Wayne Jones and he had a 108 average for most of the game, which is the Phil Taylor of old.

“The final at Bolton was the biggest night of my career up to now, but this is a real big game, it doesn’t get much better than this. I’ll try to forget the pressure and play darts like I have done for the last year-and-a-half.”

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.

“It was nerve-wracking but I enjoyed every minute of it and I’m delighted,” said Henderson. “It’s a big confidence boost for me – it’s a dream and I’m walking in the clouds!”

Whilst Henderson plays Hamilton in the second round on Thursday, Simon Whitlock and Denis Ovens also set up a last 16 clash with victories on the final night of first round action.

Ovens – a semi-finalist in the Speedy Hire UK Open last month – produced an upset of home favourite Ronnie Baxter as he sealed a narrow 10-8 win, although the Blackpool ace had hit back from 6-1 down to level at seven-all.

Whitlock, meanwhile, defeated Lowestoft’s colourful Peter Wright 10-7, as the colourful qualifier – who sported a Mohican haircut with six different shades of the rainbow dyed into his hair – shared the first six legs before the Australian pulled clear.

The second round begins with the first four matches on Wednesday night, including five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld against Paul Nicholson and World Champion Adrian Lewis facing Holland’s Vincent van der Voort.

2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade takes on Mark Walsh, and the night will open when two former World Champions Steve Beaton takes on Mark Webster, after both secured impressive first round victories.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
First Round
Tuesday July 19
Ronnie Baxter 8-10 Denis Ovens
Colin Lloyd 7-10 John Henderson
Gary Anderson 6-10 Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock 10-7 Peter Wright

Wednesday July 20
Second Round (7pm)
Steve Beaton v Mark Webster
Adrian Lewis v Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld v Paul Nicholson
James Wade v Mark Walsh

Thursday July 21 (7pm)
Simon Whitlock v Denis Ovens
Andy Hamilton v John Henderson
Phil Taylor v Wayne Jones
Wes Newton v Justin Pipe
All second round games are the best of 25 legs. All games must be won by two clear legs.

DENIS OVENS 10-8 RONNIE BAXTER
DENIS OVENS survived an inspired comeback from Ronnie Baxter before edging into the second round of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a 10-8 triumph over the Blackpool favourite.

Local star Baxter hit back from 6-1 and 7-5 down to level a tight contest as he looked to secure a place in the last 16 of the £400,000 event.

But Ovens continued the form which saw him reach the Speedy Hire UK Open semi-finals last month as he held his nerve to win the final two legs without reply to break a deadlock from eight-all and book his second round place.

After the first two legs were shared, Ovens produced a sparking run of five straight legs, following up a 14-darter in leg three with a 121 finish on the bull to break throw, two double 16 checkouts and a 72 finish.

Baxter stopped that by winning the eighth, and punished Ovens for missed doubles to win the next thanks to a superb 146 checkout.

Baxter then hit a 180 and double four to take the tenth leg, and when he finished 80 on double top, the lead was cut to 6-5 as Ovens faltered.

Baxter also gave himself a chance to level in the next, but missed two darts at double eight as Ovens finished 120 to stem the tide.

However, it was the 54-year-old from Stevenage who would miss in the next, with a brace of chances at double ten slipping away as Baxter hit double top to win the leg.

He then levelled at seven-all by taking out double ten, and hit a 180 to leave 24 in the 15th leg, only for Ovens to finish a pressure double top for a 15-darter to edge 8-7 up.

Ovens then missed four darts to break in the next, as Baxter landed double top to square the contest once more, but it was the veteran from Hertfordshire who made the decisive move.

He landed a 180 to be first to a finish in the 17th leg, and although Baxter replied in kind he finished double two to move a leg away from the win, and when his opponent failed to set up a double when needing 70 Ovens secured victory on double ten.

“It’s a fantastic win,” said Ovens. “I did a nine-darter in practice earlier in the day, which is my first ever, so I knew I was playing well.

“Ronnie didn’t play as well as he can, but maybe that was because I didn’t let him. I dropped off but I get tired now and maybe I needed a sleep after ten legs or so.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself but I’ve got into this tournament with the same attitude as Darren Clarke, the golfer who won the Open last week, of being happy and thinking everything’s going to go right, and I think it will.”

JOHN HENDERSON 10-7 COLIN LLOYD
FORMER Sky Bet Mobile World Champion Colin Lloyd was knocked out of this year’s tournament with a 10-7 defeat to Blackpool debutant John Henderson on Tuesday night.

Lloyd enjoyed arguably the greatest night of his career when he won the World Matchplay title in 2005, but entered this clash having won just once in Blackpool since then as he took on Henderson.

The Scottish newcomer extended that run for another year in a see-saw contest where the lead changed hands five times before Henderson emerged victorious, having hit a key ten-darter in winning the final four legs without reply.

Lloyd made a strong start, hitting a 180 and a 128 finish in the game’s opening leg, but Henderson levelled and then traded 180s with the Essex star before finishing 91 on the bull to break for a 2-1 advantage.

Lloyd hit back immediately on double five, and punished two misses from the Scot to win the fifth and regain a 3-2 advantage at the first break.

A miss from Lloyd in the next, though, allowed Henderson in to level before he hit another 180 in a 13-darter to break and lead 4-3.

Lloyd opened the eighth with scores of 180 and 140, but missed four darts to square the contest as Henderson finished 65 on tops, a double he hit to add a third successive leg in taking a 6-3 lead in the next.

However, a missed double top in the next allowed Lloyd back in as double one kick-started his challenge, and he took out 82 to win the 11th leg, double 18 to level and double two to edge in front 7-6 as Henderson faltered.

Henderson hit a timely 180 to steady himself in the next, and a 70 finish levelled the match once more before he capitalised on misses from Lloyd to take an 8-7 advantage.

He then kicked off the next with scores of 180 and 140, before adding a 141 and double top for a ten-dart finish as he moved a leg away from the win, which he sealed after a miss at tops from Lloyd by hitting the same bed.

“It was nerve-wracking but I enjoyed every minute of it and I’m delighted,” said Henderson. “It’s a big confidence boost for me and to come here and win a game is more than I expected when I joined the PDC in January.

“I had my sights set on qualifying for the UK Open first and the World Championship later in the year, so this is a bonus but it’s a dream and I’m walking in the clouds after this win.

“On the ProTour this year I’ve been getting into some good leads and letting it slip, but in the longer format you get another opportunity. When Colin hit back at me my best darts came out and I put in the ten-darter.

“I feel a little bit for Colin because neither of us played to our full potential, but luckily I got through. Hopefully I can take this experience on to my next game and play a bit better.”

ANDY HAMILTON 10-6 GARY ANDERSON
ANDY HAMILTON produced the biggest upset of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay first round with a 10-6 victory over number four seed Gary Anderson on Tuesday night.

Anderson entered the tournament 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.

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.

Anderson made a strong start, hitting double seven for the opening leg and hitting a 180 in leg two, although Hamilton levelled the match on double 16.

Anderson hit another maximum and a 100 finish for the third, but Hamilton powered in his first ton-plus finish of the game with a 130 bull checkout in the fourth, broke on double 16 after four misses from the Scot and then hit the same bed to take a 4-2 lead.

Anderson hit a 180 and tops to hit back in the seventh, but another maximum was not enough in the next as Hamilton finished double four to retain his two-leg advantage.

Hamilton also hit a 180 to open leg nine, but Anderson replied with two as he posted a brilliant 11-darter and then broke throw to level in the next on double 16.

Another 180, his fourth in three legs, helped Anderson to regain the lead for the first time since the third leg of the game at 6-5, but Hamiton took the crucial 12th in dramatic fashion.

Anderson had piled in yet another maximum to lead 41 after nine darts, but missed two darts at double top and Hamilton powered home a 135 finish on the bull to level.

Further misses from Anderson allowed Hamilton to move back in front with double 16, and when he won the 14th by hitting a 177 which he followed with another bull finish, of 122, he moved to within two legs of the win.

Hamilton missed double 11 in the next, but a miss at tops for a 120 finish for Anderson allowed him back to hit the bed and move a leg away from victory, and he hit a 174 score to set up a 72 finish in wrapping up a famous victory.

“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.

“I’d maybe lost a bit of self-belief but recently I’ve got a new manager, Jess Harding, and that has given me confidence because he believes in me.

“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.”

SIMON WHITLOCK 10-7 PETER WRIGHT
SIMON WHITLOCK overcame the spirited challenge of colourful Peter Wright with a 10-7 victory as he booked his place in round two of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay.

Australian ace Whitlock, a semi-finalist on his Winter Gardens debut last year, set up a last 16 clash with Denis Ovens on Thursday night courtesy of a strong display against the improving ace from Lowestoft.

Wright, who previously competed in Blackpool at the 2009 World Matchplay and sported a multi-coloured hairstyle, produced darts to match Whitlock for much of the game and led 6-5 before the Australian took five of the final six legs for victory.

Both players hit 180s in the opening leg as Wright opened with a break of throw on double 18, but Whitlock hit back immediately on double five for a 14-darter and then hit a maximum to set up a 108 finish in leading 2-1.

Wright responded with a ton-plus finish of his own to square the match with a 123 checkout, only for Whitlock to win the fifth with a sparkling 12-dart leg which featured three 140s followed by an 81 checkout.

The next two were shared before Wright posted a 12-dart leg of his own in the eighth to level once more, hitting his first 180 of the game and a 116 finish.

Both players recorded maximums in the ninth, but when Wright missed the bullseye for a 91 finish Whitlock held throw on double 16 for a 5-4 lead.

Wright, though, wrestled himself in front for the first time since winning the game’s opening leg by hitting back-to-back 14-dart finishes as he took a 6-5 lead.

Whitlock won the 12th leg on double ten to square the game once more, and won the next in a leg which would prove pivotal, as Wright opened with seven treble 20s only to see his chance of a nine-darter slip away when he missed treble 19 for the 141 finish.

He then missed four darts to win the leg, and Whitlock landed double four to move 7-6 up.

The Australian was punished for five misses of his own in the next as Wright levelled but Whitlock was too strong with a 14-darter in moving 8-7 up before breaking throw on tops and taking out 60 to kill off the match.

“I’m very happy to get the win,” said Whitlock. “Peter’s a fantastic player and that was a very tough game for me.

“He could have gone ahead near the end and I could never get the break to get away from him until the end of the match.

“I’ve got Denis Ovens next and I’ll approach that like any game. He’s a seasoned player but I’m feeling confident after this and playing well at the moment.

“I’ve had a really good year but my results haven’t reflected how well I’m playing. I’ve had six semi-finals but not reached a final, and although that’s not as good as last year I think I’m playing better but the overall standard has gone up incredibly.”

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.

Rand shared the first six legs, but Jones pulled clear with a run of four straight legs and also posted a 161 finish in setting up a date with Taylor on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood-based Wes Newton picked up his first World Matchplay victory in his fifth appearance in the event as he stormed to a 10-2 win over Andy Smith.

Newton won the first six legs without reply to take command of the match, with a 126 finish from Smith getting him off the mark but failing to stem the tide as the new world number eight sailed into the last 16.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to win,” said Newton. “It wasn’t the best game you’ll ever see, but I am in the next round and I’m fighting for the title.”

Newton now faces Justin Pipe in the second round, after the 39-year-old from Taunton knocked out world number nine Mervyn King with a 10-6 triumph.

King, who has been suffering with tennis elbow in the build-up to the World Matchplay, led 4-2 and 5-4 but Pipe win six of the final seven legs to secure his first-ever televised victory.

The first round concludes on Tuesday night with the final four matches, which include Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson facing Andy Hamilton.

Number five seed Simon Whitlock takes on Peter Wright, 2005 World Matchplay winner Colin Lloyd against debutant John Henderson and Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter playing Denis Ovens.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
First Round
Monday July 18
Wayne Jones 10-6 Scott Rand
Mervyn King 6-10 Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor 10-8 Mark Hylton
Wes Newton 10-2 Andy Smith

Tuesday July 19
Ronnie Baxter v Denis Ovens
Colin Lloyd v John Henderson
Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
Best of 19 legs. Games must be won by two clear legs.

WAYNE JONES 10-6 SCOTT RAND
WAYNE JONES denied Scott Rand a debut victory in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, as he took a 10-6 win from their clash at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Rand has impressed in qualifying for the World Matchplay through the Players Championship series of events this year, and performed well as he followed up last month’s UK Open with a second appearance in front of the television cameras.

However, Jones – a quarter-finalist last year in Blackpool – showed his quality with a mid-game surge of winning four successive legs which proved crucial in the final outcome.

The opening stages were a tight affair, with Rand hitting double 16 to win the first leg but missing two darts to break in the second as Jones levelled.

The next two were also shared before Rand landed a 180 and double nine for a 3-2 lead, only for Jones to reply with a 106 checkout before producing the first break of the game in the seventh, courtesy of a maximum and double 16 in a 13-darter.

Jones then took the next two legs after Rand missed the final double on combinations of 138 and 131, with double 16 and double 18 giving Jones a sudden 6-3 advantage.

Rand stopped the run with a 69 finish, but a brilliant 11-darter from Jones gave him a seventh leg.

The next two legs went against the throw, and at 8-5 down Rand threatened to continue his fightback by firing in a 180 – only for Jones to reply by finishing 341 with a maximum followed by a 161 checkout to put him a leg away from the win.

Rand posted double nine in the next to keep himself alive a 9-6, but missed three darts to stay in the match as Jones posted double 16 to seal his second round spot.

“I’m pleased to be through but not happy with how I played,” said Jones. “It was an average display and that performance won’t get me past Phil Taylor in the second round, but I won and will work to improve.

“It’s frustrating because I know I’m playing well and I didn’t show that against Scott. My run last year started in Blackpool and hopefully I can lift on Thursday.”

Rand said: “I enjoyed it. The darts didn’t go as they were supposed to, there were a lot of fives and I missed two doubles for big finishes, 138 and a 131.

“If I’d hit them I’d have stayed level and it would have been more of a battle, but that’s darts. I enjoyed the experience and it was good to be up in front of the crowd, and I’ll look forward to next time.”

JUSTIN PIPE 10-6 MERVYN KING
JUSTIN PIPE enjoyed a dream Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay debut with a 10-6 victory over Mervyn King at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 39-year-old from Taunton claimed his maiden televised victory, capitalising on a below-par display from King as the world number nine, suffering from a bout of tennis elbow, became only the second seeded player to be knocked out so far in the event.

Pipe, who has played in the Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship in the past year, settled any early nerves by finishing 116 to win the opening leg.

The next two legs were shared before King took command, landing a 120 finish to level in the fourth, a 75 checkout in the fifth to break for the first time and a 90 finish to lead 4-2.

Pipe traded 180s with King before finishing 96 for the seventh leg, and broke back to square the contest on double nine in the next.

King replied with a 91 checkout, but Pipe made his move by winning three successive legs, twice punishing misses from his opponent before hitting a 180 in an 11-darter to move 7-5 up.

He also missed three darts to win the next as King took out 76 to reduce the gap to one leg, but another 180 from Pipe was followed by double four as he broke to lead 8-6, double top moved him a leg away from victory and double ten secured a precious win.

PHIL TAYLOR 10- MARK HYLTON
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 10-8 victory over the Blackpool debutant on Monday night.

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.

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.

“His scoring was brilliant and he’s a cracking player. He’s done his apprenticeship and was impressive.

“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.”

Taylor hit a 180 in the opening leg, but Hylton replied in kind and hit double 16 for a 14-darter to make a strong start.

Taylor levelled, on double 16, but Hylton edged the third and then first in double top to break and take a shock 3-1 lead against the world number one – who has lost his World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, World Championship, Premier League Darts and UK Open titles since last summer.

If Taylor was feeling that pressure though, he hit back in style, winning the fifth leg on double 16 to enter the break just one leg behind, before hitting back-to-back 180s in opening the sixth, which he won in 11 darts.

He also took out 96 and then took out 92 for another 11-darter as he moved 5-3 up with a third successive leg.

Hylton finished 66 to stop that run, but Taylor fired in another treble, posting a 115 finish, double eight and double 18 in moving 8-4 up and on course for the win.

Hylton landed a 180 and double ten for the 13th leg, but was left with a mountain to climb when Taylor finished 112 to lead 9-5 and move a leg away from the win.

His opponent, though, took out 108 to save the match in the next leg, before a 61 finish continued his comeback and a 119 checkout left Taylor anxiously looking on as the gap was cut to 9-8.

Hylton opened the next leg with a 180 and was first to a finish, but when needing 121 he could only score 27, and Taylor pounced to take out 68 to wrap up the win.

WES NEWTON 10-2 ANDY SMITH
WES NEWTON broke his Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay jinx with a fine 10-2 victory over Andy Smith at the Winter Gardens on Monday night.

Both Newton and Smith have failed to take victory on the Winter Gardens stage in a total of nine previous meetings, and it was last month’s UK Open finalist who emerged triumphant as Smith endured a Blackpool nightmare.

Newton won the opening six legs without reply, and went on to set up a second round date with Justin Pipe after completing a comprehensive win.

Newton broke in the opening leg on double ten, and a 57 finish in the second leg saw him take command before two misses from Smith allowed him back in to hit double nine for a 3-0 cushion.

He also won the fourth leg with another double ten finish, and he then landed a 180 in a 14-darter to win the fifth and took out 84 on the bull to move six legs clear.

Smith finally got off the mark in the next, finishing 127 on the bullseye, but after Newton won the eighth on tops a further two misses allowed the home favourite in to move 8-1 up.

Smith posted a maximum in the tenth leg, but Newton’s 67 for a 14-darter took him to the brink of victory, and although he missed three match darts in the next leg, four ton-plus scores pushed him clear in the 12th before he sealed victory on double eight.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to win,” said Newton. “Andy didn’t play as well as he can and it wasn’t the best game you’ll ever see, but a win’s a win and I am in the next round.

“I’m here and I’m fighting for the title. The crowd were brilliant and they’ve always been behind me here in Blackpool, so I’m glad they’ve got something to sing about at last.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

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.

“This tournament has been good to me and I’ve been fortunate enough to play well here and play some great darts at times. There’s something special about the Winter Gardens.”

Van Barneveld, meanwhile, arrived in Blackpool without his darts and needed a new set to be delivered from St Helens (well done A180) only hours before going on stage against Steve Brown.

However, the Dutchman showed few signs of disruption by taking a 6-1 lead and averaging over 100 for most of an eventual 10-3 victory.

“It’s your worst nightmare!” admitted van Barneveld. “I practised against Co Stompe on Friday and I think I forgot to put my darts in my suitcase when I got home.

“Luckily for me I was able to get some more darts.”

Van Barneveld will now retain those darts for Wednesday’s second round clash with Paul Nicholson, who produced a gritty display to oust former UK Open finalist Colin Osborne 12-10.

He had defeated Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor on his way to the quarter-finals of the UK Open last month, and landed eight 180s in a narrow victory over Osborne, who twice saved the game after misses from Nicholson but could not prevent the Preston-based ace from taking the win.

“I think it would have been a wonderful game to watch and I enjoyed it,” said Nicholson. “I missed a few match darts and I’ve got to learn from that, but I gave myself another chance.”

The night’s other game saw Hertfordshire’s Mark Walsh power past Dave Chisnall 10-3 as the St Helens ace endured a nightmare debut in Blackpool.

Chisnall had impressed by reaching the UK Open quarter-finals in June, but paid for 15 missed darts at a double as Walsh took a 7-0 lead.

Chisnall won three of the next five to stay in the match, but Walsh followed an earlier 116 finish with a 13-darter in sealing victory.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor enters the fray on Monday night when he begins his bid for a 12th World Matchplay crown against Mark Hylton, who is one of three debutants in action.

Coventry’s Scott Rand and Taunton’s Justin Pipe are also making their first appearances at the Winter Gardens, against Wayne Jones and Mervyn King respectively, while Fleetwood’s world number eight Wes Newton plays Andy Smith – with neither having won previously in a combined total of nine World Matchplay appearances.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
First Round
Sunday July 17
Paul Nicholson 12-10 Colin Osborne
Mark Walsh 10-3 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 10-0 Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld 10-3 Steve Brown

Monday July 18
Wayne Jones v Scott Rand
Mervyn King v Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor v Mark Hylton
Wes Newton v Andy Smith
Best of 19 legs. Games must be won by two clear legs.

PAUL NICHOLSON 12-10 COLIN OSBORNE
PAUL NICHOLSON erased his Winter Gardens demons with a narrow 12-10 Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay first round victory over Colin Osborne on Sunday evening.

Nicholson had endured a nightmare on his Blackpool debut last summer when he lost 10-3 to Steve Beaton, but showed his quality with a gritty display against the former UK Open finalist.

Osborne took Nicholson all the way as his opponent missed five match darts, but the Chorley-based thrower held his nerve to eventually claim the win and a last 16 spot.

Osborne actually held the early advantage with two breaks of throw in the opening three legs, as he took out 126 on the bull in the opener and 85 in leg three.

Nicholson had replied with a 100 finish in leg two to break back, and he also levelled in the fourth after hitting a 180 before holding throw for the first time in the fifth.

That leg included two maximums from Nicholson and one from Osborne, who missed the bull for a 121 finish before his opponent took out double ten.

Osborne levelled in the sixth leg, but Nicholson took the next two to hold a 5-3 lead – only for the Derby ace to respond by hitting a pair of 180s and a brace of double tops finishes to square the match, hitting an 11-dart leg along the way.

However, he could not lead as the next six legs all went with the throw, with Osborne finishing a 115 checkout in one, as the pair remained locked at eight-all.

Nicholson hit another 180 in a 13-dart leg to lead 9-8, but then missed tops for a 120 finish and three further match darts as Osborne scrambled double ten to save the game.

Osborne then missed his chance to break as Nicholson punished him with a 76 finish for a 10-9 lead, only to miss tops once again for a 120 finish and victory as double six pulled the Derby ace level.

Nicholson, though, showed no nerves as he hit his seventh 180 and a 76 checkout to edge back in front at 11-10, and after landing another maximum he finally closed out a high-quality win on double ten.

“I think it would have been a wonderful game to watch and I enjoyed it,” said Nicholson. “I missed a few match darts and I’ve got to learn from that, but I gave myself another chance.

“I’ve not played my best game so far on TV this year but this was a venue which held a few nightmares for me after last year. I lost 10-3 and had doubts at the back of my mind.

“But this year it’s different for me. I’ve turned up and I want to scrap, even if I’m not playing my best darts.”

MARK WALSH 10-3 DAVE CHISNALL
MARK WALSH ensured a miserable Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay debut for Dave Chisnall with a 10-3 victory over the PDC newcomer at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Chisnall has made a big impact since joining the PDC circuit this year, reaching the Speedy Hire UK Open quarter-finals in June and hitting two nine-dart finishes.

But he endured a nightmare on his doubles in Blackpool, with Walsh punishing 15 misses from his opponent in taking a 9-1 lead, and defied a brief rally from the St Helens ace to secure safe passage to the last 16.

Walsh made a confident start, taking the first two legs with double five and double top before defying a 180 from Chisnall to move three legs clear on double 12, after his opponent failed to take his chances in a scrappy third.

A 66 finish from Walsh gave him the fourth, before Chisnall kicked off the fifth with back-to-back 180s to threaten a magical nine-darter – aiming to match John Part’s achievement of Saturday evening.

However, he missed the treble 19 of a 141 finish, and having hit seven perfect darts then contrived to miss nine doubles to win the leg as Walsh took out double five to extend his lead further.

Walsh then took out 88 to lead 6-0 and double 18 to win the seventh leg, although Chisnall had hit a 180 to leave 41 as he threatened to get off the mark.

Chisnall finally did that in leg eight, initially missing four darts at double top before landing the fifth – his first double in 16 attempts – as he got off the mark.

Walsh, though, hit a 180 in restoring his cushion and moved a leg away from the win with a 116 checkout to lead 9-1.

Chisnall returned from the break to give himself a glimmer of a fightback with superb legs of 11 and 12 darts, hitting a 180 and an 86 finish in the first and a 121 checkout in the latter.

But Walsh replied with a 13-dart finish to wrap up victory on double 12 and a spot in the last 16 – as he aims to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in his career.

“Dave’s an up-and-coming player, he’s hit two nine-darters this year and has been doing really well in the Players Championships, but luckily for me I think the occasion got to him,” said Walsh.

“He didn’t play anything like he can play and I’m happy to get the win. He’d beaten me twice already this year but he didn’t turn up tonight.

“I took my chances when I had them, and when I got to 9-1 up, I knew it was a big hurdle and I don’t think any player can throw that sort of lead away.

“It’s Dave’s first time in Blackpool and he’ll learn from it, but it’s my tenth year and I want to get past the second round because I’ve never done that before.

“The second round has been a bit of a brick wall for me, but if I play the darts that I know I can play, there’s no reason why I can’t win on Wednesday.” (No televised interview for Special Brew again)

JAMES WADE 10-0 JAMIE CAVEN
JAMES WADE signalled his intent to win a second Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a whitewash defeat of Jamie Caven at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.

The 2007 champion 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 he suffered a third round loss for a third successive year in Blackpool.

The opening leg set the tone for the contest, as Caven missed three darts to break throw immediately as Wade returned from four earlier misses at double 16 to hit the bed and lead.

Wade hit a 180 and double two to break in the second leg, after Caven missed the bull for an 89 finish, and double five gave the left-hander a three-leg cushion.

Finishes of double top and double ten saw Wade move five legs clear, and three further misses from Caven in the sixth allowed him back from earlier misses to land double five and edge away.

After finishing double ten in the seventh leg, he took out 86 on double seven for an 8-0 lead before Caven opened the ninth with a maximum in his bid to get off the mark.

However, he missed darts at double 18 and nine as Wade punished those with a classy 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top before going on to wrap up the victory with a brilliant 136 checkout.

“Jamie’s a much better player than that,” said Wade. “It was awful for him and the more he tried, the worst it got for him.

“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.

“This tournament has been good to me and I’ve been fortunate enough to play well here and play some great darts at times. There’s something special about the Winter Gardens.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-3 STEVE BROWN
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD recovered from arriving at the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay without his darts to defeat Steve Brown 10-3 in his first round contest at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The Dutchman, last year’s runner-up at the Winter Gardens, flew to Blackpool on Saturday but discovered – only hours before his game – that his darts were missing, and likely to still be in his car in Holland following a practice session with Co Stompe before he left for the UK.

Having had a set of his darts brought up from a darts store in St Helens who stock his Unicorn darts, van Barneveld shrugged off the disrupted preparation to see off Brown with a classy display.

He averaged over 100 for most of the match, and won five straight legs in taking a 6-1 advantage before moving into the second round, where he faces Paul Nicholson on Wednesday.

“It’s your worst nightmare!” admitted van Barneveld. “I practised against Co Stompe on Friday and I think I forgot to put my darts in my suitcase when I got home.

“Luckily for me I was able to get some more darts, which are the same as the ones I use after dropping to using 22 gram darts recently, and Gary Anderson helped me by giving me some stems!

“I’ve practised well for the last six weeks with lighter darts and have been finishing well, but I will keep using these darts against Paul Nicholson!”

After Brown won the pre-match bull, he handed van Barneveld the chance to throw first but saw his chance to break throw in the opening leg slip away, as he followed a 180 only to miss three darts at a double before the Dutchman finished double 18.

Brown replied well with a 121 finish for a 12-dart leg in the second, but van Barneveld took command of the match with back-to-back 13-dart legs in the next two as he moved 3-1 up.

Brown hit 180s in the next two, but a brace of double top finishes from van Barneveld put him 5-1 up before an 11-dart leg, featuring a 180 and a 90 finish, moved him five legs clear.

He added a second maximum in the eighth leg, but Brown posted double top to win his first leg in six, only to miss two darts at double top as van Barneveld posted double eight to lead 8-2.

Brown missed his chance to cut the gap in the 11th leg, failing to hit the single 14 which would have left the bull, as van Barneveld won his ninth leg with double ten.

Brown did pick up his third leg courtesy of double ten, but failed to pressure van Barneveld’s throw in the next as the Dutchman missed five match darts before eventually sealing the win on double eight.

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

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.

“I needed it to get back in the match too. I have been playing well and showed some good darts up there against Mark, but it was spotty and I gave away too many chances.”

Webster will now take on Steve Beaton in Wednesday’s second round, and admitted: “I need to improve but I’m still in the competition. The first round’s always tough but John gave me chances and I took them early on.”

Beaton had produced his best-ever World Matchplay performance to dump two-time runner-up Terry Jenkins from the event, averaging over 100 in a 10-3 victory.

Beaton led 3-0 before Jenkins hit back to level, but the former World Champion hit an 11-darter amongst a run of seven successive legs as he powered to victory.

Holland’s Vincent van der Voort also survived a comeback before winning his clash with left-hander Alan Tabern, who hit back from being 3-0 and 7-3 down before losing out 10-7.

The night’s best fightback, though, came from World Champion Lewis, who edged out Kevin Painter 14-12 in a thriller.

Painter missed three darts for a 10-6 victory and a further trio of chances to take a 12-10 triumph before Lewis, who hit 12 180s, finally edged through to the last 16.

“It was a brilliant game and I thought Kevin was absolutely fantastic,” said Lewis. “I thought I’d lost it at one stage and put my darts away, but he missed his chance and I came back well and took mine in the end.”

The first round continues on Sunday, with the four matches including 2007 champion James Wade up against Jamie Caven and Raymond van Barneveld – who hit a nine-dart finish in last year’s event – taking on Steve Brown.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Saturday July 16
First Round
Terry Jenkins 3-10 Steve Beaton
Vincent van der Voort 10-7 Alan Tabern
Adrian Lewis 14-12 Kevin Painter
Mark Webster 10-8 John Part – includes nine-dart finish from John Part

Sunday July 17 (7pm)
Paul Nicholson v Colin Osborne
Mark Walsh v Dave Chisnall
James Wade v Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld v Steve Brown

STEVE BEATON 10-3 TERRY JENKINS
STEVE BEATON produced his best-ever display in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay to power past Terry Jenkins 10-3 in the opening game of the £400,000 event at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Beaton had won just three games in Blackpool over the past decade since reaching the 2011 semi-finals, but averaged over 100 in a superb performance.

After leading 3-0, Beaton allowed Jenkins back in to level but won seven successive legs to sweep to victory and a second round spot.

Beaton had secured an early break of throw in the opening leg following a nerve-settling 180, although he received a let-off for missed doubles when Jenkins missed four darts to lead and he stepped in to hit double nine with his fifth dart at a finish.

Beaton doubled his lead with a 13-darter in the second leg, and after Jenkins saw two further darts at a double miss in the third the 1996 World Champion moved 3-0 up on double eight.

He also missed four darts to win the fourth leg, with Jenkins checking out 118 to get himself off the mark before hitting a 180 and double 18 to pull back to 3-2.

The two-time World Matchplay finalist then levelled the game in a dramatic sixth leg, with Beaton needing 52 but hitting the treble 20 instead of a single which would have left double 16 to allow Jenkins in to take out 60 on double ten.

Jenkins, though, was unable to capitalise as Beaton responded in style to the error, hitting legs of 12 and 11 darts to take the next two legs and lead 5-3.

He then defied a 180 from Jenkins by checking out 85 in two darts, landed double eight for a fourth straight leg and a 13-darter to move 8-3 up.

Jenkins opened the next with another maximum, but missed double 18 for a 93 finish and Beaton took out 80 to move a leg away from the win, which was sealed with another 13-dart finish as he moved his end average to over 100.

“It’s hard being the opening game of the tournament but it’s a great result for me,” said Beaton. “Sometimes you get on a roll and I hit a peak tonight in the second half of the game.”

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 10-7 ALAN TABERN
HOLLAND’S Vincent van der Voort held his nerve to defeat Alan Tabern 10-7 and win through to the second round of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay on Saturday night.

Van der Voort set up a second round clash with either World Champion Adrian Lewis or Kevin Painter with the success, as he held off Tabern’s fightback to progress to the last 16.

The Dutch ace – a quarter-finalist two years ago – led 3-0 and 7-3 during the game, but Tabern hit back to trail only 8-7 before the quick-fire ace edged the final two legs to take the win.

Van der Voort made a superb start, finishing 64 for the opening leg, a neat 90 finish of bullseye and double top in the second to break throw and double 18 to win the third leg in a lightning opening.

Tabern replied with a 180 on his way to winning the fourth to get off the mark with an 80 finish, and hit a 171 to set up double 12 in the fifth and took out 71 to level matters in leg six.

Van der Voort took a key seventh leg with a timely 14-dart finish, and when Tabern missed four darts to win the next he broke to move 5-3 up.

Further misses from Tabern allowed the Dutch ace in on tops to win the ninth leg, and he then followed up a 180 with a 76 finish to take a commanding 7-3 advantage.

Tabern regained his range with a 78 finish to pick up his fourth leg, and after double 18 gave van der Voort the 12 it was the left-hander’s turn to produce a run of legs.

The St Helens star took two breaks of throw in winning three successive legs as he pulled back to trail just 8-7 going into the final stages.

However, he wasted his chance to level in the 16th leg as van der Voort sneaked home double five to move one leg away from victory, and despite a maximum from Tabern the Dutchman secured the triumph with double four.

ADRIAN LEWIS 14-12 KEVIN PAINTER
WORLD CHAMPION Adrian Lewis survived an epic battle with Kevin Painter before taking a 14-12 first round win in their Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay contest, after his opponent missed six darts for victory in a thriller.

Painter, competing for the first time since undergoing laser eye surgery last month, produced a fine performance to go within a whisker of sending Lewis back to Stoke with a first round exit.

But he missed three darts at double top to take a 10-6 win and then saw a dart at the bull and two at double eight go begging for a 12-10 victory as Lewis clawed back to sneak through.

Lewis had put his darts away in his pocket during the 16th leg when Painter needed double top for the win, but hit five 180s in four legs as he hit back before holding his nerve as the game went all the way.

There were signs of the drama which would follow from the start of the game, with Lewis hitting a 180 in a 14-darter to open the game only for Painter to hit back with a 102 finish to level.

Two missed doubles from Lewis allowed Painter in to break in the third, and he also took the next two legs to lead 4-1 against the World Champion.

A missed double ten in the sixth leg allowed Lewis back in on double top, and he followed a 180 with a 98 finish in cutting the gap to 4-3.

Lewis, though, was denied the chance to level in leg eight as Painter finished 79 on tops, although the Stoke ace finished 106 for a 12-dart leg in remaining just one adrift.

The next two were also shared as Lewis hit another brace of 180s, but Painter took a key break in the 12th on double 16 and finished 66 – after a missed bullseye from his opponent – to lead 8-5.

Lewis followed up a superb 177 with a 100 finish to win his sixth leg of the game, but Painter landed two maximums in a polished 13-darter to edge to the brink of a shock win at 9-6.

Misses at double top and ten from the World Champion gave Painter a chance in the next, but three darts at tops agonisingly landed above the top wire as Lewis – who had pocketed his darts – returned to land double five with his final dart to keep the game alive.

Lewis then produced a remarkable three legs, hitting four 180s in taking out a 13-darter and back-to-back 11-dart legs as he incredibly moved ahead at 10-9.

Painter hit a 180 of his own in reply to Lewis as he took the 20th leg to square the match in 12 darts with an 81 finish, which he followed up by taking out 86 on the bull to break and lead 11-10.

But again he would miss his chance to take the win, with a miss at the bull followed by two further darts at double eight slip away as Lewis scrambled in double four to stay alive.

Lewis then hit an 80 finish to lead 12-11, only to miss a dart at the bull for a 121 finish and the match himself in the next, with Painter hit double four to square an epic contest.

However, Painter missed two darts at double 16 as Lewis posted double ten to lead 13-12, and a 12th maximum of the game from the Stoke star helped him set up a 90 finish in the next, as he sealed victory on the bullseye.

“It was a brilliant game and I thought Kevin was absolutely fantastic,” said Lewis. “He took the lead, hit plenty of 180s and was finishing well, but when he missed the three darts at tops to win it I knew I had to hit him.

“I thought I’d lost it at one stage and put my darts away, but he missed his chance and I came back well and took mine in the end.

“I feel like I’m getting back to my best and I showed a lot of bottle in this game, but I’m on a free ticket now. I probably shouldn’t be in the tournament but I’m on a free ride now and hopefully I will be very dangerous this week.”

Painter admitted: “Adrian gave me chances and I didn’t take them, but the three darts at double top killed me.

“They were a cigarette paper away,and the bull later on is a hard chance and double eight hasn’t always been my favourite, but to be out of the tournament after playing like that is shocking. I threw it away.”

MARK WEBSTER 10-8 JOHN PART
A SENSATIONAL nine-dart finish from John Part came in vain as the Canadian lost 10-8 to Mark Webster in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay on Saturday night.

Part became just the third player to hit a perfect leg in the 18-year history of the World Matchplay, as he hit scores of 180, 180 and a 141 finish in the 11th leg of the clash with Webster.

He had trailed 7-1 but the nine-dart finish came in a fightback as he pulled back to just 8-7 at one stage before Webster held his nerve to take victory and progress to a second round clash with Steve Beaton on Wednesday.

Part, though, had found himself punished for a slow start to the game as Webster took an early 4-0 lead, with the Canadian missing doubles in two legs as the Welshman broke twice in the opening stages.

Part finished double 16 to finally get off the mark in the fifth leg, but after hitting a 180 missed further doubles as Webster capitalised.

He hit double 16 to lead 5-1, and after finishing 116 for a sparking 12-dart leg he then landed double six for a six-leg cushion, following three further misses from the Canadian at double 18.

Part had hit just one double from 16 attempts in the opening eight legs, but checkouts of 105 and 76 saw him pull back to 7-3 at the break, before he returned to land his brilliant nine-dart finish.

He also took the 12th leg, although that came in scrappier circumstances than his previous perfect leg as he posted double five with his final dart after Webster missed nine darts at doubles.

Webster did take the next on tops to move 8-5 up, but Part hit 180s in the next two legs, which he won in 14 and 13 darts to reduce the gap to one.

Webster, though, crucially hit two 180s in the next as he edged just one leg from victory at 9-7.

When he missed the bullseye for the match in the next, Part hit double 16 to evoke memories of Webster’s semi-final loss to James Wade in the UK Open a month ago, when he allowed a lead to slip.

However, there would be no repeat as Webster hit a 171 score to leave a finish, and he hit double top to secure victory.

“It wasn’t a brilliant performance but I just needed to get through it and I’ve done that,” said Webster. “I was a bit nervy and I didn’t feel great up there, but I’ve got through.

“I need to improve but I’m still in the competition. The first round’s always tough but John gave me chances and I took them early on.

“His nine-darter was as sweet as a nut, and because I was a long way back in the leg I was willing him to hit it. It was a brilliant nine-darter and it’s great to see John back.

“When he came back at me I started flashing back to what happened in the UK Open but I held myself together. I wasn’t bothered about my average or my performance, just getting through, and I’ve done that.”

Part – who would claim a £10,000 bonus should no other player hit a nine-darter in the remainder of the event – said: “For a player who’s been around a long time and been acknowledged for a lot of achievement’s it’s great.

“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.

“The only time I’ve ever hit a nine-darter before, even including practice, was in a little local singles league, against a good player who it was good fun to do it to, so this is only my second ever.

“I needed it to get back in the match too. I was still kindof lucky to win the next leg but I gave away chances before that and I think he was pretty fortunate to be in the position he was by the time I hit the nine-darter.

“I have been playing well and showed some good darts up there against Mark, but it was spotty and I gave away too many chances.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

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.

Since Rod Harrington’s back-to-back titles in 1998 & 1999 Taylor has won this event nine times out of eleven to add to his two wins in 1995 and 1997, giving him eleven in total and making this tournament his own.

Interestingly, on the two occasions another name went on the trophy (James Wade in 2007 and Colin Lloyd in 2005) Taylor did not contest the final. The two players who defeated The Power (John Part & Terry Jenkins) went on to lose the final; so knocking out the world’s best player does not always bring home the bacon.

There are two ways to look at the World Matchplay this year – either it is the continuation of the end for the established regime, or it is the beginning of a revival for the likes of Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld. I suspect it is the former and the World Matchplay will see a new name etched on Sunday 24^th July.

Barney has never triumphed in Blackpool, runner up last year is his best finish. The previous year he did not even qualify amidst the infamous kidnap ordeal that eventually came to light. He has never lost to first round opponent, Steve Brown, but there’s a first time for everything and the Dutchman is vulnerable to the fast emerging Bristolian.

Should Barney overcome the tricky first hurdle of The Bomber it is likely to be at least one of Paul Nicholson and James Wade in the next two rounds. Unless the new Unicorn darts that he has been tweeting about (3001 in 27 darts in practice) have transformed his game the world number six will find it difficult to make inroads at the Winter Gardens.

Phil Taylor has not won a major TV tournament in almost a year and is losing his grip on the full house he recently possessed. He is the defending champion of course (he demolished Steve Beaton, Kevin Painter, & Simon Whitlock en route to the final last year), and will go off favourite once more, but his pre-tournament odds lengthen as each one passes.

His first round opponent, by contrast, has had the year of his life. Since turning professional and earning his PDC tour card Mark Hylton has improved with each glimpse we get of him. Qualification for the Grand Slam of Darts in November was followed by reaching the Last 16 of the World Championship and then the quarter finals of the UK Open in June (including a 9-0 whitewash of Andy Jenkins). The world number 39 is making his Blackpool debut but  will provide a stiff challenge for the defending champion. With Mervyn King, Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson lying in wait, Taylor’s route to a twelfth title looks tough.

So if we are expecting a new name on the trophy, who is on the shortlist?

Straight away we have to include reigning World Champion, Adrian Lewis, and reigning Premier League champion, Gary Anderson, based on form and ability rather than Blackpool pedigree. I’m still not convinced by the consistency of either player and pre-tournament it still feels like a coin toss given Lewis’s struggle to find consistency and Anderson’s recurrent double trouble.

Lewis’s six visits to Blackpool have produced a mixed bag – two first round defeats and best of a semi final – while this will be Anderson’s third attempt and he has yet to get past the Last 16. Both are genuine contenders on ability alone and the bookies have them second & third in the odds. If they hit form, nobody can stop them and a repeat of the Ally Pally final is likely.

Lewis opens against a guy who thrives on the TV stage so Kevin Painter is a tough draw first up. Anderson tackles Andy Hamilton, a player who is surprisingly on the slide and is desperate for a good showing.

Of course it might not be a new name on the trophy; James Wade won it in 2007 and comes into this fresh from lifting the UK Open in which he had to start in Friday’s first round and go on to be last man standing after a gruelling weekend of action.

The Machine is 9/1 fourth favourite and offers good value in the opposite half of the draw to Taylor. His recent mental problems were put well and truly behind him in Bolton and if the smile is still there Blackpool could see more happy times for the world number three. Jamie Caven won’t roll over in round one, however, and the dangerous Dave Chisnall could be lying in wait in round two.

Simon Whitlock’s time will surely come in a major and there is no reason why it can’t arrive this week by the seaside. Heavy scoring and clinical finishing are the Aussie’s trademarks but I suspect the Premier League took some wind out of his sails and my feeling is that he won’t bounce back just yet, recent 9-darters aside. Whitlock is on stage last at 10pm on Tuesday and given his sluggishness with late starts his first round opponent, Peter Wright, will fancy his chances of an upset.

A player at twice the odds of Whitlock who looks a more solid bet is Geordie Aussie, Paul Nicholson. Sky Bet have the Chorley based 11^th seed at 25/1 which looks too good to ignore. Luck of the draw beat The Asset in Bolton where he fell to eventual winner, James Wade, after putting out Anderson and Taylor in successive, exhausting rounds.

Nicholson prepares well, is bang in form, and is reasonably local to Blackpool. His 2010 Blackpool debut ended early with a limp 10-3 defeat to Steve Beaton but he is a very different animal this time around. With a major already to his name, the Players Championship in 2009, a second is in his sights this week.

A Wade-like knack of pulling out the shots and finishes when needed under (sometimes immense) pressure is an ability that will enable Nicholson to stand with the best at the top of the sport and contend in major tournaments. He will have to it the hard way again though as the seeding puts him in the potential path of Barney, followed by Wade, followed by Lewis if he can get past Colin Osborne in round one.

A case can be made for Mark Webster, Terry Jenkins, Mervyn King and Vincent van der Voort (recent VvdV tweet: “Why is darts so easy when you practice? Hope to bring this form to Blackpool”) but I don’t see a winner coming from this quartet in the leg race format of the World Matchplay.

Further down the betting there are three players at 50/1 who are worth keeping a keen eye on; they represent much better value and may well see a little of my money.

John Part’s quality is undoubted and his lean period is over. With titles and solid form in 2011 the twice beaten Matchplay finalist can prolong his fine run by at least matching his 2002 & 2005 final appearances. He tackles Mark Webster in round one which is arguably the tie of the round.

Local boy, Wes Newton, is desperate to do well in his ‘home’ major but has yet to taste victory at the Winter Gardens. Last year’s tie break loss to Alan Tabern was a killer but 2011 has seen The Warrior’s stock rise dramatically. World number eight and UK Open runner up is just reward for being one of the tour’s form players and Newton is a contender again this week. Wes will hope to finally get the ball rolling against The Pieman, Andy Smith.

Final mention goes to a player who has the talent to go a long way and won’t be starting tournaments at 50/1 for much longer. Since finishing as runner up to Martin Adams at Lakeside in 2010 Dave Chisnall has met every new challenge with aplomb.

Chizzy secured his PDC tour card at qualifying school with ease, banged in a 9-darter within weeks, has already claimed some major scalps, and reached the UK Open quarter finals in June. That first title is within reach and it could be a major; it could be this one. Mark Walsh will not be relishing his opening game.

These major tournaments are becoming increasingly difficult to call, as neatly illustrated by Wayne Mardle’s tweeted prediction, “It’s easy to make a case for most of the players; most have a chance.”

This is a reflection of the gap closing between Phil Taylor and the rest. It makes for tricky betting but a much more exciting sport. Long may it continue.

Predictions

Winner – Gary Anderson
Runner up – Paul Nicholson or James Wade
Each way – Dave Chisnall, Wes Newton
First round picks – John Henderson, Denis Ovens, Steve Beaton, John Part

Beat The Tipster!

Don’t forget there is still time to enter our Beat The Tipster competition. This time around we have drafted in a Mystery Guest Tipster as our regular Tipster is on holiday (not in Blackpool).

All you have to do is predict the outcome of all the matches in Blackpool and should you beat our Mystery Guest  Tipster you will be in with a chance of winning a personalised darts shirt or a new set of darts. The Mystery Tipster’s first round predictions are below so get your thinking cap on and perhaps take a cue from our preview above.

Links

World Matchplay Draw | World Matchplay Schedule | World Matchplay Roll of Honour

World Matchplay History & Related News | World Matchplay 2010 Results

World Matchplay PDC Preview

Sky Bet Outright Odds

Sky Bet First Round Matches Odds