The poker, casino and online betting website are the new sponsor for the £350,000 event, which will be held from October 4-10 at the Citywest Hotel Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland.

Screened live on Sky Sports in the UK and also around the world, the Bodog.com World Grand Prix is one of the sport’s most exciting events, with the unique double-start format meaning that players have to begin and end every leg with a double.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor will be bidding to win the event for an incredible tenth time in October, with the 32-player field of competitors being confirmed in mid-September.

As part of their online gaming, darts fans will be able to place bets on the World Grand Prix via the Bodog.com website, as well as at the Citywest Hotel’s on-site betting facility.

Patrik Selin, CEO of Bodog Europe, the licensee of the Bodog brand in the UK, commented: “We have made some giant strides in establishing the Bodog brand here in the UK recently with our sponsorship with Fulham Football Club and this is another important landmark for us.

“Darts and Bodog are a perfect fit on every level.”

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to welcome Bodog.com as the new title sponsor for the World Grand Prix.

“They are an exciting brand who are emerging in the UK and we look forward to working with them in the coming months.”

Four Players Championships remain for players to win a spot in the tournament, with the PDC’s top 16 players joined by the leading four Irish or Northern Irish qualifiers from the Players Championship Order of Merit and 12 further qualifiers.

Tickets for the Bodog.com World Grand Prix, priced from €20-€40, are available now from TicketGroup on 00353 (0)818 33 33 44 or by clicking http://www.ticketgroup.ie/World_Grand_Prix_Darts_tickets

The Essex star denied Caven back-to-back PDC ProTour titles to take the £5,000 first prize – continuing the form which saw him reach the European Championship semi-finals a month ago.

He showed his best form throughout the day, having missed double 12 for a nine-darter in his opening game, a 6-1 defeat of Jim Long, and then saw off Matt Clark by the same scoreline and Martin Tremblay 6-4 to reach the last eight.

There, he overcame Kevin Painter 6-4 and repeated that scoreline to see off in-form Wes Newton in the semi-finals, before sweeping past Caven in the decider.

Lloyd broke throw in the opening leg of the final before doubling his lead, and after Caven got off the mark in the third the former world number one took the fourth for a 3-1 cushion.

Another break gave him a 4-1 lead, and after Caven missed his chances in the next double 12 put him to the brink of victory, which was sealed in the seventh leg.

Caven followed up Saturday’s London Ontario Players Championship victory with a run to the final, as he took home £7,500 for his weekend’s work in Canada.

Having defeated home star Ken MacNeil in his opening game, he then saw off Roland Scholten and Mark Webster to reach the last eight, where he edged past Alan Tabern in a deciding leg and then overcame Steve Maish in the semis.

Maish’s display was his best run since reaching a Players Championship semi-final in March, and included deciding leg wins against Barrie Bates and Dennis Priestley as well as a defeat of world number nine Mark Walsh.

Mark Dudbridge and Kevin Painter reached the quarter-finals for the second time over the weekend before losing to Newton and Lloyd respectively, while Newton was appearing in his second semi-final in as many days.

Canadian Masters Players Championship
First Round
Wes Newton (1) Bye
Dave Switzer 6-5 Arron Monk
Darren Johnson (32) 6-1 Shaun Warwick
Gary Mawson 6-2 Rick Almost
Michael van Gerwen (16) 6-0 Jerry Castonguay
Shaun Narain 6-1 Guy Maffe
Jelle Klaasen (17) 6-1 John Morrison
Bill Davis 6-2 Glenn Fraser
Colin Osborne (8) Bye
Dan Lauby 6-3 Yves Raymond
John Part (25) 6-1 Pete Reihl
Andy Jenkins 6-1 Dave Watson
Mark Dudbridge (9) Bye
Stephane Rousseau 6-3 Doug Boehm
Kevin McDine (24) 6-1 Chris Scutt
Dano Corriveau 6-2 Mark Neilson
Steve Beaton (5) Bye
Tony Randell 6-0 Eldon Wallace
Steve Evans (28) 6-5 Darin Young
Kory Nichols 6-5 Andrew McDonald
Kevin Painter (12) 6-0 Fabian White
Bruce Davey 6-5 Jeff Noble
Steve Hine (21) 6-3 Paul Addison
Chris White 6-2 James Graton
Colin Lloyd (4) Bye
Jim Long 6-3 Stuart Brown
Matt Clark (29) 6-2 Sean Smyth
James Hind 6-2 Steve Dinelle
Steve Brown (13) 6-0 Yves Dauphinais
Sylvain Guerin 6-3 David Twamley
Tony Eccles (20) 6-0 Mark Simms
Martin Tremblay 6-4 Scott Rand
Jamie Caven (2) Bye
Ken MacNeil 6-0 Jesse Davis
Roland Scholten (31) 6-0 Ed Lewanick
Charlie Vandenakker 6-1 Sarah O’Connell
Paul Nicholson (15) 6-0 Paul Cockings
Royden Lam 6-1 Andre Carman
Mark Webster (18) 6-1 Jayson Barlow
Sylvain Bourque 6-0 Rick Tesselaar
Denis Ovens (7) Bye
Ross Snook 6-4 Gerry Convery
Mark Hylton (26) 6-1 Adam Sinnaeve
Bob Sinnaeve 6-0 Stanley Minogue
Alan Tabern (10) Bye
William Gibson 6-5 Torman Warford
Nigel Heydon (23) 6-2 Larry Butler
Andrew Wilson 6-0 Lynn Marshall
Mark Walsh (6) Bye
Chris Locke 6-1 Wayne Smith
Steve Maish (27) 6-2 Kevin Hawkins
Norm Wylie 6-0 John Patterson
Barrie Bates (11) 6-0 Scott Brett
Jackie Buessecker 6-3 Sean Boussen
Justin Pipe (22) 6-3 Jim Munro
David Munro 6-1 Chris Arsenault
Andy Hamilton (3) Bye
Par Riihonen 6-3 Brian Williams
Nick Fullwell (30) 6-1 Nick Holmes
Chris Greenwood 6-5 Al Moskwyn
Dennis Priestley (14) 6-0 Isen Veljic
Dan Olson 6-0 Bill Nielson
Robert Thornton (19) 6-0 Daniel Thibadeau
Jason Roker 6-3 Rick Kraemer

Second Round
Wes Newton 6-2 Dave Switzer
Darren Johnson 6-3 Gary Mawson
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Shaun Narain
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Bill Davis
Colin Osborne 6-3 Dan Lauby
John Part 6-5 Andy Jenkins
Mark Dudbridge 6-0 Stephane Rousseau
Dano Corriveau 6-4 Kevin McDine
Steve Beaton 6-5 Tony Randell
Steve Evans 6-0 Kory Nichols
Kevin Painter 6-2 Bruce Davey
Steve Hine 6-3 Chris White
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jim Long
Matt Clark 6-1 James Hind
Steve Brown 6-3 Sylvain Guerin
Martin Tremblay 6-5 Tony Eccles
Jamie Caven 6-1 Ken MacNeil
Roland Scholten 6-0 Charlie Vandenakker
Royden Lam 6-3 Paul Nicholson
Mark Webster 6-0 Sylvain Bourque
Ross Snook 6-5 Denis Ovens
Mark Hylton 6-2 Bob Sinnaeve
Alan Tabern 6-2 William Gibson
Nigel Heydon 6-1 Andrew Wilson
Mark Walsh 6-1 Chris Locke
Steve Maish 6-1 Norm Wylie
Barrie Bates 6-1 Jackie Buessecker
Justin Pipe 6-0 David Munro
Andy Hamilton 6-2 Par Riihonen
Nick Fullwell 6-2 Chris Greenwood
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Dan Olson
Robert Thornton 6-4 Jason Roker
Losers £100

Third Round
Wes Newton 6-3 Darren Johnson
Jelle Klaasen 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
John Part 6-3 Colin Osborne
Mark Dudbridge 6-1 Dano Corriveau
Steve Evans 6-5 Steve Beaton
Kevin Painter 6-0 Steve Hine
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Matt Clark
Martin Tremblay 6-4 Steve Brown
Jamie Caven 6-2 Roland Scholten
Mark Webster 6-3 Royden Lam
Mark Hylton 6-1 Ross Snook
Alan Tabern 6-3 Nigel Heydon
Steve Maish 6-3 Mark Walsh
Barrie Bates 6-3 Justin Pipe
Andy Hamilton 6-4 Nick Fullwell
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Robert Thornton
Losers £200

Fourth Round
Wes Newton 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Mark Dudbridge 6-3 John Part
Kevin Painter 6-4 Steve Evans
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Martin Tremblay
Jamie Caven 6-3 Mark Webster
Alan Tabern 6-4 Mark Hylton
Steve Maish 6-5 Barrie Bates
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Andy Hamilton
Losers £300

Quarter-Finals
Wes Newton 6-2 Mark Dudbridge
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Kevin Painter
Jamie Caven 6-5 Alan Tabern
Steve Maish 6-5 Dennis Priestley
Losers £700

Semi-Finals
Colin Lloyd 6-4 Wes Newton
Jamie Caven 6-2 Steve Maish
Losers £1,250

Final
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jamie Caven
Winner £5,000
Runner-Up £2,500

The Derby ace defeated Michael van Gerwen 6-4 in the final to round off a fine day of darts, which included a 6-2 semi-final win over Dennis Priestley – last week’s Australian Open Players Championship winner and the champion in Canada for the past two years.

Caven had overcome Dave Watson and John Morrison in the early rounds before seeing off Steve Evans 6-4 and Justin Pipe in a deciding leg to reach the last eight.

There he saw off Andy Hamilton 6-4 before overcoming Priestley in the semis and Dutch ace van Gerwen in the final.

Caven opened the final with a 130 finish, and took the next two legs before van Gerwen wired a 160 checkout as Caven took out 78 for a 4-0 cushion.

A 14-darter from van Gerwen saw him get off the mark in leg five, but Caven won the next and then missed four match darts as van Gerwen took the next and two more legs to reduce the gap to 5-4.

However, Caven was not to be denied and he took the tenth to seal victory and the £5,000 title.

Van Gerwen’s run was his best since last November as he reached the final and boosted his chances of qualifying for the World Grand Prix in October.

The Dutchman defeated Isen Veljic in the first round, and saw off Paul Addison, Steve Brown, Mark Hylton, Kevin Painter and Wes Newton in his run to the decider.

London Ontario Players Championship
Round One
Wes Newton (1) v Bye
Par Riihonen 6-2 Bruce Davey
Roland Scholten (32) 6-0 Jason Ralph
Adam Bernard 6-2 Adam Sinnaeve
Jelle Klaasen (16) 6-4 Tony Randell
Sean Boussen 6-0 Rick Tesselaar
Mark Webster (17) 6-1 Pete Riehl
Dan Lauby 6-3 v Jeff Nutt
Colin Osborne (8) 6-2 Scott Brett
Wayne Smith 6-1 Chris Arsenault
John Part (25) 6-0 Jerry Castanguay
Kevin Hawkins 6-3 Al Moskwyn
Alan Tabern (9) 6-2 Stephane Rousseau
Jason Roker 6-0 David Kerr
Chris Scutt 6-3 Kevin McDine (24)
Shaun Narain 6-1 Sylvain Guerin
Steve Beaton (5) 6-0 Chris Greenwood
Doug Boehm 6-1 Chris White
Steve Maish (28) 6-5 Andre Carman
Glenn Fraser 6-1 David Twamley
Kevin Painter (12) 6-2 Jan Torres
Sean Smyth 6-1 Norm Wylie
Steve Hine (21) 6-0 Brian Williams
Darin Young 6-0 Martin Tremblay
Mark Walsh (4) 6-0 Ed Lewanick
Arron Monk 6-3 Larry Butler
Mark Hylton (29) 6-1 Nick Holmes
James Graton 6-1 Andrew McDonald
Steve Brown (13) 6-0 William Gibson
Mark Neilson 6-3 Charlie Vandernakker
Michael Van Gerwen (20) 6-2 Isen Veljic
Paul Addison 6-0 Lynn Marshall
Colin Lloyd (2) v Bye
John Patterson 6-2 Mark Simms
Gary Mawson 6-1 Darren Johnson (31)
Daniel Thibaudeau 6-2 Mike Magee
Dennis Priestley (15) 6-0 Aaron Talbot
Sylvain Bourque 6-1 Jesse Davis
Robert Thornton (18) 6-0 James Hind
Andrew Wilson 6-2 Fabian White
Denis Ovens (7) 6-2 Lloyd Bansey
Michael Lapierre 6-1 Sarah O’Connell
Matt Clark (26) 6-0 Guy Maffe
Bob Sinnaeve 6-1 Royden Lam
Mark Dudbridge (10) 6-0 Lee Maguire
Dano Corriveau 6-5 Douglas Lloyd
Nigel Heydon (23) 6-0 Korey Nichols
Bill Davis 6-5 Yves Raymond
Jamie Caven (6) 6-1 Dave Watson
John Morrison 6-0 Andrew Drummond
Steve Evans (27) 6-0 Steve Dinelle
Bill Neilson 6-5 Stuart Brown
Barrie Bates (11) 6-3 Ross Snook
Wayne Dragstra 6-1 Rick Kraemer
Justin Pipe (22) 6-3 Dan Olson
Kenny McNeil 6-0 Eldon Wallace
Andy Hamilton ( 3 ) v Bye
Jeff Noble 6-0 Yves Dauphinias
Nick Fullwell (30) 6-1 Gerry Convery
Chris Locke 6-3 Paul Cockings
Andy Jenkins 6-3 Paul Nicholson (14)
Scott Rand 6-0 Wayne Jenkins
Tony Eccles (19) 6-5 Jayson Barlow
Dave Switzer 6-0 Stanley Minogue

Round Two
Wes Newton 6-4 Par Riihonen
Roland Scholten 6-1 Adam Bernard
Jelle Klaasen 6-2 Sean Boussen
Mark Webster 6-1 Dan Lauby
Colin Osborne 6-1 Wayne Smith
John Part 6-1 Kevin Hawkins
Alan Tabern 6-3 Jason Roker
Chris Scutt 6-3 Shaun Narian
Steve Beaton 6-4 Doug Boehm
Steve Maish 6-1 Glenn Fraser
Kevin Painter 6-3 Sean Smyth
Darin Young 6-2 Steve Hine
Mark Walsh 6-4 Arron Monk
Mark Hylton 6-2 James Graton
Steve Brown 6-0 Mark Neilsen
Michael van Gerwyn 6-0 Paul Addison
Colin Lloyd 6-1 John Patterson
Gary Mawson 6-0 Daniel Thibaudeau
Dennis Priestley 6-1 Sylvain Bouque
Robert Thornton 6-0 Andrew Wilson
Denis Ovens 6-0 Michael Lapierre
Bob Sinnaeve 6-5 Matt Clark
Mark Dudbridge 6-1 Dano Coiveau
Nigel Heydon 6-2 Bill Davis
Jamie Caven 6-1 John Morrison
Steve Evans 6-0 Bill Neilson
Barrie Bates 6-3 Wayne Dragstra
Justin Pipe 6-5 Kenny MacNeil
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Jeff Noble
Nick Fullwell 6-4 Chris Locke
Scott Rand 6-4 Andy Jenkins
Dave Switzer 6-4 Tony Eccles
Losers £100

Round Three
Wes Newton 6-2 Roland Scholten
Mark Webster 6-4 Jelle Klaasen
Colin Osbone 6-4 John Part
Alan Tabern 6-3 Chris Scutt
Steve Beaton 6-5 Steve Maish
Kevin Painter 6-5 Darin Young
Mark Hylton 6-5 Mark Walsh
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Steve Brown
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Gary Mawson
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Robert Thornton
Denis Ovens 6-2 Bob Sinnaeve
Mark Dudbidge 6-2 Nigel Heydon
Jamie Caven 6-4 Steve Evans
Justin Pipe 6-1 Barrie Bates
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Nick Fullwell
Scott Rand 6-2 Dave Switzer
Losers £200

Round Four
Wes Newton 6-2 Mark Webster
Colin Osborne 6-4 Alan Tabern
Kevin Painter 6-5 Steve Beaton
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Mark Hylton
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Colin Lloyd
Mark Dudbridge 6-2 Denis Ovens
Jamie Caven 6-5 Justin Pipe
Andy Hamilton 6-3 Scott Rand
Losers £300

Quarter-Finals
Wes Newton 6-2 Colin Osborne
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Kevin Painter
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Jamie Caven 6-4 Andy Hamilton
Losers £700

Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Wes Newton
Jamie Caven 6-2 Dennis Priestley
Losers £1,250

Final
Jamie Caven 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Winner £5,000
Runner-Up £2,500

Priestley, who turned 60 last month, took the £5,000 title at the Revesby Workers Club in Sydney on Sunday – a triumph which will secure him a place in October’s World Grand Prix and edge him back towards the world’s top 16.

The two-time World Champion opened his challenge in Sydney with a whitewash of David Clegg and a 6-3 win over Heath Daley before edging out Steve Hine in a deciding leg in the last 16.

He then overcame top Australian Simon Whitlock 6-3 in the quarter-finals and edged out Paul Nicholson – last year’s Australian Open Players Championship winner – in another 11-leg tussle at the semi-final stage.

Priestley secured victory in the final with a 6-3 win over Mark Hylton, the Rugeley-based left-hander who had won through to his first PDC ProTour decider.

Hylton opened with wins over Australian pair Pat Orreal and Peter Asmussen, and then battled through a tricky path to the final – picking up wins over Robert Thornton and Mark Walsh before edging out Sean Reed 6-5 in the semis.

Although he went down in the final, Hylton’s run will almost certainly win him a Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship debut as a Players Championship Order of Merit qualifier, as well as increasing his hopes of winning a World Grand Prix spot.

Reed – who sits in the top ten of the DartPlayers Australia Order of Merit this year – claimed £1,250 for his run to the semis, which was begun with a first round defeat of former World Champion Steve Beaton and also included wins over Barry Jouannet and Preston Ridd.

Nicholson’s bid to retain the title came unstuck in the last four, after had had overcome current DPA Order of Merit leader Rob Modra in the quarter-finals.

Welshman Mark Webster joined Beaton in being a first round casualty, losing 6-4 to Mick McCreadie, while Tony Eccles and Richie Burnett went out in the last 32.

Former PDC player David Platt, who emigrated to Australia last year, reached the last 16 before losing to Whitlock.

The £22,000 Players Championship was the culmination of over a series of events in Australia, with Whitlock winning last Sunday’s Oceanic Masters and Thornton and Eccles taking Australian Grand Prix wins.

Australian Open Players Championship
Preliminary Round
Mark Anderson 6-2 Andrew Meti
Dave Platt 6-0 Kim Anderson
John Milligan 6-5 Jordan Russell
Stuart Jackson 6-3 Rod Crawford
Heath Daley 6-2 Eli Archibald
Brian Roach 6-0 Dave Fitzpatrick
Mike Merz 6-1 Brian Rowe
Aaron Petty 6-5 Alan Warriner-Little
Richie Charteris 6-0 Jeremy Fagg
Ben Gaitor 6-1 Daniel Sim
Phil Hazel 6-5 Neil Hembrow
Ray O’Donnell 6-1 Alan Hunter
Paul Neighbour 6-1 Dave Proctor
Phil Bottrell 6-1 Brian Fordham
Tony Crampton 6-5 Dean Mcgladdery
Bill Stanley 6-4 John Bunyard
Lee Tauri 6-2 Reg Tapper
Amin Abdul 6-3 Warren Ackary

First Round
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Tony Birtwistle
Mark Anderson 6-4 Bill Keogh
Bill Aitken 6-0 Bobby Holder
David Platt 6-1 John Milligan
Steve Hine 6-0 Alec Martin
Stuart Jackson 6-3 Ron Robinson
Dennis Priestley 6-0 Dave Clegg
Heath Daley 6-5 Arnel Galvez
Mick McCreadie 6-4 Mark Webster
Brian Roach 6-5 Mick Parker
Rob Modra 6-0 Daniel Brown
Mike Merz 6-3 Graham Davis
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Wayne Weening
Aaron Petty 6-2 Darren Brudenell
Shane Titchowitsch 6-1 Matt Kaletta
Jeremy Fagg 6-5 Mitchell Clegg
Sean Reed 6-4 Steve Beaton
Ben Gaitor 6-0 Tony Brown
Barry Jouannet 6-0 Mike Howis
Phil Hazel 6-0 Raymond O’Donnell
Tony Eccles 6-0 Don Whittington
Preston Ridd 6-1 Paul Neighbour
Richie Burnett 6-5 Scott Johnson
Phil Bottrell 6-4 Jerry Weyman
Robert Thornton 6-0 Glenn Hodge
Tony Crampton 6-0 Joel McMillan
Mark Hylton 6-3 Pat Orreal
Peter Asmussen 6-3 Bill Stanley
Mark Walsh 6-2 Ian Dargan
Shane Haddy 6-3 Lee Tauri
Craig Prizeman 6-1 Alan Scott
Steve Padget 6-1 Amin Abdul Ghani
Losers £100

Second Round
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Mark Anderson
David Platt 6-1 Bill Aitken
Steve Hine 6-2 Stuart Jackson
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Heath Daley
Brian Roach 6-4 Mick McCreadie
Rob Modra 6-1 Mike Merz
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Aaron Petty
Jeremy Fagg 6-2 Shane Tichowitsch
Sean Reed 6-2 Ben Gaitor
Barry Jouannet 6-4 Phil Hazell
Preston Ridd 6-4 Tony Eccles
Phil Bottrell 6-2 Richie Burnett
Robert Thornton 6-1 Tony Crampton
Mark Hylton 6-3 Peter Asmussen
Mark Walsh 6-0 Shane Haddy
Steve Padget 6-4 Craig Prizeman
Losers £200

Third Round
Simon Whitlock 6-0 David Platt
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Steve Hine
Rob Modra 6-4 Brian Roach
Paul Nicholson 6-0 Jeremy Fagg
Sean Reed 6-4 Barry Jouannet
Preston Ridd 6-0 Phil Bottrell
Mark Hylton 6-4 Robert Thornton
Mark Walsh 6-2 Steve Padget
Losers £300

Quarter-Finals
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Simon Whitlock
Paul Nicholson 6-2 Rob Modra
Sean Reed 6-3 Preston Ridd
Mark Hylton 6-2 Mark Walsh
Losers £700

Semi-Finals
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Paul Nicholson
Mark Hylton 6-5 Sean Reed
Losers £1,250

Final
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Mark Hylton
Winner £5,000
Runner-Up £2,500

Young darts players have the chance to be crowned the PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Champion and pick up the £10,000 first prize.

Preliminary qualifying for the first-ever Under-21 World Championship will take place at 42 Rileys Darts Zones on Saturday October 16 and Saturday October 23.

Fifty winners from Rileys clubs across the UK will join 14 of the best young players from around the world in a 64-man tournament at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday November 6.

Two winners will then go head-to-head in the Final, which will be held at London’s Alexandra Palace during the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in front of a full house and live on Sky Sports.

The winner collects the £10,000 first prize. Players finishing in the last 16 share another £20,000 in the prize fund.

Both finalists will receive a wildcard for the Grand Slam of Darts professional tournament in November – where they could face reigning World Champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor – and also an invitation to join the PDC ProTour in 2011 and 2012 as a full-time professional.

Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said: “Rileys are delighted to be holding at our clubs the preliminary qualifying for the inaugural PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship.

“There are some very talented young players using our clubs. I’ll be watching with great interest to see how they progress.

“I hope that Rileys can help find the new Under-21 world champion. There is a great prize up for grabs and it is a real shot at the big time for all of them.”

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The Under-21 World Championship could be the first stepping stone for the next superstar of our sport, and we’re very excited about the tournament.

“The Rileys qualifiers will give the chance for any young player with talent and ambition the chance to earn their spot in the last 64 in Barnsley. From there they can go on to live the dream.”

The PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship is open to players aged between 16 and 21 on January 3 2011, who must have been born between January 4 1989 and January 3 1995.

Entrants must register at www.rileys.co.uk/under21champs by Friday October 1 2010.

Rileys, the UK’s largest cue sports operator, are adding Darts Zones to their 119 clubs nationwide.

Rileys Darts Zones provide top quality facilities for players including championship quality boards, wide throwing lanes and electronic scoring.

Nationwide tour of clubs by eight greats

Eight of the world’s best players are darting into Rileys clubs around the country to open 17 new Darts Zones.

BDO World Champion Martin Adams has been booked for the tour along with Adrian Lewis, Terry Jenkins, Tony O’Shea, Colin Lloyd, Kevin Painter and former ladies’ World Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova.

Each of the 17 events, which are scheduled to run from mid-August, will see two giants of the darts world do battle in a best-of-seven challenge match in a Rileys Darts Zone.

The Darts Zones provide players with top quality facilities including six or eight wide throwing lanes, championship-quality boards and electronic scoring.

The tour professionals will also take on local players and then join in a Q&A session with the audience in the club.

With the 17 new Darts Zones, Rileys now have a total of 42 in their 119 clubs throughout the UK.

Rileys Chief Executive Maurice Kelly said: “Rileys are committed to darts. Our Darts Zones offer top quality venues for players of all levels.

“As pubs all over the country continue to close down, we are opening more and more Darts Zones to give players and teams somewhere to play and the facilities they deserve.”

Adrian ‘Jackpot’ Lewis said: “I am looking forward to really getting in the zone again at Rileys and taking on some local talent.

“I’ve seen the facilities on offer at Rileys Darts Zones – and they are world class!

“The Darts Zones are an ideal place for players to practice and compete, especially if they are looking to push on to the next level.

“And with up to eight throws, there’s no endless hanging around waiting to get on the oche!”

The full list of Darts Zone launch dates is below:

PHIL TAYLOR claimed a third successive PartyPoker.net European Championship with a super 11-1 defeat of Wayne Jones at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken on Sunday night.

The world number one followed up his 11-10 win over Terry Jenkins in the semi-finals with a superb display to see off Jones by dropping just one leg in the final.

When Jones missed one dart to take the first leg on double top, Taylor pounced on double eight to break throw and set the tone for the final, with finishes of double seven, double four, double three and double seven putting him into a 5-0 lead at the first break.

Double six put him further ahead and he took advantage of a missed double 12 from the Wolverhampton man to lead 7-0 before a miss at double top allowed Jones to take out 116 on double 18 to get on the scoreboard in superb fashion.

Taylor replied in style, opening the next leg with a 180 and taking out 81 for a 12-darter, before finishing 121 for a 9-1 cushion.

Jones hit a second maximum of the game to leave a finish in the 11th leg, but Taylor clinically dispatched 84 for an 11-darter before sealing the win on double 14.

“I’m delighted to win another title, especially so soon after winning the World Matchplay last week,” said Taylor.

“While the World Matchplay is one game a day, this is one of the hardest tournaments to win because you’ve got tough short matches early on and three games in one day to win it.

“You have to be mentally and physically fit as well as playing well and I loved every minute of it.

“Terry had me on the ropes in the semi-finals but I was delighted with my last leg. I calmed myself down and started off with the 177 and that killed him in and probably won me the match.

“Going straight into the final did me a favour because I had momentum and I kept Wayne under pressure all the way through. It’s been a perfect summer for me.”

Taylor had opened the day with a 10-4 quarter-final win over Mark Walsh, which followed his earlier victories over Co Stompe and Andy Smith.

The £50,000 first prize adds to the £100,000 he picked up for winning the World Matchplay, as well as ensuring a clean sweep of the summer’s major ranking titles after also claiming June’s UK Open.

Jones had overcome Colin Lloyd 11-10 in the semis to reach his first major PDC final and his first televised final since the 1999 World Masters.

The Wolverhampton man picked up £20,000 following a fine tournament in Germany, as he followed his quarter-final run in the World Matchplay by defeating Adrian Lewis, Robert Thornton, Raymond van Barneveld and Lloyd.

“To lose the final by such a big margin is obviously disappointing for me but it’s a very memorable weekend,” said Jones. “Phil was superb and there wasn’t a lot I could do about him.

“But to beat some of the world’s top ten this weekend has been fantastic, I’m playing well and finally enjoying being on the big stage.”

Jones also qualifies for November’s Grand Slam of Darts in his home town of Wolverhampton, and added: “That’s a massive boost on top of reaching the final. I love playing in front of my home fans and can’t wait to do it again later this year.”

PartyPoker.net European Championship
Quarter-Finals
Terry Jenkins 10-6 Jamie Caven
Colin Lloyd 10-7 Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor 10-4 Mark Walsh
Wayne Jones 10-8 Raymond van Barneveld

Semi-Finals
Wayne Jones 11-10 Colin Lloyd
Phil Taylor 11-10 Terry Jenkins

Final
Phil Taylor 11-1 Wayne Jones

SEMI-FINAL REPORTS

WAYNE JONES 11-10 COLIN LLOYD
WAYNE JONES edged past Colin Lloyd in a deciding leg thriller to reach his first major PDC final at the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

The pair had both enjoyed a fine weekend at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken, with Jones enjoying the best victory of his career by knocking out Raymond van Barneveld in the last eight.

Lloyd had seen off number three seed James Wade in the first round and averaged over 100 in wins over Michael van Gerwen and Ronnie Baxter – but crucially missed one match dart, at double seven for a 122 finish, to win the decider against Jones.

Lloyd had actually made the running for much of the match, recovering from Jones winning the opening leg to take the next three, following up finishes of double ten and double 16 with an 11-dart finish.

He missed double top for a 4-1 lead as Jones took the fifth on double 16, although Lloyd won the next two to edge into a 5-2 cushion.

Lloyd then hit a second 180 of the game in leg eight, only to see a miss at double 11 punished as Jones took out double 18, before regaining his clinical range on the doubles by taking out 110 for a 6-3 lead.

Jones hit a 180 and double eight to take the tenth, and three misses from Lloyd allowed him back to the oche in the next for the same finish before double 16 saw him level after hitting two 180s in the 12th leg.

He also hit a maximum in the next, but missed double 18 to move into the lead as Lloyd edged 7-6 up on double five.

The next two were shared before a 72 finish from Jones saw him level, and four missed doubles from Lloyd allowed him to regain the lead for the first time since the opening leg by finishing double 16.

Lloyd battled back to take out 104 to level and double top to lead 10-9, only for Jones to check out 86 and force a decider.

The pair traded high scores in the final leg, with a 140 from Jones leaving him 61 before Lloyd returned for 122 – hitting two treble 18s but missing double seven for the win as Jones came back and took out 61 on double eight for the victory.

“I’m really pleased with that and to be in the final is brilliant for me,” said Jones, who reached the 1999 World Masters in his only previous televised final.

“I enjoy playing Colin anyway and this was another good game. It swung both ways and he had a chance at the end, but luckily I got the opportunity and took it.”

Lloyd said: “It was a real battle of a game and Wayne dug in well. It’s nice to see him playing well on the big stage.

“I snatched at the double seven in the decidng leg and it could have been different for me, but I’ve played some good darts this weekend and am happy with how I played.”

PHIL TAYLOR 11-10 TERRY JENKINS
PHIL TAYLOR’S bid for a third successive PartyPoker.net European Championship title continued as he edged out Terry Jenkins in the deciding leg of a thrilling semi-final at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken.

Taylor had looked set to pull clear for victory when he produced a typical mid-game surge to move from four-all to lead 8-5 and 9-6, but Jenkins fought back to take the match all the way.

The world number one, though, took victory with a brilliant 12-darter in the deciding leg of the match to progress to a final with Wayne Jones.

Taylor hit the first of three 180s in taking the opening leg in 13 darts, a feat he repeated in the third leg, while Jenkins hit double top in the second leg and took a 12-darter in the fourth, which featured two maximums.

The next four also went with throw to leave the scores locked at four-all, before Taylor pulled away with legs of 13, 11 and 15 darts to put daylight between the pair.

Jenkins had been waiting on 40 in the 11th leg, and got a chance at the same bed in the next to halt Taylor’s progress and pull back to 7-5.

A 125 finish gave Taylor the next leg, while Jenkins hit his fifth maximum of the contest in an 11-darter to win the 13th and stay in touch at 8-6.

Double four put Taylor two legs away from victory, but Jenkins found his best form to win the next three and level the game, with a 122 bullseye finish for a 12-darter to break throw for the first time instrumental in him getting back into the game.

He then missed the bullseye to take the lead, as Taylor posted double 16 with his third dart to move 10-9 up, only for Jenkins to finish 71 and send the game into a decider.

Taylor kicked off the final leg with a superb 177 – his fourth of the match – before Jenkins could only muster 21 in his first visit, and further scores of 82 and 137 left him 105 for the win, which he clinically took out on double 16.

“Phil was tremendous and it was a great game to be a part of,” said Jenkins. “We both hit lots of big scores but he made it so hard for me to break him because his finishing was great.

“The 177 to start the last leg was great from him and that hurt me, but I’m not too disappointed because I’ve practised hard for the past three or four weeks and my form is coming back.”

WAYNE JONES took arguably the biggest win of his career with a 10-8 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld as he reached the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

The Wolverhampton man will now meet Colin Lloyd in the last four in Dinslaken, having held his nerve to knock out the five-time World Champion and number two seed.

The duo traded legs throughout a high-quality encounter, but it was Jones who made the crucial breakthough when he moved 8-6 and 9-7 up before sealing a famous win on the bullseye.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever beaten Raymond and it feels great,” said Jones. “It was a really good game to be involved in and win or lose I enjoyed it.

“But to win was very special. I’m really having fun at the moment, it was another good performance from me and I can’t wait for the semi-finals now.”

Lloyd had powered past Ronnie Baxter 10-7 to book his place in the last four with a second successive ton-plus average, hitting a 160 finish and ten of 14 darts at a double in an impressive display.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor and Terry Jenkins will meet in the other semi-final, having overcome Mark Walsh and Jamie Caven respectively in the last eight.

Taylor was a 10-4 winner against Walsh, who led 2-0 but paid for missed doubles as the world number one put together two five-leg bursts.

Jenkins, meanwhile, continued his return to form with a 10-6 win over Caven, breaking the deadlock at six-all with a 161 finish before pulling away for the win.

The semi-finals and final will be played in one session on Sunday evening as the quartet battle for the £50,000 title.

PartyPoker.net European Championship
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Terry Jenkins 10-6 Jamie Caven
Colin Lloyd 10-7 Ronnie Baxter
Phil Taylor 10-4 Mark Walsh
Raymond van Barneveld 8-10 Wayne Jones

Evening Session
Play commences 8pm German time (7pm UK time)
Semi-Finals
8.00pm Wayne Jones v Colin Lloyd
9.15pm Phil Taylor v Terry Jenkins

Final
11.00pm

TERRY JENKINS 10-6 JAMIE CAVEN
TERRY JENKINS won through to the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a polished performance to see off Jamie Caven 10-6 at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken.

Jenkins’ return to form continued in Germany as he followed up victories over Andree Welge and Simon Whitlock to defeat Caven, who was appearing in only his second major quarter-final.

Caven battled back well after Jenkins took the opening three legs, but a 161 checkout from the world number five helped break the deadlock at six-all and proved the knockout blow.

Jenkins punished missed doubles from Caven in the opening two legs as a brace of double ten finishes edged him ahead, and he then hit back-to-back 180s in moving 3-0 up.

Caven got off the mark with an 11-darter, and finished 61 on double 18 for the fifth leg only to then miss four darts to level as double one edged Jenkins 4-2 up.

Caven took out 69 in the seventh, and then capitalised on two misses from Jenkins in the eighth to post double five and level the game.

Jenkins took the next two, hitting double nine and double three, to put himself into a 6-4 lead, only for Caven to again hit back, landing a 13-darter and then a double 16 finish to square the match.

Jenkins, though, produced a killer punch in what proved a pivotal 13th leg, checking out 161 superbly before then hitting double six to move 8-6 up.

Caven wired double ten for a 140 finish in the next as Jenkins moved to the brink of victory on double top before hitting the same bed to ensure his semi-final spot.

“I got off to a good start and was pleased with that because the first leg was important,” said Jenkins. “The 161 was crucial too and I’m delighted to get through to the semis.”

COLIN LLOYD 10-7 RONNIE BAXTER
COLIN LLOYD’S impressive run in the PartyPoker.net European Championship continued with a 10-7 win over number six seed Ronnie Baxter as he powered into the semi-finals.

Lloyd has already dispatched world number three James Wade and Dutch star Michael van Gerwen, and hit an impressive ten from 14 attempts at a double, as well as averaging 102 to see off Baxter.

Lloyd made a superb start to take the opening leg in 13 darts, hitting a 177 score to set up double 12, and he landed a 180 and double 16 to repeat the feat in the third.

Baxter had taken the second with a neat 89 finish, and recovered from Lloyd moving 3-1 up to take out 120 to go into the first break a leg behind.

A 92 checkout, despite an earlier maximum from Lloyd, saw him level the match, and after the Essex star hit double ten for the seventh it was Baxter who won the next two to lead for the first time at 5-4.

Lloyd responded in style, finishing 160 to level before taking out double five to punish three misses from Baxter in the next and then land a 116 checkout for a 7-5 cushion.

Baxter finished 90 in two darts to win the 13th, but three more misses in the next allowed Lloyd in to take out 70, and he hit a 180 and double 16 in moving a leg away from the win.

Baxter produced a fine 146 checkout on double 13 to stay in the game, but double 16 from Lloyd in the next wrapped up the win.

“I’m very happy with that,” said Lloyd. “Ronnie’s a class act and you have to play well to beat him, and I’ve done that again.

“I can relax now and prepare for the semi-finals. I’m playing well and I’ll keep doing what I do in the semis.”

PHIL TAYLOR 10-4 MARK WALSH
PHIL TAYLOR swept past Mark Walsh 10-4 to remain on course for a third successive PartyPoker.net European Championship title at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken.

The reigning champion failed to hit top gear in seeing off Walsh, but battled from 2-0 down to progress to a semi-final against Terry Jenkins on Sunday evening.

Walsh punished a slow start from Taylor to take out 94 for the first leg, after the world number one missed two darts for the lead, before posting double eight for a 2-0 advantage.

Taylor got off the mark in 13 darts, and broke Walsh’s throw in the fourth on double top – punishing three misses at double 12 from the Hertfordshire man, who had hit a 177 ti keave 24.

Taylor hit a 180 for a third successive leg in takine the fifth, and finishes of double four and double 16 moved him into a 5-2 lead.

Missed doubles from Taylor in the next allowed Walsh in to cut the gap to one leg, but he saw one dart at double top narrowly miss as he squandered the chance to level – with the Stoke ace hitting a 170 to set up double 16.

A 78 finish put Taylor 7-4 up, and after further misses from Walsh he took out double top for an eighth leg, double 12 to move one away from victory and then sealed the win in style, following up a 174 score with a 128 bullseye finish.

“It was a tougher game than the scoreline suggests,” said Taylor. “Mark missed a few doubles and had a couple of bounce-outs, and I was able to step in.

“But I’m into the semi-finals and I’ve got to get myself ready for a tough night now if I’m going to keep hold of the title.”

WAYNE JONES 10-8 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
WAYNE JONES took arguably the biggest win of his career with a 10-8 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld as he reached the semi-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

The Wolverhampton man will now meet Colin Lloyd in the last four in Dinslaken, having held his nerve to knock out the five-time World Champion and number two seed.

The duo traded legs throughout a high-quality encounter, but it was Jones who made the crucial breakthough when he moved 8-6 and 9-7 up before sealing a famous win on the bullseye.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever beaten Raymond and it feels great,” said Jones. “It was a really good game to be involved in and win or lose I enjoyed it.

“But to win was very special. I’m really having fun at the moment, it was another good performance from me and I can’t wait for the semi-finals now.”

Van Barneveld made a stunning start by checking out 164 for the first leg, and the pair missed chances to break throw in the next three before Jones secured the first break in a superb fifth leg.

Both kicked off the leg with 180s before van Barneveld posted a 177 and Jones hit a 140, and after the Dutchman missed the first treble 20 for a 144 finish and another nine-darter Jones swept up the leg in 11 darts for a 3-2 lead.

Van Barneveld broke back immediately and regained the lead on double ten, only to miss two darts for the next leg as Jones posted the same double before checking out 64 for a 5-4 lead.

Van Barneveld levelled on double four, before Jones took the 11th, and the pair also traded the next two legs as the Wolverhampton man took out a 12-darter to lead 7-6.

He then finished 94 on the bullseye for a key two-leg lead, although a miss at the centre double in the next allowed van Barneveld in on double four.

A brilliant 102 finish of single 20, bullseye and double 16 from Jones put him a leg away from the win.

Double top kept van Barneveld in the game, but Jones secured his first televised semi-final since the 2006 World Championship with a brilliant 81 finish on the bullseye.

Roith, a caterer from Tuebingen in Germany who overcame Denis Ovens in the first round on his televised debut, set up the prospect of an incredible victory over the world number two when finishes of 101 and 141 helped him into a 7-5 lead.

However, van Barneveld regained his composure to punished three misses from Roith to level in the 14th leg, before completing a run of five successive legs to set up a quarter-final with Wayne Jones on Sunday.

“This is one of the hardest battles I’ve had in my career,” said van Barneveld. “I didn’t underestimate him but he played superbly and I am very relieved to come through it.”

Reigning champion Taylor, meanwhile, progressed to the quarter-finals in more comfortable fashion with a 10-5 defeat of Andy Smith, who held the world number one for eight legs before succumbing to a typical charge from the Stoke great.

Taylor will now meet Mark Walsh in the quarters, after the number eight seed overcame Jelle Klaasen 10-6 earlier on Saturday.

Colin Lloyd produced a superb display to defeat Michael van Gerwen 10-6, hitting a 101 average in seeing off the Dutch youngster in a thriller.

Lloyd will take on Ronnie Baxter on Sunday afternoon, with the Blackpool man defeating local rival Wes Newton 10-9 earlier in the day.

Jamie Caven won through to his second televised quarter-final with a 10-6 defeat of Wales’ Barrie Bates, and he now faces world number five Terry Jenkins on Sunday.

Jenkins had earned his last eight place with a 10-8 defeat of Simon Whitlock, while Jones set up his clash with van Barneveld by seeing off Robert Thornton 10-4.

PartyPoker.net European Championship
Saturday July 31
Second Round
Mark Walsh 10-6 Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Ronnie Baxter 10-9 Wes Newton
Wayne Jones 10-4 Robert Thornton
Barrie Bates 6-10 Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld 10-7 Bernd Roith
Phil Taylor 10-5 Andy Smith
Colin Lloyd 10-6 Michael van Gerwen

Sunday August 1
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Play commences 2pm German time (1pm UK time)
2.00pm Terry Jenkins v Jamie Caven
3.00pm Colin Lloyd v Ronnie Baxter
4.00pm Phil Taylor v Mark Walsh
5.00pm Raymond van Barneveld v Wayne Jones
Best of 19 legs

Evening Session
Play commences 8pm German time (7pm UK time)
Semi-Finals
8.00pm
9.15pm
Best of 21 legs

Final
11.00pm
Best of 21 legs

JAMIE CAVEN 10-6 BARRIE BATES
JAMIE CAVEN won through to his second major quarter-final, producing a high-quality display to defeat Barrie Bates 10-6 in the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

Caven’s previous best televised display came when he reached the last eight at the UK Open just over a year ago, and he could better that when he faces Terry Jenkins in Sunday’s quarter-finals.

While Bates made a brilliant start to lead 2-0 and 4-2, Caven landed six maximums and averaged almost 100 in powering through to secure victory.

Bates broke throw in the opening leg on double top, and a superb 136 checkout doubled his lead before Caven, fired up by a 180, got his first leg on the board in the third.

Double eight gave Bates a 3-1 lead, and while Caven matched that to win a second leg the Welshman posted double top in the sixth for a 4-2 cushion.

A 60 finish saw Caven cut the gap to one leg, before he opened the eighth with a maximum and took out a superb ten-darter to leg.

He also hit a maximum and double five in taking the ninth to lead for the first time in the match, and finished double eight to move 6-4 up.

Bates defied another 180 from Caven to win the next, but the Derby ace took out double 16 and then double two in taking an 8-5 advantage.

He then landed a sixth maximum of the game, only to be punished for a missed double top when Bates landed the same bed for a 66 finish.

However, a 127 finish from Caven pushed him to the brink of victory, and a stylish 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top put him through to the quarter-finals.

“Barrie made a brilliant start and I took a few legs to get going,” said Caven. “When I did I felt I played well and I’m really pleased with my scoring.

“It was nice to put in a decent performance and I’m over the moon.”

Caven takes on Terry Jenkins in Sunday’s quarter-finals, and he added: “Last year I beat Terry in the first round and we meet this time in the last eight, and hopefully I can win again.

“I was the underdog against Gary Anderson in the first round and probably will be again when I play Terry, but I’m looking forward to it.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-7 BERND ROITH
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD came close to one of darts’ greatest ever upsets before defeating Germany’s Bernd Roith 10-7 in a thrilling PartyPoker.net European Championship second round clash.

Roith, a caterer from Tuebingen in Germany who overcame Denis Ovens in the first round on his televised debut, set up the prospect of an incredible victory over the world number two when finishes of 101 and 141 helped him into a 7-5 lead.

However, van Barneveld regained his composure to punished three misses from Roith to level in the 14th leg, before completing a run of five successive legs to set up a quarter-final with Wayne Jones on Sunday.

The Dutchman made a confident start, hitting double six for the first leg and double 18 for a 2-0 lead, before the German hit double six to get off the mark.

The pair traded 180s in the next leg, but two missed doubles from van Barneveld allowed Roith in to level double nine.

Van Barneveld kicked off a second successive leg with a maximum, and was grateful of the breathing space after missing four more doubles before landing double one for a 3-2 lead.

He hit another 180 in leg six, only for Roith to post double nine to square the match, and the next two legs were also shared before van Barneveld took out 96 in the ninth leg and the home favourite posted a 101 finish to level at five-all.

He then punished misses at double 18 and double nine from van Barneveld with a sensational 141 checkout to move ahead for the first time, and then took out 80 on double top for an incredible 7-5 lead.

Van Barneveld won the next on double eight, and crucially levelled in the 14th leg as the tension reached boiling point in the Stadthalle, as Roith missed three darts for an eighth leg and the Dutchman squared the game.

Van Barneveld posted a 170 score in setting up a double ten finish to regain the lead, before hitting back-to-back 14-dart legs on double top to take victory.

“This is one of the hardest battles I’ve had in my career,” said van Barneveld. “Bernd was relaxed all the way through and he finished well to go 7-5 up.

“I didn’t underestimate him but he played superbly and I am very relieved to come through it.”

Roith admitted: This was my first time on television and I like playing on stage. It’s very calm up there and I can play my game because I was relaxed.”

PHIL TAYLOR 10-5 ANDY SMITH
PHIL TAYLOR secured his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a 10-5 defeat of Andy Smith at Dinslaken’s Stadthalle on Saturday night.

Taylor’s bid for a third successive European Championship win seemed on rocky ground when Smith shared the opening eight legs, but a superb mid-game surge from the world number one saw him sweep to victory.

Taylor now faces Mark Walsh in Sunday’s quarter-finals, and he admitted: “I’m feeling great and hopefully I’ll be holding the trophy again on Sunday night.

“Andy’s a great bloke and it’s hard playing against him because I like him so much, but now I’ve got through that match I can get ready for a hard Sunday.”

Taylor hit a 177 score in the first leg, but two missed doubles allowed Smith in on double eight to sneak the opener.

Taylor broke back immediately and then landed a 180 and a 103 checkout to lead for the first time, while another maximum and double 12 for an 81 finish put him 3-1 up.

Smith hit a 180 in the fifth before punishing four missed doubles from Taylor on double top, and took out 52 to square the match at three-all.

Taylor posted another maximum in a 13-darter to edge back ahead, and though Smith levelled he continued his charge with legs of 14, 11, 13 and 14 darts to suddenly move from four-all to 8-4 up.

Double top from Smith saw him pull back a leg, but Taylor reasserted his dominance with an 11-darter and then sealed the win on double ten.

COLIN LLOYD 10-6 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
COLIN LLOYD produced a fine display to see off Michael van Gerwen 10-6 and reach the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship in Germany.

The Essex star had bounced back from his first round World Matchplay exit by knocking out world number three James Wade on Friday night, and progressed to the last eight with a high-quality defeat of van Gerwen.

The Dutch youngster played his part in an epic, matching Lloyd for much of the game but unable to live with some spells of magic from the former world number one.

Van Gerwen had kicked off the match with a 113 finish in taking the opening leg, and also hit a 171 score in the second leg, but a miss at double 16 allowed Lloyd in with a 70 finish to level before posting double 16 to break throw.

The Dutchman broke back with a fine 13-dart leg, which he kicked off with five perfect darts, and then landed double 16 to lead 3-2 at the first break.

Lloyd, though, returned with a brilliant spell to win four of the next five legs, hitting three 14-dart legs and an 11-dart finish – with only a 13-darter from van Gerwen, which featured his second maximum of the game, keeping him in the hunt at 6-4.

A 180 from Lloyd left him 68 in the 11th leg, but van Gerwen held his nerve to take out double top for another 13-darter, although Lloyd finished a fine 130 checkout on the bull for a 7-5 lead.

Another 180 from Lloyd left him on a finish in the next, with van Gerwen again showing his quality by taking out 70 in two darts to win the 13th leg and reduce the gap to one.

Double top from Lloyd saw him edge back in front, and when van Gerwen missed three darts to punish his first lapses at a double in the next the Englishman hit double one to move a leg away from the win.

Lloyd then completed a fine win by posting a bullseye-double top 90 checkout to ensure his quarter-final spot, where he will face Ronnie Baxter on Sunday afternoon.

“I’m delighted to be into the quarter-finals and to have won such a high-quality game,” said Lloyd. “I got stuck in tonight and I’ve proved to myself in the last two days that I’m good enough to compete at the top level, after the disappointment of Blackpool.

“It was always going to be tough playing Michael because he’s a quality player who is back in form, but I played my own game and it’s lovely to get through.

“It will be a hard day on Sunday with three games to play if I’m going to win the title, but I’ll be giving it my best shot.”

Baxter took out 126 in the 11th leg to edge past Alan Tabern in Friday’s first round, and was pushed all the way by local rival Newton in a thriller.

The Blackpool man led 7-4 and 9-6 before Newton – who hit a 170 earlier in the game – hit back to level, but both players struggled to find the treble in the decider before Baxter finished double ten for a last eight spot.

Number five seed Terry Jenkins was also pushed all the way before seeing off Australian star Simon Whitlock 10-8 in their second round clash.

The duo shared the game’s opening 14 legs before a double salvo from Jenkins put him into a crucial 9-7 lead before he closed out victory.

Mark Walsh held off a fightback from Jelle Klaasen before defeating the Dutch youngster 10-7.

Klaasen found himself 6-1 down following a slow start, but a change of darts sparked a comeback as he pulled back to 8-6 before Walsh found another gear to seal victory with a 128 checkout.

Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones booked his place in a second successive major quarter-final, defeating Scotland’s Robert Thornton 10-4.

Saturday’s evening session will feature the remaining four second round games, including reigning champion Phil Taylor against Andy Smith and world number two Raymond van Barneveld facing Germany newcomer Bernd Roith.

Barrie Bates and Jamie Caven will kick off the night, while Lloyd and van Gerwen also do battle for a spot in the last eight.

PartyPoker.net European Championship
Saturday July 31
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Mark Walsh 10-6 Jelle Klaasen
Terry Jenkins 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Ronnie Baxter 10-9 Wes Newton
Wayne Jones 10-4 Robert Thornton

Evening Session
Play Commences 8pm German time (7pm UK time)
Barrie Bates v Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld v Bernd Roith
Phil Taylor v Andy Smith
Colin Lloyd v Michael van Gerwen

MARK WALSH 10-7 JELLE KLAASEN
MARK WALSH held off a spirited fightback from Jelle Klaasen before sealing his place in the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a 10-7 victory.

Walsh romped into a 6-1 lead as he made Klaasen pay for a slow start, with the Dutchman changing his darts after failing to settle in the first five legs.

The number eight seed extended that lead to 8-2 before Klaasen took three in a row, but Walsh held his nerve to move into the last eight.

Walsh landed maximums in the first two legs in a confident start, although some edgy finishing meant he needed to finish double two and double four to move 2-0 up.

Klaasen finished 124 on the bull to get off the mark in the third, but missed double top to level in the next as Walsh posted double five with his third dart for a 3-1 cushion.

He also repeated the finish to move 4-1 up at the first break, which saw Klaasen change darts – with a 180 in the sixth leg suggesting an immediate improvement before four missed doubles allowed Walsh in on double top.

Another double top finish put Walsh 6-1 up, although misses in the next allowed Klaasen in to edge the eighth.

The next two were shared before Walsh hit a 180 and took out his trusted double top to move six legs clear at 8-2.

A maximum from Klaasen to open the 11th leg seemed to spur the youngster to life, and he posted scores of 140 and 165 in setting up a superb ten-dart finish on double eight.

He also hit a 180 in taking the next in 13 darts, and double top reduced the gap to 8-6 and ensured Walsh some nervy moments.

Double top in the next edged Walsh a leg from victory, and after Klaasen finished double five for a seventh leg the Englishman sealed the win on the bull for a 128 checkout.

“Jelle made a great comeback and it was getting edgy for a minute,” admitted Walsh. “He changed his darts and it worked for him, but I just concentrated on my game and got the job done.”

TERRY JENKINS 10-8 SIMON WHITLOCK
TERRY JENKINS edged out Simon Whitlock 10-8 to win his place in the last eight of the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

Jenkins followed up his hard-fought win over Andree Welge in the first round in Dinslaken with a gritty display to see off the Australian in a tight battle.

The pair were locked for 14 legs before Jenkins made the crucial breakthough to lead 9-7 before sealing victory and a quarter-final spot.

Whitlock took the game’s opening leg but missed double top to extend his lead as Jenkins finished 80 and then broke on tops for a 2-1 lead.

Whitlock hit the same finish to take the fourth, and after Jenkins won the next the Australian took out double eight and then 90 on the bull to take the lead at 4-3.

Jenkins levelled, and the next six went with the throw as the players searched for a break to move clear – with the number five seed being the man to win a leg against the darts, punishing two misses from Whitlock to win the 15th on double 14.

Double ten put him 9-7 up – the first time either player had been two legs clear, and though Whitlock took out double 16 for the next leg he missed two darts to keep the match alive as Jenkins hit double ten at the third time of asking for victory.

RONNIE BAXTER 10-9 WES NEWTON
RONNIE BAXTER progressed to the PartyPoker.net European Championship quarter-finals with a second successive deciding leg victory, as he defeated Wes Newton 10-9 in Dinslaken.

Baxter took out 126 in the 11th leg to edge past Alan Tabern in Friday’s first round, and was pushed all the way by local rival Newton in a thriller.

The Blackpool man led 7-4 and 9-6 before Newton hit back to level, but both players struggled to find the treble in the decider before Baxter finished double ten for a last eight spot.

Newton made a brilliant start to take out a 170 finish, the highest of the tournament so far, to take the lead, only for Baxter to reply with a 112 checkout and an 11-darter to lead 2-1.

Baxter missed the bull in the next two legs as Newton hit back to move 3-2 up, only for the Blackpool man to power in a 104 finish to level and win the next three to move clear at 6-3, twice punishing misses from his opponent.

Double three saw Newton pick up a fourth leg, but he missed four darts for the 11th leg as Baxter finished 76 to maintain his three-leg lead.

The duo traded double 16 finishes to leave Baxter 8-5 up, and Newton then produced an 11-darter to win himself a sixth leg, only for Baxter to post double ten and move a leg away from the win.

Newton kick-started his comeback with a 180 amongst two successive legs to pull back to 9-8, and a superb 11-darter saw him send the match into a deciding 19th leg.

Both players showed the pressure in the final leg, but Baxter regained his composure to be first to a finish, and had enough breathing space to return from two misses at double top to post double ten for the win.

“I got the better of him in the middle of the game and when I went 9-6 up the trebles didn’t want to go in,” said Baxter.

“At 9-6 I was playing really well but Wes came back brilliantly with those three legs. Wes was pounding the treble but in the last leg we were both probably as nervous as you can get, and fortunately I got the win.”

WAYNE JONES 10-4 ROBERT THORNTON
WAYNE JONES powered into his second successive major quarter-final with a 10-4 win over Robert Thornton in the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

Jones followed up last week’s run in the World Matchplay and an encouraging win over Adrian Lewis on Friday night with a confident display to see off Thornton.

The Wolverhampton ace never looked back after taking a 4-0 lead, and landed seven 180s in sealing a comprehensive win with an average of 96.

Jones opened the match with an 11-dart finish, and traded 180s with Thornton in the second before punishing three missed doubles frmo the Scot to double his lead.

Thornton missed four more darts at a double in the third leg and two in the fourth as Jones capitalised for a 4-0 cushion.

The Scot then posted the bullseye for an 86 finish in getting off the mark, although double 16 for a 13-darter and double nine from Jones put him 6-1 up.

Thornton won the next two legs to pull back to 6-3, and after Jones took the tenth he took out 80 for a 14-dart finish in reducing the arrears to 7-4.

Jones replied with a 14-darter of his own, and that was bettered when he hit a 180 and double 16 to take the next in 13 darts for a 9-4 cushion.

He then hit two maximums to set up a chance to seal victory, which he took on double four to move into the last eight.