The winners are listed at the foot of this page, and will be contacted by email shortly. Thanks to all those that entered the Zuiderduin Masters and Players Champs comps, but the giving doesn’t stop there! Registration is still open for both World Championships, and the prizes on offer are arguably our best yet and are worth hundreds of sterling. Remember it’s free to enter and everyone who beats the Tipster has a chance!

Registration for the World Championship and Lakeside Competitions, and full results for previous competitions can be found on the main Tipster page here.

Zuiderduin Masters 2011 (16 players beat The Tipster, random winners are listed below)

1. Bull’s Focus Board – Martin
2. Bull’s Hi-Q Cool shirt (colour and size free of choice) – Chris Maudsley
3. Bull’s Topas-X aluminium case – Shaun Gallacher

Players Champs Final 2011 (18 players beat The Tipster, random winners are listed below)

1. Bull’s Deluxe Wood Cabinet (black or light oak) + Focus dartboard - Mick Healy
2. Oche mat 0,60 wide – George Williams
3. Bull’s Referee Tool Extended – Kevin Dunstan

Mark Dudbridge v Dave Chisnall

Probably the man that every seeded player wanted to avoid was Dave Chisnall and if the non-seeded dartists were hand-picking their draw, I think they would have gone for Mark Dudbridge, and here they are together.

There is no doubt that Chizzy is a top 32 in the making and that he has risen to just one place away from that group in under a year on the PDC circuit proves that.  He is 11^th in the Players Championship order of merit, reached the last eight of the UK Open and appeared at the Grand Prix and Matchplay.

The same can’t be said about Flash though.  Although still only 38, it seems his best years (’02-’05) are behind him and it seems very unlikely that the Bristolian will be seeded for the 2013 World Champs.  Compared to Chisnall he is 48^th in the Players Championship order of merit, went out in the third round of the UK Open to Joe Murnan and didn’t make it to either the Matchplay or Grand Prix.  Who is the seeded player again?

John Part v John Henderson

The three-time world champ has shown flashes of his best this year, but not consistently and he would have been longing for a straight-forward start to his campaign at the Ally Pally, however, he got anything but that as he was drawn alongside big John Henderson.

The Scot was impressive in the Matchplay and even more so in the Grand Prix where he reached the quarter-finals.  He is a heavy scorer and is only down at 45^th in the rankings because this is his debut season in the PDC.

Few would doubt that Part is the better player, but over the relatively short format of the first round, Highlander is more than capable of keeping up with him and this could go either way.

Colin Osbourne v Michael Van Gerwen

An extremely tough one to call between two pretty inconsistent players in the PDC.  Both men seem to swing in and out of form quite substantially and at this moment it is Van Gerwen who is in and Osbourne who is out.

It has been a steady but wholly unspectacular year for Ozzy as he has won a solitary tour event and not been beyond the last 16 at a major, seeing him drop down to 21^st in the world.

Van Gerwen has similarly struggled in the majors but his youth tour performances have given him some momentum and winning his group at the Grand Slam was a great achievement.

Osbourne will still be favourite for the match, but there won’t be much in it.

Phil Haigh, Twitter follow @philhaigh_

Photograph – Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Some of this eroded advantage will inevitably be recouped when the Power’s victory in the recent Players Championship Finals is factored into next month’s UWDR, but his dismal performance in the Premier League (which does not reward UWDR points) confirms that all is not well with the game’s greatest ever player, and Taylor might be facing a very uncomfortable 2011, with, potentially, his no.1 ranking in jeopardy!

Meanwhile, Martin Adams, the oldest flinger in town, retains the no.2 slot following his third BDO World Championship triumph at the grand old age of 54.  Remarkably, Adams is almost a year older than Eric Bristow, who captured his first world title in 1980 when Adams was, essentially, a pub league player.

Thereafter, slowly, but surely, Adams climbed the professional ladder, but when Jelle Klaasen, nearly thirty years his junior, won the 2006 BDO World Championship it seemed as though a new generation of darts players had arrived, sweeping the likes of Adams aside.  Wolfie finally achieved his ambition 12 months later, however, and, like Marco Materazzi, the persistent Adams is an inspiration to any sportsman, or sportswoman, who might not enjoy much success early in their career.

Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson, two other players who seemed to wait an eternity in the wings, are now ranked 3 and 4 respectively, enjoying a climb of 7 and 3 places in turn, following their spectacular performances in the PDC World Championship.  The scoring power of these two men now, almost certainly, poses the biggest threat to Taylor’s supremacy.

Positions 5-9 are filled out by a quintet of ‘usual suspects’ – James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock, Terry Jenkins and Scott Waites – whilst the top 10 is rounded off by a man who could barely have imagined being in such exalted company 12 months ago.  At this point Dean Winstanley was merely a BDO journeyman, barely inside the UWDR top 150.  Remarkably consistent floor results throughout 2010, however, culminating in a spectacular run to the final on the Lakeside stage have elevated Over the Top close to the top.

But, realistically, how much further can he go?  As the UWDR awards bonus points for very high averages Winstanley will have to up his scoring power significantly, in addition to producing top performances in the BDO World Championship and World Masters and the Grand Slam of Darts, if he is going to overtake any more of the game’s elite.

Two Welshman, and world semi-finalists both, Martin Phillips and Mark Webster, are now nos. 14 and 15 respectively.  Whilst Phillips, who climbs 4 places this month, may be one place ahead of his compatriot for the time being, Webster, who is up 14 spots, is the coming man.  The 2008 BDO World Champion defeated Taylor en route to a second successive PDC World Championship semi-final, earning a Premier League wildcard, and his averages are now up with the very best.  It would be some surprise if Webby was not in the UWDR top 10 by the year’s end.

Conversely, Tony O’Shea, no.2 as recently as September, is now down to no.20!  The UWDR places a huge emphasis on recent form, to identify the hottest players in darts, and Silverback’s desperately disappointing performances in the BDO World Masters, and especially in the World Championship, have taken their toll.

Vincent van der Voort, the Fastest Player in the World, accelerates from no.32 to no.23 after reaching the last 8 of the PDC World Championship.

Anderson’s former partner in crime Gary Robson is up 15 places to no.37 following yet another quarter-final defeat at the Lakeside, whilst another beaten quarter-finalist, Ross Smith, is up 7 places to no.54.

Stephen Bunting picks up valuable UWDR bonus points after some impressive scoring in the first two rounds of the BDO World Championship, before running out of steam against Winstanley.  The Bullet fires into the top 50 at no.50, up 9 places.

Perhaps the most romantic story in either of this year’s world championships was the journey of 20 year-old Dutch qualifier Jan Dekker to the Lakeside semi-finals, a performance which guarantees him at least two trips to the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, to contest the Grand Slam of Darts.  In the meantime, the business and economics student enjoys a profitable market fluctuation, as his UWDR ranking soars from no.103 to no.51!  Garry Thompson, who missed nine doubles to defeat Dekker in the quarter-finals, can at least console himself that his ranking is up to no.44, from no.51.

The colourful Peter Wright climbs to no.60, up 28 places, following his run to the last 16 of the PDC World Championship, whilst Mark Hylton, who reached the same stage of the tournament, is up from no.138 to no.83.  Both Snake Bite and Mile High demonstrated some useful scoring at the ‘Ally Pally’, and it seems more than likely that these two players will continue to head northwards over the course of 2011.

Also reaching the last 16 of this tournament, defeating James Wade in the process, the Serbian-born Austrian Mensur Suljovic reaches no.101 in the UWDR, up 83 places.

In contrast, Wayne Mardle, a Premier League player just two years ago, continues his miserable decline, down (albeit just 1 place) to no.113 this month.  Mardle’s downturn emphasizes not only the fluidity of the UWDR, but the fickle nature of darts, and the fine margins of form and confidence.  As in football, no-one is ‘too big to go down’ in this game.  Mardle did reach a Pro Tour semi-final last November (losing only 6-5 to Mark Walsh), to provide a ray of hope, however.  Needless to say, darts would benefit enormously if Hawaii 501 could rediscover his game.

Stay tuned to DartsMad for the only accurate assessment of both PDC and BDO players: the Unified World Darts Ranking.

DartsMad Gareth

Bolstered by the confidence this will give him and aligned with an awesome natural ability there is no reason why this might not be the start of an era of Taylor-esque domination for The Power’s one time protege.

When he wakes up this morning Adrian Lewis will realise the enormity of his astounding victory. He is World Champion, world number two, £210,000 richer, he has a 2011 Premier League place, and he can bask in the memory of a quite brilliant 9-darter in the final.

Only three perfect legs have been hit before in the world championships. Barney has managed two with Paul Lim’s historic effort seeming eons ago. Phil Taylor has never hit one here and never has one been done in a TV final. History was made last night with that dream third leg and the new name on the trophy. He also set a tournament record for 180s (60) for good measure.

Praise must also go to Gary Anderson who has provided rich entertainment over Christmas and New Year. The likeable Scotsman consistently threw darts of the very highest quality but couldn’t match a possessed Lewis at the final hurdle. He hung in there and almost looked like he might hit back but Jackpot’s pummelling of the treble twenty proved conclusive. Anderson matched Simon Whitlock’s tournament record of 58 maximums and took home £100,000 as consolation.

BRILLIANT LEWIS HITS JACKPOT WITH LADBROKES.COM WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

ADRIAN LEWIS hit an amazing nine-dart finish in winning the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 7-5 defeat of Gary Anderson at Alexandra Palace on Monday night.

The 25-year-old from Stoke produced the best performance of his career to defeat the Scot and claim the £200,000 first prize – his first major title since turning professional in 2004.

Lewis made an incredible start to the match with a nine-dart finish in the third leg – the first time in history a player has landed a perfect leg in a World Championship final – and averaged 123 in winning the first set.

He went on to hit 20 180s in the game, pulling clear from three-all in sets to lead 6-3 before holding off Anderson’s fightback to claim victory.

“This is an unbelivable feeling and I’m in dreamland to be honest,” said Lewis afterwards. “I feel like I’ve deserved it after the potential I’ve shown over the years.

“I did feel nervous in my semi-final against Mark Webster, but I woke up today and felt great – and it showed in my performance.

“To hit the nine-darter was fabulous, especially to do it on an occasion like this and it just adds to a brilliant night.”

Anderson had produced five ton-plus averages in winning through to the final, but fell just short of claiming glory in the biggest game of his career.

“I was tired to honest, and it was possibly one match too far for me,” said the 40-year-old, who is based in Somerset. “Adrian played absolutely brilliant and his scoring power really killed me.”

Anderson won the opening leg of the contest in style with a 104 checkout, with Lewis waiting on double 18, but the Stoke won the second leg with the aid of two maximums in a show of what was to come in the next.

After Anderson opened the third with a maximum, Lewis posted two of his own to set up a nine-dart finish, and coolly completed the 141 finish with treble 20, treble 19 and double 12 for a piece of history as the first nine-darter in a World Championship Ffinal.

Lewis then had an opportunity in the next to take out 161 for the set, but after missing the bullseye he returned to finish the leg in 14 darts to secure the set with a 123 average.

Lewis opened the second set with his fifth maximum of the game and went to win the leg by hitting double one after both players had missed previous opportunities.

The 25-year-old kept up the incredible standard by taking the second leg with a 103 finish and then took out a showpiece 100 checkout, courtesy of two double tops, to establish a two-set lead.

Anderson hit a maximum at the start of the third set and went to take the leg by hitting double two to win his first leg since the game’s opener, and took the next two legs in fabulous fashion with checkouts of 130 and 136 to win the set.

The number five seed won the opening leg of the fourth set in 13 darts before both players recorded 180s in the second, which Anderson took by landing double five after Lewis missed three darts to double his lead.

Lewis missed the bullseye for a 170 checkout in the third leg, and both players missed chances to take the leg before the Stoke ace won it on double one.

A missed dart at double top from Anderson proved costly in the fourth leg as Lewis recorded a 78 finish to win the set and restore his two-set advantage at 3-1.

Anderson managed to hold throw at the start of the fifth set, but missed two darts at doubles in the second leg to allow Lewis in on double ten.

Anderson hit his fifth maximum of the game in the next leg but missed three darts at double ten, only to be given a reprieve after two misses from Lewis.

In the fourth leg Anderson hit another 180 and went on to win the leg with an 81 finish, hitting double top with his third dart to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Lewis made a winning start to set six with a 76 finish, punishing Anderson for three missed attempts at double 18.

Anderson managed to win the second leg with a 14-darter after Lewis missed a dart at double top for a 151 finish, before taking out a fantastic 164 checkout and an 86 to level the game.

Anderson won the opening leg of set seven by hitting double top to lead for the first time since the opening leg, but Lewis quickly hit back to win the second with a fantastic ten-darter.

Anderson was on course to win the third leg before a tenth maximum from Lewis applied pressure, and the Scot succumbed to miss three darts at doubles as the youngster broke on double five.

The Stoke star hit another maximum in the fourth leg and then went on to hit double 12, for a 15-dart finish, to take set and move 4-3 in front.

Lewis missed five darts to win the first leg of the eighth set and Anderson managed to nick it with a two-dart 84 finish.

Lewis opened a second leg in succession with a 177 score and managed to win the leg by converting 97 in two darts to break back.

He then won the third leg by hitting double 14 before Anderson won the fourth in 13 darts to force a deciding leg.

Lewis held the advantage in the final leg and high scoring from the Stoke ace saw him first to a finish as he hit double 18 to re-establish a two-set lead.

Lewis hit a 12-darter to win the first leg of set nine which included two 180s, and he hit another in the process of taking his third successive leg.

Anderson managed to take the third leg in 15 darts, but Lewis soon took the fourth with the aid of his 16th maximum to move three sets clear at 6-3.

Both players traded 15-darters in the opening two legs of set ten before the Scotsman secured a break of throw in the third leg by hitting double four after Lewis was guilty missing two darts at double nine.

The pair then hit maximums in the fourth leg, but Anderson won it by hitting double 16 to take the set and keep his hopes alive.

Anderson managed to hold throw at the start of set 11 by hitting double top with his first dart after Lewis missed three chances to break.

The Scotsman hit the same bed to complete a 76 finish to win the second leg and then took his sixth leg in succession by hitting double five, to reduce the gap to just one set at 6-5.

Lewis managed to hit double top to stop Anderson’s run, and then won the second leg of the 12th set against the darts, which included his 20th maximum of the match.

That put Lewis one leg away from the title, and he secured the victory by hitting double 11 to make his dream of becoming World Champion a reality.

Set Scores
Adrian Lewis 7-5 Gary Anderson
(3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 0-3, 3-0)

ANDERSON FLIES INTO FINAL AS LEWIS ENDS WEBSTER DREAM

GARY ANDERSON and Adrian Lewis will contest the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on Monday night, having royally entertained Prince Harry amongst a sell-out semi-final crowd at Alexandra Palace with wins over Terry Jenkins and Mark Webster.

Anderson continued his brilliant form during the £1 million tournament with a 6-2 win over Jenkins, averaging over 100 for the fifth successive game and posting 12 180s.

Jenkins had taken the game’s first set before Anderson won five in a row, and although the number seven seed pulled back the seventh set the Scot sealed victory in the next.

“He won the first set and I thought I might be in a bit of trouble, but I managed to take the second and kicked on from there,” said Anderson.

“Maybe I should have won 6-1 but I missed a few doubles in the seventh set and Terry kept battling, as I knew he would.

“I’ve made it to the final and spent probably ten years getting beaten in the first and second rounds, so it’s been nice to get this far and I’ll probably treat the final like the first round, but I’m not here to get beaten.”

Lewis, meanwhile, won through to the decider with a hard-fought 6-4 win over Mark Webster in the second semi-final.

Webster, who had knocked out reigning champion Phil Taylor on Saturday night, pulled back from 4-2 down to level but Lewis found an extra gear to win the next two in style to complete the win.

Lewis had also reached the final of October’s World Grand Prix, where he lost to James Wade, but will now contest for his first major title in the sport’s biggest game – where the winner will take home £200,000 on Monday.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” said Adrian. “When I went 4-2 up I thought I’d cruise it 6-2 but he took out a few good finishes and I had to dig in deep at the end.

“We traded high scores throughout, and it was a tough game. Mark fought back well but I’ve got the job done in the end.

“The hard work is still to be done though, and it’s every player’s dream to be World Champion. I have practised hard enough for five or six years and this could be my chance.

“I know I can out-score Gary and there will be a lot of 180s. Gary’s been the best player in the tournament, without a shadow of doubt, but I don’t know if he’s been tested – he will be on Monday.”

The final will be preceded by the PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship Final between Holland’s Michael van Gerwen and Hampshire’s Arron Monk, who has been practising alongside Simon Whitlock since qualifying for the best-of-11 leg decider in the inaugural event.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Sunday January 2
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 6-2 Terry Jenkins
Adrian Lewis 6-4 Mark Webster

Monday January 3
Final (8pm)
Adrian Lewis v Gary Anderson
Best of 13 sets

Preceded at 7.10pm by
PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Championship Final
Michael van Gerwen v Arron Monk
Best of 11 legs

GARY ANDERSON 6-2 TERRY JENKINS
(1-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
BRILLIANT Gary Anderson powered his way into the final of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on Sunday night, defeating Terry Jenkins 6-2 in the semis at Alexandra Palace.

Anderson has been sensational throughout the tournament, and royally celebrated the arrival of Prince Harry to watch the semi-finals by hitting 12 180s and another ton-plus average in victory.

The Scot will compete in his first World Championship final on Monday night against either Adrian Lewis or Mark Webster.

“The last time I played Terry on television was at the Grand Slam and it was a real battle that day,” said Anderson.

“He won the first set and I thought I might be in a bit of trouble, but I managed to take the second and kicked on from there.

“Maybe I should have won 6-1 but I missed a few doubles in that set and Terry kept battling, as I knew he would.

“I’ve made it to the final and spent probably ten years getting beaten in the first and second rounds, so it’s been nice to get this far and I’ll probably treat the final like the first round, but I’m not here to get beaten.”

Anderson started the match the way he finished in his quarter-final triumph against Raymond van Barneveld, as he hit a maximum in the opening leg – but Jenkins broke throw with a clinical two-dart 96 finish and then took out 72 in two-darts to extend his advantage.

Anderson hit his third 180 in as many legs at the start of the third and won it in 15 darts, but Jenkins managed to hit double top in the fourth to take the set and open up an early lead.

Jenkins then won the first leg of the second set with an excellent 102 checkout with Anderson waiting on double top, although he took the second leg in 15 darts and broke throw in the third with the aid of his fifth maximum of the game.

The fourth leg saw Anderson miss three darts at double top, but Jenkins also missed one dart at the same bed for a 111 checkout and alowed the Scotsman to hit double ten to level the match.

Anderson hit his fifth 180 in the process of winning the opening leg of set three before Jenkins took out 100 in two darts to win the second.

Jenkins then won the third leg by hitting double top, but Anderson produced fabulous darts in the fourth, winning the leg in 11 darts before posting double top to take the decider and the lead.

Jenkins managed to make a winning start to the fourth set by hitting double 18 at the fifth attempt, before Anderson quickly levelled by taking the second on double top.

Jenkins led again by taking the third leg before Anderson won the fourth with an excellent 126 checkout, completed on the bullseye.

Anderson then kicked off the deciding leg with consecutive 180s, and although any thoughts of a nine-darter were ended as the seventh attempt at a treble 20 was off-target, the leg was duly won in 13- darts to take the set.

That put the 11th seed two sets clear of Jenkins, and he won the opening leg of the fifth set by converting a 72 finish in two darts.

Jenkins managed to win the second leg with a 13-dart finish, defying a ninth maximum from his opponent, but Anderson took the third on double six.

Anderson then won the fourth leg with an 82 finish to win the set and increase his lead to 4-1, leaving Jenkins with a mountain to climb.

Anderson kicked off set six with his tenth 180 of the game, but Jenkins kept up with the Scotsman’s relentless scoring power and took the leg by hitting double top.

Anderson took the second leg by hitting double six and then won the third by hitting a 126 checkout, completed on the bullseye, for the second time in the match.

That put Anderson 2-1 ahead and he then hit double top at the first time of asking to take the fourth leg and pull further clear at 5-1.

Jenkins won his first leg in four at the start of set seven by hitting double eight with his third dart, but Anderson quickly replied to win the second with a 93 finish.

In the third leg Anderson committed rare errors as he missed six darts at doubles, allowing Jenkins to secure a break of throw as he hit double 18 with his first dart.

Jenkins, who defeated Wes Newton in a tight quarter-final 24 hours earlier, hit a 120 checkout in the fourth leg to take the set and reduce his arrears to 5-2.

Anderson missed an early chance for a break of throw at the start of the eighth as three attempts to take the first leg were off-target.

Jenkins stepped in to hit double top before Anderson posted double four to win the second and took the third with a 93 finish.

That put the Scotsman a leg away from reaching the final, and after Jenkins missed two darts to win the fourth leg Anderson stepped in to hit double top at the first time of asking to seal the win.

ADRIAN LEWIS 6-4 MARK WEBSTER
(3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS won through to his first Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship final with a 6-4 win over battling Mark Webster on Sunday night, as the Welshman suffered semi-final heartbreak for the second successive year.

Webster knocked reigning champion Phil Taylor out of the tournament on Saturday night, but a superb display from Lewis saw him progress to meet Gary Anderson.

Lewis had led the contest 4-2 only to be pegged back to four apiece by the battling Welshman, but the 25-year-old from Stoke took the next two sets to book his place in the final.

“We were trading big scores throughout and it was a really tough match,” said Lewis. “I was 4-2 up and felt good up there but Mark fought back well.

“I got the job done in the en but the hard work is still to be done though, and I need to get myself prepared for the final against Gary now.”

Lewis, playing in his first World Championship semi-final, started impressively with back-to-back 13-dart finishes in the opening two legs.

Webster, who had landed a 180 in the opening leg, hit back to win the third and then took the fourth by hitting double top.

Lewis, though, managed to win the decider by hitting double eight to edge the set and an early advantage.

The opening leg of the second set proved to be a difficult one to win for both players as numerous opportunities were missed before Lewis managed to take it by landing double one.

Webster, who ended the hopes of the defending champion Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals, managed to win the next two legs and take a 2-1 lead.

Lewis hit double ten to win the fourth leg, but the Welshman kept his nerve to hit double top to win the decider and level the match.

Lewis made a winning start to set three by taking the first leg with the aid of his second 180 of the match before Webster won the second on tops after the Stoke ace missed a dart at double 11 for a 124 checkout.

Lewis won the third leg in 15 darts but Webster traded the fourth with a 14-dart finish before kicking off the deciding leg with a 177 score.

Lewis, though, hit his third maximum of the contest to forge ahead and he went to hit double two for a 14-darter of his own to take the set and regain the lead.

Webster won the first leg of the fourth set before taking the second by hitting double five with his final dart after Lewis was guilty of missing four darts at tops.

Lewis then missed one dart the bullseye to take the third leg and Webster managed to convert a 77 finish by landing double top with his third dart to level the game once more.

Webster won his fourth leg in a row at the beginning of the fifth set by landing double five after both players had missed previous opportunities to win it.

That put the Welshman ahead for the first time in the match, but Lewis hit back to take the next two legs with accomplished finishes of 79 and 131.

Webster won the fourth leg by hitting double 16 to send another set into a deciding leg, which saw both players record 180s.

Lewis had left himself 40 after 12 darts before missing double five for what would have been a fabulous 130 checkout, and Lewis took the chance to hit double top and lead for the third time.

The fifth seed began the seventh set in style by taking the opening two legs with finishes of 76 and 86, and he then won the third to move two sets clear of Webster.

Lewis kicked off the seventh set with his sixth 180 of the match, but missed three darts at doubles to win the leg and Webster cashed in by hitting double nine.

Webster missed chances to go two legs up in the next as Lewis hit double ten to level before starting the third leg with consecutive 180s.

His attempt at a seventh successive treble 20 was off-target, and the pair both missed two darts for the leg before Webster stepped in on double ten.

The fourth leg saw Webster hit his eighth maximum of the match and he went to win it with a second successive 14-dart finish to win the set and reduce the deficit to 4-3.

Lewis started the eighth set in impressive fashion as he recorded a 12-dart-finish with a 127 checkout, but Webster managed to win the second leg against the darts and the third by hitting double 16.

The Welshman missed a dart at double ten in the fourth leg but Lewis could not set up an opportunity at a double and Webster managed to hit double one to leave the match finely poised at four-all.

Webster won the first leg of the ninth set with a 103 finish after his opponent missed four darts at doubles to edge back in front, but Lewis hit-back to win the second against the darts and then took the third with an excellent 13-darter.

The Stoke star kicked off the fourth leg with a maximum, but Webster was first to a finish and he managed to hit double 12 to force a deciding leg.

The final leg of set nine was a competitive affair and Webster had left himself on 57 after 12 darts, but Lewis kept his composure to hit a 64 finish, landing double eight with his third dart to lead 5-4.

Webster won the first leg of set ten by hitting double top, defying a maximum from Lewis, before the fifth seed hit double ten to win the second.

The third leg proved crucial in the final outcome as Webster missed three darts at doubles and Lewis cashed in to hit a 76 finish in two darts.

That put him a leg away from the match, and he kicked off the fourth leg with his ninth 180 to set up a 12-darter which he completed on double top to secure his semi-final berth.

“I am disappointed but I thought Adrian was the better player,” said Webster. “I missed a couple of doubles at vital times towards the end and that was really costly for me.

“I’m delighted to get the semi-finals of the biggest darts tournament in the world for the second year in succession, and I will come back again.

“I’ve got to the semi-finals of the biggest tournament in the world and am really pleased with myself – but you don’t win world titles by beating Phil Taylor, you win world titles by winning the final and I’m disappointed I won’t get a chance to do that.”

FINAL PREVIEW - Adrian Lewis (6/4) v Gary Anderson (8/15)

There are some unique elements to the 2011 Ladbrokes World Championship final that will be played on Monday evening. Firstly, it’s in 3D for the first time ever. Secondly, there is no Phil Taylor. This has happened only once in its history – the 2008 damp squib between John Part & Kirk Shepherd.

The final will be contested by the two best players on show this last fortnight. This does not always happen (see Kirk Shepherd again) and both are right on top of their game. This makes it a difficult one to call following years of Phil Taylor being heavy odds on. Even the classic final with Barney in 2007 saw the Dutchman go in a big underdog. A look back at previous finals show there have only really been three classics – John Part’s win over Taylor in 2003, Taylor beating Kevin Painter a year later, and the Barney triumph in 2007. Dennis Priestley’s 3 defeats to Taylor had some drama but weren’t bona fide classics. The 2011 final could be.

Gary Anderson is favourite with the bookies but Lewis leads the head to head 6-2. He has won the last 6 including 4 victories in 2010 in the Championship League Darts tournament. He also won their last tv battle at the 2009 World Grand Prix.

Form stats show Anderson has the edge. He has hit 8 more tournament 180s (48) than Lewis and leads the tournament average (103.79 plays 96.94) having hit 100+ in every round. Lewis has had 8 sets taken off him, Anderson 5. Anderson has won 28 legs against the throw, Lewis 30.

In his post quarter final interview Anderson said he wanted to win the title by beating Phil Taylor in the final – “to be the best and win the world championship you’ve got to beat the best”. Well on current form The Power is not the best and Lewis presents the most difficult hurdle there is. If Anderson wins he will have beaten the best.

You would struggle to put a fag paper between them despite the bookies’ odds. If Lewis can stay focused for 13 sets it’s a toss up for the title. A rare final without The Power but ‘Part v Shepherd 2008′ this most certainly will not be.

Before those two take to the stage there is the not insignificant matter of the PDC Under 21 World Championship. The final will be played on stage live on Sky Sports before the big one and son of Colin, Arron Monk, will be looking to cap a fine 2010 that has seen him make his mark on the tour. He is up against Michael van Gerwen who reminds us of just how old he is by his eligibility for this event. Mighty Mike is being written off in some quarters as having already peaked! His move to the PDC has not brought too much success but he has plenty of time in hand and winning this inaugural prestigious title will be just the spur as he matures into a senior pro.

QUARTER & SEMI FINALS
The two men most likely are still Adrian Lewis & Gary Anderson and that is despite Mark Webster’s 5-2 beating of Phil Taylor in the quarter finals. Webster dominated the match and bullied Taylor into submission. It is becoming more apparent by the tournament that Taylor’s power is waning and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of one of the most extraordinary eras of any sport.

Gary Anderson does not have a great deal of time on his side and Monday’s final provides his best chance to finally realise his awesome potential. He trounced Raymond van Barneveld 5-1 in the quarter final and then did a similar job (6-2) on Terry Jenkins in the semis. He has averaged over 100 EVERY round so far and hit 48 maximums. Ten more will give him the tournament record set by Simon Whitlock last year.

Lewis does have time on his side; he has always looked a world champion in waiting but failed to deliver when it mattered. As one Potter slides another does rise and it seems that only Jackpot has the game to beat Anderson this week. He overcame a stubborn Mark Webster 6-4 in their semi final but still suffered periods of catatonic darts, something he cannot afford against the relentless Scotsman in the final. He was brutal against Vincent van der Voort in the quarter final, not giving the Dutchman an inch and rolling out 5-2 winner.

Terry Jenkins is the perennial bridesmaid and another who does not have time on his side. Once again he reached the latter stages of a tv tournament and came up against a player who was simply better on the day. No disgrace when that player is a Gary Anderson in the form of his life. Jenkins was perhaps fortunate to be in the semis having rode his luck against a Wes Newton with severe double trouble in the quarters. Jenkins narrowly won 5-4 before going down 6-2 to Anderson.

It seems that Barney’s relaxed persona this week might have been a false dawn as he succumbed to Anderson with little more than a whimper. He will drop to around 5th in the PDC Order of Merit and will need a wildcard to make the 2011 Premier League. The top 4 plus 4 wildcards will complete the field and with Anderson & Lewis sure to be at 2 and 3 the final decision will be interesting.

LAST 16
Things are really brewing now and the quarter final line up has an exciting look to it. The last 16 had it’s fair share of drama with Simon Whitlock the biggest casualty and Gary Anderson topping every stat chart there is. Gary Anderson has finally found his feet and will win it. Won’t he?

Peter Wright promised a new “hair do” for his last 16 encounter with Phil Taylor and the result was something akin to Predator crossed with Alice in Wonderland; he looked like a demented skipping rope salesman and it had little effect on the game. Perhaps Taylor’s dodgy eyesight meant he didn’t notice as he completed a routine win to set up a quarter final clash with Mark Webster. Webster had little trouble against Mark Hylton as he cruised to another impressive win.

Adrian Lewis was red hot in his 4-1 drubbing of Robert Thornton; 9 maximums and a 101 average sets him up for a mouthwatering game against Vincent van der Voort who was equally impressive in dumping out much fancied Simon Whitlock.

Van der Voort’s victory should have been the spur for Raymond van Barneveld to come out blazing but Barney admitted later in his post match interview that it had the opposite effect. He got so tied up in the match that he forgot to practice and it showed as he was sluggish for much of his tussle with Colin Osborne before eventually turning on the after burners and reeling off 6 of the last 7 legs to win 4-3.

A note about VvdV: Barney was visibly delighted for his compatriot and mate; it brought to mind a meeting I had with Vincent at the Circus Tavern Players Championship finals in 2010. Midway through our chat he was acosted by a couple of back stage drunkards who quickly became four and proceeded to bombard him with slurred inane questions for what must have been a couple of hours. They were harmless but just would not leave and I was struck by how patient & good natured Vincent was. He genuinely seemed to enjoy the chat when I’ve witnessed many pros be downright rude and simply walk away to the sanctuary of the practise area. From that incident I developed a soft spot for somebody who is a genuinely nice guy and I’m glad he is finally getting some real reward since switching to the PDC.

Barney has now drawn the short straw as he faces a battle royale with the hottest player in the tournament, Gary Anderson. The Sctosman recorded his third 100+ average (108.4 to follow 103.4 and 103.3) and one of the highest in world championship history in demolishing Andy Smith.

The remaining quarter final tie will see Terry Jenkins play Wes Newton. Jenkins came up against a flat Mark Walsh and made light work of a 4-0 win. Newton easily overcame Wade’s conqueror, Mensur Suljovic, by the same 4-0 scoreline as the Austrian finally ran out of puff.

QUARTER FINAL PREVIEW & HEAD 2 HEADS

Phil Taylor (tournament odds 5/6) v Mark Webster (16/1)

Webster is playing really well again following up his third place finish last year; well enough to beat The Power as he did in the IDL in 2007 (his one win to 6 defeats); well enough go two places better than 2010. But you just can’t bet against a 15-time champion. He has gone out to evens for the tournament based on the form of others and it might be a steal. The signs have been there in the last two rounds that he’s dragging himself back to top form. Fortunate for his path to be cleared of John Part & Paul Nicholson it has given him breathing space and that could be ominous. I expect Webby to put up stubborn resistance but Taylor to produce when it really matters and set up a semi final against his former protege, Adrian Lewis. Match odds: Taylor 1/7 | Webster 9/2.

Adrian Lewis (8/1) v Vincent van der Voort (40/1)

The only sure thing about this match is it won’t threaten the broadcasting schedules. Both throw quickly & score heavily and this week their finishing is spot on. They know each others game well having played 21 times before, Lewis leads 14-6 with a solitary draw. Jackpot appears to have got himself focused better than ever and has experience of this stage. Vincent is on his best world championship run and is on the charge. This will be a proper slobberknocker and the relentless onslaught from the Dutchman might just pay dividends and have Lewis buckling. However, I like what I see from the Stoke boy this year and I reckon he will sneak through in a classic. Match odds: Lewis 1/4 | van der Voort 11/4.

Wes Newton (40/1) v Terry Jenkins (18/1)

Jenkins has a habit of tip toeing through to the latter stages of major tournaments (7 major final defeats on his CV) but this equals his best world championship run. Newton is in uncharted territory in this tournament having now gone one better than his previous best. The head to head shows an 8-6 advantage to Jenkins but Newton has won 6 of the last 7; all coming in the last 18 months. Newton is throwing the best darts of his career and Jenkins has been given an easy(ish) ride so far with Steve Brown & Mark Walsh failing to turn up. I think Newton will sneak this one and reward his decision to turn pro with an Ally Pally semi final. Match odds: Newton 17/10 | Jenkins 4/9.

Raymond van Barneveld (13/2) v Gary Anderson (4/1)

Barney joked that perhaps the only way to stop Anderson is to break his arms. That might be the only way if the Flying Scotsman keeps improving each game, however we all know how fragile Anderson can be under pressure – break his confidence not his arms, that’s the answer. Dennis Priestley was one dart away from doing just that and Barney is possibly the worst possible draw for Anderson. The head to head shows a 6-2 advantage for Barney but Anderson has won the last two, both in the last year or so. Barney cannot start as he did against Colin Osborne or he will be blown away before he gets going. I’d love to see a Taylor v Anderson final (that is Anderson’s dream) and will go with my heart in saying Anderson will put Barney to the sword as he finally realises his potential on the biggest stage in darts. Match odds: Barney 6/5 | Anderson 4/6.

ROUND TWO (DAY THREE)
It wasn’t just the manner of Raymond van Barneveld’s impressive win over Kevin McDine – 98 average, ten 180s, controlled under pressure, consistent & nerveless – it was his post match interview that gave me the biggest hint yet that this could well be his year again. It is a while since I’ve seen him so relaxed and thoughtful in the commentary box – thoughtful in a positive way, contemplating the game(s) ahead with the usual respect, not battling the darting demons that have appeared so often this last year or so. Barney looks the part again and when that laconic third dart is consistently finding the lipstick – the lip curls in the knowledge it will find its target – it spells trouble for the rest of the field.

McDine was much better than he was against Barrie Bates. He threatened to turn the match into a classic mid-way through but Barney stepped on the gas and took the game away like he used to do. Next up it’s Colin Osborne, a scrappy 4-0 winner against Jamie Caven, and then potentially Gary Anderson in the quarter final. Taylor, Whitlock, Lewis & Webster are all in the other half giving Barney a great chance to reach the final.

Anderson will prove a difficult barrier should he overcome Andy Smith, a player he has never beaten in five matches. Anderson was cruising against Dennis Priestley, three sets to nil up with a near 110 average. But as the finishing line neared the nerves kicked in and had Priestley not missed darts to make it 3-3 in sets it might have been the Yorkshire man tackling Smith in the last 16. A relieved Anderson closed it out and finished on an impressive 103 average, having hit 13 maximums.

That scoring should see him past Smith as well but the Pieman is a bogey player for the Scot as he is for Mervyn King who was again on the receiving end, bowing out 3-4 to Smith. This half of the draw is slightly the easier with the real form players banging into each other in the top half. Barney & Anderson are the fancied pair but Smith, Walsh, Jenkins, Osborne & Newton will also recognise the golden path that has opened up before them.

ROUND TWO (DAY TWO)
James Wade’s darting demons returned to haunt him in round two as he failed his Mensur test, losing 4-2 to Mensur Suljovic in one of the biggest upsets seen on the big stage. Suljovic was full value for the win and his post match interview was his own Hashimoto moment. Wade, many people’s hot tip for the title, hit only one maximum to Suljovic’s seven and crumbled alarmingly just as he did against Scott Waites in the Grand Slam of Darts final back in November. Suljovic moves on to a clash with Wes Newton in the last 16 while Wade heads home for some serious introspection.

Wade’s demise was the highlight (unless you are him, family, sponsor or fan) of a day that started well with Mark Walsh riding his luck against Alan Tabern to somehow win 4-3 after Tabern missed numerous match darts to win a game he should never have lost. Walsh has finally burst his world championship hoodoo; this is his now his best ever run in the tournament and his 11 maximums in the game will give him confidence as he strives for consistency in his last 16 clash with Terry Jenkins.

Sandwiched in between this drama was a serving of more ordinary fayre – Vincent van der Voort was highly impressive in seeing off a much fancied Wayne Jones. It was arguably the Dutchman’s best TV performance and he comes up against Simon Whitlock in the last 16. Terry Jenkins beat an under par Steve Brown 4-1, while in the evening Wes Newton and Simon Whitlock both won 4-0 against Brendan Dolan & Denis Ovens. Whitlock was particularly impressive, averaging 103, hitting lots of 180s, big checkouts, and allowing Ovens just two legs. The Aussie will be a real handful and could go one better than last year.

ROUND TWO (DAY ONE)
To pinch a line from Homer Simpson – I’m not normally praying man but if you’re out there, please, do something Superman.  On Christmas Day as we raised a toast to Santa, His elves, and the turkey fairy I secretly wished for this tournament to spring into life when the action resumed; it had been seriously underwhelming until now. There is no Matt Clark this year but could the rest of the seeds please stand up.

Indeed, the first six matches of round two did see the seeds stand up. Then generally blow up, bow out, and slink off stage in a cloud of self doubt and bewilderment. “What happened to my finishing?” Paul Nicholson would have been muttering as he turned a first round 82% checkout rate into something closer to single figures during his surprise & limp defeat to a frankly ordinary Peter Wright.

Andy Hamilton carried his awful form into round two and was easily dispatched by Robert Thornton in straight sets, as was Ronnie Baxter who to be fair had one of the seeds’ toughest tasks against former BDO world champion Mark Webster, who has thrust himself firmly into the group of contenders. Colin Lloyd went the same way as Nicholson, by the same score, to high flying Mark Hylton who is improving noticeably with every game.

Only Adrian Lewis and, unsurprisingly, Phil Taylor flew the flag for the top 16 – both very impressive in seeing of an ill Mark Dudbridge and a beaten-before-he-got-on-stage Per Laursen who was lying back and thinking of the money.

Shocks aplenty but is that good for the tournament? Peter Wright averages only mid-80′s as he did here against Nicholson and, hair aside, is not likely to set the competition alight. He could be this year’s Kirk Shepherd – the man with nine lives – but he plays Phil Taylor next so I doubt it.

Taylor’s once potentially tricky path is being cleared before by a huge darting snowplough. John Part & Paul Nicholson could have been terminal opponents for a misfiring Power in the early rounds. Neither made it far enough and a run of Gary Mawson, Per Laursen & Peter Wright looks almost hand picked before the serious stuff starts with a likely clash against Mark Webster who tackles Mark Hylton next.

Adrian Lewis is still there and although he was slightly fortunate to play an off colour opponent he still looked bang on form and ruthless in his win over Dudbridge. Sparks could fly if he keeps that consistency and doubling rate up. Robert Thornton is his next hurdle with Simon Whitlock a potential quarter final foe.

ROUND TWO (DAY TWO) PREVIEW
Day two of round two sees another clutch of tight encounters in the afternoon session. Despite his shocking world championship history Mark Walsh ‘should’ be too good for Alan Tabern. Providing the reports of a festive illness aren’t too serious Wayne Jones’ 2010 form ‘should’ be enough to vanquish the precipitate Vincent van der Voort. And finally, Terry Jenkins v Steve Brown – anybody care to predict that one? All I’ll say is it ‘should’ be a belter.

In the evening session, Wes Newton, Simon Whitlock & James Wade are all too strong for Brendan Dolan, Denis Ovens & Mensur Suljovic, and will surely have no problem making it to the last 16? Won’t they?

NIGHTS 7 & 8
The final two nights of round one, before the Christmas break, had about as much excitement as a soup spooning contest. For the record, Colin Osborne, Raymond van Barneveld, Jamie Caven, Andy Smith, Mark Walsh, Dennis Priestley & Mervyn King all breezed into round two and will enjoy their festive turkey. Kevin McDine beat Barrie Bates in the let down game of the tournament so far (both players averaging less than 80 to sit 75th & 76th in the averages chart), and Magnus Caris came from 3-1 down to beat Dietmar Burger in their prelim game. Apart from that Priestley’s quip that he hoped his wife had put the chickens away and Freddie Flintoff’s commentary box exploits were the highlights of a rather dreary back end of round one.

Roll on round two.

NIGHT 6

You just got the feeling that night 6 was a dangerous one for the seeds and so it proved. As the pace & excitement went up a few notches so did the drama as Dutch Night turned into a Dutch nightmare. First Michael van Gerwen delivered a masterclass in how to miss doubles in his defeat by the methodical but effective Mensur Suljovic, then Jelle Klaasen was bombed out in quick time by an impressive Steve Brown. Brown is a highly likeable character who is on the rise in the PDC and looking to supplant the Dutch youngsters in the rankings. I already knew about his Darts Academy but was not aware that he fostered children as well; a couple of facts that have instantly rocketed him to my second favourite player and the one that I want to win this title, after Wayne Jones.

Elsewhere on night 6 it was a nervy win for Terry Jenkins who was two sets up and cruising against Joe Cullen before finding himself level at 2-2 and up against it as the youngster started to hit the maximums. The Bull dug in and upped his game to break Cullen’s resistance and limp into round two and a meeting with Brown – a rematch of their World Matchplay first round encounter earlier this year when Brown won 10-6.

Vincent van der Voort had no trouble seeing of Preston Ridd, losing only one leg and wrapping up victory is super quick style. Ridd had earlier whitewashed Michael Mansell 4-0 in their preliminary clash and was flying the Kiwi flag before coming up against the VvdV juggernaut.

Night 7 sees my ‘man most likely’, Raymond van Barneveld open his account with a tricky one against the Muffin Man Steve Hine. Barney should have enough but can’t afford a lax start. The same goes for Colin Osborne who takes on Chris Thompson, no mug himself. Jamie Caven is in good form this year and will be to strong for the winner of the Devon Petersen v Norman Madhoo prelim. Game of the night promises to be the evenly matched Barrie Bates against Kevin McDine – I can’t call this one but expect there to be only a couple of legs in it.

NIGHTS 3 to 5

While all eyes have been on the snow and the country got excited about the disruption, the darts plodded on with thrills & spills making only fleeting appearances. As Andy Hamilton hit zero 180s in lumbering to a win over Dennis Smith, Morihiro Hashimoto provided the light relief as Ally Pally adopted a new hero. The man from Japan saw off Matt Padgett before being put to the sword by a ruthless Gary Anderson who hit the highest average of the tournament so far (103.26). Anderson’s win was typical of the other games as Simon Whitlock & Mark Dudbridge were both comfortable in beating Steve Evans & Alex Roy.

Night 4 was going the same pedestrian way with Wayne Jones, Robert Thornton & Wes Newton all comfortably through, until Per Laursen produced the shock of the championship so far in beating 3-time winner John Part. Finally some excitement and this writer had gone to bed. Ear infections & itchy teeth were Part’s reasoning and a Canadian Christmas & NY is his prize, watching from afar.

After a couple of rather dreary nights where Sid & the boys did their best to create the illusion of drama, one look at night 5′s running order induced an early evening yawn. I’m not sure there has been a less exciting night’s line up in this tournament’s history – Tabern, Burnett, Dolan, Wade, and some little known qualifiers, all topped off by hot stuff himself, Denis Ovens. Paddy Power weren’t offering odds on ‘Number of Smiles’ so my money stayed in my pocket. I’d have gone low. All matches went with form with exception of Kevin Painter who went down in straight sets with barely a whimper; even this shock was devoid of excitement.

NIGHTS 4 to 6 PREVIEW

I’m hoping for much more to compensate over the next three nights – we’ve got Michael van Gerwen, Jelle Klaasen & Vincent van der Voort on Tuesday so it’s sure to be an early night at least. There’s a sniff of an upset or two here as well – these fast throwers can be erratic and are prime first round casualties. van Gerwen could be unsettled by the methodical Menusr Suljovic, who has experience on this stage, and Steve Brown wil give Klaasen a game. Joe Cullen plays Terry Jenkins and could spring a surprise but Jenkins is usually solid and rarely loses early in a major.

Also coming up we’ve got Colin Osborne, Barney & Jamie Caven on Wednesday along with one of the potential games of the first round – Barrie Bates v Kevin McDine. A hard one to call that could go either way and will be won by the odd leg. Andy Smith, Mark Walsh, Dennis Priestley & Mervyn King complete the first round games on Thursday before the break for Christmas and I fancy that not all of them will be back. The back end of the draw looks ripe for a few surprises so I’ll be studying that section closely and picking the upsets to take a wedge out of Paddy’s pocket.

NIGHT 3 PREVIEW

There are always shocks in the first round – something like a third of seeds traditionally fall at the first – but picking them is trickier that it seems. On night three I really can’t see any upsets with Andy Hamilton, Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson all in action; so there’s bound to be at least one! However, Whitlock & Anderson are on my shortlist for the title and The Hammer’s consistency should be too much for a reborn Dennis Smith. Whitlock takes on Steve Evans while Anderson plays the winner of the Matt Padgett v Morihiro Hashimoto prelim. If you’re sniffing for a shock, Padgett might struggle in his first game on the big stage or there’s an outside chance of Alex Roy beating Mark Dudbridge. Roy has plenty of world championship experience and he could capitalise if Dudbridge suffers first round blues but my money will be staying  in my pocket tonight.

NIGHTS 1 & 2

A fun filled evening with Mr Angelos Epithemiou meant no darts action for this writer on Friday night which meant I missed a colourful evenings action by all accounts. The colour provided by Snakebite himself, Peter Wright, who is unmissable in his unique livery, and by an irate Colin Lloyd punching the target in frustration under a German onslaught from Andree Welge. Jaws came through the test in the end and Wright put paid to Co Stompe’s hopes, the second shock of the championship after Steve Beaton’s exit on night one.

Speaking of which, the opening night  was short on drama (Paul Nicholson doing the business against Steve Farmer & Mark Webster demolishing Steve Maish) but Beaton’s loss to former trolley dolly Mark Hylton threw up the first upset, and Phil Taylor’s dismal display in seeing off Gary ‘Rafa’ Mawson gave us the second. Taylor looks to be on shaky ground at the moment and if he’d been playing Nicholson or Webster on night one he’d be out of the tournament today.

Which is true of Roland Scholten who made a long awaited return to tv action, winning his preliminary round match against Veijo Viinikka before falling to Ronnie Baxter. Hopefully Tripod will be back and this is the start of a return to the top. The other player to progress on night two was Adrian Lewis who got through a tricky opener against The Viper, Tony Eccles, who hit 8 maximums and the maximum finish of 170 but lost all three sets 3-2.

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

For the first time in a long time 15-time world champion Phil Taylor goes into the tournament a little less than red hot favourite after spending the latter part of 2010 losing to every Tom, Dick & Harry. The Power is still the man to beat, but if you are looking for an heir apparent to be lifting the trophy on January 2nd I wouldn’t look too far down the current order of merit. If Taylor doesn’t win his 16th title it will be a surprise (as it always is) but this year it feels more likely and there a slack handful of genuine pretenders to his crown.

There are numerous players who are getting closer and their day may come; the likes of Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson, Adrian Lewis, Colin Osborne, & Mark Walsh have the look of future champions. And though time my be running out for Terry Jenkins, Kevin Painter, Andy Hamilton & Mervyn King each has the pedigree to become world champion. However the longer format separates the men from the boys where consistency allied with nerve is the key – high quality matches will be won by the narrowest margins by the most nerveless player and with this in mind my four potential world-champions-who-are-not-Taylor are:-

1. Raymond van Barneveld - relaxed & revitalised World Cup winner a couple of weeks ago and one with the pedigree to win another world title. In the opposite half to Taylor and once again my shout as The Man most likely.
2. James Wade – there is no doubt that he will become world champion one day and there is no reason why it can’t be this year. Also in the opposite half to Taylor but arguably the tougher half despite this.
3. Simon Whitlock – in the form of his life, beaten finalist last year (giving Taylor a real scare) and easily could go one better. Has the temperament and the long format consistency. He’s my only pick in the same half of the draw as Taylor.
4. Gary Anderson – suspect temperament and sometimes struggles to motivate himself but if he can box those nerves and hit his doubles there are few to match his 180 scoring. Over long distances this really counts and few can live with him when his eye is in. I feel he will win this one year and the years are running out for this late developer.

Not overly inspired admittedly but I really can’t look outside this quintet (including Taylor) as the likely 2011 PDC World Champion. The draw separates Taylor & Whitlock until the semis and Wade & Barney can’t meet until the same stage. Barney would need to get past Anderson in the quarters should both get that far but there are time bombs lurking in every section of the draw such is the standard these days.

There are a couple of old faces who might have honestly thought they wouldn’t see this stage again – it’s good to see Roland Scholten back competing after shoulder surgery, and it’s equally nice to see former BDO world champion Richie Burnett back in the big time after a few lean years and struggle with funding the tour.

The world championship often signals a subtle changing of the guard and there are one or two familiar names not in attendance this year. Wayne Mardle came very close to sneaking in at the last minute and having blown his big chance in 2008 we won’t be seeing Hawaii 501 this year. One Dart has become No Darts recently as Peter Manley drifts out of the spotlight and is another absentee, as is Andy Jenkins whose form has been rocky of late and he misses out for the first time in a while.

The world championship always delivers a Christmas cracker so as the snow moves in again we can sit back, turn up the heating, and toast the festive darts season. For two whole weeks. Bliss.

Ally Pally Stato Zone

We will be bringing updated daily stats as the championship progresses. As we reach the quarter final stage this is the stats picture…

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD and Vincent van der Voort enjoyed double Dutch delight at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship on Thursday, as 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock crashed out of the competition.

Five-time World Champion van Barneveld edged a seven-set thriller with Colin Osborne to book his quarter-final place in dramatic fashion at Alexandra Palace.

Osborne led 3-2 before van Barneveld won six of the final seven legs to progress to a last eight contest with Gary Anderson on New Year’s Year.

“At some stages in the game I wanted to give up and I was so tired, but I fought for my life in the last set,” said van Barneveld.

“I played seven good legs in the last set and got the win, but I will need to be better on Saturday.

“I’m a big fan of Gary. He’s a big scorer and a fantastic player, he’s been brilliant so far and maybe this could be his year – but he’s got me in his way!”

Van der Voort, meanwhile, caused a sensational upset by knocking out 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock with a 4-2 win to set up a quarter-final with Adrian Lewis.

Whitlock took the game’s opening set, but van der Voort took the next three sets to lead 3-1, hitting six 180s in a brilliant third set as he blew the Australian apart.

Whitlock regathered himself to win the fifth set, but van der Voort punished his missed doubles in the deciding leg of the sixth to seal the biggest win of his career.

“It’s unbelievable for me and nobody can ever take that moment away from me,” said van der Voort. “If it had gone three-all, I’m not sure I’d have won so I knew it was now or never to finish him off at the end.

“I’m in the quarter-finals and you have to improve in every game. Simon was a very tough opponent for me but I got through it and if I can beat the world number four I can beat anybody.

“Adrian is a very quick player and a great player, and I will have to be better than this to beat him but I think I have a good chance.”

Meanwhile, Fleetwood’s Wes Newton whitewashed Austria’s Mensur Suljovic in straight sets to win through to his first World Championship quarter-final.

Newton will now face Terry Jenkins on New Year’s Day, having won his three games so far at Alexandra Palace without dropping a set with defeats of Darin Young, Brendan Dolan and Suljovic, who failed to recapture the form which knocked out number two seed James Wade on Tuesday.

“This is the biggest tournament in the world and I know I am capable of doing well here,” said Newton. “Sometimes you try too hard and I think that’s been why I’ve never been past the second round and not produced my best in the World Championship before.

“I’m treating it as just another tournament and trying to enjoy myself, which I’m doing. Mensur is hard to play because he’s so slow, but I did what I needed to.

“There’s a lot more to come from me. I’ve got the game inside me and I know it’s going to come out some time and it will be a good game against Terry.”

Saturday’s quarter-finals will also feature reigning champion Phil Taylor against Welsh left-hander Mark Webster, who has impressed in his run to the last eight for a second successive year.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Third Round
Wednesday
Mark Webster 4-1 Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor 4-1 Peter Wright
Thursday
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Robert Thornton
Andy Smith 0-4 Gary Anderson
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Mark Walsh
Simon Whitlock 2-4 Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld 4-3 Colin Osborne
Mensur Suljovic 0-4 Wes Newton

Saturday January 1 2011
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (2pm)
Wes Newton v Terry Jenkins
Adrian Lewis v Vincent van der Voort
Evening Session (7.30pm)
Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Mark Webster
Best of nine sets

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 4-2 SIMON WHITLOCK
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2)
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT caused a sensational upset by knocking out 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock with a 4-2 win at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Whitlock took the game’s opening set, but van der Voort took the next three sets to lead 3-1, hitting six 180s in a brilliant third set as he blew the Australian apart.

Whitlock regathered himself to win the fifth set, but van der Voort punished his missed doubles in the deciding leg of the sixth to seal the biggest win of his career and set up a quarter-final with Adrian Lewis.

“It’s unbelievable for me and nobody can ever take that moment away from me,” said van der Voort. “If it had gone three-all, I’m not sure I’d have won so I knew it was now or never to finish him off at the end.

“I’m in the quarter-finals and you have to improve in every game. Simon was a very tough opponent for me but I got through it and if I can beat the world number four I can beat anybody.

“Adrian is a very quick player and a great player, and I will have to be better than this to beat him but I think I have a good chance.”

Whitlock started the match brilliantly, hitting a 180 with his first three darts and taking the opening leg in 15 darts by landing double 16.

The Australian hit another maximum in the second leg but van der Voort managed to take it to level before Whitlock won the third by hitting double eight.

In the fourth leg Whitlock secured the first break of throw of the match with an 80 finish to seal the set and establish an early lead.

Van der Voort won the opening leg of the second set by hitting double four but missed one dart at double top in the next leg for a break of throw.

Whitlock capitalised by hitting double 12 to level and then hit double top to win the third leg, only to then miss a dart at double 16 which would have given the set, as the Dutchman hit 96 in two darts to steal the leg.

The deciding leg saw van der Voort miss three darts at double top for the set, but Whitlock could not land double 16 and the 20th seed returned to hit double five to edge the set and square the match.

Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the third set before van der Voort hit back-to-back maximums to leave himself on double eight after nine darts.

However, he missed three darts at double eight and Whitlock made the Dutchman pay by taking out 104 to win the leg.

The fourth leg went to van der Voort on double eight before he took the deciding leg with an 11-darter to lead the match for the first time after Whitlock narrowly missed the bullseye for a 170 finish.

Set four saw van der Voort continue the momentum of the third set as he won it by three legs to nil, landing double two in the opener before breaking throw on double 16 after Whitlock missed two attempts at doubles.

In the third leg van der Voort, who defeated Wayne Jones in the second round, hit an 80 finish in two darts to seal the set and extend his lead.

In the fifth set Whitlock fought back well as he hit double 16 to win the first leg and double top in the next, capitalising on the Dutchman’s five missed darts at doubles.

Whitlock then won the third leg to seal the set before hitting two more maximums in the opening leg of the sixth set.

Van der Voort, though, was also producing high scores and won the leg by landing double top before taking the second in 13 darts to go one leg away from the match.

Whitlock survived to win the third leg after his opponent missed six match darts, and then won the fourth with the aid of his seventh maximum of the contest.

The Australian hit three straight 140s to take command of the deciding leg, but went to miss four darts at doubles and van der Voort managed to keep his nerve to hit 76 in two darts to record the biggest win of his career.

“I’m working really hard on my game and it looks like what I am doing is starting to pay off,” he added.

“My level of scoring is the same as the best players in the game but my doubles has been the thing that has let me down in the past. I just hope to continue this level of form.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-3 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-1, 2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD came from behind on two occasions to defeat Colin Osborne in an epic seven-set tussle in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

After losing the first set, Osborne won three of the next four to lead 3-2 and leave the 2007 World Champion on the brink of defeat.

But van Barneveld stormed through the next two sets by winning six of the final seven legs to join his fellow countryman Vincent van der Voort in the quarter-finals, where he will now face Gary Anderson.

The start of the match saw van Barneveld miss four darts at doubles which allowed Osborne to step in and hit double ten to take the first leg.

Van Barneveld won the second to break back immediately, defying a 180 from Osborne, and then won went on to the third leg.

Osborne hit another maximum in the next leg but van Barneveld took out a 104 finish to seal the first set and establish an early lead.

The start of the second set saw van Barneveld miss two darts at doubles and Osborne duly accepted the invitation to take the leg by landing double ten.

Osborne then hit a superb 139 checkout to win the second leg but the five-time World Champion fought back to win the next two legs.

In the deciding leg, van Barneveld was first to the finish but he missed three darts at doubles for a 2-0 lead and Osborne hit double eight to edge the set and level the match.

Van Barneveld managed to secure a break of throw at the start of the third set by hitting double four after Osborne was off-target with four attempts at doubles.

However, the Dutchman then failed to win the second leg after he missed four darts at double 18, which allowed Osborne in to hit double six.

Both players posted double top to share the next two legs before Osborne won the deciding leg by hitting double six for the second time in the set to lead the match for the first time.

Van Barneveld produced a fabulous 156 checkout to make a winning start to the fourth set but missed two darts at doubles for the second leg and Osborne won it on double ten.

Both players traded 14-dart-finishes to leave Osborne one leg away from a 3-1 lead, but the world number three showed his champion qualities by kicking off the deciding leg with a 180 and winning it with a 96 finish.

At the start of the fifth set, Osborne hit a 111 checkout to win the first leg before van Barneveld held throw to level in the second.

In the third leg, van Barneveld missed a dart at double 16 and Osborne made his opponent pay by hitting the same bed for a 2-1 lead.

Osborne then won the deciding leg by landing double three to regain the lead after the Dutchman missed three darts at doubles.

Van Barneveld put the disappointment of losing the fifth set behind him by starting the next set by winning the first leg on double nine and then breaking throw in the second.

Osborne managed to win the third leg by taking out 90, but van Barneveld landed double nine for the second time in the set to send the game into a decider.

Buoyed by winning that set van Barneveld kicked-off the final set with back-to-back maximums to leave the possibility of a nine-darter for the second time in successive nights.

The attempt at a seventh treble 20 was again unsuccessful, but the leg was won in 11-darts before he then won the second leg by hitting double 16 and an accurate attempt at double eight confirmed victory.

“At some stages in the game I wanted to give up and I was so tired, but I fought for my life in the last set,” said van Barneveld.

“I played seven good legs in the last set and got the win, but I will need to be better on Saturday.

“I’m a big fan of Gary. He’s a big scorer and a fantastic player, he’s been brilliant so far and maybe this could be his year – but he’s got me in his way!”

WES NEWTON 4-0 MENSUR SULJOVIC
(3-2, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
WES NEWTON won through to his first Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship quarter-final, ending the hopes of Mensur Suljovic with a straight-sets victory.

Newton, who had failed to get past the last 32 before in this competition, has yet to drop a set in victories over Darin Young, Brendan Dolan and Suljovic, who had knocked out number two seed James Wade on Tuesday but failed to repeat the form in the third round.

Newton won the first leg with a 78 finish before Suljovic won the next leg by hitting double 16 to get off the mark.

Newton held throw to win the third leg but missed two darts at double top to win the set in the next and Suljovic took the opportunity to win the leg by hitting double 14 and level.

The Fleetwood ace, though, put that disappointment behind in the deciding leg with a 13-dart finish to win the set.

Newton started the second set impressively by winning the first leg against the throw, which included his second maximum of the match.

The next two legs were shared, leaving Newton 2-1 up, and he won the fourth leg by hitting double top to win the second set and take command of the game.

Newton hit a 180 in the process of winning the first leg of set three before Suljovic managed to take the second by landing double 14 with his final dart.

The Fleetwood man regained the lead by winning the third with a 64 finish and then hit double top in the next to increase his lead to 3-0.

Newton hit the bullseye to complete the 90 finish to win the first leg of the fourth, and a clinical 71 finish put him one leg away from the match.

Suljovic continued to fight and hit a 180 at the start of the third leg before posting double two to keep the game alive, after Newton missed a dart at bullseye for the match.

Newton, though, held throw in the fourth leg and he made that advantage count by hitting double 16 to record victory.

“This is the biggest tournament in the world and I know I am capable of doing well here,” said Newton. “Sometimes you try too hard and I think that’s been why I’ve never been past the second round and not produced my best in the World Championship before.

“I’m treating it as just another tournament and trying to enjoy myself, which I’m doing. Mensur is hard to play because he’s so slow, but I did what I needed to.

“There’s a lot more to come from me. I’ve got the game inside me and I know it’s going to come out some time and it will be a good game against Terry.”

AFTERNOON – ANDERSON STORMS ON AS LEWIS & JENKINS IMPRESS

GARY ANDERSON, Adrian Lewis and Terry Jenkins lit up the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with sensational displays to move into the quarter-finals of the tournament on Thursday afternoon.

Anderson backed up two previous ton-plus averages with the fifth-highest average in the history of the tournament, at 108.39, as well as hitting ten 180s in a 4-0 win over Andy Smith.

That display came after he hit 13 maximums in Wednesday’s victory over Dennis Priestley, as the Scot reaffirmed his quality at the highest level.

“I’m very pleased to follow up my performance from yesterday,” said Anderson, who takes on Raymond van Barneveld or Colin Osborne in Saturday’s quarter-finals.

“I’ve always wanted to produce good darts on television and it’s taken me some time but I’m getting there now.

“If I can keep playing like that there’s no reason I can’t do well here but you never know when the scoring or doubles will desert me.”

Lewis, meanwhile, hit nine 180s and a 167 finish in a 4-1 defeat of Scotland’s Robert Thornton, as he reached the last eight for the fourth time in six World Championship appearances.

“I wanted to go out there and hit a ton-plus average to send a warning out and I’ve done that,” said Lewis.

“As long as I get myself right, keep calm and prepare right then there’s no reason I can’t win this tournament. I’m happy being a dark horse, but nobody can bet against me.”

Lewis will now meet either 2010 runner-up Simon Whitlock or Vincent van der Voort in the quarter-finals, while Jenkins swept aside Mark Walsh in straight sets with a fine display.

Jenkins produced a clinical display to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship since 2007, hitting almost 50 percent of his chances at a double during the win.

“I felt more comfortable and I’m pleased with my performance,” said Jenkins. “When the pressure is on me I seem to be more determined and that showed against Mark, and I’m looking forward to the quarter-finals.”

Thursday’s evening session concludes the third round, with Simon Whitlock meeting Vincent van der Voort and Raymond van Barneveld taking on Colin Osborne before Mensur Suljovic – who knocked out number two seed James Wade in the second round – plays Wes Newton.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Third Round
Thursday December 30
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Robert Thornton
Andy Smith 0-4 Gary Anderson
Terry Jenkins 4-0 Mark Walsh

Evening Session (7pm)
Simon Whitlock v Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld v Colin Osborne
Mensur Suljovic v Wes Newton

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-1 ROBERT THORNTON
(3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0)
ADRIAN LEWIS reached his fourth Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship quarter-final in six years with a 4-1 victory over Robert Thornton.

Lewis was once again in excellent form and Thornton was unable to keep up the relentless pace that was set as the Stoke star ended the match with a three-dart average of 101.05.

The World Grand Prix runner-up will now face either Simon Whitlock or Vincent van der Voort in Saturday’s quarter-finals, as he continued his challenge for a maiden World Championship title.

“I’ve never usually performed in afternoon matches, so I’m really pleased with what I managed to do today,” admitted Lewis.

“I’ve got much more belief in myself now and I am more consistent than I was when I reached the first quarter-final back in 2006.”

Lewis won the opening leg of the contest against the darts with a two-dart 64 finish after Thornton missed one dart to take out 107.

The fifth seed then hit a fantastic 167 checkout to win the second and then hit double six to win the third leg and with it the first set.

The Stoke ace kept up the momentum in the second set as he won three more legs in succession to double his lead, hitting double top at the first time of asking to win the first leg, breaking throw to win the second and a maximum in the process of winning the third.

Thornton, who defeated Nigel Heydon and Andy Hamilton in his first two matches, managed to win his first leg of the match at the start of the third set with a 76 finish, despite a 180 from Lewis.

Lewis levelled with a 101 finish before Thornton led again by taking out 62 to win the leg, which included maximums from both players.

The pair hit a maximum apiece again in the fourth leg, which Lewis won on double two before the Scotsman hit double 18 with his last dart to win the set and get back into the match.

The 25-year-old hit a 12-darter to make a winning start to the fourth set, which was completed by landing double 12.

Lewis then won the second by hitting double top, but Thornton hit a third 180 in the process of taking the third leg, despite Lewis missing a dart at double 12 for the set.

Thornton then took out an excellent 101 finish with Lewis waiting on a two-darter, but the youngster won the deciding leg with the aid of his seventh 180 of the match to regain his two-set advantage.

Lewis hit a 12-dart finish in the first leg of the fifth set and then took out 108 to win the second leg.

Both players hit maximums in the third leg, but Thornton missed two vital attempts at doubles and Lewis stepped up to hit double top to end the game.

“I wanted to go out there and hit a ton-plus average to send a warning out and I’ve done that,” said Lewis.

“As long as I get myself right, keep calm and prepare right then there’s no reason I can’t win this tournament. I’m happy being a dark horse, but nobody can bet against me.”

GARY ANDERSON 4-0 ANDY SMITH
(3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
GARY ANDERSON stormed into the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship by producing an incredible performance to end Andy Smith’s hopes at Alexandra Palace.

Anderson hit ten maximums in a game which lasted just 16 legs and went on to end the match with a three-dart average of 108.39 – the fifth highest in the event’s history.

The Scotsman, competing in his second PDC World Championship, will now face either Raymond van Barneveld or Colin Osborne on New Year’s Day after following up Wednesday’s win over Dennis Priestley with another heavy-scoring display.

“I’m very pleased to follow up my performance from yesterday,” said Anderson. “I’ve always wanted to produce good darts on television. It’s taken me some time but I’m getting there now.”

Anderson started the game just as he did in the previous round against Priestley, winning the first leg with a clinical 121 finish.

Smith, who defeated sixth seed Mervyn King on Wednesday, hit the same checkout to win the second on the bullseye before Anderson regained the lead by holding throw in the third leg.

The Scotsman, who had averaged over the 100 mark in his first two matches, then won the set in the fourth leg by recording an 83 finish.

Anderson wasted four chances to make a winning start to the second set and Smith took the opportunity by landing double five to elad.

Anderson won the second leg with the aid of a maximum before Smith won the third on double 16, which also included a 180 for the 27th seed.

Anderson hit an 11-dart finish to win the fourth leg and then double five with his third dart in the deciding leg after Smith had missed a dart at double 16 to win the set himself.

The Scotsman stepped up another gear at the start of the third set as he won the first leg with the aid of two maximums.

A 12-dart finish gave Anderson the second leg and he then posted two more maximums in the third leg, although five missed doubles allowed Smith in to win his first leg in five on double eight.

In the fourth leg Anderson made no mistake and won the leg in 13 darts to win a third set in a row and leave his opponent with a mountain to climb.

The fourth set followed a similar pattern and despite Smith continuing to fight he was unable to keep up with Anderson as he won the opening two legs of the fourth set in 13 and 14 darts.

The third leg saw Anderson move ahead to set up the chance for victory, and after Smith missed tops for a 160 finish to keep the game alive the Scot hit the same bed to seal the win.

TERRY JENKINS 4-0 MARK WALSH
(3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
TERRY JENKINS reached his first Ladbrokes.com World Championship quarter-final since 2007 after ending the challenge of Mark Walsh with a 4-0 victory.

The first set proved to be vital in the final outcome, with Walsh missing opportunities for an early lead before Jenkins took charge to set a last eight clash against either Wes Newton or Mensur Suljovic.

Jenkins started the match well by breaking throw with a 98 finish to win the opening leg and then hit double 18 to win the second.

Walsh won his first leg of the match in the third by hitting a 124 finish, which was completed on the bullseye.

He then took out 76 to win the fourth leg but wasted two vital chances at double top to win the set and Jenkins stepped in to hit double four and edge ahead.

Jenkins, who defeated Steve Brown in the second round, hit a 180 at the start of the second set but Walsh won the first leg by recording a 106 finish.

Jenkins put an excellent 11-dart finish together to win the second and then took out 76 to win the third leg.

Walsh won the next leg on double four after Jenkins missed three opportunities to win the set, but the man from Ledbury made no mistake in the deciding leg as he hit double top to extend his lead.

Double top was successfully hit again at the start of the third set by Jenkins and he put Walsh under more pressure when he hit a 120 finish to win the second leg.

Walsh hit a second maximum in the process of winning the third leg but Jenkins posted double ten in the next leg to win the set and leave the Hertfordshire ace’s hopes hanging by a thread.

Jenkins did not let up and won the opening leg of the fourth set by holding throw before kicking off the second with back-to-back 180s.

His hopes of a nine-darter were ended when an attempt at a seventh treble 20 was off-target, but he won the leg in 14 darts to edge towards a victory which was completed in the next when he hit double ten to wrap up a comprehensive win.

“I felt much happier with my game today and I’m getting better as each round goes by,” said Jenkins.

“My first two games against Joe Cullen and Steve Brown were tough and I didn’t feel as comfortable in those games as I did today.

“When the pressure is on me I seem to be more determined and that showed against Mark, and I’m looking forward to the quarter-finals.”

TAYLOR SETS UP WEBSTER TIE AS BARNEY POWERS ON

PHIL TAYLOR’S bid to win a 16th World Championship title will continue into the New Year after he set up a quarter-final with Mark Webster at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Reigning champion Taylor overcame colourful qualifier Peter Wright 4-1 to progress through the third round of the tournament at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.

Lowestoft’s Wright – nicknamed ‘Snake Bite’ had defeated Co Stompe and Paul Nicholson to reach the last 16, and after losing the first eight legs hit back to win the third set against the 15-time World Champion.

However, he missed three darts to lead in the fourth and Taylor punished him with a 13-darter to take the set before sealing the victory in set five.

“I’m improving and I’m feeling good,” said Taylor. “Peter played well and pushed me, and he took out some good finishes so I was relieved to get the winning double in the end.

“I’ve got two days off before the quarter-finals and I’ll have a good preparation. I’ve not played like a World Champion yet but it’s time to step it up.”

Taylor will now face Welsh left-hander Webster on New Year’s Day in a repeat of their semi-final a year ago, when the Stoke legend took a 6-0 victory.

Webster, though, continued to show his improvement since then with a fine performance to see off Mark Hylton 4-1, hitting finishes of 156, 128, 125 and 118 in another high-quality performance.

“It was a massive round to get through in terms of the competition and I felt under pressure, but I got the job done,” said Webster.

“That average won’t win me a World Championship but I’m still in the tournament and I’ll be better in the next round. I played Phil last year and it didn’t go well for me but I’ve learned from that and I think I’ve got a great chance.”

Wednesday evening’s other game saw the second round completed as Raymond van Barneveld hit ten 180s in a brilliant 4-1 win over Kevin McDine, who held his own for much of the game and hit six maximums.

Van Barneveld now faces 2009 UK Open finalist Colin Osborne on Thursday in one of the remaining six third round games to be played across two sessions.

“I’m very pleased with my game against Kevin, because I had a 98-odd average and hit my doubles,” said van Barneveld.

“I’m looking forward to playing in a good game against Colin. He’s a world class player but there are no easy games and I’m treating every game as if it’s a final.”

Thursday also sees 2010 World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock taking on Holland’s Vincent van der Voort, while Wes Newton takes on giant-killer Mensur Suljovic, who knocked out world number two James Wade on Tuesday.

Adrian Lewis opens the afternoon session against Robert Thornton, Andy Smith plays Gary Anderson and Terry Jenkins plays Mark Walsh.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Wednesday December 29
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Colin Osborne 4-0 Jamie Caven
Gary Anderson 4-2 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 3-4 Andy Smith

Evening Session
Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Kevin McDine
Third Round
Mark Webster 4-1 Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor 4-1 Peter Wright

Thursday December 30
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Adrian Lewis v Robert Thornton
Andy Smith v Gary Anderson
Terry Jenkins v Mark Walsh

Evening Session (7pm)
Simon Whitlock v Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld v Colin Osborne
Mensur Suljovic v Wes Newton

SECOND ROUND
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-1 KEVIN McDINE
(3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD booked a place in the third round of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a classy 4-1 victory over Kevin McDine.

With the match balanced at a set apiece the Dutchman won the next three in a performance that included ten maximums to set up a last 16 clash against Colin Osborne on Thursday night.

Van Barneveld, who came from a set down to beat Steve Hine in the first round, started confidently, hitting double eight to win the first leg and began the second with a 180.

The five-time world champion hit another maximum two visits later but missed five darts at doubles to win the leg.

McDine was unable to capitalise as he missed two chances of his own and van Barneveld hit double five to secure a 2-0 lead, and then won the third with a 71 finish to win the set and gain an early advantage.

Van Barneveld took the opening leg of the second set against the darts, despite a 180 from McDine, before winning the second with a maximum of his own.

The Dutchman hit his fifth 180 of the match in the third leg but McDine landed double ten with his last dart to win his first leg of the contest.

McDine then won the fourth leg when he converted an 88 finish, with his opponent waiting on double ten for the set, and then hit double 16 at the first time of asking to take a set that he seemed unlikely to win and level the match.

McDine then won his fourth leg in succession at the start of the third set when he capitalised on a missed attempt at the bullseye from the Dutchman by taking out a 95 finish.

The second leg saw McDine miss five chances to keep his run of legs going and van Barneveld hit double one for an immediate break back, before the five-time World Champion hit a maximum in taking the third.

However, he missed one dart at double four for the set in the next leg and McDine took out 70 in two darts to nick it.

Van Barneveld, though, made no mistake in the deciding leg as he hit back-to-back 140s followed by a clinical 121 checkout to win the set and regain the lead.

Both players hit maximums in the opening leg of set four, which McDine managed to win by landing double 12 with his final dart.

The second leg saw van Barneveld begin with back-to-back 180s to set up the chance of achieving a third nine-darter in this competition.

The attempt at a seventh successive treble 20 fell short of the target, denying him a chance of the £10,000 bonus, but the leg was won in 11 darts.

The next two legs were shared before van Barneveld hit consecutive 140s in the deciding leg to get to a finish first and hit double top to complete a 13-darter to win the set and establish a two-set lead.

Van Barneveld then continued the momentum by holding throw to win the first leg of the fifth set and broke with a 94 finish as he moved a leg away from the match, before double 18 to completed victory.

“I started well and looked like going two sets up, but Kevin played well in the middle of the game,” said van Barneveld. “I put big scores together at important times to get the win, and I am pleased with the 98 average.”

THIRD ROUND
MARK WEBSTER 4-1 MARK HYLTON
(3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
MARK WEBSTER became the first player to reach the quarter-finals of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-2 victory over Mark Hylton.

The contest fell in favour of the Welshman when Hylton missed five darts to win the third set for a 2-1 lead, and from then Webster won six of the next eight legs to progress.

He will now take on Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day as he bids for revenge against the world number one for a 6-0 loss in last year’s semi-finals.

Webster, who defeated Ronnie Baxter in straight sets in the second round, started the match superbly with a 156 checkout to win the first leg and then won the second by hitting double top.

Hylton got off the mark by landing double ten and then hit a maximum in the fourth leg, but Webster took out tops to secure the first set.

Hylton, who defeated Steve Beaton and Colin Lloyd to reach this stage in his World Championship debut, won the opening leg of the second set against the darts and took the second with an 81 finish.

The third leg saw Webster miss five chances to hit back, but Hylton missed four doubles of his own and the Welshman returned to hit double five.

Hylton, though, made no mistake in the deciding leg by hitting his second maximum of the game in a 14-dart finish to win the set and level the match.

Hylton held throw at the start of the third set by hitting double ten with his third dart before Webster won the second with an excellent 125 checkout.

Hylton hit a 68 finish to win the third leg but missed two darts at double 19 to win the set in the fourth and Webster stepped in to level.

The deciding leg saw Hylton miss three more chances to win the set and Webster once again punished him, taking out a 118 checkout to steal a set he seemed unlikely to take.

Hylton won the first leg of the fourth set in 14-darts before Webster hit back to win the second with a 128 checkout.

Both players hit 180s in the third leg, which Webster won by hitting double five, and he then hit double ten to win the fourth leg and the set after Hylton missed two chances at double 16.

The former Lakeside Champion then broke throw at the start of set five and hit double top in the next to win his fifth successive leg, which put him within touching distance of victory.

Hylton stopped the rot by winning the third leg on double five but Webster hit double ten in the next to complete a 15-darter and win the match.

“It was a massive round to get through in terms of the competition and I felt under pressure, but I got the job done,” said Webster. “Everything’s been plain sailing so far, so when you get a challenge you have to meet it and I did that.

“That average won’t win me a World Championship but I’m still in the tournament and I’ll be better in the next round. I played Phil last year and it didn’t go well for me but I’ve learned from that and I think I’ve got a great chance.”

PHIL TAYLOR 4-1 PETER WRIGHT
(3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)
PHIL TAYLOR booked a quarter-final clash against Mark Webster on New Year’s Day after a 4-1 victory over Peter Wright in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Taylor appeared to be strolling to a comfortable victory after he won the opening eight legs of the match, but Wright produced a spirited performance to win a set against the 15-time World Champion and had chances to lead in the fifth.

However, three missed doubles cost him dearly as Taylor hit back to win the set and also took the next to secure the win.

“It was bit difficult to concentrate after getting so far ahead early on,” admitted Taylor. “Peter really picked up his game and I’m pleased he gave me a test like that as it should be a real help when I play Mark Webster in the next round.”

Taylor won the opening leg of the match against the darts by hitting double 16 after Wright missed a dart to hold throw.

Taylor then landed double eight to win the second, defying a 180 from Wright, and went to win the set without reply by hitting three straight 140s in the third leg, followed by double six for a 1-0 lead.

The world number one hit a maximum in the opening leg of the second set, which was won with a 14-darter, and then won a fifth consecutive leg after Wright missed three darts at tops.

Wright missed a dart at the bullseye for a 121 finish in the third leg and Taylor continued the charge to hit double eight with his final dart to double his lead.

Taylor, who defeated Gary Mawson and Per Laursen in straight sets in his first two matches, hit an 88 finish to win the first leg of set three, with Wright waiting on a double.

Taylor landed double eight to win the second leg but Wright took his first leg of the contest in the next with an impressive two-dart 98 finish.

Wright then hit his second 180 followed by a 116 checkout to win the fourth leg and then took the deciding leg with a 61 finish, completed on double top, to take the set and reduce the deficit.

Wright missed a dart at double top for a 120 finish which would have given him his fourth leg in a row at the start of the fourth set, as Taylor stepped in on double four.

Wright levelled on double ten but missed three darts at double 18 and nine to win the third and Taylor punished him.

Taylor then stepped up a gear by hitting back-to-back maximums to open the fourth and set up a possible nine-darter.

His attempt at a seventh successive treble 20 was just above the wire, but he went on to win the leg in 13 darts to restore his two-set advantage.

Wright started the fifth set in superb fashion by winning the first leg in ten darts before Taylor levelled by hitting double four.

Taylor then the third leg to put himself within touching distance of victory after Wright had missed three darts at doubles.

In the fourth, Taylor missed a dart at double top for a 117 finish and Wright managed to take out 75, hitting double 12 with his third dart, to keep the match alive.

The deciding leg proved to be dramatic as Taylor missed a dart at double 19 to win the match, but Wright was unable to take the two chances he had at double 18 and Taylor returned to complete the win with his third dart.

AFTERNOON – ANDERSON WINS CLASSIC AS OSBORNE & SMITH PROGRESS

GARY ANDERSON held off Dennis Priestley’s fightback to win an epic Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship clash at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday afternoon, as Andy Smith and Colin Osborne also moved into the last 16.

Anderson looked set to cruise into the third round of the £1 million event when he took the opening three sets with a 110 average in a scintillating display.

Veteran two-time World Champion Priestley, though, took the next two to mount a thrilling comeback, only to miss darts to win the sixth set and level before Anderson – who hit 13 180s in the game – sealed victory.

“I was cruising at 3-0 and then started to miss doubles,” said Anderson, who ended the game with a second successive 103 average. “It probably should have gone to three-all but I got lucky and pulled through.

“A 103 average is only average compared to what I do in practice, when I hit 116-125 averages and it would be great to do that on stage.”

Priestley, who turned 60 in July, admitted afterwards that the defeat could be his last World Championship appearance, should he slip out of the world’s top 32 over the next year, and also praised Anderson’s performance.

“He was absolutely awesome for the first three sets – as good as anything I’ve played against, including Phil Taylor,” said Priestley.

“I was wondering what I had to do to get back in the game. I rode the storm and got myself back into it by hitting the scores he had been doing and put the pressure on him, but I couldn’t get that double to make it three-all.

“If I keep playing decent darts I should be back next year but you never know what’s going to happen.”

Andy Smith picked up the biggest win of his career, hitting six ton-plus finishes in a 4-3 win over former semi-finalist Mervyn King to set up a clash with Anderson on Thursday.

“I’m so happy to be through but I’ll have to play a lot better than that to beat Gary,” said Smith. “I’m not happy with that performance and I know I can improve, but I stuck in there and did the job.”

Colin Osborne was the afternoon’s other winner, defeating Jamie Caven in straight sets in the ‘Derby derby’ to win a place in the third round, where he will play the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Raymond van Barneveld and Kevin McDine.

“I’m over the moon to win 4-0,” said Osborne. “In my first World Championship I made the quarter-finals but I’ve not had the best run in the last few years so I’m pleased to be in the third round.”

After van Barneveld’s clash with McDine completes the second round, the third round begins with in-form Mark Webster facing Mark Hylton and reigning champion Phil Taylor facing Peter Wright.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Wednesday December 29
Afternoon Session
Colin Osborne 4-0 Jamie Caven
Gary Anderson 4-2 Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King 3-4 Andy Smith

Evening Session (7pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v Kevin McDine
Third Round
Mark Webster v Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor v Peter Wright

COLIN OSBORNE 4-0 JAMIE CAVEN
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
COLIN OSBORNE defeated Jamie Caven in the last 32 of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a straight-sets victory in the ‘Derby derby’.

The 14th seed hit the vital finishes when they mattered to end hopes of his local rival, and will now face either Raymond van Barneveld or Kevin McDine in the next round.

Osborne, who defeated Chris Thompson in his first match, held throw to win the first leg of the match by hitting double top before Caven replied to win the second with a solid 108 finish.

Caven then capitalised on eight missed attempts at doubles by Osborne to win the third leg before the 2009 UK Open finalist hit straight back to win the fourth in 14 darts.

Osborne had advantage of throw in the deciding leg and made that count by getting to a finish first, and he hit double 16 to gain an early lead.

Caven hit a maximum in the process of winning the opening leg of the second set, but missed a dart at double 15 for a 90 finish in the next and Osborne took out 91 on the bullseye to level.

Osborne then won the third leg against the darts and despite missing four darts at doubles in the next leg he was able to return and hit double four to take the set.

Osborne also made a winning start to the third set by taking the first leg in 15 darts after Caven missed an opportunity to steal the leg when a dart at the bullseye for a 121 finish was off-target.

Caven made no mistake in the second and hit the bullseye for 121 to win it before Osborne hit his third maximum of the game at the start of the next leg.

Osborne went on to win that leg with a 13-dart finish by hitting double six, but Caven took the fourth by landing double 14.

Osborne was first throwing in the deciding leg and, although his scoring power deserted him and Caven was first to the double, six missed doubles allowed him back in to hit a 74 finish to steal the leg and win a third consecutive set.

Both players hit maximums in the first leg of the fourth leg but Osborne hit the winning double as he landed tops to break throw.

Osborne gave away the advantage in the second as he missed five darts at doubles, and Caven stepped in to hit double six.

But a fifth 180 followed by a two-dart 65 finish gave Osborne another break of throw, and a solid 15-dart-finish in the fourth leg secured Osborne a third round place.

“It really was a battle out there,” said Osborne. “The scoreline does not really reflect the game, but I dug in and got the job done.

“In our floor tournaments, Jamie is probably one of top five players in the game, but things are different on that big stage and it can be difficult to adjust.”

GARY ANDERSON 4-2 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2)
GARY ANDERSON survived a spirited comeback by two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley with a 4-2 victory in an enthralling second round clash at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Anderson was on fire in the opening three sets and his three-dart average had reached the 111 mark at that stage of the contest as he blew the 60-year-old.

The Scot could have ended the contest in the fifth set, but Priestley showed typical grit and determination to fight back to 3-2 – only to miss chances to level as Anderson secured victory and a place in the last 16.

Anderson started the game in sparkling form, hitting a maximum in the opening leg and then winning it with a fantastic 144 checkout.

Two maximums were recorded by Priestley in the second but it was not enough as Anderson took out 140 to win the leg.

Anderson missed a dart at bullseye to win the set in the third leg and Priestley managed to get off the mark by hitting double four.

But Anderson hit his third 180 in the fourth leg and went on to hit double top to complete a 13-dart finish and claim the first set.

Priestley, who defeated Bernd Roith in the first round, hit a maximum at the start of the second set and went on to win the leg against the darts after Anderson missed chances to win it for himself.

The Scotsman was clinical in winning the second leg however, as a 100 finish was successfully completed in two darts, and the third was won in 13-darts as he moved ahead.

Anderson hit three consecutive 140s in the fourth leg to establish command, but four missed attempts at doubles allowed Priestley in to hit double top at the first time of asking.

In the deciding leg, Anderson made no mistake despite heavy pressure from Priestley as he hit double 12 to win the leg and double his advantage.

Anderson, who impressively defeated Japan’s Morihiro Hashimoto in his first match, kept up the pace at the start of the third set by breaking throw with a two-dart 72 finish to win the first leg.

Priestley continued to fight and produced a showpiece 100 checkout, which included two double tops, to win the leg.

However, Anderson secured another break of throw to win the third, with the aid of his fourth 180 of the game, and a two-dart 64 gave the Scotsman the set to leave Priestley with a mountain to climb.

Priestley made a winning start to the fourth set by hitting double top with his third dart after Anderson had missed one attempt at the same double.

Priestley hit a 13-darter to double his lead after both players had hit 180s before Anderson won the third in style with a 141 checkout.

But Priestley hit his seventh maximum of the contest and went on to win the next leg with a 14-darter and reduce the deficit.

The start of the fifth set was fast and furious as three maximums were recorded – two of which fell to Anderson – and he won the leg in 11 darts to gain an early lead.

Anderson hit two more maximums in the process of taking the second leg to go one leg away from victory, and when he hit his 11th 180 he seemed on course to win the match.

But missed darts at doubles allowed Priestley to step in and win the leg by hitting double top.

Priestley did the same again in the fourth leg after the 11th seed was off-target with another dart to the end the game.

In the decider Priestley won his third consecutive leg with some class by taking out 111 to win the set and give Anderson something to think about.

The opening leg of the next saw Anderson miss three attempts at doubles and Priestley made his opponent by landing double six with his final dart.

Priestley hit a 13-dart finish to win the second leg before Anderson won his first leg in six by hitting double top.

The fourth leg proved to be a dramatic affair and a costly one for Priestley as he missed six chances to win the set and force a decider and Anderson, who had missed chances of his own, hit double one.

Anderson hit his 13th maximum of the game in the deciding leg and went on to hit a 70 finish to end Priestley hopes of an incredible comeback.

“I was hitting 140s and 180s with regularity in the opening three sets but things started to go wrong,” admitted Anderson.

“Dennis is a true legend of the game and a tough competitor. I had prepared myself for a deciding set but I managed to get the job done in the end.”

Priestley, who put up a gallant effort said, “I was never going to give when I was 3-0 down even with the superb standard that Gary was producing.

“I do regret missing those opportunities to take the match into a deciding set as you never know what could have happened.”

ANDY SMITH 4-3 MERVYN KING
(3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-1)
ANDY SMITH claimed the biggest win of his career as he came out on top in an epic second round encounter with a 4-2 triumph to end Mervyn King’s hopes of claiming a first Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship title.

Smith had led the match 3-1 but saw King come to level at three apiece before winning the deciding set to confirm a place in the third round of this competition for the second time in his career.

“I took the chances when I had them in the early part of the match, and I had the match won, said Smith, who hit six ton-plus checkouts.

“But I let things get away from then on and gave Mervyn chances. He wasn’t at his best and I stuck in and got the win.”

Smith started the match in excellent fashion converting a 140 checkout to win the first leg and went on to take the second, defying a maximum from his opponent.

Smith, who had lost in the first round the last three years, hit a 180 of his own in the third leg and went on to hit double 12 to win the opening set without reply from King.

King got off the mark at the start of the second set by hitting double 16 at the first time of asking and then won the second, capitalising on a missed attempt at double top from Smith.

Smith won the third leg against the darts but King won the next leg by hitting an 84 finish, completed on double 11 to win the set and level the game.

King won his third leg in succession at the start of set three by taking out 61 but Smith hit a 14-dart finish to level.

The sixth seed hit a 14-darter of his own to win the third leg but Smith took the fourth by hitting double nine with King waiting on double four.

The deciding leg saw Smith hit his third maximum of the game to reach a finish first, but two darts at doubles to win the set were off-target – only for King to miss tops for a 120 checkout as he returned to hit double two to edge the set and lead again.

In the fourth set Smith, who defeated Australian Shane Tichowitsch in the first round, produced some superb finishing to lead the match 3-1, hitting a 136 checkout to win the first leg and a 114 finish to win the second after King had landed a maximum.

Both players hit 180s in the third leg before King managed to win it in 13 darts, but Smith won the fourth with a 121 checkout to seal the set in impressive fashion.

Smith held throw to win the opening leg of the fifth set, but King replied to win the second by hitting double two.

Both players hit maximums in the third, but King took it against the darts with a 121 finish and then won the fourth by taking out 72 in two darts to win the set.

King kept up the momentum to start the sixth set with his fifth maximum of the match and won the leg with a 62 finish.

Smith landed double top to win the second and level, but King hit a 14-dart finish to win third leg and regain the lead.

In the fourth, King had left himself on 62 to take the set but Smith hit a 120 checkout to go one leg away from winning the match.

Smith hit a 140 with his first three darts of the deciding leg but he couldn’t keep that consistency and King was first to a finish.

However, he missed a dart at double top allowing Smith a chance to win the match – only for his attempt at double top to fall agonisingly short and King returned to hit double ten and keep the match alive.

Smith managed to hit double top to make a winning start to the final set and then took the second after King was off-target with six darts at doubles to level.

That put Smith one leg away from winning the match, but he missed two more chances – this time at double eight – and King, who had missed three previous opportunities to win the leg, hit the double his opponent had missed.

The fourth leg saw Smith miss another chance to take the match, but King failed to land double top with four attempts and Smith stepped in to hit double eight and end a dramatic match.

“I’ll have to play a lot better than that to beat Gary but I’ve won all five games we have played before and I’ll be confident,” added Smith.

WADE SENT PACKING AS SULJOVIC PRODUCES ALLY PALLY MAGIC

WORLD number two James Wade was sensationally dumped from the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship by Mensur Suljovic on Tuesday night, as the Austrian took a 4-2 win in their second round contest.

Wade had entered the £1 million event as the second favourite, but was sent packing by the 38-year-old from Vienna, who was rated at 6/1 just to win the match.

Suljovic hit seven 180s and, after Wade edged the fourth set to level, he took the final two sets for a memorable triumph.

“It’s absolutely the best moment of my career,” said Suljovic, who had stayed in England with his wife and son over Christmas after knocking out Michael van Gerwen in round one.

“It feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and I am over the moon. I’m so happy that my wife and son are here to share this moment.”

Suljovic will now play Wes Newton in the third round on Thursday night, after the world number 15 defeated Brendan Dolan in straight sets.

Dolan had knocked out Kevin Painter in the first round, but never recovered from missing five darts at doubles to win the opening set before Newton – aided by finishes of 135 and 136 – pulled through.

“I’ve never got past the last 32 before but I’ve drawn world-class players like Kevin Painter, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis, but I feel this could be my year.

“I’ve played really well all year and I’m happy and enjoying my darts. Everything’s going good and I’m looking forward to my next game.”

Meanwhile, Simon Whitlock powered into the last 16 with a straight sets win over Denis Ovens.

Australian star Whitlock, who reached the final on his debut at Alexandra Palace last year, averaged almost 103 in the second-best performance so far in the event to send a warning shot to his rivals.

He also took out finishes of 164 and 135 in checking out over 50 percent of his chances at a double, and dropped only two legs to Ovens as he set up a third round clash with Vincent van der Voort on Thursday.

“I’m finding my form now,” said Whitlock. “I’ve put in a lot of hours since then, four to five hours every single day, and I’m preparing well for this World Championship because I want to win it badly.

“I think I’m a bit better than last year. Most of us are really nervous in the first round but I was a lot more calm tonight.”

The second round will conclude with the remaining four games on Tuesday, beginning with the ‘Derby derby’ between Colin Osborne and Jamie Caven.

Scotland’s Gary Anderson will play two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley and Mervyn King will play Andy Smith, before Raymond van Barneveld concludes the second round when he plays Kevin McDine.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor will face Peter Wright in one of the two third round games to begin on Wednesday night, with in-form Mark Webster playing fellow left-hander Mark Hylton in the other contest.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Tuesday December 28
Afternoon Session
Mark Walsh 4-3 Alan Tabern
Wayne Jones 2-4 Vincent van der Voort
Terry Jenkins 4-1 Steve Brown

Evening Session
Wes Newton 4-0 Brendan Dolan
Simon Whitlock 4-0 Denis Ovens
James Wade 2-4 Mensur Suljovic

Wednesday December 29
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Colin Osborne v Jamie Caven
Gary Anderson v Dennis Priestley
Mervyn King v Andy Smith

Evening Session (7pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v Kevin McDine
Third Round
Mark Webster v Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor v Peter Wright

WES NEWTON 4-0 BRENDAN DOLAN
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
WES NEWTON reached the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the first time in with a straight-sets victory over Brendan Dolan at Alexandra Palace.

The first set proved to be the pivotal in the eventual outcome of the match, as Dolan missed five darts to take the lead before Newton hit a 135 finish.

The Fleetwood ace went on to take the next three sets and will now take on Mensur Suljovic in the third round on Thursday.

Dolan, who defeated former finalist Kevin Painter in the first round, hit a 180 in the opening leg of the match, which he won against the darts, and hit a 15-dart finish to double his lead.

Dolan missed three darts at doubles in the third leg, allowing Newton to step in with an 80 finish, and the Fleetwood man won the fourth leg with the aid of a maximum.

The deciding leg saw Dolan miss two further attempts at doubles to win the set and Newton made him pay with a fantastic 135 checkout, completed on the bullseye, to dramatically snatch the lead.

Newton, buoyed by that finish, hit a 180 in the process of the winning the first leg of the second set and then recorded a 13-darter to win the second.

Newton was on course to win the third leg but missed three darts at double 12 and Dolan stole the leg by hitting double 16.

But Newton, who defeated Darin Young in straight sets in his first round match, put together his second 13-darter of the set to establish a commanding 2-0 lead.

Newton hit double top to win the opening leg of the third set and repeated the trick in the second to break his opponent’s throw.

He then opened the third leg with a 180, but a 168 from Dolan left 40, and Newton was unable to land double 12 allowing the Northern Irish number one to return and hit double top to keep the set alive.

Dolan missed two darts at double top to win the fourth leg, but Newton was unable to capitalise with two more chances to win the set and his opponent accepted the reprieve to win the leg.

In the deciding leg, Newton put the mistakes of the previous two legs behind him as he hit double 16 at the first time of asking to increase the margin to three sets.

Newton took the early initiative in the fourth set by taking the first leg with a 136 checkout and the second with a 65 finish to move one leg away from the match.

Dolan hit a 62 finish to win the third leg but missed three darts to win the fourth and Newton promptly ended matters by hitting double four.

“Brendan came out firing but I thought I had to put a bit of pressure on him and I did that,” said Newton.

“He still should have won the first set, but gave me the shot at a 135 and lucky for me it went – but finishes like that change games.”

He added: “I’ve never got past the last 32 before but I’ve drawn world-class players like Kevin Painter, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis, but I feel this could be my year.

“I’ve played really well all year and I’m happy and enjoying my darts. Everything’s going good and I’m looking forward to my next game.”

SIMON WHITLOCK 4-0 DENIS OVENS
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
SIMON WHITLOCK reduced Denis Ovens to just two legs in a crushing second round triumph at the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Whitlock produced the kind of display that saw him reach the final of last year’s competition and ended the match with a three-dart average of 102.86 – the second highest so far in the tournament.

The Australian also produced finishes of 164 and 135 in taking a straight sets win, and will now play Vincent van der Voort for a place in the last eight.

Ovens held throw to win the opening leg by hitting double eight before Whitlock hit the same double to win the second after missing the bullseye for an attempt at a 164 checkout.

The Australian then took out a 135 finish to win the third leg and landed double ten in the fourth to win the set and grab an early lead.

Whitlock hit the first 180 of the match in the opening leg of the second set and returned to the oche to hit an 84 finish, completed on the bullseye.

The bullseye came into the equation again in the second leg as the world number four hit two treble 19s followed by the bullseye, for a 164 checkout to take a 2-0 lead.

In the next leg Whitlock had a chance to better that with a 170 checkout, only to miss the bullseye before he returned to land double four for a two-set lead.

The early stages of the third set followed a similar pattern to the second as Whitlock hit a 13-dart finish to win the opening leg and double 16 gave him the second.

Ovens managed to hold his throw in the third leg to stop Whitlock’s run of eight consecutive legs, but the Australian soon returned to winning ways by taking the next leg with the aid of a maximum to secure the set.

Whitlock hit a 13-dart finish to open up the fourth set and improved on that in the second leg with a 12-darter, which included back-to-back maximums.

The third leg also went the way of the Australian as he hit double four to complete a superb performance.

“I’m finding my form now,” said Whitlock. “I’ve put in a lot of hours since then, four to five hours every single day, and I’m preparing well for this World Championship because I want to win it badly.

“I think I’m a bit better than last year. Most of us are really nervous in the first round but I was a lot more calm tonight.

“Vincent’s a class player and I know that it will be a tough match. I’ll just play my game and won’t worry about his fast throwing style.”

Whitlock entered the stage waving an inflatable kangaroo which was sporting an English flag – in reference to Australia’s under-fire cricket team who are heading for an Ashes defeat.

“I’m feeling for the boys in the cricket,” he added. “They’re going through a bit of a transition and England have the best team in the world at the moment, but we’ll fight back.”

MENSUR SULJOVIC 4-2 JAMES WADE
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)
MENSUR SULJOVIC created the biggest shock of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship to date by defeating world number two James Wade with an incredible 4-2 triumph.

Suljovic had led the match 2-1 and had chances to increase his lead to 3-1 before Wade levelled by punishing his misses in the fourth set.

But the Austrian won the next two sets to end Wade’s hopes of a maiden World Championship crown for another year, and will now face Wes Newton in the next round.

Wade won the opening leg with a 97 finish but missed three chances for a 2-0 lead, which allowed Suljovic to level by hitting double four with his third dart.

Wade held throw for a second time by landing double 12 at the first time of asking to win the third leg and then closed out the set in clinical fashion, with a two-dart 74 finish, to establish an early advantage.

Suljovic, who knocked out Michael van Gerwen in the first round, hit a 111 checkout to win the first leg of the second set and double nine gave him the second.

Wade hit back with a 12-dart finish to win the third leg and an accurate attempt at double five gave the world number two the fourth.

But Suljovic hit his first 180 of the contest in the deciding leg and returned to the oche to take out 97, completed by hitting double top with his last dart, to square the match at one apiece.

Wade missed three darts at double top to take the first leg of the third set and it nearly proved costly as Suljovic just missed an attempt at the bullseye to take out a 170 finish.

Wade, though, returned to hit double top before Suljovic won the second leg after the left-hander missed two darts at doubles for a 2-0 lead.

Both players traded 13-dart-finishes before Suljovic won the deciding leg against the darts with a 96 checkout to win the set and lead the match for the first time.

Suljovic won his third successive leg at the start of the fourth set, but Wade managed to win the next leg, which included his first 180 of the match.

Suljovic hit double top to win the third leg but Wade held throw in the fourth with a 13-darter, completed on double 12, to level.

The deciding leg proved to be a tense affair, with Suljovic first to a finish only to waste two darts at double six as a relieved Wade took the opportunity to hit double ten and square the game.

Suljovic put that disappointment behind him to break throw in the opening leg of the fifth set with a 72 finish.

The Austrian also secured the second leg by hitting double ten but missed seven chances at doubles to win the set in the third, allowing Wade to pinch the leg.

The World Grand Prix champion missed a dart at double eight for a 127 finish in the fourth leg and Suljovic took out 72 to win the set and lead the match for the second time.

Wade secured a break of throw at the start of the sixth set, but Suljovic hit back with a 13 darter to win the second leg.

Suljovic won the third leg on double two and had a chance to win the match in the fourth, but missed double 14 to complete a 121 checkout and Wade hit a two-dart 75 finish under severe pressure to keep his hopes alive.

However, Suljovic hit his seventh maximum of the contest in the deciding leg and went on to post double top to secure a famous victory.

“It’s absolutely the best moment of my career,” said Suljovic, who had stayed in England with his wife and son over Christmas after knocking out Michael van Gerwen in round one.

“It feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced before and I am over the moon. I’m so happy that my wife and son are here to share this moment.”

AFTERNOON – WALSH EDGES THROUGH AS DUTCH ACE & JENKINS PROGRESS

MARK WALSH won through to the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the first time with a thrilling 4-3 tie-break win over Alan Tabern at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday.

Walsh, who has battled his way back into the world’s top ten since overcoming a bout of dartitis, saw Tabern miss six match darts during a dramatic contest.

The Hertforshire thrower then edged the seventh set 5-3 in a tie-break to secure his place in the third round on Thursday, where he will now face Terry Jenkins.

“I feel a bit lucky because Alan was the better player and had so many chances to knock me out, but for some reason didn’t take them,” said Walsh.

“He gave me chances and I sneaked through, and I’m happy to be through to the next round. I’m going to enjoy the moment and hopefully get as far as I can.”

Jenkins won his place in the last 16 with a 4-1 win over Steve Brown, who hit back from losing the opening eight legs to threaten a fightback before the number seven seed took the fifth in securing victory.

“I wanted revenge against him because I felt I should have beat him in the World Matchplay in the summer and I was more determined to beat him this time,” said Jenkins.

“It was difficult to keep my concentration in the early sets because Steve wasn’t hitting anything. But I got the job done and I can look forward to the last 16 now.”

Holland’s Vincent van der Voort was the afternoon’s other winner, impressing with finishes of 148 and 116 in defeating Wayne Jones 4-3.

“I worked really hard and am very happy to get the win,” said van der Voort. “This is the big one and as long as you’re in it, you count for something and I want to be the best I can – every night I go to sleep dreaming of being World Champion.

“I can improve, and my first dart isn’t as good as I want it to be at the moment. I’ll be practising on Wednesday and resting for my next game.”

Van der Voort will now face the winner of Tuesday evening’s game between Simon Whitlock and Denis Ovens in the third round, with world number two James Wade taking on Austria’s Mensur Suljovic in the evening and Wes Newton playing Brendan Dolan.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Tuesday December 28
Afternoon Session (1pm)
Mark Walsh 4-3 Alan Tabern
Wayne Jones 2-4 Vincent van der Voort
Terry Jenkins 4-1 Steve Brown

Evening Session (7pm)
Wes Newton v Brendan Dolan
Simon Whitlock v Denis Ovens
James Wade v Mensur Suljovic

MARK WALSH 4-3 ALAN TABERN
(2-3, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 6-4)
MARK WALSH reached the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship for the first time after overcoming Alan Tabern in an epic second round encounter which lasted almost two hours at Alexandra Palace.

Tabern had led the match 2-0 and 3-2 only to see his opponent come back to level on both occassions before he made the St Helens man pay for six missed darts to win the match during the final set.

Walsh will now face Terry Jenkins or Steve Brown for a place in the quarter-finals on Thursday, and admitted: “I feel a bit lucky because Alan was the better player and had so many chances to knock me out.

“He gave me chances and I sneaked through, and I’m happy to be through to the next round. I’m going to enjoy the moment and hopefully get as far as I can.”

Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the contest and Walsh continued that trend with a 110 finish to win the third leg.

Walsh, who defeated Justin Pipe in the first round, missed double five for a 130 checkout that would have given him the set in the fourth leg and Tabern hit double eight to level matters.

Walsh hit back-to-back maximums in the deciding leg and looked on course to win the set, but three more darts went begging and Tabern hit a superb 160 checkout to steal the lead.

Buoyed by winning that set in dramatic fashion, the left-hander hit double top to win the opening leg and then landed double nine to break throw in the second, defying a maximum from his opponent.

Tabern hit his first 180 of the contest to kick off the third leg but missed three darts to win the set.

Walsh, though, was unable to capitalise as his dart at double four was just off-target and Tabern returned to hit double five and establish a 2-0 lead.

Tabern, who overcame the challenge of Wales’ Richie Burnett in his first game, continued the winning the run of legs by constructing a 13-darter to make a winning start to the third set.

Walsh managed to stop the rot by taking the second leg on double top to win his first leg in seven and took the third on the same double after Tabern wasted three opportunities to win it himself.

Walsh hit his fourth maximum of the game in the fourth leg and then capitalised on a missed dart at double from Tabern to win the leg by hitting a 103 finish to win the set and get back into the match.

Tabern won the first leg of the fourth set with a two-dart 64 finish before Walsh levelled with the aid of a maximum.

Walsh hit double top at the first time of asking, cashing in on missed doubles by Tabern, and the former UK Open finalist repeated the trick in the fourth leg to win the set and square the match at two apiece.

The fifth set began with some excellent finishing for both players as Walsh hit 146 to win the first leg before Tabern took out 135 and 104 to win the next two.

Both players hit maximums in the fourth leg, but Tabern was first to a finish and hit double 16 at the first time of asking to win the set and regain the lead.

Tabern won the first leg of the sixth set, which included a maximum from both players, before Walsh replied to win the second after holding throw.

Walsh secured a break of throw to win the third leg but could not make that advantage count as four chances at doubles went begging to win the set and Tabern landed a pressure double eight with his last dart.

That put Tabern one leg away from victory but his scoring power deserted him in the decider and Walsh hit a timely 180, followed by a two-dart 61 finish to send the match into the final set.

Walsh won the opening leg by hit double top but Tabern soon levelled by taking out a 64 finish in two darts.

Tabern then secured a break of throw in the third leg with a 15-dart finish, but five chances to win the match in the fourth went begging and Walsh kept his nerve to hit tops and send the match into a tie-break.

Walsh held throw to win the fifth leg and hit a maximum at the start of the sixth, but Tabern produced the more consistent scoring to win the leg and then secured a break of throw by landing double ten.

That took him a leg away from winning the match for the second time but a dart at the bullseye for a 127 finish to end the game was off-target and Walsh hit double 12 to complete a 14-darter.

Walsh hit double five to move 5-4 ahead and then held his nerve to land a 102 checkout to complete a superb victory.

“I think it was a tough game for both of us out there, although the crowd certainly enjoyed it,” added Walsh.

“I feel that Alan played better than me as a whole, but he didn’t take the chances when he had them.”

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 4-2 WAYNE JONES
(3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1, 0-3, 3-2)
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT defeated Wayne Jones with a 4-2 victory in the second round of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com Word Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.

Van der Voort, who has never won past the last 16 before at the World Championship, will now face either Simon Whitlock or Denis Ovens for a place in the quarter-finals.

Van der Voort hit double eight to win the first leg before Jones, who reached the final of the European Championship this summer, took the second with an 81 finish to level.

The Dutchman, who defeated New Zealand’s Preston Ridd in his first match, held throw for a second time to win the third leg and then hit a 76 finish in the fourth leg to establish an early lead.

Jones hit a 180 at the beginning of the second set and went on to win the first leg by hitting double eight.

Van der Voort hit double 12 to level before Jones regained the lead by recording a 120 checkout after the Dutchman had his first maximum of the game.

Jones then broke his opponent’s throw for the first time in the game, in the fourth leg, by landing double eight to square the game at one apiece.

The third set began with van der Voort winning the first leg by hitting double top and he then broke Jones’ throw to win the second, after the Wolverhampton man missed four attempts at doubles.

Van der Voort then won the third leg by hitting double top to wrap up the set and lead the match for the second time.

Jones held throw to win the first leg of the fourth set before van der Voort won the second with the aid of his second maximum of the game.

Both players fired in 180s in the third leg but Jones was off-target with two darts at doubles and van der Voort was clinical in completing an 80 finish in two darts to win the leg against the throw.

Van der Voort then kept up that form by hitting a superb 148 checkout to secure the set and increase his lead to 3-1.

The Dutchman should have won the opening leg of the fifth set but two attempts at doubles were off-target and Jones hit double 18 to break throw.

Jones, who has broken into the top 16 for the first time in his career after some excellent performances in 2010, won the second leg and then took out 89 on double 16 to win third leg and reduce the deficit.

Jones kept up the momentum to win his fourth leg in a row with a 93 finish to win the first leg of the sixth set.

Van der Voort won the second leg defying a 180 from his opponent but Jones regained the lead by winning the third after both players had hit maximums.

Van der Voort took the fourth by landing double four with his last dart to move within touching distance of victory, and that was secured in the deciding leg as the Dutchman hit a 116 checkout.

“I worked really hard and am very happy to get the win,” said van der Voort. “This is the big one and as long as you’re in it, you count for something and I want to be the best I can – every night I go to sleep dreaming of being World Champion.

“I can improve, and my first dart isn’t as good as I want it to be at the moment. I’ll be practising on Wednesday and resting for my next game.”

TERRY JENKINS 4-1 STEVE BROWN
(3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2)
TERRY JENKINS secured a last 16 place at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory over Steve Brown.

Jenkins won the opening eight legs of the contest to gain a firm grip on the match and he went to set-up a third round clash against Mark Walsh, who had earlier defeated Alan Tabern in an epic seven-set encounter.

Jenkins came out of the blocks quickly, winning the first leg with an 88 finish before securing a break of throw in the second by landing double ten.

Three maximums were recorded in the next leg, two of which fell the way of Jenkins before he hit double two to win the first set without reply.

Jenkins, who lost to Steve Brown in the first round of this year’s World Matchplay back in July, hit his third 180 in the process of winning the opening leg of the second set.

Brown was unable to take two chances at doubles in the second leg and Jenkins stepped in to hit double five with his last dart.

Jenkins then hit double 19 at the first time of asking to win the next leg and establish a 2-0 lead with his opponent yet to win a leg.

The seventh seed continued his good form by taking out 117 to win the first leg of the third set and then broke Brown’s throw with an 80 finish.

The third leg saw Jenkins miss two darts at double top, which would have given him the set, and Brown hit double eight to win his first leg of the contest.

Brown, who defeated former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen in the first round, won the next by hitting double four and then hit his third maximum of the game in the deciding leg.

Jenkins had another chance to win the set, but a dart at bullseye to complete a 164 finish was off-target and Brown hit double top with his last dart to take a set he seemed unlikely to win.

Jenkins put the disappointment of the third set behind him at the start of the fourth by breaking his opponent’s throw by hitting double five with his last dart.

A clinical two-dart 96 finish gave the Ledbury thrower the second leg and he hit double 18 in the next to regain his two-set advantage and move 3-1 up.

Jenkins held throw at the start of the sixth set before Brown hit back to win the second with an excellent 126 checkout, completed on the bullseye.

Jenkins won the third leg with the aid of his fifth maximum of the game and back-to-back 140s in the next put him on course to win the match.

However, he was off-target with his attempt at double top and Brown landed a pressure double five with his last dart to keep the match alive.

In the deciding leg, though, Jenkins made no mistake as he hit an 80 finish in two darts to end the match.

“I wanted revenge against him because I felt I should have beat him in the World Matchplay in the summer and I was more determined to beat him this time,” said Jenkins.

“It was difficult to keep my concentration in the early sets because Steve wasn’t hitting anything. But I got the job done and I can look forward to the last 16 now.”

MONDAY 27/12 EVENING –

PHIL TAYLOR bounced back to top form at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, sweeping past Denmark’s Per Laursen in straight sets to move into the third round at Alexandra Palace.

The 15-time World Champion had been below-par in his first round defeat of Gary Mawson before Christmas, but returned to London boosted by the improving health of his recently-born third grandchild and his second place in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

He went on to drop just four legs in a straight sets win over Denmark’s Laursen to progress to the third round, where he will now meet Lowestoft’s Peter Wright in the last 16 on Wednesday night.

“I feel like I’m ready to win the World Championship now,” said Taylor. “I was nice and relaxed because the pressure has been taken off me.

“My little grandson is out of intensive care, which was a massive pressure on me, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year was one of the greatest days of my life, one of my proudest ever days.

“It’s been a humbling week for me and the crowd were incredible to me tonight. I was a bit worried before the match but I’ve got through it and I’ve not dropped a set yet.”

Wright had book defeated Paul Nicholson earlier on Monday and was joined by Rugeley’s Mark Hylton as an unseeded qualifier in the third round, after the left-hander knocked out former world number one Colin Lloyd 4-2.

Lloyd hit back from 2-1 down to level superbly and lead in the fifth set, only for Hylton to win the final six legs without reply to secure his place in the last 16, where he faces Wales’ Mark Webster, who had seen off Ronnie Baxter in straight sets.

Stoke’s Adrian Lewis – a quarter-finalist last year – swept aside Mark Dudbridge 4-1, with the 2005 runner-up taking the fourth set to threaten a comeback from 3-0 down before the 25-year-old wrapped up the win.

Lewis now plays Robert Thornton in the third round, after the Scot brushed off Andy Hamilton in straight sets.

The second round continues on Tuesday with six games set across two sessions at Alexandra Palace, including world number two James Wade against Austria’s Mensur Suljovic and last year’s World Championship runner-up Simon Whitlock facing Denis Ovens.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Monday December 27
Afternoon Session
Ronnie Baxter 0-4 Mark Webster
Paul Nicholson 2-4 Peter Wright
Andy Hamilton 0-4 Robert Thornton
Evening Session
Colin Lloyd 2-4 Mark Hylton
Adrian Lewis 4-1 Mark Dudbridge
Phil Taylor 4-0 Per Laursen

MARK HYLTON 4-2 COLIN LLOYD
(3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-0)
MARK HYLTON continued his giant-killing feats at the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship by dumping out former world number one Colin Lloyd with a 4-2 victory.

With the match all-square at two sets apiece, former airline cabin manager Hylton produced some high class darts to win six successive legs and see off Lloyd, who became the fourth member of the top 16 to fall on day nine of the competition.

Hylton had knocked out Steve Beaton in the first round, and is rewarded with a clash against Mark Webster in the last 16 on Wednesday as his dream World Championship debut continued.

Lloyd won the opening leg against the darts by hitting double top, after Hylton had missed a dart at the same double.

Lloyd, who defeated Andree Welge in an extraordinary five-set encounter in the first round, won the second leg by hitting double 16 to extend his lead.

Hylton won his first leg of the contest in the next by hitting double ten and then hit the same double to win the fourth leg for a break of throw.

Both players began a dramatic deciding leg with a maximum before Hylton had the first opportunity to win the set, but he missed two darts at doubles to allow Lloyd in.

Lloyd, though, was unable to take the chance as three darts at double 18 were just off-target and Hylton hit double ten for the third successive leg to edge a tight set.

Lloyd won the opening leg of the second set by hitting double eight before Hylton levelled in the second and then broke throw by hitting double top after the Essex ace missed a dart at bullseye for a 170 checkout.

In the fourth leg, Hylton missed a dart at bullseye for a 126 checkout, which would have given him the set, and Lloyd hit double four to break back.

Lloyd had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg and hit a fantastic 136 checkout to seal the set in style and square the match at one apiece.

Hylton hit his second maximum of the game in the opening leg of third set, and won it in 15 darts before breaking throw in the second by taking out 66 after Lloyd had missed two darts at tops.

In the third leg Hylton hit double ten to win the set and lead the match for the second time.

Lloyd made a winning start to the fourth set with an 86 finish but Hylton won the second with a clinical two-dart 64.

Hylton then won the third leg against throw before Lloyd produced some class to win the next two legs in 12 and 14 darts to win the set and leave the match finely balanced.

Lloyd kept that excellent form going with another 12-dart finish to win the opening leg of the fifth set, but replied in the same manner to stop his run before posting a 12-dart finish to win the third leg.

Hylton hit another maximum in the fourth, his third in successive legs, and then returned to the oche to produce a fabulous 138 checkout to win the set and move ahead in the match for a third time.

Hylton hit his seventh maximum at the start of the sixth set but missed a dart at double top to win the leg, although two misses at tops from Lloyd allowed him back on double ten to break.

Hylton then hit back-to-back 140s at the beginning of the second leg and won it on double 12, with his third dart, to move one leg away from victory.

In the third leg, Lloyd missed one dart at double 16 for a 102 checkout and Hylton hit double top to complete a 68 finish and secure a famous victory.

“I’m over the moon – I can’t believe what’s happened but I am delighted with this victory,” said Hylton. “I was really up for the game and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the key was that I took my doubles out

“I know how good I can be but in the past my mind wandered and I lost focus. I feel that I can improve in the longer formats and they will suit me better.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-1 MARK DUDBRIDGE
(3-2, 3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2)
ADRIAN LEWIS sealed a third round place at the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory over Mark Dudbridge.

Lewis was in scintillating form to win the first three sets of the match before Dudbridge staged a brief revival.

However, Lewis closed out the game in a tight fifth set to set up a clash against Robert Thornton in the last 16 on Wednesday.

Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the contest and Lewis continued that trend when he won the third leg, with the aid of a maximum.

Dudbridge, who defeated Alex Roy in the first round, hit a 180 of his in the fourth leg and won it 12 darts to force a decider.

Lewis had the advantage of throw in the final leg and hit a clinical 171 to leave 36 before posting double nine to win the leg and secure a high-quality first set.

The number five seed stepped a gear in the second set with some fabulous finishing, hitting 94 to break throw in the first leg and an effortless 111 checkout to take the second, before posting his second maximum and an 84 finish to seal the set and leave Dudbridge two sets down.

Lewis hit double ten to win the opening leg of the third set before Dudbridge won the second with an impressive 13-dart finish.

Both players hit maximums in the third leg, which was won by Lewis after the Bristolian missed two chances to break his opponent’s throw.

The fourth leg saw both players kick-off with back-to-back 180s but it was won by Lewis 12 darts to win the set and leave Dudbridge with a mountain to climb.

Dudbridge was off-target with three attempts at doubles at the start of the fourth set, and Lewis stepped in to hit double for a break of throw.

But Dudbridge showed great character to hit back and win the second by hitting double eight with his first dart and the third by landing double four.

Dudbridge hit his sixth maximum of the game at the start of the fourth leg and went on to win in 13 darts to win the set.

The opening leg of the fifth set proved to be a dramatic affair as both players struggled to find the winning double, and it eventually went to Dudbridge, who hit double one with his last dart to break throw to continue the revival.

Dudbridge, though, missed a dart at the bullseye to win the second leg and Lewis hit double top to level before landing the same double to win the third.

That put Stoke ace one leg away from the match, but Dudbridge kept his hopes alive with a 107 finish to force a deciding leg to fifth set.

Lewis then missed one dart at double top to seal victory, but Dudbridge could take the chance given to him as he missed two darts at double 19 and eight, and Lewis made no mistake to hit double top at the first time of asking.

“I should have probably won the match 4-0 but I lost a little bit of focus and it cost me the fourth set, admitted Lewis.

“If Mark had taken that chance to win the last set I could have been trouble, but I’ve won and I can look forward to the next round.”

PHIL TAYLOR 4-0 PER LAURSEN
(3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
PHIL TAYLOR bounced back to top form at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, sweeping past Denmark’s Per Laursen in straight sets to move into the third round at Alexandra Palace.

The 15-time World Champion had been below-par in his first round defeat of Gary Mawson before Christmas, but returned to London boosted by the improving health of his recently-born third grandchild and his second place in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

He went on to drop just four legs in a straight sets win over Denmark’s Laursen to progress to the third round, where he will now meet Lowestoft’s Peter Wright in the last 16 on Wednesday night.

“I feel like I’m ready to win the World Championship now,” said Taylor. “I was nice and relaxed because the pressure has been taken off me.

“My little grandson is out of intensive care, which was a massive pressure on me, and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year was one of the greatest days of my life, one of my proudest ever days.

“It’s been a humbling week for me and the crowd were incredible to me tonight. I was a bit worried before the match but I’ve got through it and I’ve not dropped a set yet.”

Taylor broke his opponent’s throw at the start of the match with an 80 finish, which was soon followed by a 100 checkout to win the second leg.

Laursen won the third leg by landing double four after Taylor had missed an opportunity for the set, but the world number one hit double 16 to establish an early lead.

Taylor won the first leg of the second set hitting double top at the first time of asking before Laursen produced an excellent 13-darter to win the second and level.

Taylor won the third leg, hitting double top for the second time in the set before hitting three consecutive 140s in the fourth.

But two uncharacteristic errors by Taylor, who missed two darts at double 12, allowed Laursen, who beat three-time world champion John Part in the first round, to hit double eight.

Taylor had advantage of throw in the deciding leg and made that count by reaching a finish first and hit double top again to extend his lead.

Taylor, who defeated Gary Mawson on the opening night of the event, won the first leg of the third against the darts and then recorded a 107 checkout to win the second.

Laursen won the third leg with a 14-dart finish and had a chance to win the fourth, but his attempt at double top was off-target and Taylor hit a 68 finish to win the set and move 3-0 ahead.

Taylor hit his first maximum of the contest in the first leg of the fourth set and returned to the oche to hit double 16 before a break of throw moved him within touching distance of victory after Laursen missed a dart at double 12.

Laursen hit a maximum in the third – but that was his last visit to the oche as Taylor hit double top at the first time of asking to wrap up the match.

MONDAY 27/12 AFTERNOON – DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR SEEDS AS WEBSTER, WRIGHT & THORNTON PROGRESS

THREE players from the world’s top 16 were dumped out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship as the tournament resumed on Monday afternoon, as Mark Webster, Peter Wright and Robert Thornton picked up victories.

Webster, last year’s semi-finalist, knocked out number eight seed Ronnie Baxter in straight sets at Alexandra Palace, while world number 12 Andy Hamilton was defeated 4-0 by Scottish star Robert Thornton.

The number 16 seed Paul Nicholson, meanwhile, suffered a nightmare with his finishing as he went out 4-2 to Peter Wright, the colourful qualifier from Lowestoft who now faces either reigning champion Phil Taylor or Per Laursen in the last 16.

Nicholson had hit nine from 11 attempts at a double in his first round win over Steve Farmer, but missed 35 darts at a double against Wright, who desribed the win as “the biggest of my career”.

“I’m still in the tournament and I could go all the way,” added Wright. “I need to hit more treble 20s because there have been too many single 20s so far but I’m delighted to have won this.”

Hamilton – a semi-finalist in the 2007 World Championship – also endured a nightmare in his clash with Thornton, hitting just six from 38 attempts at a double as the Scot took full advantage.

Thornton took out finishes of 125 and 120 in the victory, and will take on Adrian Lewis or Mark Dudbridge in the third round.

Webster continued his impressive run of form with a 4-0 win over Ronnie Baxter in their clash.

Webster had reached the World Cup of Darts semi-finals with Barrie Bates three weeks ago and swept aside Steve Maish in round one, before hitting a 167 finish and a 97 average against Baxter.

“I’ve hit high averages before but not backed it up and at the moment I’m consistent and that’s been the difference,” said Webster “The priority was to come here and win that’s exactly what I did.”

The second round continues on Monday night, with Webster awaiting the winner of Colin Lloyd’s clash with Mark Hylton, which opens the evening before Lewis plays Dudbridge and Taylor faces Danish ace Laursen, who knocked out three-time World Champion John Part before Christmas.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Monday December 27
Afternoon Session
Ronnie Baxter 0-4 Mark Webster
Paul Nicholson 2-4 Peter Wright
Andy Hamilton 0-4 Robert Thornton

Evening Session (7pm)
Colin Lloyd v Mark Hylton
Adrian Lewis v Mark Dudbridge
Phil Taylor v Per Laursen

MARK WEBSTER 4-0 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
MARK WEBSTER recorded an excellent victory over Ronnie Baxter to advance to the third round of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Baxter was left to regret missed opportunities to win the second set and from then on Webster, who ended up in third place last year, took command to end the game with an other impressive 97-plus average.

Webster hit double top to win the opening leg after Baxter had missed one dart at double 18, although the Blackpool ace replied to hold his throw despite the Welshman having an opportunity for a two-leg lead.

Baxter hit a two-dart 80 finish to win the third leg against the darts but missed a dart at tops to win the set in the fourth and Webster took out 116 to level the set.

Webster held throw in the deciding leg and made that count by hitting double ten with his last dart to edge a tight opening set.

Baxter won the first leg after Webster missed a dart at bullseye for a 170 checkout, but the Welshman won the second with a fantastic 167 finish to level.

Baxter, who defeated Roland Scholten to reach this stage of the competition, won the third leg on double two after Webster missed two darts at double top.

Webster won the fourth leg after both players had hit maximums and then won the decider to win the set to double his advantage after Baxter missed four darts at doubles to square the match.

The left-hander then hit his third 180 of the game at the beginning of the set which was won in 11 darts and then won the second with a two-dart 100 checkout after Baxter was off-target with one dart at tops.

The set was sealed by the Welshman as he hit double top to win the third leg and leave Baxter, the eighth seed, with a mountain to climb.

Baxter, a quarter-finalist at last year’s event, hit a maximum at the start of the fourth set and followed that with a two-dart 93 finish to win the first leg.

Webster won the second by hitting double top to win the second leg but Baxter regained the lead winning the third after a successful attempt at double ten.

Webster won the fourth leg on double five and in the decider he hit scores of 174 and 140 to wrestle advantage of throw away from Baxter.

The Welshman missed two attempts at double top but Baxter was in no position to capitalise and Webster returned to hit double top to seal an excellent victory.

“I think I’ve got to improve for the rest of the competition, but I’ll take a 4-0 win anytime,” said Webster. “The priority was to come here and win that’s exactly what I did.

“I’ve hit high averages before but not backed it up and at the moment I’m consistent and that’s been the difference.”

Baxter said: “Mark played some great darts but I have him chances.

“In the first set I had a dart to win it, and I had three more in the second set and another two for the fourth, and he got what I couldn’t – the winning double in each set.

“It would have been different if I’d hit my doubles but he punished me when I missed my doubles and full credit to him.”

PETER WRIGHT 4-2 PAUL NICHOLSON
(3-2, 1-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-0)
PETER WRIGHT stunned Paul Nicholson with a 4-2 victory in the second round of the 2011 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Nicholson, who hit nine out of 11 attempts at doubles in his first round win over Steve Farmer, could not repeat the performance and Wright capitalised to seal a last 16 place against Phil Taylor or Per Laursen.

Wright had the led the match twice only for his opponent to come back and level on both occasions, but missed doubles from Nicholson allowed him to win six of final seven legs of the contest and claim the biggest win of his career.

Nicholson began brightly by hitting double top to win the opening leg and secure an early break of throw, before the second was won with a 15-dart finish.

Nicholson then hit the first maximum of the match in the third but Wright landed the winning double to take his first leg.

Nicholson missed six darts at double four to end the set in the fourth leg, and Wright managed to capitalise with an accurate attempt at double eight to begin a pattern which would continue throughout the game.

The deciding leg saw Nicholson miss another dart for the set, when a dart at tops to complete a 120 finish was off-target, allowing Wright to step in and hit double top to pinch the opening set.

Nicholson made a winning start to the second by hitting double top with his first attempt, and then won the second against the darts after the Players Championship Finals winner had missed two more opportunities.

Wright hit back to win the third leg by taking out 80 after Nicholson had missed five darts for the set, but the 16th seed made no mistake in the next as he hit double eight with his last dart to level the match.

Wright won the opening leg of the third set with a 120 finish and took the second by hitting double five with his last dart after Nicholson was off-target with two darts at double nine.

Wright then hit double top for the second time in three legs to complete the set and regain the lead.

A first maximum was hit by Wright in a 13-darter to win the opening leg of the fourth set, but he wasted chances to take the second and Nicholson stole the leg on double eight.

Nicholson hit a 92 finish to win the third, but Wright hit a pressure 90 – with his opponent waiting on a two-dart finish – to keep the set alive.

The deciding leg saw Nicholson produce his best darts of the match as he recorded back-to-back 180s to set up the chance of the nine-dart finish.

His attempt at treble 17 top open a 141 checkout fell just below the wire to end any chance of achieving the feat, but he did return to hit double eight for the set to square the match.

Both players held their throws in the opening two legs of the fifth set and Wright continued that sequence by winning the third leg on double 12 for a 2-1 lead.

The fourth proved to be dramatic as Wright missed three darts at doubles to win the set, but Nicholson could not capitalise on double top and the Lowestoft qualifier took out double five to lead the match for the third time.

Wright missed two at darts at tops for an early break of throw in the sixth but Nicholson missed opportunities at the same double and his opponent returned to hit double ten at the first time of asking.

Nicholson suffered more problems on the doubles in the second leg and Wright cashed in by hitting a 72 finish, before the pattern was repeated in leg three before Wright held his nerve to hit double ten to advance to the last 16.

“It’s the biggest win of my career,” admitted Wright. “Paul’s an excellent player and I knew it would be a tough game but he didn’t play to his usual level and I hit the doubles that mattered.

“I need to hit more treble 20s because there have been too many single 20s so far, but I’m still in the tournament and I could go all the way.”

ROBERT THORNTON 4-0 ANDY HAMILTON
(3-2, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
ROBERT THORNTON booked a place in the third round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace with a straight-sets triumph against Andy Hamilton.

The Scot’s return to form continued as he swept into the last 16, where he will now take on either Adrian Lewis or Mark Dudbridge.

Three of the four sets went to a deciding leg and Hamilton had chances to win the third set but those opportunities went begging as he hit just six of 38 attempts at a double in the game.

Thornton kicked off the match with a 180, but it was Hamilton who won the first leg by hitting double 16 with his third dart.

Hamilton hit a maximum himself at the beginning of the second, but Thornton landed the winning double to level and then moved 2-1 up by posting double 19, capitalising on four missed doubles by his opponent.

Hamilton hit his third 180 in the fourth leg and took out double 16 to level, but Thornton won the decider with a clinical 120 checkout to pinch the opening set.

The second set turned out to be a one sided affair as Thornton, who defeated Nigel Heydon in his first round game, won it without reply.

Thornton hit an excellent two-dart 76 to win the opening leg and took out double top to extend his advantage.

The Scotsman, who reached the final of the 2009 Players Championship Finals, then took out 62 in the third leg to win the set and establish a two-set lead.

Thornton won the opening leg of the third set by hitting double top, but the 21st seed missed three chances to win the second, and Hamilton hit double three with his last dart to win it.

Thornton hit double top for the second time in the set to lead again but Hamilton won the fourth on double eight after both players had traded maximums.

The deciding leg saw Hamilton miss three crucial darts at doubles to win the set and Thornton stepped in to hit a two-dart 86 to move one set away from victory.

Hamilton, who defeated Dennis Smith in a straight-sets win in the opening leg, hit an impressive 14-darter to win the first leg of the fourth set.

Thornton pinched the second leg by hitting double seven after Hamilton missed opportunities to extend his lead.

Hamilton won the third with another 14-dart finish before Thornton hit a 125 checkout to win the fourth leg and go within touching distance of victory.

Hamilton had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg but he was unable to reach the double and Thornton hit double top at the first time of asking to end his hopes.

“I’m really pleased with that,” said Thornton. “My finishing was good and I hit some good shots at the right time.”