The pair will compete for the £10,000 first prize during the Premier League Darts Play-Offs at The O2 on Thursday May 17, after producing some fine darts at the K2 Centre.

The duo also won spots in next week’s William Hill Grand Slam of Darts – where 19-year-old Hubbard will make his televised debut – and have secured two-year PDC ProTour Cards to compete on the professional circuit.

Dutch ace Van Gerwen – who lost to Arron Monk in last year’s final but topped the Youth Tour Order of Merit this year with four tournament victories – overcame his nerves to defeat Shaun Griffiths 5-3 in their semi-final.

The 22-year-old led 4-1 before missing a handful of match darts in the next two legs, but recovered to hit a superb 12-dart leg, which included a 140 finish, in winning his place in the final.

Van Gerwen, the number one seed, defeated fellow Dutchmen John de Kruijf and Gino Vos, Wales’ Kurt Parry and Market Drayton’s Darren Whittingham earlier in the event.

“I’m very happy,” said van Gerwen. “This is my last year on the Youth Tour and I’m very determined to leave with the World Youth Championship title.

“Losing to Arron Monk in last year’s final was very hard for me and it’s made me more determined to do better. I was the number one seed for this and I felt a lot of pressure, but I’m proud to have got through to the final.

“I’m pleased for James too because he played really well and it should be a good final. He’s one of the young players who can go a long way now on the Youth Tour.”

Hubbard, a 19-year-old from Wymondham in Norfolk, will emulate his father Vic in progressing to compete on the PDC circuit next year after securing his place in the final.

He impressed with wins over Scotland’s Michael Airnes, Birmingham’s Matt Gallett, Holland’s Dirk van Duijvenbode and Welsh ace Jamie Lewis to reach the semis.

There, he defeated number two seed Paul Barham 5-2 with a fine performance against the Essex star, who also won four Youth Tour events this year but fell one step short of the World Youth Championship final.

“It’s massive for me,” said Hubbard. “I work with my Dad as a painter and decorator and he’s already said that I can have time off to play in the Grand Slam and on the professional circuit next year.

“This is a big day for me and I’m very proud. A couple of times I won 5-4 and had to pull out a great final leg, but I’m pleased that I managed to do that and then perform well against Paul in my semi-final.

“It’s amazing now that I’ll be playing in the Grand Slam of Darts and that I’ve qualified for a Tour Card, and it’s going to be a great experience.”

Lewis and Whittingham were joined in reaching the quarter-finals by Leicester’s Sam Hill and Rhys Dudley, who won through a knockout at the Rileys Club Reading last weekend and knocked out Swindon’s professional Chris Aubrey, Finland’s Teemu Harju and Doncaster’s Brandon Walsh to progress to the last eight.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia was amongst the Last 16, but reigning champion Monk was a first round victim against Worcester qualifier Matthew Dicken, with St Helens’ Michael Smith also losing in round one, to Wolverhampton’s Ash Khayat.

PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship
First Round
Michael van Gerwen (1) 5-1 John de Kruijf
Kurt Parry 5-1 Thomas Humphrey
Adam Hunt 5-0 David Coyne
Gino Vos 5-2 Curtis Hammond
Ricky Evans (8) 5-3 Benjamin Songhurst
Aden Kirk 5-0 Steve Haggerty
Marc Evans 5-2 Liam Deveries
Darren Whittingham 5-4 Shaun Narain
Ash Khayat 5-3 Michael Smith (5)
Nick Kenny Bye
Max Hopp 5-1 Jonathan Mulley
Sam Hill 5-4 Josh Jones
Shaun Griffiths (4) 5-2 Ryan Maher
Ryan Hogarth 5-0 Lee Hodson
Matthew Dicken 5-2 Arron Monk
Jimmy Hendriks 5-2 Guy Holland
Paul Barham (2) 5-3 David Williams
Joe Hunt 5-0 Daniel King-Morris
Sergio Garcia 5-3 Franz Schrammel
Leon Bailey 5-4 Adam Smith-Neale
Rhys Dudley 5-2 Chris Aubrey (7)
Teemu Harju 5-1 Ryan Harrington
Matt Howard 5-2 Co Stompe Jnr
Brandon Walsh 5-4 Richard North
Reece Robinson (6) 5-3 James Thompson
Jamie Lewis 5-2 David Pallett
Oskar Lukasiak 5-1 James Hajdar
Jamie Landon 5-3 Steven Addison
Joe Cullen (3) 5-2 Nicholas Ellis
Dirk van Duijvenbode 5-1 Michael Finch
Matt Gallett 5-0 Robbie King
James Hubbard 5-1 Michael Airnes

Second Round
Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Kurt Parry
Gino Vos 5-4 Adam Hunt
Aden Kirk 5-2 Ricky Evans
Darren Whittingham 5-0 Marc Evans
Ash Khayat 5-4 Nick Kenny
Sam Hill 5-0 Max Hopp
Shaun Griffiths 5-4 Ryan Hogarth
Matthew Dicken 5-3 Jimmy Hendricks
Paul Barham 5-1 Joe Hunt
Sergio Garcia 5-3 Leon Bailey
Rhys Dudley 5-3 Teemu Harju
Brandon Walsh 5-1 Matt Howard
Jamie Lewis 5-4 Reece Robinson
Jamie Landon 5-3 Oskar Lukasiak
Dirk van Duijvenbode 5-4 Joe Cullen
James Hubbard 5-3 Matt Gallett

Third Round
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Gino Vos
Darren Whittingham 5-1 Aden Kirk
Sam Hill 5-3 Ash Khayat
Shaun Griffiths 5-3 Matthew Dicken
Paul Barham 5-3 Sergio Garcia
Rhys Dudley 5-3 Brandon Walsh
Jamie Lewis 5-3 Jamie Landon
James Hubbard 5-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Losers £625

Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Darren Whittingham
Shaun Griffiths 5-3 Sam Hill
Paul Barham 5-1 Rhys Dudley
James Hubbard 5-4 Jamie Lewis
Losers £1,250

Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Shaun Griffiths
James Hubbard 5-2 Paul Barham
Losers £2,500

Final
Michael van Gerwen v James Hubbard
Best of 11 legs
To be played on Thursday May 17 at The O2 in London
Winner £10,000
Runner-Up £5,000
Both finalists also invited to play in 2011 William Hill Grand Slam of Darts and awarded PDC ProTour Cards for 2012 & 2013, plus entry fees paid

World number one Taylor continued his bid for a tenth victory in the double-start format with a comfortable straight-sets victory over Nicholson, who failed to live up to the pre-match hype as he took on the Stoke great.

Taylor dropped just three legs in the game, and hit key finishes of 105, 120 and 147 in setting up a quarter-final with Mark Webster on Friday night.

“I’m really pleased with the win and it’s another indication that my game’s in good shape at the moment,” said Taylor. “Paul didn’t play as well as he can. He’s making a name for himself at the moment and he’s a very good player, but he’s not as consistent enough yet.”

Webster, who defeated Taylor in the quarter-finals of the World Championship in January, set up a repeat of that clash with a strong 3-1 defeat of Alan Tabern.

The Welshman shared the opening two sets but won six out of the final seven legs to move into the last eight on his debut at the Citywest Hotel.

“I’m glad to be in the quarter-finals but I won’t be sitting on my laurels and I’ll be confident,” said Webster. “I’ll go into it believing I can win the game.

“Obviously Phil’s the world number one and he’ll be the favourite but I beat him over a sets format in the World Championship. I’ve had hidings from him too but that doesn’t put me off and I’m not scared of him.”

Mark Hylton produced the biggest win of his career as he defeated number five seed Simon Whitlock 3-1 to reach only his second major televised quarter-final, coming from a set behind to take victory.

“It’s a dream come true to be in the quarter-finals,” said Hylton. “I’ve watched this event before and always fancied myself in it because I’ve played double-start in local leagues for a lot of years. On the stage it’s not quite as easy though!

“I’m getting towards my aim of the top 32 and I continue to surprise myself because I’ve only been playing professionally for 18 months and I’m getting better and better.

“I’ve still got a lot to improve on, but to beat Simon Whitlock 3-1 speaks volumes for me.”

He will face resurgent Richie Burnett on Friday night, after the Welshman won through to his first televised quarter-final since the 2004 Las Vegas Desert Classic with a 3-1 win over Denis Ovens.

Burnett only qualified for the World Grand Prix by winning a Players Championship in Holland a fortnight ago, but followed up Tuesday’s defeat of world number four Gary Anderson with another vintage display.

“I’m still taking it all in,” admitted Burnett. “It’s fantastic to be back.

After six or seven years away from playing on the stage, it’s taken me a while to get used to it again. It was my domain – it was where I played better – and it’s coming back.”

Friday’s quarter-finals will kick off with Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan taking on Scottish newcomer John Henderson, before reigning champion James Wade plays Andy Smith.

Taylor then takes on Webster, before Burnett and Hylton clash in the night’s final game.

PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix
Second Round
Thursday
Mark Webster 3-1 Alan Tabern
Simon Whitlock 1-3 Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor 3-0 Paul Nicholson
Richie Burnett 3-1 Denis Ovens

Quarter-Finals
Friday (7pm)
Brendan Dolan v John Henderson
Andy Smith v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Mark Webster
Mark Hylton v Richie Burnett
Best of seven sets

MARK WEBSTER 3-1 ALAN TABERN
(3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
MARK WEBSTER won through to the quarter-finals in his first PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 3-1 defeat of Alan Tabern at the New Citywest Convention Centre on Thursday.

The Welshman won the battle of the left-handers with a strong display, winning six of the game’s final seven legs after sharing the opening two sets with Tabern, who made a miracle comeback against Dave Chisnall in the first round.

Webster made an explosive start, with a pair of double ten finishes giving him the opening two legs before he also won the third to take the first set without reply.

He could also have led in the second, but missed double ten for a 140 finish as Tabern landed double top to win his first leg and double ten to take the second, despite a maximum from Webster.

Webster hit a second 180 in the third leg, and finished 142 brilliantly on tops to pull back to 2-1, only to then miss the same double in the next as Tabern capitalised to secure the set on double ten.

A pair of double top finishes gave Webster the lead in the third, and although Tabern took the third in reply and hit a 180 in leg four, Webster hit double ten to secure the set 3-1.

A 65 finish saw Webster lead in the fourth set, and he broke throw in the second leg to move one away from the victory.

The Welshman missed five match darts in the next, but Tabern was unable to convert two chances to stay in the game, as Webster returned to hit double four for the win.

“I thought I was very steady but I was very wary of Alan,” said Webster. “He’d been given a second life because Dave Chisnall missed 13 darts against him in the first round, so he was pretty relaxed.

“The start gave me confidence and although he got back level I always felt I was a score ahead of him. He’s a good finisher so I was glad to close it out.

“I’m glad to be in the quarter-finals but I won’t be sitting on my laurels and I’ll be confident.”

MARK HYLTON 3-1 SIMON WHITLOCK
(1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
MARK HYLTON produced the biggest victory of his career, sending world number five Simon Whitlock crashing out of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 3-1 triumph at Dublin’s New Citywest Convention Centre.

The left-hander from Rugeley followed up June’s run to the quarter-finals of the Speedy Hire UK Open by winning through to the last eight of his second major in style at the double-start event.

Having defeated Mark Walsh on his World Grand Prix debut on Sunday, Hylton was superb in seeing off the number five seed, who suffered a last 16 loss for the second successive year in Ireland.

Whitlock had made a strong start, hitting a 171 in taking the opening leg, and after trading double ten finishes with the left-hander he hit a 180 nd double four to secure the opening set 3-1.

The Australian also hit a 180 and double ten to break in the second set’s opener, but three misses at double 16 in the next allowed Hylton in to level with a 79 finish on double 11 before leading by winning the third.

Whitlock finished 124 on the bull to square the set, but Hylton took the decider on double five to level the game.

Hylton made a brilliant start to the third set to take the lead for the first time, hitting 180s in the first two legs, which he won with a 68 finish and a 14-darter.

Whitlock landed a 180 in taking the third, but Hylton wrapped up the set 3-1 with a brilliant 13-darter, opening with a 160 and hitting a 180 before landing double 12.

Whitlock produced a superb leg to win the fourth set’s opener, hitting back-to-back 180s and double 16 for an 11-darter.

However, he missed double 15 as Hylton levelled before wasting his chance in the third – missing three darts at doubles to leave six, before hitting a single 15 instead of single two to set up double two on his return to the oche.

Hylton pounced on double top, and hit a 180 in the next in setting up 92 to secure a famous victory.

PHIL TAYLOR 3-0 PAUL NICHOLSON
(3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR brushed off the challenge of Paul Nicholson to sweep into the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a straight sets triumph at the New Citywest Convention Centre.

The world number one continued his bid for a tenth victory in the double-start format with a comfortable victory over Nicholson, who failed to live up to the pre-match hype.

Taylor dropped just three legs in the game, and took out a trio of ton-plus finishes to set up a quarter-final with Mark Webster on Friday night.

Taylor had taken the game’s opening leg on double 16, a bed which would be profitable throughout the contest.

Nicholson hit a 180 and double top to level, but Taylor produced two fine finishes to take the next two legs and win the set, following up a 105 checkout by taking out 120.

Nicholson posted another maximum and a 140 in a 12-darter to take the second set’s opener, but Taylor landed double 16 in the next two and then hit double eight to win another set 3-1.

A pair of misses from Nicholson allowed Taylor to follow up a 180 with tops to win the third set’s opening leg, and while Nicholson levelled on double ten his opponent produced a killer blow in the third leg.

Nicholson posted a 171 score to leave 122, but with Taylor needing 147 he hit treble 20, treble 17 and double 18 to move a leg away from the victory, which he sealed with an 89 finish on double 16.

“I’m really pleased with the win and it’s another indication that my game’s in good shape at the moment,” said Taylor.

“Paul didn’t play as well as he can. He’s making a name for himself at the moment and he’s a very good player, but he’s not as consistent enough yet.

“He does everything right and he’s got to keep doing that until he finds a way of getting the consistency every week.”

Taylor meets Webster in the quarter-finals on Friday night, having lost to the left-hander in the World Championship on New Year’s Day.

He added: “Mark’s done his apprenticeship, he’s won a World Championship and beaten me at Alexandra Palace, and the Premier League this year gave him a lot of experience. He’s confident and it will be an exciting game.”

RICHIE BURNETT 3-1 DENIS OVENS
(2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
RICHIE BURNETT’S incredible revival continued as he defeated Denis Ovens 3-1 to reach his first major quarter-final since 2004 at the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix.

The Welshman – who had dropped out of the world’s top 150 just over a year ago – was a last-ditch qualifier for the double-start tournament in Dublin when he won a Players Championship event in Holland a fortnight ago.

However, he followed up his defeat of world number four Gary Anderson in the first round but coming from a set down against Ovens on Thursday night to set up a quarter-final with emerging left-hander Mark Hylton as he continues his return to darts’ big-time.

The Welshman started brightly, responding to Ovens winning the opening leg by posting 180s in the next two which he won with a 14-darter and a 94 checkout.

Ovens broke back immediately with an 11-dart finish, and then won the opening set on double top to edge into the lead.

Burnett posted a 180 in taking the opener to set two on double 16, and although Ovens levelled he would win the next two, firstly with double top after his opponent hit a maximum before then punishing 14 missed opening doubles from the Hertfordshire ace with double eight to take the set.

Ovens’ double trouble continued in the third set’s opener as he missed nine to begin the first leg, which Ovens took in 14 darts before finishing double 16 for a 13-darter to lead 2-0.

Ovens replied by winning the third, but Burnett posted another double top finish to secure the set and move 2-1 up in the contest.

Ovens won an edgy opener to set four on double ten to break, but when he missed two darts to win the second Burnett levelled on double five before finishing a fine 13-darter to move a leg away from victory.

Ovens hit a 180 in taking the fourth to keep the game alive, and the pair raised the standard in the set’s deciding leg.

Burnett opened with a 120, which was matched by Ovens before the pair traded 140s. The Welshman powered in a fifth 180 of the game to leave 20 after 12 darts, and although Ovens hit a 145 to leave 36 they proved to be his final darts as Burnett hit double ten to move into the last eight.

“I’m still taking it all in,” admitted Burnett afterwards. “It’s fantastic to be back.

“It’s tough playing in the floor tournaments but that’s built my confidence up and, after six or seven years away from playing on the stage, it’s taken me a while to get used to it again.

“I find it really hard to get a rhythm in this format but I just played the board and got the win. Denis is a lovely guy and I’ve got great respect for him. Like Gary he’s a great sportsman and I enjoyed playing him.

“It was tough and I felt nervous because the pressure was on me after what happened in the first round.

“I’ve got the attitude that you’ve got to go for it, and when the darts go in it felt great. Denis started coming back at me in the fourth set but when I left the double ten for the match I knew I wouldn’t miss it.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

PHIL TAYLOR overcame a huge scare against Peter Wright in the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix on Tuesday night as Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall were knocked out by thrilling comebacks at the New Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin.

Nine-time World Grand Prix winner Taylor has been defeated three times previously in the quick-fire first round in the double-start event, and when Wright took the opening set of their clash and led 1-0 in the second, a fourth early exit began to seem a possibility.

But Taylor hit back superbly to take the set 3-1 before finding top gear in winning the final set by the same scoreline, completing victory with a showpiece 164 checkout.

“Peter’s set me up for the tournament because he really made me work hard there,” said Taylor. “He hit the 180s at the right time and was fantastic, but when I was a set down and a leg down I thought I was going out again, but I really dug in.

“The first round’s a nightmare because it’s a big leveller, and the standard is so high now that anyone is capable of a shock – but I’m glad I wasn’t the victim!”

Taylor will now take on Paul Nicholson in an eagerly-awaited second round game on Thursday night, as the Chorley-based ace seeks his third televised victory over the world number one.

Nicholson booked his second round spot with a confident 2-0 win over Ronnie Baxter on a night of high drama at the Citywest Hotel, as Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson crashed out of the event.

Anderson was defeated 2-1 by Richie Burnett, the resurgent Welshman who had won his first ranking title for a decade in a Players Championship recently to earn his first World Grand Prix appearance since 2004.

The Scot took the opening set in brilliant fashion, but paid the price for two missed match darts in the second before Burnett won the decider 3-1 for an almighty shock.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Burnett. “Gary made a brilliant start and I was up against it straight away.

“I know I’m getting back to my best. The first round is the hardest game and the format’s longer and I want to go on from here.”

There was even greater drama in the battle of the St Helens aces Alan Tabern and Dave Chisnall, who hit eight 180s but missed 13 match darts to defeat the left-hander.

Chisnall took five of the first seven legs to move to the brink of a straight sets win, but wasted seven match darts in the second set as Tabern levelled before seeing six further darts go astray in the deciding leg of the third.

“He threw probably the best darts out of any player so far in the tournament until he needed the winning double,” said Tabern. “He kept missing and I took my chances.

“I feel a bit sorry for him because I’ve had it happen to me too, but when people win tournaments they often win through games like that and I’ve got to take the positives from it. I’ve got nothing to lose now.”

Tabern will now take on another left-hander in round two in Welshman Mark Webster, who enjoyed his World Grand Prix debut with a three-set comeback win over Andy Hamilton.

Rugeley left-hander Mark Hylton also took victory in his maiden World Grand Prix appearance, against Mark Walsh, and will now meet Simon Whitlock in the last 16 after the Australian saw off two-time finalist Terry Jenkins 2-1.

The night’s other winner was UK Open semi-finalist Denis Ovens, who defeated Jamie Caven in straight sets and now takes on Burnett in Thursday’s second round.

The second round begins on Wednesday with four matches, as reigning champion James Wade plays Vincent van der Voort, Raymond van Barneveld meets Andy Smith, John Part faces Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan and Wes Newton takes on John Henderson.

Tickets are still available for the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix, either by calling 00353 1401 0505 or visiting the Citywest Hotel Box Office on the night.

PartyPoker.com World Grand prix
First RoundTuesday
Jamie Caven 0-2 Denis Ovens
Mark Hylton 2-1 Mark Walsh
Dave Chisnall 1-2 Alan Tabern
Mark Webster 2-1 Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson 1-2 Richie Burnett
Phil Taylor 2-1 Peter Wright
Simon Whitlock 2-1 Terry Jenkins
Ronnie Baxter 0-2 Paul Nicholson

Second Round
Wednesday October 5 (7pm)
Wes Newton v John Henderson
James Wade v Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld v Andy Smith
John Part v Brendan Dolan

Thursday October 6 (7pm)
Mark Webster v Alan Tabern
Simon Whitlock v Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor v Paul Nicholson
Richie Burnett v Denis Ovens
Best of five sets

DENIS OVENS 2-0 JAMIE CAVEN
(3-1, 3-2)
DENIS OVENS won his first game in the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix since 2003 with a straight sets first round defeat of Jamie Caven at the New Citywest Convention Centre on Tuesday.

Ovens won only his third game in 11 appearances in the double-start event with a confident triumph to condemn Caven to a first round loss for the third straight year.

Ovens kicked off the match with a break of throw on double eight, and when Caven missed eight darts to open the second leg he moved 2-0 up on double top.

Caven hit a 180 and double eight to get off the mark in leg three, but Ovens pulled clear in the fourth before hitting double five for the set.

The Derby ace came to life at the start of the second set by hitting a brilliant 170 finish to take the first leg, and he opened the next with a 152 score.

Ovens, though, replied superbly with scores of 180 and 177 to set up a double 16 finish to break back and level.

Caven then added a 115 checkout to lead 2-1, and a maximum edged him ahead in the fourth leg, but he missed four doubles to punish slopping finishing from Ovens as the Stevenage ace returned to post double four.

Ovens then edged clear in the set’s deciding leg, and hit double top to end his run of seven successive Citywest defeats.

“I started well but I was in a commanding position and nearly gave it back to Jamie,” said Ovens. “I enjoyed it and the leg where I hit 180 and 177 was nice.

“I’ve been here so many times that I probably deserved a win here! I’ve come up against some great performances in the last few years and it’s heartbreaking to lose seven years in a row, but it’s great to win here again.”

MARK HYLTON 2-1 MARK WALSH
(0-3, 3-2, 3-0)
MARK HYLTON came from a set down to win through to the second round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 2-1 defeat of Mark Walsh.

Walsh looked set to condemn the left-hander to a debut defeat in Dublin when he took the first set without reply and led in the second, only for Hylton to win six of the next seven legs to snatch victory.

Walsh began well, hitting a 180 and double top to win the opening leg in confident fashion and taking out 100 to win the second after Hylton missed tops for a 114 checkout.

Hylton missed a further dart at double top in the third, for a 101 finish, and Walsh capitalised to secure the set on double six.

He also landed double 12 to win the second set’s opener, but Hylton levelled with a fine 106 finish and hit double ten to lead 2-1.

Walsh levelled with a superb 121 checkout, finishing on double 14, but double ten gave Hylton the set to send the match into a decider.

The left-hander took advantage of misses by Walsh to win the set’s opening two legs, and when his opponent missed three more darts to hit back Hylton closed out the win on double ten.

“It’s a format we don’t play too often but I dug in,” said Hylton. “I’m a fighter and never give in, and I came from behind with the pressure on.

“I used to play double-start in a local league and I was quite looking forward to playing in this format, and it didn’t quite work out like that. I had a couple of chances early on and although I had a few good double tops later in the game I was pretty poor on it tonight.

“I feel sorry for Mark, he’s a fantastic player, but I’m through and roll on Thursday now!

“I’ll be getting a lot more practice in the next couple of days and I’m just getting over a bit of ‘flu, so hopefully the fans will see the proper “Mile High” on Thursday.”

ALAN TABERN 2-1 DAVE CHISNALL
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2)
BATTLING Alan Tabern hit back from the brink of defeat to claim a dramatic victory over Dave Chisnall in the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix.

Chisnall looked set to storm to a debut victory on the Citywest Hotel stage when he won the opening set and led 2-1 in the second.

But he missed seven match darts for a straight sets victory as Tabern hit back, and even though he lifted his total of 180s to eight for the match he was unable to close out six further chances for the win in the game’s deciding leg.

Chisnall landed the first of those maximums in winning the game’s opening leg, and opened the second with a fine 160 score before taking the second with a 13-darter.

Tabern hit double ten to win the third, but his St Helens rival again opened with a 160 before double 18 gave him the first set.

Chisnall landed a 180 and double 16 to maintain his 100 percent finishing accuracy in opening the second set in style, and after Tabern took out 101 to level he posted another maximum and double four to move a leg away from the win.

Tabern got ahead in the fourth leg after Chisnall missed his first three starting doubles, but a 160 got the leader back into the match as the the tension mounted.

Tabern missed double top to save the game, but Chisnall wasted two match darts at tops and the pair both missed in two further visits before Tabern landed double five to keep the game alive – with his opponent having missed seven match darts.

The left-hander then finished 80 on tops to win the set and force a decider, before defying Chisnall’s 180 by hitting double 16 to lead in the third set.

Chisnall finished 90 on double 18 to level, but double 16 incredibly moved Tabern a leg away from an improbable win.

The pressure looked to have cracked Chisnall as he missed five opening doubles in the fourth leg, but he hit 36 and then back-to-back 180s before finishing 105 for a 15-darter to send the match into a sudden-death leg.

Chisnall added an eighth maximum of the game to push ahead, but again stumbled at the finishing line as he missed two darts at double 12, one at double six and three and double three before Tabern returned to complete a remarkable comeback on double ten.

“Dave played the darts to beat any player and I don’t know why or how he missed those match darts,” said Tabern. “Maybe it’s a little bit of experience and it worked in my favour, and I’ll take that.

“I wasn’t comfortable on my starting double at the start of the game but I switched to double 15 and it seemed to work and I put pressure on Dave.

“He threw probably the best darts out of any player so far in the tournament until he needed the winning double. He kept missing and I took my chances.

“I feel a bit sorry for him because I’ve had it happen to me too, but when people win tournaments they often win through games like that and I’ve got to take the positives from it. I’ve got nothing to lose now.”

MARK WEBSTER 2-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(2-3, 3-2, 3-0)
MARK WEBSTER came from a set down to defeat Andy Hamilton 2-1 on his PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix debut on Tuesday night.

The left-hander, who narrowly missed out on qualification for the double-start tournament a year ago, impressed in his first appearance on the Citywest Hotel stage with a battling performance.

Hamilton shaded a tight first set, with neither player able to break throw as Webster landed a 14-darter before the Stoke ace took the deciding leg on double eight after his opponent missed a dart at double top for a 112 finish.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Webster following an earlier 177 score with his first 180 of the game in leg three, while Hamilton finished 74 and 48 to level at two-all.

Webster, though, produced the killer blow by winning the fifth leg with a brilliant 124 bullseye finish to send the game into a third set.

He broke for the first time in the game on double eight in the opener, and recovered from missing six opening doubles to win the second before sealing the set, and victory, on double ten in the third.

“It was a tough game,” said Webster. “Andy’s a great player and it was a brilliant game.

“I don’t think Andy did much wrong but I put a lot of pressure on him.
I enjoyed it and thought it was a good advert for the game.

“This time last year I was a bit bitter about not being in the tournament but that was my own fault and I’m determined to make up for it this year.

“I’ve got Alan Tabern next and he’s got a bit of a lease of life after his fightback because he thought he should have gone out to Dave Chisnall. I did something similar in the UK Open when I came back and went on to reach the semis and he’ll be thinking the same. I’m sure it will be a good game.”

RICHIE BURNETT 2-1 GARY ANDERSON
(0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
RICHIE BURNETT knocked Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson out of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a stunning fightback at the New Citywest Convention Centre on Tuesday.

Heavy-scoring Anderson looked set to power into the last 16 when he took the first set without reply, but after missing two match darts in the second set the Welshman made him pay.

Burnett had only won a place in the World Grand Prix by taking victory in the final Players Championship played before the field was confirmed, but reaffirmed a return to the form which saw him become World Champion 15 years ago by winning the deciding set.

Anderson made a lightning start to the contest, hitting double ten for the opening leg and seven perfect darts in the second as he looked to set up the event’s first nine-darter in the double-start format.

He had opened with scores of 160 and 180, but after hitting a sixth treble 20 missed the treble 17 of a 161 finish, although he returned to mop up double 16 to lead 2-0 and tops to take the set without reply.

Burnett – whose last World Grand Prix appearance came in 2004 – returned from the break with a brilliant 13-darter, which he kicked off with scores of 160 and 140 and finished on tops.

Anderson hit back by landing a 180 and a 125 finish to level, but Burnett finished 101 to lead 2-0.

The Scot posted another maximum and finished 64 to level the set, but when he missed match darts at double 16 and eight in the decider Burnett, who had opened the leg with another 160, finished tops to square the game.

Anderson opened the third set by setting up another potential nine-darter with scores of 160 and 180, but opted for a different combination on the 161 finish, hitting a seventh perfect dart on treble 19 but narrowly missing treble 18.

He returned to win the leg in 13 darts, only to then miss six darts to open the second as Burnett levelled with an 80 finish.

Burnett then hit a 180 of his own in the third, hitting double top to move away from victory before punishing a missed bull from Anderson for a 161 finish in the next to hit double ten at the third time of asking to complete an amazing fightback.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Burnett. “Gary made a brilliant start and I was up against it straight away, but I felt okay and knew I could get back into it.

“I was starting well on double top and when the next dart drops into the treble 20 the pressure is off you. Gary can out-score anybody in the world and, on my day, I can live with that and I came good towards the end.

“I love to watch Gary play. I don’t watch much darts on TV but when Gary’s on I do, along with Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, but I like to be involved and I was happy to share a stage with such a special player.

“I know I’m getting back to my best. The first round is the hardest game and the format’s longer and I want to go on from here.”

PHIL TAYLOR 2-1 PETER WRIGHT
(1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR overcame a huge scare against Peter Wright before beginning his challenge for a tenth PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix title with a 2-1 victory at the New Citywest Convention Centre.

The world number one has been defeated three times previously in the quick-fire first round in the double-start event, and when Wright took the opening set and led 1-0 in the second, a fourth early exit began to seem a possibility.

But Taylor hit back superbly to take the set 3-1 before finding top gear in winning the final set by the same scoreline, completing victory with a showpiece 164 checkout.

Wright punished a slow start from Taylor, who missed five opening doubles in the first leg, by hitting a 180 only to then miss double six and three to lead as the world number one landed double 14 for the opening leg.

But Wright levelled with a superb 115 checkout, despite a 180 from Taylor, and then took out 101 to lead 2-1.

The pair traded maximums in the fourth, but when Taylor missed three darts at double eight Wright took out 76 on tops for the set.

He landed another 180 and double top to move 1-0 up in set two, with Taylor coming to life with an 11-darter which levelled the set.

Double ten edged him ahead, and he hit scores of 177 and 180 before a double 16 checkout saw him square the match at one set apiece.

Wright posted a maximum and double top to lead in the deciding set, but Taylor crucially levelled with a 64 finish and opened the third leg with a 160 score.

Wright replied with another 180, but tops gave Taylor a 2-1 advantage before he sealed victory in style by powering in a 164 checkout.

“Peter’s set me up for the tournament because he really made me work hard there,” said Taylor. “He went up on stage and played the game we know he can produce because he’s a dangerous player.

“He hit the 180s at the right time and was fantastic, but when I was a set down and a leg down I thought I was going out again, but I really dug in.

“The first round’s a nightmare because it’s a big leveller, and the standard is so high now that anyone is capable of a shock – but I’m glad I wasn’t the victim!”

Lowestoft’s Wright said: “I felt more comfortable than I ever have done before on stage, and I’m learning all the time. You never think you’ve beaten Phil until the last double goes in, and his 164 was fantastic.”

SIMON WHITLOCK 2-1 TERRY JENKINS
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0)
SIMON WHITLOCK held off the challenge of two-time finalist Terry Jenkins to win through to the second round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix with a 2-1 victory at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday night.

The Australian set up a second round date with Mark Hylton on Thursday night courtesy of the win, although he was made to work hard after Jenkins hit back to win the second set.

Jenkins had opened the game well by winning the opening leg, and he hit a 180 on his way to setting up 36 in the second, only for Whitlock to finish a brilliant 158 to get off the mark.

Double ten against the throw put Whitlock into the lead, and he hit a 180 of his own and double top to take the set.

He also led twice in the second to move a leg away from the win, only for Jenkins to hit a 180 in setting up a double 15 finish to level and force the set into a fifth leg.

Jenkins looked to have blown his chance to keep the game alive when he miscounted on 147 and missed double 16 instead of throwing for double 18 – but Whitlock missed three match darts and the English star hit the correct bed to level the contest.

Whitlock, though, opened the decider with a 14-dart leg, and when Jenkins missed four darts at double 18 he stepped in to finish 74 for a 2-0 lead and double eight to secure the victory.

“I’m happy to get the win but I think I can play better,” said Whitlock. “I missed a few starts and a few finishes, but it’s a tough format and, as the tournament progresses, the doubles will start to come.

“I felt like I was a bit rushed out there because Terry goes at 100 miles an hour and I got caught up in it and had to slow myself down. The 158 turned the game in my favour and slowed him down, although he got back level in the second set too.”

Whitlock now faces emerging left-hander Mark Hylton on Thursday, and added: “I’ve never played Mark before but he had a great comeback against Mark Walsh and has been playing some great darts this year.”

PAUL NICHOLSON 2-0 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-0, 3-2)
PAUL NICHOLSON swept past Ronnie Baxter in straight sets to claim his first-ever PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix victory in their first round contest.

Nicholson has been a first round casualty in his previous two appearances at the New Citywest Convention Centre, but made amends with a strong display to set up a mouth-watering second round clash with nine-time champion Phil Taylor on Thursday night.

Nicholson set the tone for the victory from the start, hitting two 140s and double nine in taking the game’s opening leg, before landing double six for a 2-0 lead.

Baxter pressed in the third, but Nicholson was first to the double and hit tops to secure the set.

Nicholson also landed his first 180 of the game in the opening leg of set two, which Baxter won with an 85 finish before his opponent levelled with the help of another maximum and a tricky double eight.

Baxter hit a 180 and double 14 for a 14-dart leg to take the third, but paid for missing the bull for the set in the next as Nicholson hit double ten to move a leg away from victory.

He then hit double ten once again in the next, with Baxter waiting on 24, to secure his last 16 spot and a tie against rival Phil Taylor.

“I’m relieved to have got through that,” said Nicholson. “I’d seen a lot of other first round matches where players had a great first set and then got caught, and I didn’t want to do that.

“Ronnie was coming for me and if I’d not killed him off when I did then he could have turned it around.

“It’s a big thing for me to win that game, because I saw how Vincent van der Voort celebrated after four first round losses here, and I didn’t want to be one of those players with a little bit of a monkey on their back in a certain event.

“I don’t want to see myself as a player who has continually struggled at a certain event, and I want to improve and I’ve changed my tactics this year by changing from double top and double 18 to start to double 16 and double 19, and it worked.”

Nicholson defeated Taylor in the 2010 Players Championship Finals and at the Speedy Hire UK Open in June, while the pair enjoyed an eagerly-awaited quarter-final in the summer’s European Championship which the Stoke great edged 10-8.

“It’s going to be fun and I think there will be a massive TV audience on Thursday,” added Nicholson. “This is what darts is all about.

“You’ve got the person who has thrown the best darts in history in Phil against the person who wants to throw the darts to upset him.

“All I want to do now is cement what I’ve done this year and take the confidence that I’ve gained over the last 12 months into this game and give him a real battle.

“It’s going to be hard, I know that, and I’ll have to work hard in the next 36 hours, but I’ll be ready for Phil.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

Nicholson, who was defeated in Wednesday’s semi-finals by Phil Taylor, powered through the eight player field by losing just one game in his seven group matches to top the table, before defeating Mark Walsh 6-4 in the semi-finals.

Nicholson opened the final against Whitlock superbly with a maximum and went on to win the opening leg by hitting double eight. Both players missed chances to win the second leg but it was Whitlock who won it to level.

Nicholson hit another 180 in the third leg and won it with just 13 darts to lead for a second time only, for Whitlock to hold throw by hitting double seven to win the fourth leg.

Whitlock had a chance to win the fifth leg against the darts but his attempt at tops for a 160 checkout was just high. That allowed Nicholson in to hit 87 and steal the leg for a 3-2 lead before breaking throw by hitting double 10 to move two legs clear.

Nicholson won the seventh leg to go within touching distance of victory but Whitlock kept fighting by taking the next by hitting double six with his last dart.

Nicholson missed three darts for the match in the tenth leg, and Whitlock stepped in to hit double 10 and reduce the gap to 5-4. Whitlock had a chance to force a deciding-leg but missed a dart at double top for a 120 finish and Nicholson hit the same double with his last dart to confirm victory.

Whitlock, who lost narrowly to Phil Taylor in the final of Group Two, will now return to Crondon Park after the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix in October to contest Group Four, which will see Ronnie Baxter, Vincent van der Voort and Jamie Caven enter the fray.

Mark Walsh and Colin Lloyd enjoyed good days, both finishing in the top four, before losing their semi-final matches to Nicholson and Whitlock respectively.

Wes Newton, suffered a dramatic exit from the competition having reached the semi-finals on Wednesday. Needing victory against Lloyd to progress, the UK Open finalist was edged in a final-leg thriller to the Essex man to confirm his elimination on legs difference, despite three victories.

Championship League Darts is screened solely on the internet through LIVEPDC.TV and a series of 30 bookmakers’ websites worldwide, and offers a potential total prize fund of over £200,000, plus places in the Grand Slam of Darts for the eventual finalists.

Played over nine days from 27-29 September, October 11-13 and October 18-20, the event offers £50 per leg won prize money in the league phase and £100 per leg won in each group’s Play-Off’s, with prize money doubled in the Winners Group.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE DARTS

GROUP THREE RESULTS

GROUP THREE FINAL LEAGUE TABLE & PRIZE MONEY

Taylor bounced back from his semi-final defeat to Wes Newton in Group One by powering through the eight-player field on the second of nine days in the internet-streamed event.

The world number one took six victories from his seven league games during the day to total £2,000 prize money in finishing top of the league table for the second successive day.

After defeating Paul Nicholson 6-3 in the semi-finals – coming from 3-2 down to take four successive legs – he edged out Whitlock in a tense final.

Taylor led 3-1 and 5-2 only for the Australian to win three successive legs and force a decider, and the Stoke great looked to have blown his chance when he missed the bull for a 124 finish in the final leg.

Whitlock, though, was off-target on tops for a 120 checkout, and Taylor returned to post double eight and take victory, ending the day with £3,200 prize money and a place in the big-money Winners Group on October 20.

“I’m really pleased to have won that but I rode my luck in the final,” said Taylor. “It was another hard day and the standard was great, all the players pushed each other.

“I can relax now and look forward to coming back for the Winners Group, and hopefully I can do better than last year when I lost in the final to James Wade, because I’m determined to win back this trophy.”

Taylor will begin his challenge for a tenth World Grand Prix title on Tuesday against Peter Wright at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, and added: “This has been a great preparation for the World Grand Prix.

“To have had two hard days of match play like this will stand me in good stead in Ireland next week, and I’m looking forward to the event.”

Whitlock will now return to compete in Thursday’s Group Three, having bettered Tuesday’s semi-final appearance with a run to the decider 24 hours later.

He had been joined by Nicholson and Mervyn King with five wins in the league phase before winning his semi-final against the latter 6-5, finishing a 12-darter on the bull in the deciding leg with King sat on 16 after nine darts, where he had scored 134, 180 and 171.

King and Nicholson both enjoyed top-four finishes on their first day of involvement in this year’s event, while another newcomer, Andy Hamilton, joined Group One runner-up Wes Newton in progressing to compete in Group Three.

However, reigning champion James Wade and fellow left-hander Mark Webster both exited the tournament after winning only one of their seven league games apiece in a disappointing day.

Thursday’s Group Three will see the five Group Two survivors joined by Wayne Jones, Mark Walsh and Colin Lloyd as they battle for another place in the Winners Group.

Championship League Darts is screened solely on the internet through LIVEPDC.TV and a series of 30 bookmakers’ websites worldwide, and offers a potential total prize fund of over £200,000, plus places in the Grand Slam of Darts for the eventual finalists.

Played over nine days from September 27-29, October 11-13 and October 18-20, the event offers £50 per leg won prize money in the league phase and £100 per leg won in each group’s Play-Offs, with prize money doubled in the Winners Group.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE DARTS
GROUP TWO RESULTS

GROUP TWO FINAL LEAGUE TABLE & TOTAL PRIZE MONEY

Anderson will now return for October’s big-money Winners Group in the internet-streamed event, which sees players compete in eight-man groups in a round-robin league phase before the top four contest each day’s Play-Offs.

Taylor – the 2008 Championship League Darts winner – had gone through the Group One league phase unbeaten but saw his hopes of early progression shattered by a brilliant Newton display in the semi-finals.

The Fleetwood ace, who has risen to seventh in the world this year and also reached June’s UK Open final, finished fourth in the table and led 2-0 against Taylor early on in their clash.

The world number one hit back with finishes of 131 and 108 to level and also took out 121 to lead 5-4 – only to miss the bull for a 164 finish which would have secured victory.

Newton landed double three to force a deciding leg, and with Taylor waiting on 106 he took out a stunning 140 checkout for a 12-darter which gave him his first career victory over Taylor.

Newton’s dream of following that win by claiming the Group One title, though, was shattered by Anderson as the Scot followed up an excellent 6-4 comeback defeat of Simon Whitlock in the semis with a 6-1 triumph.

He opened the final with a 98 finish and also added an 81 checkout in taking the first four legs without reply.

Newton hit double three to get off the mark in the sixth, but a showpiece 96 of single 20, double 18 and double top gave Anderson a 5-1 advantage before he secured victory on double 12.

“I’m really happy with that,” said Anderson. “This is a very tough competition and today there were eight of the world’s top ten players, so to get through that and into the Winners Group is a huge achievement.

“I was pleased with how I played all the way through and only Phil defeated me in the league games, but to finish like I did against Simon and Wes is great.

“I’m going to have a few days at home now to prepare for the World Grand Prix and it would be fantastic to take this form over to Dublin next week!”

Newton admitted: “I meant a lot to me to defeat Phil because I’ve been a professional for ten years and never done it before, but it was hard to stay focussed for the final after that.

“Gary deserved to win the final and it’s up to me to knuckle down again on Wednesday and try to win Group Two.”

Newton, Taylor and Whitlock will now return to Crondon Park on Wednesday for Group Three, which will also feature left-handers Mark Webster and James Wade, who missed out on Tuesday’s semis.

However, World Champion Adrian Lewis and seven-time major finalist Terry Jenkins were eliminated from the event after finishing in the bottom two.

The pair both lost their opening six matches before Lewis whitewashed Jenkins in the final round of games to claim his only win of the day.

Wednesday’s Group Two will also feature Paul Nicholson, Andy Hamilton and Mervyn King, who will join the survivors from Group One in competing for a Winners Group spot.

Championship League Darts is screened solely on the internet through LIVEPDC.TV and a series of 30 bookmakers’ websites worldwide, and offers a potential total prize fund of over £200,000, plus places in the Grand Slam of Darts for the eventual finalists.

Played over nine days from September 27-29, October 11-13 and October 18-20, the event offers £50 per leg won prize money in the league phase and £100 per leg won in each group’s Play-Offs, with prize money doubled in the Winners Group.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE DARTS
GROUP ONE RESULTS

GROUP ONE FINAL LEAGUE TABLE & TOTAL PRIZE MONEY

Yorkshire produced two champions, with Scott Waites continuing where he left off in Hull to take the mens title and Lorraine Farlam whitewashing Trina Gulliver in the ladies competition. Waites now adds the British Open to his 2011 CV along with the Winmau Masters (pictured) and Swedish Open.

Scotty 2 Hotty needs to maintain this form, in November he attempts to defend his Grand Slam of Darts title in Wolverhampton and then again in January as he sets his eyes on winning Lakeside 2012. Success in the latter event would surely prompt a move to the PDC as Scott hinted in his recent interview with DartsMad.

Below is the official report taken from the BDO website:

With record breaking entries of almost 600 for the Men’s Singles and an audience of over 1400 enthusiastic fans for the Men’s and Women’s Singles finals, the BDO British Open was a huge success at The Spa, Bridlington.

The Women’s Semi Finals saw Trina Gulliver beat Cindy Pardy of Canada in a straight forward 3-0 victory, and the in-form Lorraine Farlam checking out all three of her legs with double tops – winning her 1st leg with a 70 checkout to triumph over Russia’s Anastasia Dobromyslova 3-1.

In the Women’s Singles Final Lorraine Farlam, now an ‘adopted’ Yorkshire lass after playing her first county match for Yorkshire with a winning scoreline that included checkouts of 164 and 102, as well as being happily partnered with top Yorkshire player Dean Winstanley, continued her fantastic form.

Playing Trina Gulliver, she raced into a commanding 2-0 lead and then won the title with a stunning 135 outshot – 25, t-20, bullseye!

In the Men’s Semi-Finals, Yorkshire was again well represented by Scott Waites who won the 1st set of his match with Dutch star Jan Dekker, and then checked out with a 170 before Jan hit a 132 to level at 1-1. The high-scoring Scott then had a 98 checkout to win the match.

Glen Durrant enjoyed another brilliant run and enjoyed huge support as he won the first set against Dutchman Willy van der Wiel, who hit 5 x 180’s (including 7 t-20’s to just miss a 9 darter) and big checkouts to overcome the brave challenge of Glen.

And so, just 2 weeks after his triumph in the 2011 Winmau World Masters in Hull, Scott Waites was in yet another major final in his native Yorkshire, and soon found himself in a 2-1 lead against the high-scoring Willy van der Wiel, who just couldn’t stop hitting 180’s! He hit 6 in a thrilling final, but it wasn’t enough to beat the consistent high-scoring of Scott Waites, who powered to a 3-1 victory to become 2011 BDO British Open Champion…and it was music to his ears as the capacity crowed chanted Yorkshire, Yorkshire as he received his trophy.

Scott had a 32.66 single dart average and collected another £3,000 to add to the £25,000 he won at the World Masters. Yorkshire definitely ruled in Bridlington and there wasn’t a happier Yorkshireman than Scott.

Final, best of 5 sets, 3 legs - Scott Waites 3 v 1 Willy Van Der Wiel

Scott Waites v Willy Van Der Wiel Final Stats.PDF

Results Inc Mens Final.PDF

Semi Final Stats

Glen Durrant v Willy Van Der Wiel.PDF

Scott Waites v Jan Dekker.PDF

Having played ‘his final’ earlier in a belter of a match against Martin Adams in the semi, in which he finally beat the World Champion on the 8th time of asking, Scott Waites had an hour or two to gather himself together and prepare for the real final against  BDO success story Winstanley. In beating Adams Scotty 2 Hotty achieved a single dart average of 34.23, a haul of 180′s and ton plus finishes and missed an opportunity for a 9 dart leg , throwing a comical 26 with 141 required!

Spurred on by partner Sally as always, Waites took the first set of the final, and with heavy scoring and big finishes quicky took the next, capitalising on Winstanleys numerous missed doubles. Winstanley eventually found the finishes but it was Waites who entered the interval in the enviable position of 3 sets to 1 in front.

Winstanley who booked his place in the final following a tense battle with Scotland’s Ross Montgomery in which he emerged a 5-4 victor, failed to take his opportunity after the break and allowed Waites to race into a 4-1 lead. The following sets were shared, but with scoreline at 5-2 it was difficult to see anything other than a Waites victory. This was further reinforced when he took the first leg of the 8th set with a 138 checkout.

Another chance for a Waites 9 dart leg went begging as his dart slipped into the treble 5 bed, however he finished the match in style with a 11 and 12 dart legs culminating in a 161 checkout for a £25,000 check and most importantly the title of Winmau World Masters Champion 2011. Winstanley didnt bring his best game to the table but was the first to acknowledge a great performance from Waites, who achieved a tournament average of just over 100. This victory will add further fuel to the ongoing debate on whether or not Waites will switch to ply his trade in the promised land of the PDC. However, Scott has indicated he wants a Lakeside World Title before considering a switch, and on current form that looks a real possibility come January.

Earlier in the day Glen Durrant opened the afternoon session and his quarter final challenge with Martin Adams with a 12 dart leg, finishing 128 on the bull and went on to take the first set. However Wolfie settled down to business and took the next 3 sets without reply. Not without offering chances though, in the final leg he missed several match darts but Durrant couldn’t find the form to capitalise. Scott Waites struggled against Gary Robson but somehow emerged victorious as Robson Led 1-0 and 2-1 before the match concluded in a final leg thriller. Robbo missed two match darts at D20, before Waites stepped up under pressure and took out Bull, S12, D16 for a brilliant 94 finish to earn his semi-final place.

A very different Winstanley came out firing with 180’s and took the first leg with 12 darts, swiftly backed up with the first set against Tony West who then levelled, and again to make it 2-2 sets a piece and force the final set. At 1 each in the 5^th set the pair bulled up, with Winstanley getting the advantage of throwing first and forged well ahead, but as the leg progressed both players had darts to win but Dean held his nerve to take the spoils. In the afternoons other quarter final Stephen Bunting lost out to Ross Montgomery 3 sets to nil in match that he will want to forget.

Please find below the official BDO reports of the days play.

MENS SEMI-FINALS

Martin Adams and Scott Waites were first up as Martin looked to making it a record-breaking fourth Masters in succession. Scott was favourite to win the first set, but made a mess of his checkout to allow Martin to step in and take the first set with a 68 checkout.
Martin then went 2-0 up insets but in the deciding leg of the third set Scott was up for a 9-darter after back to back 180’s. It wasn’t to be but he still took the set to make it 2-1. In the next before the first break of the match he took out a 121 bull finish to level at 2-2.
Scott came out of the break to win the first leg of the 5th set, but a 130 checkout from Adams levelled the score at 1-1 but a resurgent Scott took the next to take the lead for the first time in the match 3-2. With a drop in his usual consistency Martin lost the first leg of the 6th set and Scott opened the next with a 180, but a 93 checkout from Adams put him back on track. A 180/140 combination in the next and a d-18 finish levelled the match yet again at 3 sets apiece.
Another 180 in the first leg of the 7th set for Adams continued what can only be described as a ding-dong battle of the very best in world darts, A 122 finish from Scott put him back in front 4-3 and has was one set away from taking away Wolfie’s dream of four in a row. Scott then checked out the perfect shangai 120 to take the first leg and a 180 in the next made it the end of the road for a brave Adams, who managed a smile as he exited the 2011 Masters still holding that proud record of three titles in a row with Bob Anderson.
Scott Waites now moves into his first Masters final. He hit eight 180’a and had a single dart average of 34.23 (the best of this year’s Masters so far) and outshots of 121, 122 and 120. Martin Adams had a 33.45 average, hit four 180’s and a 130 outshot.
An always gracious Adams was the first to acknowledge Scott’s outstanding victory.

Martin Adams v Scott Waites match stats.PDF

Dean Winstanley and Ross Montgomery raced into a 1-1 scoreline in the opening set, but a 180 in the next and a missed 150 check from Ross right on the wire of d-15, gave Dean the opening set.
Shared legs and a drop in form, together with a messed up checkout cost Dean dearly when Ross checked out on 114 for the second set. Dean then won the next 2 legs and the third set with a cracking 133 checkout to go 2-1 up.
A 60 checkout gave Ross the 1st leg of the next, followed by a 61 to make it 2-2 as they went for the first break. In a messy set after the break both ended up on single 5 in the second leg, but it was Ross who checked out to make it 3-2 to the Scot. Then Dean hit back with relentless scoring to make it 3-3, but then struggled in the next to find any telling form as Ross made it 4-3.
The inconsistency continued in the next, but Dean lifted the mood with a 180 and a 2-0 legs victory to go 4-4. But Dean was still unhappy with his form and both struggled in the opening leg of the 9th set before ending on d-1 which Ross ultimately took out. Inevitably the deciding set ending with a tie-break on 4-4 in sets and 1-1 in legs. Dean won the bull-up and finished on a 62 checkout for the victory and a place in the final for two Yorkshireman in their home county.

Dean Winstanley v Ross Montgomery match stats.PDF

MEN’S QUARTER-FINALS
The climax of the 2011 Winmau World Masters, shown live and exclusively on ESPN, started with the Men’s Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals, followed the the two big Finals – the Women’s World Masters and the Men’s World Masters. All played on Sunday, September 4th at Hull Arena to produce a true festival of World Darts.
First game up, No.1 Seed and reigning World Masters Champion MARTIN ADAMS versus Glen Durrant ranked 134th in the BDO Invitation Table, who enjoyed an outstanding 3-1 victory against No.8 Seed John Walton on the previous day, when his single-dart average was 32.46.
In the opening leg Glen won the game with a 128 bull finish to announce his arrival. But the experienced Adams levelled at 1-1 before a determined Glen took the first set with a double-top finish and then hit his first 180 in the first leg of the 2nd set. But it was Martin who won that leg and then the set.
Martin broke Glen’s throw to open the third set, as the high-scoring from both players continued at a pace as Martin moved into gear to go 2-1 up. Martin then missed double 16 to take the match and Glen levelled at 1-1 in the crucial 4th set. After a valiant battle it was Adams who stayed on course for his record-breaking fourth Masters title with double 10 to be the first player to claim a Semi-Final spot.
There was nothing to choose between Gary Robson and Scott Waites in the second of the Quarter Finals with both scoring high and finishing well to go 1-1 in legs in the opening leg, but it was Big Robbo who put the first set on the board. Scott then took the second set and narrowly missed a 120 checkout to win the opening leg of the thirds set only to see Gary win the leg on double16. He then won the 3rd set with a brilliant 121 checkout to go 2-1 up in the match. Scott won the 1st leg of the 4th set with the aid of another 180 and then checked out 72 to make it 2-2 in sets. He then started the 5th set with his fourth 180 to go 1-0 up in legs, but Gary hit back again to force the tie-breaker. Gary won the bull-up but missed d-20 for the match and could do nothing as Scott took out a pressure 94 to win the match and move into the Semi-Final against Martin Adams with another impressive 32.44 single dart average.

Dean Winstanley was back to his devastating best as he won the first leg of his match against 2003 World Master Tony West with two 180’s and a d-18 finish. and then made short work of winning the opening set. But it was Tony who opened the 2nd set with a 180 and a 70 checkout. Dean levelled at 1-1 in legs and then missed double tops as Tony took the set with d-16 to make the match all square at 1-1 in sets. Dean took the next set in this nip and tuck high scoring battle and then an 83 finish from Tony made it 2-2 in sets. A 180 and 140 helped Tony level the next for the second tie-break of the Quarter-Finals. Dean won the bull-up and after missing d-16 went on to go through with d-8 in a match that didn’t deserve a loser.

No.6 Seed Ross Montgomery, the only Scot in the Quarter-Finals, won the first set against the unseeded Stephen Bunting who was struggling with his form. Ross won the second set, but the first leg of the 3rd set went to Bunting who then missed his doubles to let Ross level at 1-1. He opened the deciding leg of the set with a 180 but a dip in form and missed doubles cost him the match 3-0 and Ross moved into his Semi-Final with Dean Winstanley.

GARY ANDERSON claimed his fifth PDC ProTour victory of 2011 with a 6-2 defeat of Peter Wright in the final of Sunday’s Players Championship in Derby.

The Scot continued his great form on the professional circuit with a brilliant display as he backed up June’s Players Championship double-header in Holland with another triumph.

His run to the £6,000 title included victories over former World Champions Dennis Priestley, Mark Webster and John Part, as well as 6-1 defeats of Ireland’s John O’Shea and Speedy Hire UK Open semi-finalist Denis Ovens.

The 888.com Premier League Darts champion showed his class in coming from 5-4 down to win his semi-final with Part, hitting two 180s in an 11-darter to force a deciding leg before landing another maximum in a 14-dart leg to take victory.

After securing an immediate break of throw in the final, he took out two classy 131 checkouts – hitting treble 17 and a pair of double tops on each occasion – as well as a 14-darter in taking a 4-1 lead against Wright.

The Lowestoft ace hit back to win the sixth leg, but Anderson restored his advantage with another 14-darter and punished three misses from Wright in the next to wrap up the win on double top.

Wright’s display earned him £3,000 and saw him reach his first PDC ProTour final since April 2010 – which also came at the Moorways Centre in Derby, when he lost to Phil Taylor.

The world number 32 claimed the notable scalps of in-form duo Wes Newton and Paul Nicholson in the latter stages, as well as defeating Robert Thornton, Magnus Caris, Nick Fullwell and youngster Adam Smith-Neale on the day.

Part followed up Saturday’s run to fourth final of the year by reaching the last four 24 hours later, while Nicholson led 5-4 in his semi-final with Wright before being overhauled.

Former Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship finalist Kirk Shepherd reached his first quarter-final on the circuit for 18 months, while Nigel Heydon was in the last eight for the first time since January after picking up wins over Tony Eccles, Mark Dudbridge, Simon Whitlock and Alex Roy.

Teenager Adam Smith-Neale and Mick Todd both reached the last 16 on the PDC ProTour for the first time since joining the circuit in January, with Newark’s Todd defeating Saturday’s Players Championship winner Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 in their first round game.

The next Players Championships will be held at the Van Der Valk Hotel in Nuland on September 24 & 25, and will be the final two events before the qualifiers for next month’s World Grand Prix are confirmed.

Players Championship 18 (Derby, Sunday)
First Round
Wes Newton (1) Bye
Dyson Parody 6-0 Mike Roberts
Dave Chisnall (32) 6-5 Chris Thompson
Jason Crawley 6-1 John Walton
Michael Smith 6-2 Andy Smith (16)
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mareno Michels
Steve Beaton (17) 6-3 Andy Jenkins
Kevin McDine 6-4 Darren Johnson
Jamie Caven (8) Bye
Brian Woods 6-0 Martyn Turner
Dennis Smith (25) 6-2 Ian White
Adam Smith-Neale 6-5 Andy Pearce
Vincent van der Voort (9) Bye
Nick Fullwell 6-2 Nicky Bache
Peter Wright (24) 6-4 Robert Thornton
Magnus Caris 6-1 Matt Padgett
Paul Nicholson (5) Bye
Steve Evans 6-2 Gary Welding
Andy Hamilton (28) 6-5 Steven Pearson
Andy Brown 6-3 David Coyne
Colin Lloyd (12) Bye
Andy Relf 6-3 Matthew Edgar
Steve Farmer (21) 6-3 Steve Grubb
John Henderson 6-3 Peter Manley
Ronnie Baxter (4) Bye
Matt Clark 6-4 Michael Barnard
Wayne Jones (29) 6-0 Dave Honey
Roland Scholten 6-3 Paul Rowley
Kevin Painter (13) Bye
William O’Connor 6-5 Adrian Gray
Shaun Griffiths 6-5 Mervyn King (20)
Kirk Shepherd 6-3 Louis Blundell
Gary Anderson (2) Bye
John O’Shea 6-2 Darrell Claydon
Dennis Priestley (31) 6-3 Brendan Dolan
Mark Frost 6-1 Andrew Hibbert
Alan Tabern (15) 6-0 Ryan Harrington
Chris Aubrey 6-3 Steve Hine
Denis Ovens (18) 6-1 Dylan Duo
Ian Jopling 6-0 Paul Schofield
Mark Walsh (7) Bye
Darren Whittingham 6-1 Andy Hutchings
Terry Temple 6-5 Steve Brown (26)
Mick Todd 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Webster (10) Bye
Adam Hunt 6-4 Kevin Dowling
Richie Burnett (23) 6-2 Scott Rand
Barrie Bates 6-4 Nigel Birch
John Part (6) Bye
Michael Mansell 6-2 Matt Jackson
Mark Hylton (27) 6-3 Gary Mawson
James Richardson 6-1 Steve Maish
Justin Pipe (11) Bye
Reece Robinson 6-2 Stephen Hardy
Co Stompe (22) 6-4 Peter Hudson
Dave Smith 6-4 Joe Cullen
Simon Whitlock (3) Bye
Andy Pearson 6-3 Geoff Whitworth
Nigel Heydon 6-2 Tony Eccles (30)
Mark Dudbridge 6-1 Adrian Bolitho
Terry Jenkins (14) Bye
Tony Ayres 6-2 Mark Jones
Colin Osborne (19) 6-2 Wayne Atwood
Alex Roy 6-1 Simon Burt

Second Round
Wes Newton 6-5 Dyson Parody
Dave Chisnall 6-4 Jason Crawley
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Michael Smith
Kevin McDine 6-4 Steve Beaton
Brian Woods 6-5 Jamie Caven
Adam Smith-Neale 6-5 Dennis Smith
Nick Fullwell 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Peter Wright 6-1 Magnus Caris
Paul Nicholson 6-2 Steve Evans
Andy Hamilton 6-0 Andy Brown
Colin Lloyd 6-2 Andy Relf
John Henderson 6-5 Steve Farmer
Matt Clark 6-3 Ronnie Baxter
Wayne Jones 6-4 Roland Scholten
Kevin Painter 6-5 William O’Connor
Kirk Shepherd 6-4 Shaun Griffiths
Gary Anderson 6-1 John O’Shea
Dennis Priestley 6-5 Mark Frost
Chris Aubrey 6-3 Alan Tabern
Denis Ovens 6-5 Ian Jopling
Darren Whittingham 6-3 Mark Walsh
Mick Todd 6-5 Terry Temple
Mark Webster 6-2 Adam Hunt
Richie Burnett 6-2 Barrie Bates
John Part 6-5 Michael Mansell
James Richardson 6-5 Mark Hylton
Justin Pipe 6-5 Reece Robinson
Co Stompe 6-2 Dave Smith
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Andy Pearson
Nigel Heydon 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Tony Ayres 6-4 Terry Jenkins
Alex Roy 6-4 Colin Osborne
Losers £200

Third Round
Wes Newton 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Kevin McDine
Adam Smith-Neale 6-1 Brian Woods
Peter Wright 6-4 Nick Fullwell
Paul Nicholson 6-4 Andy Hamilton
John Henderson 6-2 Colin Lloyd
Wayne Jones 6-3 Matt Clark
Kirk Shepherd 6-3 Kevin Painter
Gary Anderson 6-1 Dennis Priestley
Denis Ovens 6-4 Chris Aubrey
Mick Todd 6-5 Darren Whittingham
Mark Webster 6-5 Richie Burnett
John Part 6-3 James Richardson
Justin Pipe 6-5Co Stompe
Nigel Heydon 6-4 Simon Whitlock
Alex Roy 6-3 Tony Ayres
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Wes Newton 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Peter Wright 6-4 Adam Smith-Neale
Paul Nicholson 6-5 John Henderson
Kirk Shepherd 6-4 Wayne Jones
Gary Anderson 6-1 Denis Ovens
Mark Webster 6-1 Mick Todd
John Part 6-1 Justin Pipe
Nigel Heydon 6-2 Alex Roy
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright 6-2 Wes Newton
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Kirk Shepherd
Gary Anderson 6-2 Mark Webster
John Part 6-4 Nigel Heydon
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Peter Wright 6-5 Paul Nicholson
Gary Anderson 6-5 John Part
Losers £2,000

Final
Gary Anderson 6-2 Peter Wright
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Semi-Finals
Wright led 2-0 before Nicholson levelled, and the pair continued to trade legs until the Lowestoft ace took the tenth leg to force a decider and then claimed victory on double ten.
Anderson also won through to the final in a deciding leg as he overcame John Part. Anderson hit an 11-darter to level in leg ten and opened the final leg with a maximum, punishing three misses from Part at double 18 and nine to take the win with a 14-darter.

Final – leg-by-leg
Peter Wright v Gary Anderson
0-0 – Peter Wright wins the bull and will throw first
0-1 – Wright misses double top and ten for a 91 finish, and Anderson lands double ten to break in 15 darts.
0-2 – Anderson finishes a 12-darter with a classy 131 finish of treble 17 and two double tops to move 2-0 up.
1-2 – Wright finishes 86 in two darts for a 14-darter to get off the mark.
1-3 – Anderson repeats his earlier 131 checkout in the same manner to regain a two-leg cushion.
1-4 – Anderson breaks in 14 darts as the players continue to trade ton-plus scores, only for Wright to miss double eight, four and two for the leg before Anderson nails double top once more.
2-4 – Wright hits a 180 and is first to a finish, but after missing four darts for the leg is given a reprieve when Anderson sees two darts miss double top, and he returns to post double five and break back.
2-5 – Anderson breaks back, hitting two 140s and double ten in a 14-darter to move a leg away from victory.
2-6 – Wright hits four scores of 100 or better to be first to a finish, but again misses his chance as three darts at double 12 and six miss their target, and Anderson hits tops to seal the win.

Source – PDC

The Dutch ace claimed the £6,000 title and his first ranking win since April 2008 in the Open Holland Masters with the success, which saw him make a winning return from a summer break in Spain.

Van Barneveld was pushed all the way to an 11th leg in three of his matches, but punishing Jamie Caven for misses in their second round contest, took out 106 to defeat Co Stompe and then edged out Steve Farmer in the quarter-finals.

He also defeated Adrian Bolitho and Brendan Dolan during the event, and a 6-4 win over Paul Nicholson in the semi-finals set up a tasty final against three-time World Champion Part.

Van Barneveld broke in the opening leg of the final and, after Part had levelled, took out a 13-darter to win the third and a brilliant 126 finish on the bull for the fourth – despite the Canadian hitting two 180s in the leg.

Part hit double 16 to take the fifth, but van Barneveld restored his two-leg advantage with a 12-darter, traded 180s with his opponent before landing a key double four to lead 5-2 and then sealed victory in style with a 156 finish.

Part was seeking to win a Players Championship for a second successive weekend – and his fourth event of the year – but had to settle for the £3,000 runner-up prize.

He had produced a moment of magic to win his semi-final against Simon Whitlock, taking out 126 on the bull for a 12-darter with the Australian sat on 45.

Part also overcame Gary Anderson 6-3 in the quarter-finals, and defeated Chris Thompson, Steve Brown – with a whitewash – and Michael Smith during the event.

Nicholson’s semi-final appearance was his best display since a victory in Barnsley in June, while Whitlock was defeated in the last four for the third time in the last five Players Championships.

Anderson’s run to the quarter-finals included a stunning whitewash win over Mark Dudbridge in the last 16, in which he used just 73 darts in picking up the 6-0 win with legs of 12, 11, 11, 13, 12 and 14 darts for a 123.5 average.

Farmer defeated in-form Wes Newton in the last 16 with a 6-5 triumph after the number one seed missed two match darts, while Mark Walsh came from 5-1 down to see off John Henderson in his run to the fourth round.

Sunday sees a second £35,000 Players Championship being held at the Moorways Centre in Derby, as players continue to battle for qualifying places in next month’s World Grand Prix in Dublin.

Players Championship 17 (Derby, Saturday)
First Round
Wes Newton (1) Bye
Nigel Birch 6-5 Dave Honey
Dennis Priestley (32) 6-1 Ryan Harrington
Matt Jackson 6-3 Mark Frost
Steve Farmer (16) Bye
Alex Roy 6-4 Joe Cullen
Andy Smith (17) Bye
Adam Smith-Neale 6-3 Andy Hutchings
Jamie Caven (8) Bye
Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Adrian Bolitho
Peter Wright (25) 6-3 Mick Todd
Brendan Dolan 6-1 Kevin McDine
Vincent van der Voort (9) Bye
Dylan Duo 6-3 Paul Rowley
Co Stompe (24) 6-2 Andrew Hibbert
Andy Brown 6-4 Jason Crawley
Paul Nicholson (5) Bye
Simon Burt 6-5 Gary Mawson
Wayne Jones (28) 6-3 Barrie Bates
Scott Rand 6-4 David Coyne
Colin Lloyd (12) Bye
Terry Temple 6-5 Darrell Claydon
Colin Osborne (21) 6-1 Ian White
Darren Whittingham 6-5 Brian Woods
Ronnie Baxter (4) Bye
John O’Shea 6-4 Kevin Dowling
Peter Hudson 6-2 Andy Hamilton (29)
James Richardson 6-3 Steve Hine
Kevin Painter (13) Bye
Steve Evans 6-1 Andy Relf
Denis Ovens (20) 6-2 Wayne Atwood
Matt Padgett 6-1 Steven Pearson
Gary Anderson (2) Bye
Adam Hunt 6-1 Jon Archer
Tony Eccles (31) 6-0 John Walton
Roland Scholten 6-4 Steve Grubb
Alan Tabern (15) Bye
Robert Thornton 6-1 Martyn Turner
Reece Robinson 6-5 Mervyn King (18)
Mark Dudbridge 6-3 Nicky Bache
John Part (7) Bye
Chris Thompson 6-0 Paul Schofield
Steve Brown (26) 6-1 Matthew Edgar
Dyson Parody 6-1 Steve Maish
Mark Webster (10) Bye
Michael Mansell 6-3 Adrian Gray
Michael Smith 6-3 Dennis Smith (23)
Louis Blundell 6-5 Nick Fullwell
Mark Walsh (6) Bye
Matt Clark 6-3 Andy Pearson
Mark Hylton (27) 6-2 Dave Smith
John Henderson 6-2 Magnus Caris
Justin Pipe (11) Bye
Ian Jopling 6-5 Mark Jones
Chris Aubrey 6-2 Richie Burnett (22)
Shaun Griffiths 6-3 Andy Jenkins
Simon Whitlock (3) Bye
Nigel Heydon 6-1 Darren Johnson
Kirk Shepherd 6-2 Dave Chisnall (30)
Michael Barnard 6-1 Geoff Whitworth
Terry Jenkins (14) Bye
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Stephen Hardy
Steve Beaton (19) 6-2 William O’Connor
Gary Welding 6-2 Mareno Michels

Second Round
Wes Newton 6-3 Nigel Birch
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Matt Jackson
Steve Farmer 6-2 Alex Roy
Andy Smith 6-1 Adam Smith-Neale
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Jamie Caven
Brendan Dolan 6-5 Peter Wright
Vincent van der Voort 6-2 Dylan Duo
Co Stompe 6-5 Andy Brown
Paul Nicholson 6-1 Simon Burt
Wayne Jones 6-5 Scott Rand
Terry Temple 6-5 Colin Lloyd
Colin Osborne 6-3 Darren Whittingham
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 John O’Shea
James Richardson 6-2 Peter Hudson
Kevin Painter 6-2 Steve Evans
Denis Ovens 6-1 Matt Padgett
Gary Anderson 6-4 Adam Hunt
Roland Scholten 6-0 Tony Eccles
Alan Tabern 6-4 Robert Thornton
Mark Dudbridge 6-3 Reece Robinson
John Part 6-3 Chris Thompson
Steve Brown 6-3 Dyson Parody
Michael Mansell 6-3 Mark Webster
Michael Smith 6-2 Louis Blundell
Mark Walsh 6-3 Matt Clark
John Henderson 6-1 Mark Hylton
Justin Pipe 6-3 Ian Jopling
Shaun Griffiths 6-4 Chris Aubrey
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Nigel Heydon
Kirk Shepherd 6-5 Michael Barnard
Terry Jenkins 6-2 Michael van Gerwen
Steve Beaton 6-2 Gary Welding
Losers £200

Third Round
Wes Newton 6-5 Dennis Priestley
Steve Farmer 6-5 Andy Smith
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Brendan Dolan
Co Stompe 6-3 Vincent van der Voort
Paul Nicholson 6-4 Wayne Jones
Colin Osborne 6-5 Terry Temple
James Richardson 6-5 Ronnie Baxter
Kevin Painter 6-4 Denis Ovens
Gary Anderson 6-1 Roland Scholten
Mark Dudbridge 6-4 Alan Tabern
John Part 6-0 Steve Brown
Michael Smith 6-2 Michael Mansell
Mark Walsh 6-5 John Henderson
Justin Pipe 6-3 Shaun Griffiths
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Kirk Shepherd
Steve Beaton 6-4 Terry Jenkins
Losers £400

Fourth Round
Steve Farmer 6-5 Wes Newton
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Co Stompe
Paul Nicholson 6-5 Colin Osborne
Kevin Painter 6-3 James Richardson
Gary Anderson 6-0 Mark Dudbridge
John Part 6-2 Michael Smith
Justin Pipe 6-1 Mark Walsh
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Steve Beaton
Losers £600

Quarter-Finals
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Steve Farmer
Paul Nicholson 6-3 Kevin Painter
John Part 6-3 Gary Anderson
Simon Whitlock 6-1 Justin Pipe
Losers £1,000

Semi-Finals
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Paul Nicholson
John Part 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Losers £2,000

Final
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 John Part
Winner £6,000
Runner-Up £3,000

Final – Leg-by-leg
Raymond van Barneveld v John Part
0-0 – John Part wins the bull and will throw first
1-0 – van Barneveld breaks on double ten, with Part missing the bull for a 130 finish.
1-1 – van Barneveld hits scores of 125 and 140 to be first to a finish, but misses four darts for the leg to allow Part back in, as the Canadian is let off for a miss at double 16 for a 109 finish on his previous visit by hitting the bed at the second time of asking.
2-1 – van Barneveld lands a 180 to be first to a finish, but misses the bull for a 12-darter and returns after Part also misses the middle target to win the leg on double 16 for a 13-dart finish.
3-1 – Part opens with a 180 and follows with scores of 100 and 180 – but fails to get a dart at the 41 finish as van Barneveld follows three ton-plus scores by finishing 126 on the bull for a 12-darter.
3-2 – The pair trade three tons apiece to open the fifth leg, but Part is first to a double, initially missing double 16 for a 104 finish but returning to hit the bed at the next time of asking.
4-2 – van Barneveld restores his two-leg lead with a sparkling 12-darter, hitting scores of 140, 137, 140 and an 84 finish on double 12.
5-2 – van Barneveld hits a 180 to take control against the throw, and although Part replies with a maximum to leave 106 the Dutchman was already on a finish and took out double four with his third dart to move a leg away from victory.
6-2 – van Barneveld secures the win in style with a brilliant 12-darter which he seals with a 156 checkout.