Reigning champion Wade found himself two sets behind in his second round clash with Vincent van der Voort at the New Citywest Convention Centre, but won nine of the next 12 legs to win through to the quarter-finals.

“Maybe I should have nicked one of the first two sets but I didn’t and I gave myself a lot of hard work to do,” said Wade, who has won the Dublin title in 2007 and 2010.

“It was great to come back like that and I feel like I’m starting to get back towards my best.”

Wade’s quarter-final opponent on Friday will be Andy Smith, who won through to the last eight in the World Grand Prix for a third time with a stunning 3-1 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld.

Smith six of the opening seven legs to open up a two-set lead before the Dutchman, a five-time World Champion, took out 160 and 130 to cause him some nervous moments before edging the fourth set 3-2.

“That’s a big win for me,” said Smith. “I’ve beaten him a few times before but recently he’s had the better of me, but when he’s not quite on top of his game you have to jump on him and I did that.

“I owe James Wade a few because he’s beaten me a few times, but I’ll have to play well on Friday, but I’ll enjoy the game. I love being the underdog and I’ve got nothing to lose.

Northern Ireland number one Brendan Dolan and Scotland’s John Henderson will make their debuts in a major quarter-final on Friday night after winning through Wednesday’s other second round games.

Dolan knocked out three-time World Champion John Part 3-1, as the Canadian failed to reproduce the comeback which knocked out number two seed Adrian Lewis two days earlier.

Henderson, meanwhile, won a five-set thriller against world number seven Wes Newton, who hit back from two sets down to level before losing the deciding set 3-1.

The second round concludes on Thursday with the remaining four matches, including the eagerly-awaited clash between nine-time World Grand Prix champion Phil Taylor and Paul Nicholson.

The night begins at 7pm when left-handers Mark Webster and Alan Tabern collide, before Australia’s Simon Whitlock meets Mark Hylton, while resurgent Richie Burnett takes on Denis Ovens.

PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix
Second Round
Wednesday
Wes Newton 2-3 John Henderson
James Wade 3-2 Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld 2-3 Andy Smith
John Part 1-3 Brendan Dolan

Thursday (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

JOHN HENDERSON 3-2 WES NEWTON
(3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1)
SCOTTISH ace John Henderson secured another PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix shock with a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Wes Newton as the second round at the New Citywest Convention Centre began in dramatic fashion.

Dublin debutant Henderson took the first two sets 3-2 to lead in the first-to-three contest, only for the number seven seed to roar back and level.

Henderson, though, recovered from some nervy moments to prevail in the decider and move into the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The Scot hit back from 2-1 down in the opening set to edge ahead, with a brace of double top finishes seeing him take the lead against the in-form UK Open runner-up.

Newton hit 180s in winning the first two legs of the second set, finishing 105 in the latter, only to miss doubles in the next two as Henderson landed double nine and a 70 finish to level.

Newton landed a 177 in the set’s decider, but Henderson was first to a double and posted tops for a 66 checkout to double his advantage.

The Fleetwood ace kicked off the third superbly with a 14-darter to break throw, and he hit double five and a 71 finish to win the set without reply and begin his fightback.

Tops gave him the lead in the fourth set, but Henderson finished 90 on double 15 to level and punished 11 missed starting doubles from Newton to win the third – although he almost allowed his opponent back into the leg by missing five finishing doubles of his own.

The fourth leg saw Henderson struggle to open as Newton levelled the set, hitting a 180 and double 16, before the world number seven took the set in style, opening the fifth leg with a 153 anf finishing double ten for a 13-darter.

Henderson found another gear to win the first two legs of the deciding set, hitting double ten and double top, with Newton missing three darts to level.

Newton hit a 180 in the third and was on hand when Henderson missed double 16 for a 112 game sho, with double eight with his final dart seeing the Fleetwood thrower keep the match alive.

But when he missed six opening doubles in the next, Henderson settled his nerves and hit double top to seal a dramatic win.

“At 2-0 up I wanted to get the third set over with and go and relax but Wes fought back really well,” said Henderson, who hails from Huntly in Aberdeenshire.

“All year I’ve been getting in front of people and I’ve let them back in, and I’m thinking about it now. Thankfully I got the winning double, but it was hard work.

“Wes didn’t get going and I was waiting for him to come back at me because he’s been great when we’ve played previously. Playing guys like this is making me raise my standard.

“Winning a second round game is brilliant – I’ve not done it too often but I’m getting used to the stage. Since I joined the PDC it’s been fantastic, I’ve qualified for the UK Open and the World Matchplay and now I’m in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.

“It’s probably the biggest night of my career on Friday. This is where every player wants to be and whoever I play it will be one of the biggest games of my life and I’m really looking forward to it.”

JAMES WADE 3-2 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
(2-3, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)
REIGNING CHAMPION James Wade produced an outstanding fightback to come from two sets down and win through to the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix quarter-finals with a 3-2 defeat of Vincent van der Voort.

Wade looked on course to join fellow seeds Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and Wes Newton in being knocked out of the double-start competition when van der Voort edged the first two sets of their last 16 contest.

But after winning the third set without reply, Wade kicked on to take the remaining two in a brilliant comeback as he won a sudden-death leg to keep alive his hopes of a third Dublin title.

Van der Voort opened superbly, winning the game’s opening leg on double 12 and finishing 71 to lead 2-0 before Wade landed a pair of double top finishes to level, only to see the Dutchman hit the same bed to win the deciding leg.

The pair traded double 16 finishes in the first two legs of the second set, before Wade punished three misses from van der Voort to lead 2-1 courtesy of double ten.

But the Dutchman took out 75 on double 12 to level, and again prevailed in the decider, this time with a 14-dart finish.

Wade made an immediate response to win set three without replies, with a double top and double ten coming either side of a 12-darter as the two-time Dublin winner got back into the game.

Wade hit a 180 in winning the fourth set’s opener, before the duo traded maximums before van der Voort took out 61 to level.

Wade, though, landed double four with his final dart to edge in front and then squared the match by finishing 96 on double 12 to send the match into a deciding set.

Van der Voort kicked off the fifth set with a 160 and hit double ten to lead, before a 76 finish moved him a leg away from the win.

But Wade kept the match alive with a 94 finish which featured two double tops, and double 11 squared the set before he finished tops for a 15-darter to complete a remarkable fightback.

“I felt great at the start but before I knew it I was two sets down,” said Wade. “Maybe I should have nicked one of the first two sets but I didn’t and I gave myself a lot of hard work to do.

“It was great to come back like that and I feel like I’m starting to get back towards my best. I’d love to retain this title but I’m not getting carried away and I’ll look forward to the quarter-finals first and just take one game at a time.”

ANDY SMITH 3-1 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
(3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2)
ANDY SMITH’S love affair with the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix continued as he knocked out Raymond van Barneveld from the tournament with a fine 3-1 second round triumph on Wednesday night.

The Studley ace produced a fine performance to win through to his third quarter-final in the double-start format, which remains his most successful major tournament.

The victory also sent a fourth of the eight seeded players in the event packing, as van Barneveld followed Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and Wes Newton in being defeated.

Smith laid the platform for the victory by winning six straight legs after van Barneveld took the opener on double ten.

He traded 180s with the Dutchman in winning the second, and added a further maximum and double 16 to break in the third before hitting the same bed to win the set.

Smith then swept through the second set without reply, with a pair of double top finishes coming either side of a key double four, after van Barneveld failed to set up a double when needing 95 in a tense second leg.

A miss from Smith in the third set’s opener, as he was unable to convert double top for a 120 checkout, allowed van Barneveld to win his first leg in seven on tops.

The Dutchman punished a slow start from Smith to win the second on double four, and after the pair once again traded maximums he showed his champion quality with a brilliant 160 checkout to take the set.

Smith, though, took the first two legs of the fourth set to move a leg away from the win, and after a 180 was waiting on a finish as van Barneveld took out 130 to stay in the match.

A 36 finish from van Barneveld sent the set into a decider, but a 180 came too late as Smith took control before hitting double 16 for a famous triumph.

“That’s a big win for me,” said Smith. “I’ve beaten him a few times before but recently he’s had the better of me, but when he’s not quite on top of his game you have to jump on him and I did that.

“I can play a lot better than that, and Barney would say the same, but it’s a win and I’ll take that.

“I owe James Wade a few because he’s beaten me a few times, but I’ll have to play well on Friday, but I’ll enjoy the game. I love being the underdog and I’ve got nothing to lose.

“I’ve been brought up with double-start by playing in my local leagues with my dad – I’ve won the league where you play 301 double-start about 20 times and they don’t let me play any more!”

BRENDAN DOLAN 3-1 JOHN PART
(3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-1)
BRENDAN DOLAN won through to his first-ever major quarter-final with a thrilling 3-1 defeat of John Part in the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix on Wednesday night.

The Northern Ireland number one followed up his first round victory over Wayne Jones at the New Citywest Convention Centre with another fine display of doubling as he sent the three-time World Champion packing.

Dolan will now face Scotland’s John Henderson on Friday night in his first televised quarter-final after eight years in the professional game – and has his sights on a place in at least the last four.

Dolan, who hails from Fermanagh, delighted his travelling supporters by hitting a 180 in the game’s opening leg, which he won with a 48 finish after Part missed double 16 for a 132 checkout.

He then doubled his lead in the second before trading 180s with the Canadian in leg three, with a 165 score leaving 16 for the set. He missed three darts at doubles to lead, and Part finished 81 to get off the mark, before taking out 60 to level the set.

But it was Part who paid the price in the deciding leg of the set, missing double 16 for a 106 finish as Dolan capitalised by taking out 88 on the bull.

Part hit back beautifully, winning the second set without reply by taking out 130 on double five in the first leg, double two in the second following a slow start from Dolan and double two in the third.

But Dolan began the third set by taking out 156 as Part waited on a finish, and he checked out 70 to break throw in the next before hitting double four to win his second set of the game.

Part missed the bull in the opening leg of set four, with Dolan following a 180 with double top before adding a fourth maximum of the game in set two, which he took on double top.

Part finished a pressure double five with his third dart in the next, but Dolan would not be denied and completed the biggest triumph of his career with a fine 13-darter, hitting double 16 with his winning dart.

“It’s absolutely brilliant,” said Dolan. “I’ve never got past the last 16 on TV before so I’m making progress after an inconsistent year.

“I’ve highlighted what my problems were, and I’ve slowed myself down and my game is good at the minute. My doubles were pretty good and I was concentrating hard on every part of my game, not just the double-start.

“I’m delighted. To beat a three-time World Champion on TV is a great honour for me, and I’ve got a chance to get into a semi-final now.

“I’ve a huge amount of respect for John Henderson. He’s proven himself this year and he’s a lovely fella, but I’ll try and make it awkward for him.

“We played for the first time in Holland a couple of weeks ago and he was 5-2 up and I came back to win 6-5 – which was important for me in terms of making sure I qualified for this event! Hopefully I can do it again on Friday.”

Source PDC/Lawrence Lustig

In the second game of the night, a presumably confident Justin Pipe was looking to follow up his victory over Phil Taylor in the previous days Players Championship with a solid start to his WGP campaign. However John Henderson the Scotch rocker stood in his way, the result being 2-0 to the big man. Henderson controlled the game but an inability to close out a few legs, allowed Pipe more chances, than in fairness his below par game deserved.

Vincent van de Voort broke his Dublin duck at the fifth attempt, seeing off Kevin Painter 2-0, after racing away with the first 5 legs without reply. However in the 6^th Painter capitalised on the Dutchman’s struggle to double in and nicked the leg, took the 7^th but missed tops to stay alive and force the deciding set, as a relieved Vincent checked out and celebrated shaking the WGP monkey off his back.

A new central stance at the oche for Colin Lloyd helped him put in a decent performance against Wes Newton including taking out Madhouse to force (and subsequently take) a last leg shoot out in the first set. It is rumoured that Jaws has been using the Winmau SightRight, but nothing could help him stop The Warrior from firing in maximums and 12 dart legs as he shifted up a gear to take the final two sets 6 legs without reply for a 2-1 win.

Reigning PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis looked comfortable against Canadian veteran John Part as he took an early lead. However, some sloppy darts from Jackpot and true grit from Part saw a reversal in fortunes as the 3 times World Champion astonishingly got back into the game to eventually go on and a win 2-1.

James Wade fared much better as he opened the defence of his WGP title with a 142 checkout to stop Steve Brown in his tracks who was eyeing up a 2 legs to nil lead in the first set. The Machine then went on to claim the first set, quickly followed by the second and match winner in a slick no nonsense performance. Bristol’s Bomber Brown will be ruing missed chances and a tough draw.

Raymond van Barneveld scraped through a tight opening set 3 legs to 2 against Mervyn King, who then proceed to drop away as Barney pushed on to take the winning set in a more comfortable fashion. The final game of the night was contested between Andy ‘Pieman’ Smith and the nights other local hero William O’Connor. However O’Connor could not emulate the earlier success of fellow Irishman Dolan, despite taking the opening leg as the vastly more experienced Smith marched to a 2-0 victory.

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

For the image conscious amateur darter or someone looking for something a little more understated, perhaps those that play once a week in their local boozer and enter the odd tournament, something like the Target Cool Play shirt is a much preferable option. With minimal branding, consisting of a neat target logo on the breast pocket, and made from a highly breathable material which involved 12 months of development, the Cool Play dart shirt claims to keep your body at a comfortable temperature when you need it most. Endorsed and used by Colin Lloyd they are available in sizes small to XXXXL.

I have had one of the black Cool Play shirts for some time now and highly recommend them, they are comfortable and sufficiently non-darts looking to wear almost anywhere. The zip neck is a nice feature and they wash well keeping their shape/condition, and as a result of the breathable material they also dry very quickly. Personally I’d like to see some more colour options as the current range is limited to pink, grey and black. And, at risk of sounding a bit ‘Gok Wan’, perhaps some contrasting detail and side vents to make them truly stylish.

The Target Cool Play shirts retail at around £20 pounds and are available from most darts retailers.

Yep, it was darts night again.

I have always had a problem with gripping my darts. I started with chalk, then went on to licking my fingers, then chalk AND licking my fingers. It sounds pretty gross, and not too healthy, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Have you noticed that your darts don’t feel right after you have washed your hands with soap and water? Or when you’ve got moisturiser on your hands? Or when you’ve been playing with your hair?

All these things and more, affect grip. Ideally the best grip for your fingers is the oils your skin produces naturally. However, wash your hands with soap and it’s gone and your fingers are too dry. Tidy your hair, and gel/wax/spray over compensates. The worst is probably nervousness and as a by-product; sweat.

So, I’m on a mission to find the best grip available for darts players. Many people don’t realise what’s out there, making my bulging pocket seem a little odd. But, it was bulging for good reason. I had, in my pocket, an open pot of SportswaXX. In pink, of course.

Other than the fact that every time I sat down the pot dug into my thigh, SportswaXX does the job. I recommend putting it in your pocket an hour or so before you play. If it’s still solid when you’re at the oche, you’ll end up causing yourself sore finger tips from digging at it in panic! Get it soft enough and it’s perfect.

SportswaXX provides a tackiness which isn’t too greasy or too dry. You can manipulate the texture on your fingers by warming your fingers up or wetting them slightly, so it should suit just about everyone.

I was talking with a seasoned darts player who had no idea grip wax existed. He was very appreciative when I loaned him mine and bought some for himself the very next day.

SportswaXX comes in yellow and pink and can be bought here from Red Dragon for £6.95.

TML

Regardless of the 40.06mm barrel being roughly 10mm shorter, and the 8mm barrel about 2mm wider, than my own darts, the Foxy Lady 12’s were surprisingly easy to get accustomed to. That is, after adjusting my throw – they were consistently landing around 4 inches higher than I was aiming (darts physics fascinates me!).

My first impression of them when I saw them online wasn’t great if I’m honest. As I’ve said before, I’m not big on glitz and glam, and the Foxy range is a marshmallow-y pink and white. But, they were actually quite pretty and I really can see the appeal. They are advertised as bringing a “touch of glamour and style to the oche”, and without being attention seeking, they’re not far off!

Last night I discovered a friend of mine uses a set of Foxy Ladies. She told me they were bought for her a while ago and she couldn’t speak more highly of them. It’s always nice to hear a long term user’s perspective.

You can pick a set of Foxy Ladies, from a series of 12, with weights ranging from 21g to 34g for £15.90. The Foxy Ladies are inexpensive yet a respectable 85% tungsten and have the quality of a dart that will last, making them ideal for players of every level.

Red Dragon Darts also offer a special little bonus; for an additional £10 you can have your Foxy Lady personalised! This makes for an awesome gift for any female darts enthusiast.

The Foxy Ladies range comes with a Red Dragon Darts wallet and good quality flights and stems as standard. There’s definitely something to be said for value for money.

See all the DartsMad darts equipment and book reviews here

PHIL TAYLOR defeated Adrian Lewis 11-8 in the final of the PartyPoker.net European Championship to claim his fourth European title in a row.

The Power saw off the World Champion in a tense final thanks to a crucial break of throw in the 18th leg, with Taylor popping in a 180 before taking out 164 to move 10-8 ahead.

Both men hit two 140s in the next leg, but it was Taylor who was first to the double and hit double ten to claim the £50,000 winner’s cheque with a 109.29 average.

“It’s a great feeling and a great end to a fantastic event,” said Taylor. “The crowd were unreal and stuck behind the players throughout. The atmosphere has been brilliant. Adrian’s semi against Raymond was one of the best I’ve ever seen – he’s had a tougher day than me to get to the final.

“I’m looking forward to having a great holiday now and this trophy is down to 30 years of dedication,” added the World number one.

Lewis was on a high after winning a thrilling semi-final against Raymond van Barneveld, clinching a place in final with a 121 checkout against the throw in a deciding leg after hitting a nine-darter in the 17th leg before the Dutchman battled back.

“This is the best atmosphere I’ve played in and I hope we come here again,” said Lewis. “Phil was fantastic and thoroughly deserved the win. The 121 to win the semi was better than the nine-darter really but I’ve had a great weekend here and I’m full of confidence going into Dublin and beyond.”

Lewis jumped 2-0 ahead in the final but was pegged back to 3-3 by the Power and the Stoke pair continued to trade blow-for-blow with Taylor winning the bull before the match looking all the more crucial as they found themselves level at 8-8, before Taylor’s crucial 18th leg.

Earlier in the evening, Lewis pipped Van Barneveld in a final-leg decider of a pulsating semi-final that had it all. A nine-darter in the 17th leg from Lewis saw him move to within one leg of the match, but he missed a dart in the 18th leg to clinch it and six more darts in the 20th leg as the tension became almost unbearable. The momentum and the darts belonged to Van Barneveld, but with the Dutchman sitting on 24, Lewis took out 121 to reach the final.

Taylor and Whitlock had a lot to live up to and it was the World number one who prevailed as the Australian struggled on his doubles.

Taylor took the opening two legs before Whitlock registered, but when the Power moved 5-1 ahead, Whitlock had missed darts to win three of the legs. An 11th dart leg from Taylor made it 6-1 before Whitlock stopped the rot to take the eighth leg, but again, Taylor powered away from the Australian with three more legs to move within two of the final. Whitlock finally strung consecutive legs together, but with 14 missed darts at doubles during the match he found it hard to keep up with Taylor, who joined Lewis in the final with a 13-darter and a sixth break of throw.

The final
Phil Taylor 11-8 Adrian Lewis

Semi-finals
Adrian Lewis 11-10 Raymond Van Barneveld – ADRIAN LEWIS HITS NINE-DART FINISH
Phil Taylor 11-4 Simon Whitlock

Quarter-finals
Adrian Lewis 10-8 Kim Huybrechts
Raymond van Barneveld 10-8 James Wade
Phil Taylor 10-7 Paul Nicholson
Simon Whitlock 10-6 Peter Wright

AS IT HAPPENED – semi-finals and final

ADRIAN LEWIS v RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
0-1 Van Barneveld off and running with a 180 from his first visit in a 15-dart leg.
1-1 Lewis levels with a solid throw.
1-2 Second 180 from Van Barneveld, Lewis has the first dart at a double but he misses double 14 for a 121 and Van Barneveld holds with a 13-darter.
2-2 Brilliant response from Lewis with a 150 checkout.
3-2 Lewis follows that with his first 180, a 140 leaves him with 41 and Van Barneveld out of sight. Lewis misses seven darts for the leg, Van Barneveld misses double 12 for a 138, Lewis then hits double one at the third attempt.
4-2 A 177 from Lewis leaves 24 and he takes a third consecutive leg.
5-2 Van Barneveld almost seals an 11-darter, Lewis leaves 62 and Van Barneveld misses three more at double 16, Lewis let’s him off the hook, but Van Barneveld misses three more, eight in total, and Lewis does punish him for a double break of throw.
6-2 Lewis takes 12 darts to leave tops and hits double ten for five on the trot.
6-3 Van Barneveld stops the rot with a 60 checkout
7-3 After a second maximum, Lewis misses tops for a 160 checkout, he busts when he returns to take it out but it matters not as he takes a four leg lead into the second break.
7-4 A 156 finish from Van Barneveld straight after the break
8-4 Van Barneveld looks for 170 to top the 156, but only manages the first 180 and Lewis holds.
8-5 A 25 checkout from Van Barneveld keeps him keen.
8-6 And he’s more than keen now as he breaks the Lewis throw after the World Champion misses a dart for a 76 checkout.
8-7 Fifth 180 for Van Barneveld who misses two darts for the leg, Lewis misses the bull for a 90 checkout and Van Barneveld closes the gap further.
9-7 Lewis hits his fourth 180 and a 12-darter comes with a fluid 99 checkout.
10-7 Fifth 180 from Lewis puts Van Barneveld under pressure, and he’s on a nine-darter. The treble 20 is in, as is the treble 19 – and he nails the double – ADRIAN LEWIS HITS A NINE-DARTER.
10-8 But it’s not over as Lewis misses tops to win, Van Barneveld has tops to break, hits the wrong bed but adjusts brilliantly.
10-9 Van Barneveld checks out 68 to hold.
10-10 Lewis opens the door on more than one occasion but Van Barneveld can’t capitalise – Van Barneveld needs 154 but cannot take it. Lewis misses three for the match though. But he hits tops going for big 20 and misses two at double 16. Three more missed by Lewis and Van Barneveld levels the match.
11-10 Lewis responds with his seventh 180, Van Barneveld on a 161 – leaves 24. Lewis on 121 – and he hits it!

PHIL TAYLOR v SIMON WHITLOCK
1-0 Taylor first on the scoreboard with a break despite Whitlock hitting the first maximum.
2-0 Taylor misses three darts for two in a row but Whitlock cannot respond with two missed darts at tops, Taylor hits double 14 at the fourth attempt.
2-1 Whitlock in the board with double 16.
3-1 Taylor misses double 16 for the leg but Whitlock cannot pressure him and he returns to close with ease.
4-1 Taylor hits his first maximum and is the first to miss tops for the leg – but comes back to take a three leg cushion into the break.
5-1 Whitlock has now missed darts to win three legs, Taylor takes out 96.
6-1 Taylor takes out 90 now to put five legs between them.
6-2 Taylor misses double 11 for a 142 checkout and Whitlock breaks.
7-2 A 177 from Taylor puts him right in the leg, he leaves 32 behind, Whitlock couldn’t take out 140 and Taylor has his five leg cushion back.
8-2 Taylor misses two at double 16 and but Whitlock cannot manage 108 and Taylor is 8-2 up at the second break with his fifth dart at double 16.
9-2 Whitlock’s double trouble continues with three more missed for the 11th leg and Taylor pinches it.
9-3 Whitlock’s fourth 180 puts him in the leg and Taylor misfires, but again the Australian misses a double. Taylor left on 120 but cannot take it out and Whitlock does win one back.
9-4 Taylor misses two darts at double eight for his tenth and Whitlock bites back to hold.
10-4 Taylor hits double 16 for a 64 checkout to move within one of the match.
11-4 When Whitlock needed a solid leg he cannot find it and Taylor takes the darts, Taylor leaves tops with Whitlock not on a finish, and he takes that out to reach the final against Adrian Lewis.

The final
PHIL TAYLOR v ADRIAN LEWIS
0-1 Taylor misses two darts for the leg and Lewis takes 121 out on the bull.
0-2 Bull again for Lewis for 130 – misses. Taylor on 119, leaves 60 back. Two more missed doubles from Lewis but then two more missed doubles from Taylor, Lewis takes it.
1-2 11-darter from Taylor after hitting the first 180 of the match
1-3 Lewis hits his first 180 – his 26th of the tournament – misses two at tops for the leg but comes back and takes it.
2-3 Taylor with an 80 checkout to bounce back.
3-3 Another Taylor 180 sees the Power break Lewis’ throw
3-4 Taylor misses four darts for the leg and Lewis takes out 102 to break back.
4-4 Both men hit 180s but it was Taylor’s that was decisive, leaving 24 which he takes out at the first attempt.
5-4 Taylor holds to lead for the first time in the final
5-5 Lewis misses a dart for 121, but Taylor is on a bogey behind. Lewis misses two at double 16 but nails double eight to level at the second break.
6-5 Taylor with a 180, Lewis responds with a 171, but Taylor takes out 121 to slam the door.
6-6 A great 134 from Lewis leaves 73, Taylor puts the pressure on but Lewis takes it out.
7-6 Taylor takes out 83 on the second dart.
7-7 Rough break for Lewis as his second dart plugs into the first; Taylor steals the darts and leaves 134. Lewis responds to leave 79 – Taylor leaves tops but Lewis wins a key leg on double 11.
8-7 52 checkout from Taylor on the second attempt at tops.
8-8 Lewis leaves 56 from 101, Taylor leaves 44 with a 140 but Lewis takes it out.
9-8 Taylor hits a 13-darter to nudge in front.
10-8 Massive moment in the match – Taylor hits a 180 then takes out 164 and suddenly he is throwing for the title.
11-8 Lewis fires back at Taylor though; two 140s gives him a chance to break with 98 with Taylor left with tops. Lewis cannot take it and Taylor hits double ten to win his fourth European Championship title.

Source PDC/Chris Sargeant

ADRIAN LEWIS turned on the style at the PartyPoker.net European Championship in Dusseldorf, reaching the quarter-final with an electric 10-5 win over Dave Chisnall.

The World Champion was tied at five apiece against the St Helens man, but when they returned from the break Lewis fired in four 180s and took out 146 and 104 as he won five in a row, then clinched the match with a 123 checkout to send a message to the rest of the field with a 105.80 average – with the eight players in action tonight averaging 100.14 between them.

Lewis will face Kim Huybrechts in Sunday’s quarter-finals after the Belgian won a tense match with World number seven Wes Newton 10-8.

“It was a fantastic match, one that deserved a nine-darter,” said Lewis. “I’ve never played Dave on TV and he’s got a lot of bottle. I’m just happy to get through that. I don’t know much about Kim but he’s done well to get past Wes so I will have to be at the top of my game because he’s bound to be on a high.”

The 25 year-old Belgian was on the edge of the top 100 in the PDC before the match but will make great strides for reaching the last eight, and will be dreaming of going even further after defeating the in-form Fleetwood man.

The eighth leg appeared to be crucial as Newton fired a brilliant 143 checkout having fallen to close the gap to two legs, and won the next two for a share at 5-5. Huybrechts took out 96 to edge ahead again, only to be pegged back by Newton who moved 7-6 ahead. But the young Belgian dug deep and capitalised on a crucial mistake from Wes when he looked set to take out 100, Huybrechts made it 7-7. Huybrechts went in for the kill and made it three on the trot, and although Newton rallied to take the 17th leg, a 13-darter from Huybrechts saw him complete his biggest ever win.

“It was a really tough game, I started well but it started slip away so I had to keep telling myself to concentrate to get it back together,” said Huybrechts. “It was tight the last time I played Wes so I had a bit of confidence going into this, but that was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to get out there again tomorrow. I will take on Adrian like I take on any game – play the board and just enjoy it.”

World number three James Wade admitted Ronnie Baxter let him off in their second round clash, as the Blackpool man missed six darts to move 4-0 ahead. Wade won five legs on the trot to move 8-5 ahead from 5-3 down, Baxter answered back to Wade’s 11-dart leg to stave off the defeat, but the Aldershot ace closed the match out 10-7.

Wade will face Raymond van Barneveld on Sunday after the Dutchman treated the German crowd to a finishing master class in his 10-5 win over Mark Walsh.

Van Barneveld moved 6-3 ahead with a 100 per cent checkout percentage, including back-to-back 121 checkouts. Walsh was playing well himself and at 7-3 behind he closed the gap to two legs and missed the bull to trail 7-6. Van Barneveld’s 70 checkout was the key as he made it 8-5 and the Dutchman – who faced Wade in the quarter-final of the World Matchplay last week – won the match in the grand manner, taking out 161 for a 10-5 triumph.

“Mark started really well so I had to play that well to get through, those 121 checkouts were so crucial,” said Van Barneveld. “Playing James is always 50-50, last week he beat me in the World Matchplay, but I’m feeling confident and relaxed.”

The quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship from the Maritim Hotel in Dusseldorf start at 2pm local time on Sunday afternoon, live on ITV4 in the UK.

Second rounds results – evening session
Wes Newton 8-10 Kim Huybrechts
Adrian Lewis 10-5 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 10-7 Ronnie Baxter
Raymond van Barneveld 10-5 Mark Walsh

Sunday July 31
Quarter-Finals
2pm onwards
Adrian Lewis v Kim Huybrechts
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Paul Nicholson
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright

Semi-Finals
8pm onwards
Taylor/Nicholson v Whitlock/Wright
Lewis/Huybrechts v Van Barneveld/Wade

WES NEWTON v KIM HUYBRECHTS
0-1 Newton misses two darts for the opening leg a Huybrechts nicks it
1-1 Huybrechts fires in the first 180 of the match but Wes breaks back
2-1 Newton into the groove as he takes out 78.
2-2 Second attempt at tops levels the match.
2-3 Another 180 for Huybrechts, nearly a second for the Belgian who leaves 64 after nine darts, a Newton 180 pressures Huybrechts but he takes it in two darts.
2-4 Huybrechts misses double 16 for the leg, but Newton misses tops for 110 and the Belgian makes it three legs on the spin.
2-5 Great set up to leave Huybrechts with double 16, but three darts for the leg go astray – Newton follows suit and Huybrechts nails double four to open a three leg lead.
3-5 Huybrechts third 180 leaves him with 82 – but he misses tops and Newton clinches a crucial leg against the throw with a 143 checkout.
4-5 And Wes begins to turn the tide with a 60 checkout.
5-5 A brilliant 12-dart leg from Newton levels a classic clash at the break.
5-6 The eighth maximum belongs to Huybrechts and he takes out 96 with his second dart at double 18
6-6 Wes is fired up, and he fires in his fifth 180, Huybrechts misses tops for a 107 checkout and Newton pounces to level.
7-6 Newton misses tops allowing Huybrechts the chance to pinch it with 81 – he misses tops too though and Newton registers a rare hold of throw in this match.
7-7 Wes fluffs his lines on tops trying to take out 100 and Huybrechts levels
7-8 And Huybrechts now moves ahead as Newton dwells on the previous leg
7-9 A very solid 13 dart leg sealed on tops as Huybrechts sniffs victory
8-9 Newton not giving up yet, closes the gap.
8-10 Great final leg from Huybrechts who knocks out Wes Newton on double 16.

ADRIAN LEWIS v DAVE CHISNALL
1-0 The World Champion breaks throw in the opening leg.
2-0 And as quick as a flash Lewis moves two-up.
2-1 Both players register maximums, but Lewis trips up on double 12 for 3-0 and Chisnall gets on the scoreboard.
2-2 And now we’re level as Chisnall hits double 18 at the second attempt.
2-3 Lewis misses the bull to break, and Chisnall takes three in a row
3-3 Lewis back with a 180 which is followed by a 140 as he levels
4-3 Lewis misses the bull for a 121 checkout but he cleans up to move ahead.
4-4 Deafening atmosphere in Dusseldorf, 68 checkout for a share of the eight legs for Chisnall.
4-5 Lewis’ third maximum to match Chisnall, but he misses tops for the leg and then two darts at double five – Chisnall nails tops to edge ahead.
5-5 A maximum apiece in the tenth leg, Adrian misses tops for the leg again, Chisnall needs 100 – misses double ten. Lewis hits double ten at the third attempt to square a brilliant match.
6-5 Superb 146 checkout from Lewis sees him nudge in front.
7-5 A fantastic 180 from Lewis but Chisnall is on his back – Adrian takes out 104 with Dave lurking.
8-5 Lewis really stepping on the gas here, misses three darts for the leg but Chisnall lets him off and its four consecutive legs for Lewis.
9-5 Lewis is on a nine-darter – can’t quite get there but it matters not to the World number two who powers towards victory,
10-5 Lewis hits his eighth 180 and takes out 123 on the bull for a fantastic win.

JAMES WADE v RONNIE BAXTER
0-1 Baxter breaks in the opening leg.
0-2 Wade yet to wake up and Baxter capitalises with a solid hold.
0-3 The first 180 belongs to Ronnie, who opens a real gap with a 116 checkout.
1-3 Baxter misses six darts for a four leg lead that allows Wade in with an 81 checkout.
2-3 Both men hit 180s – Wade leaves double tops, Baxter can’t make a dent in 164 and Wade hits tops at the third attempt.
2-4 Two 180s in the leg from Wade, misses the big one though and Baxter is behind him with tops, he hits it to level.
3-4 Tops missed from Wade, but he’s back with double ten.
3-5 Baxter bounces back with a 180, and a clinical 66 checkout restores the two-leg advantage.
4-5 Wade won’t go away though; his fifth maximum closes the gap.
5-5 Baxter misses the bull for an 86 checkout, Wade nails double top at the third attempt to level.
6-5 Wade leads for the first time with a hold of throw.
7-5 Tops again for Wade who has put his foot down now.
8-5 Fine 105 checkout from Wade who has won five in a row.
8-6 Baxter stops the rot with a 56 checkout.
9-6 Fourth 180 in as many legs for Baxter but an 11-darter moves Wade to within one of the win.
9-7 Double 16 for Baxter to stay in the match.
10-7 Wade takes out 61 to march through to the quarter-finals.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD v MARK WALSH
0-1 Break of throw from Walsh in the opening leg.
0-2 Van Barneveld leaves himself 24 to break back – but Walsh takes out 120 to deny him the chance.
1-2 The Dutchman lands his first dart at a double to take out 106.
1-3 Walsh holds to reopen the two leg lead.
2-3 The first 180 of the match goes to Van Barneveld, who takes out 46 for the fifth leg.
3-3 Walsh misses tops for a 110 checkout, and Van Barneveld makes him pay with a 121 checkout to level.
4-3 Two maximums from Walsh to no avail as Van Barneveld hits the bull for back-to-back 121 checkouts.
5-3 Van Barneveld is five-out-of-five for his doubles now, four legs in a row.
6-3 180 from Van Barneveld, a 12-dart leg and still 100 per cent on the doubles.
7-3 Van Barneveld finally misses darts at doubles – three in fact – but he returns to win six on the spin to take control.
7-4 12 dart leg against the throw from Walsh with an 81 checkout.
7-5 Walsh capitalising on a dip from Van Barneveld, 13 dart leg sealed with tops.
8-5 Almost a third leg in a row for Walsh, but he misses the bull and the Dutchman halts the Walsh comeback with a 70 checkout.
9-5 Great pressure on the Walsh throw from Van Barneveld, and he’s rewarded with a 76 checkout to move to within one leg of victory.
10-5 What a way to finish from the Dutchman – a 161 checkout sees him complete the quarter-final line-up.

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig