Pipe Denied the Benidorm Double as Smith Takes Maiden PC Title
Posted on January 29th, 2012
MICHAEL SMITH won his second professional title with victory in Sunday’s Spanish Darts Classic Players Championship in Benidorm, denying Justin Pipe a weekend double with a 6-3 win in the final.
The 21-year-old from St Helens had won a UK Open Qualifier last February in Barnsley, and picked up the £6,000 first prize from the second PDC ProTour event of 2012.
Having missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish during a defeat to Pipe during Saturday’s Players Championship, Smith gained revenge against the Taunton ace with a 6-3 win in Sunday’s decider at Benidorm’s Melia Hotel.
After edging two of the first three legs in the final, Smith secured the first break of throw with a brilliant fourth leg, hitting a 180 and taking out a 130 checkout on double five. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Bully Boy, Darts Results, Justin Pipe, Michael Smith, PDC Darts Results, PDC Players Championship Benidorm, Ted Hankey
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Lakeside BDO Darts World Championship 2012 – Day 7 Results
Posted on January 13th, 2012
Day 7, mens quarter final results and match reports from the Lakeside 2012 Professional Darts Championship.
This page will be updated throughout play, as and when the results and reports become available.
Quarter Finals:
Alan Norris 1 v 5 Christian Kist
Martin Atkins 1 v 5 Ted Hankey
Match Reports From The BDO
Norris v Kist
Tournament sensation and road worker Christian Kist continued his giant-killing to drive out fancied Alan Norris 5-1.
Norris who had floored third seed Dean Winstanley in the second round simply had nothing in his extensive armoury to cope with the robotic Kist, who showed no trace of tension in his first quarter final appearance in his debut tournament. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2012 World Championship, Alan Norris, BDO Darts Results, Christian Kist, Lakeside, Martin Atkins, Ted Hankey
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Lakeside BDO Darts World Championship 2012 – Day 2 Results
Posted on January 8th, 2012
Day 2, first round mens results and match reports from the Lakeside 2012 Professional Darts Championship.
This page will be updated throughout the days play, as and when the results and reports become available.
Afternoon Session:
John Walton 1 v 3 Martin Atkins
Willy van de Wiel 3 v 0 Dave Prins
Scott Waites 3 v 1 Andy Boulton
Paul Jennings 3 v 1 Garry Thompson
Evening Session:
Ted Hankey 3 v 2 Clive Bardon
Wesley Harms 3 v 1 Martin Phillips
Walton v Atkins
Martin “The Assassin” Atkins produced a giant-killing display in the all-Yorkshire clash to gun down former world champ John Walton 3-1.
It took Leeds-based Atkins 44-minutes to bid seventh seed John Boy “good night” as he fired out his title intentions with an eye-catching 132 checkout.
And it was all the more remarkable because the former world title winner from Sheffield stole the opening set against the throw.
There was intense interest in the all-northern encounter with former Yorkshire favourite Dennis “Bimbo” Hickling who appeared in the world championships back in the 1990s among those in capacity crowd.
Walton signalled his intentions hitting a maximum as he stole the throwing advantage in the opening set. He took the next and then blasted in a 97 checkout, finished on double 10, wrapping up the set in a speedy eight minutes.
All four opening legs of the second set went against the throw after both players misses 100 plus checkouts, Atkins levelling the match on double four, with his fourth attempt at a double after the former world champ missed bull for an 88 checkout and a 2-0 match lead.
The players traded the opening legs in the third set, Walton clinching double 18 against the throw to edge 2-1 in front but then fluffed double tops for a set-winning 100 finish, Atkins, who had hammered in a maximum, exited on 69, finished on double 18 to level the set. Despite a brace of 140s from John Boy, the Assassin hit his 72 checkout, gunning down the double 18 target with a single dart.
The opening legs of the fourth set went against the throw, Walton hitting his third 180 of the match in the next as he finished on 64, Atkins replying with a 13-darter. The Assassin had a place in the next round in his sights as he gunned down Walton, firing out a 180 and 140 followed with a superlative 132 victory checkout, finished on double 18.
van de Wiel v Prins
Flying Dutchman Willy van de Wiel charged into the second round, sweeping aside former warhouseman Dave Prins 3-0 in a rapid 37 minutes.
It was clinical display from the 29-year-old 10th seed from southern Holland, who reaches the second round for the third time.
The Dutch carpenter nailed his intentions in the opening sets, annexing six of the opening seven legs as Peterlee’s Prins screwed his face in agony, suffering his third consecutive opening round dismissal.
The Dutch ace, wearing glasses for the first time in the world championship, stamped his authority right from the off in the opening set with a clinical 3-0 success, Prins struggling to settle in his third appearance on the Frimley Green stage with a new set of 26 gram darts.
Prins powered into the second set to take the opening leg with the throw on double 18, the Dutchman taking the next two and then opening up a 2-0 match lead after Prins failed to pressurise Van de Wiel.
There was more of the same in the third set as Van de Wiel, with the throwing advantage took a 2-1 lead and then booked his passage in the second round with a 54 checkout, completed on double 16.
Afterwards the delighted Dutchman said: “Dave can play much better than that but the first round is always difficult.”
And the 10th seed said that when he feels good on stage his play speeds up.
“My hand shakes when I play so I try to throw quickly. I feel good when I am throwing fast.”
Waites v Boulton
Joint favourite Scott Waites called the tune, despatching karaoke-loving Andy Boulton in an absorbing 42 minute encounter 3-1.
After a storming start to the match, the Yorkshireman had to dig deep after the man nicknamed X-Factor threatened to spoil the script but felt the full wrath of the man nicknamed “Scotty to Hotty.”
The 2011 World Master narrowly missed taking the opening leg of the match against the throw when he wired bull for a show-stopping 123 finish. He then levelled and followed up with eye-catching 106 and 116 checkouts to steamroller to a 3-1 opening set success.
As he romped to his third successive leg he blasted in the week’s biggest checkout – 156 finished on double 16 to annex the opening leg of the second set. The following two were swapped but Boulton missed double 11 for a set-winning 142 checkout, as Waites powered in a 180 and 72 finish completed on double tops. The deciding fifth leg was a hard fought affair but Boulton blasted in a 64 checkout to level the match.
Waites opened up a 2-1 lead in the third set but then missed two attempts for double 16 for the set, with Boulton needing 139. After hitting a perfect treble 20, he followed up with treble 19 and looking on in disbelief as his third dart narrowly missed a set saving double 11. Waites grateful of a second chance fired in double 18 with his second dart.
The Halifax player eased into a 2-0 lead in the fourth set including a 134 checkout finished with double 16 but then missed two shots at his favourite double 18 and a brace for double four to win the match, Boulton nipping in to clinch 65 on double four.
Leaving himself 140, Waites hit two 60s but then wired double 10, Boulton powerless to respond as the Yorkshireman returned, needing all three darts to cross the line with a match-winning double 10.
Jennings v Thompson
Sparkling debutant Paul Jennings tamed Garry “The Cougar” Thompson into a 3-1 submission to win through their first round clash.
But the 12th seed from Hartlepool was made to work for his victory in the 40-minute gripper by the never-say-die West Yorkshireman.
The newcomer made a dramatic start to his Lakeside debut hitting bull for an opening set winning 81 checkout, unchallenged by Thompson who has twice reached the last eight.
Showing no trace of first night nerves in his Frimley Green bow, Jennings surged 2-0 ahead, taming the man known as the Cougar, who scrambled to the next two legs, after impressive Jennings missed double 18 for a 147 set winner. In the deciding fifth leg Jenno fired out a maximum as he eased into a shock 2-0 match lead.
But Thompson is a scrapper and blitzed through the third set unchallenged, clinching it with an 81 checkout, finished on double 18, to tee up his 47th birthday celebrations tomorrow (Monday).
Double eight gave Jenno a 2-0 fourth set lead only to see the gritty Silsden man claw his way back taking the third leg on double tops and then firing out a 180 as he clinched the fourth leg on double five to take it into a deciding leg.
Thompson was favourite for the leg after hitting a maximum, Jennings sweeping back with 174 but then missing an astonishing six match-winning doubles before scrambling home on double four after Thomson himself had missed doubles to keep his tournament hopes alive.
“I’ve waited 15 years to play at Lakeside,” said a beaming Jennings after his win, spoiling Thompson’s birthday plans!
Hankey v Bardon
Former double winner Ted “The Count” Hankey eased into the last 16 after burying impressive debutant Clive Barden 3-2 remaining cool in soaring temperatures on stage.
Losing a 2-0 lead the Shropshire-based 15th seed had to dig deep as the match was taken to a nailbiting fifth set.
Hankey used his experience to overcome dangerous Barden, deliberately trying to slow the quick-throwing 33-year-old but the Lakeside newcomer took it all in his stride.
Bullying his opponent, Hankey fired out a maximum as he annexed the opening set unchallenged against the throw, his power throwing giving him the luxury of having time to miss doubles.
The Count missed double tops for a 120 checkout in the opening leg of the second as Barden exited on double four, both players hitting 180s as legs were traded, the 15th seed missing the chance to take the set after fluffing an attempt for double 20. In the deciding fifth, Hankey nailed his title intentions on the match, producing a superb 120 finish, completed on double tops.
Despite missing doubles Hankey stole the opening leg of the third set against the throw but Hot Dog leapt in to grab the next with a 97 checkout, finished on double 12, adding the next with a 51 checkout, The Count pouncing to take the fourth witha 145 finish. But despite a 140 from Hankey it was Barden who produced the goods, snatching the set with double 16.
And he piled on the pressure in the opening leg of the fourth, producing the tournament’s highest checkout of 160 to stun The Count, who needed three double attempts to level in the next. Barden annexed the next for a 2-1 set lead, holding his nerve to level the match on double five.
The former world champ hit double 18 against the throw to open the deciding fifth set, followed up taking the second and then clinched victory with a two dart 85 checkout finished on double tops after newcomer Barden missed.
Afterwards confident a profusely sweating Hankey who said the temperature on stage was the hottest he had known, said he knew Clive Barden was a dangerous opponent.
“He has been up there in all the tournaments he has played during the past 12 months. I did not want to come off stage after two sets for the break. He went loony afterwards scoring well and hitting doubles.
“However once I got the opening leg of the fifth set I knew I could win and I believe I can win this week, My next match againt Scott will be tough, he is a brilliant player but I have just got to go out and play darts,” said Hankey.
Harms v Phillips
“Sparky” the Dutch electrician short-circuited the hopes of the experienced Dolgellau double semi finalist, punishing him for countless missed doubles.
Harms from north Holland produced a performance which betrayed his youthful 27 years against Wales’ most capped international.
Sparky charged into the match annexing six of the opening seven legs, including taking the throwing advantage away from Phillips in the opening set.
The man from the Principality took the deciding fifth leg of the third set to begin his comeback and despite losing the opening leg of the fourth set he took the second and third legs.
Harms levelled the set but Phillips who had consistently missed doubles failed to peg double 10 in the deciding fifth leg to save his tournament hopes as the talented Dutchman hit double one to move into the second round.
Tags: BDO Darts Results, BDO World Championship 2012, First Round Results, John Walton, Lakeside, Scott Waites, Ted Hankey
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Lakeside 2012 – A Preview By Phil Haigh
Posted on January 6th, 2012
The 2012 Lakeside World Championship kicks off in style on Saturday afternoon with 16 players taking to the famous stage in eight matches, including defending champion Martin Adams who is looking to make it three titles in a row as he begins his defence against Scott Mitchell.
Wolfie is bidding to become only the second man after Eric Bristow to win three consecutive BDO World Championships and is joint favourite with the bookies to win the fourth World title of his illustrious career.
The England captain will have to navigate his way round Mitchell though, who despite being handed arguably the toughest opening match possible, was absolutely thrilled with the draw.
“I watched the draw live on ESPN at home,” Scotty Dog explained, “Up came Ron (Meulenkamp) first at number 16 seed, then Martin (Adams) as number one seed up next and I was shouting at the tv pick me, pick me, pick me and them out I came. I was running round the room punching the air.
“It will be an honour to play him on such a big world stage. When I told my Dad I had drawn Martin he said: “Oh no. You’re gonna have to get back next year to get the first round hoodoo out the way then”. Nothing like a bit of family confidence to back you up. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: BDO World Championship Preview, Dean Winstanley, Lakeside 2012, Martin Adams, Ted Hankey
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Two Worlds Collide II – The Aftermath
Posted on November 24th, 2011
Two weeks ago I wrote how the Grand Slam was likely to see the boys from the BDO step under the bright lights of the PDC and show them what they are made of, and I believe they did just that, although it is somewhat up for debate.
On first glance at the fallout of what was a great tournament in Wolverhampton, the plain facts are that only PDC players reached the semi-final stage and Ted Hankey cut a solitary figure as the lone BDO man in the quarters. Furthermore, one round back and only Dean Winstanley and Martin Phillips were alongside Hankey in the last 16, meaning only three of the six that ventured in front of the Sky Sports cameras for the first time this year got beyond the group stage.
These are indisputable facts, but it is also a pretty harsh way to look at the BDO players’ performances. First of all, there were only six of them out of a field of 32, and Scott Waites was the only one of them to be seeded, so the odds were hardly in their favour from the off.
Also, although the likes of Waites, Hankey and Tony O’Shea have competed in this competition a few times before, the nature of the PDC tournaments is considerably different to the more serene BDO tournaments, and will take some getting used to for the likes of 21-year-old debutant Jan Dekker.
Although the glory that went with Waites winning the tournament last year wasn’t there for the BDO this time out, their performances and contribution to the Grand Slam will be something that they as an organisation can be extremely proud of. Hankey, until his exit, was the man that everyone was tuning in for, not just for his antics with the crowd, but because he was playing great darts in exciting matches, leading to talk of a Premier League invite.
Winstanley, although he went out in the second round, was one of only five men to win all three of his group games and in averaging 104.5 in round two, was extremely unlucky to crash out at that stage.
It was not just the performances though that were a treat for the sky viewers, the entertainment the BDO boys provided on the oche was first class, and the relationship with the PDC players also seemed to be incredibly good.
Rarely have I seen as many hugs during and after a match before Winstanley narrowly lost to Mark Walsh, and the respect between Phillips and Mark Webster in their second round tie was plain for all to see. It just makes you think that darts as a whole would be hugely better off if all these great players could play together more regularly.
Phil Haigh – twitter follow @philhaigh_
Photo – Lawrence Lustig
On demand highlights of this years Grand Slam can be viewed here.
Tags: BDO, Grand Slam of Darts, PDC Darts, Phil Haigh, Scott Waites, Ted Hankey
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William Hill Grand Slam of Darts Quarter Final Results
Posted on November 20th, 2011
Saturday November 19
Afternoon Session
Ted Hankey 14-16 Mark Walsh
Gary Anderson 16-12 Terry Jenkins
TED HANKEY was knocked out of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday afternoon as Mark Walsh enjoyed a fine 16-14 victory in their quarter-final, with Gary Anderson defeating Terry Jenkins 16-12 to join him in the semi-finals.
Two-time World Champion Hankey threatened a stunning fightback when he came from 15-9 to trail Walsh by just one leg of their last eight encounter.
However, he missed three darts at double 16 to force a deciding leg before Walsh finished 90 to win through to only the second major televised final of his career.
“I missed an awful lot of doubles early on and I was always chasing the game,” said Hankey. “It didn’t seem to go for me early on but I’m happy – I played well enough and it just wasn’t good enough on the day.”
Walsh, the 2005 UK Open runner-up, will now meet Anderson in Sunday’s semi-finals as he searches for his maiden major title.
“At 15-10 I thought the game would be over soon and then he started coming back,” admitted Walsh. “I started to doubt myself and I thought I’d thrown it away, but he missed his chance and I took the 90 out.”
Anderson was also made to sweat before sealing his 16-12 win over Jenkins.
The Scot hit ten 180s and finished the game with an average of 99.97, with a mid-game burst which saw him win seven out of eight legs proving crucial before Jenkins hit back from 13-7 down to cause him some anxious moments.
“I’m relieved to have got through that,” said Anderson. “Terry’s best form is returning and he kept coming back at me.
“I knew there were a lot of 140s and 180s from me but the doubles are the main thing and I missed too many. I thought I was going to blow it at the end and started panicking, but I had a good winning leg.”
Saturday’s evening session sees the remaining two quarter-finals, as PDC World Champion Adrian Lewis plays former Lakeside Champion Mark Webster before three-time Grand Slam winner Phil Taylor meets Paul Nicholson.
MARK WALSH 16-14 TED HANKEY
MARK WALSH won through to only the second televised semi-final of his career with a thrilling 16-14 win over battling Ted Hankey at the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.
The Hertfordshire ace, whose only similar success in a televised major came when he reached the 2005 UK Open final, continued a superb debut at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall with a clinical defeat of the two-time World Champion.
Walsh led 8-3 and 15-9 in the race to 16 legs before Hankey took five straight legs to threaten an incredible comeback, finding his range on the doubles which had deserted him earlier in the contest.
Walsh missed five match darts as the tension mounted, but he regained his composure to finish 90 for a place in Sunday’s semi-finals, where he meets Gary Anderson or Terry Jenkins.
“At 15-10 I thought the game would be over soon and then he started coming back,” admitted Walsh.
“I started to doubt myself and I thought I’d thrown it away, but he missed his chance and I took the 90 out.”
Although Hankey took the game’s opening leg, he missed two early darts at a double in a taste of the finishing problems he would suffer throughout the game.
Walsh hit a 174 before levelling on double top in the second, and stepped in to punish Hankey’s misses in the next two to move 3-1 up courtesy of double four and double ten.
Walsh also landed a 180 in the fifth leg, but Hankey checked out 101 to cut the gap to 3-2, and after sharing the next two it was the Hertfordshire thrower who took command by winning four successive legs.
Hankey missed doubles to win three of them as his woes on double top and ten continued, with Walsh capitalising to move 8-3 up.
Hankey won the 12th, following up a 180 with a double top finish, and also landed a maximum in the next only to see Walsh follow up his earlier 180 with tops.
Walsh then finished 122 to move 10-4 up, and he bettered that with a 124 checkout after Hankey landed double 12 to move 11-5 up.
The next six legs were shared as Walsh moved two away from the win at 14-8, before a miss at tops from Walsh saw Hankey hit double ten to reduce the gap to five legs.
Walsh, though, hit a 180 and stepped in following a missed double ten from the Telford thrower to hit tops and move to the brink of victory – only for Hankey to spring to life.
A pair of double ten finishes won Hankey the next two legs as he fought back, and after trading 180s with Walsh he took out double two to reduce the gap to 15-12.
He posted another 180 in a 14-darter to take the next as Walsh missed tops for a 120 checkout and the match – and the drama continued as Hankey took a fifth successive leg in thrilling fashion.
Walsh opened with seven perfect darts but hit a three instead of treble 19 as his bid for a nine-darter went begging, and then after leaving 24 he missed two darts at double 12 and one at double six as Hankey posted double eight to keep the match alive at 15-14.
Walsh’s double trouble continued when he left 90 in the next, landing treble 20 but missing double 15 and then bursting his score – but Hankey crucially missed three darts at double 16 and he returned to finish the combination at the second time of asking to take the win.
Hankey admitted: “I missed an awful lot of doubles early on and I was always chasing the game.
“It didn’t seem to go for me early on but I’m happy. I played well enough and it just wasn’t good enough on the day, but I reached the quarter-finals and enjoyed the week.
“Mark played great, he was superb and I wish him the best of luck in the semis.”
GARY ANDERSON 16-12 TERRY JENKINS
GARY ANDERSON held off Terry Jenkins’ fightback to win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.
The Scot hit ten 180s in another heavy-scoring display, although he was made to sweat as Jenkins threatened a comeback when he came from 13-7 behind to trail just 15-12.
Anderson, though, hit double ten to finally secure his triumph and a place in the last four of the Grand Slam for the third time in five years of the event.
Jenkins had defied a 180 from Anderson to take the game’s opening leg before the Scot levelled on tops and hit further maximums in the next two to break throw and then lead 3-1.
A fourth 180 followed in leg five, but Jenkins replied in kind and took out double top for a 14-darter to hit back.
He then took out 110 to break and double ten to lead 4-3 as Anderson stuttered, although he replied superbly with legs of 12 and 13 darts to wrestle back the lead.
Anderson missed three darts to win the tenth as Jenkins levelled, and after hitting double ten to break for a 6-5 lead was again punished as he missed seven darts at a double before his opponent hit double three.
Anderson, though, hit top gear to reel off the next four legs in effortless fashion, hitting three 13-dart finishes and a 14-darter to move 10-6 up.
Jenkins hit a 180 and a 78 finish to slow his charge, but Anderson replied with another 14-dart leg, a 128 checkout to break throw and double five for a 13-7 cushion.
Tops gave Jenkins his eighth leg and, after Anderson hit a 180 in a 13-darter, the pair traded maximums in the next as the 2008 runner-up cut the gap to 14-9.
Anderson hit double top in the next to move one leg away from the win, but Jenkins landed in the same bed in the next and punished a missed double 14 for the match in pulling back to 15-11.
Anderson also missed the bull for victory in the next as Jenkins hit tops, but Anderson landed three 140s to pull clear in leg 28 and landed double ten to secure his semi-final berth.
“I’m relieved to have got through that,” said Anderson. “Terry’s best form is returning and he kept coming back at me, so it was nice to get the winning leg eventually.
“I knew there were a lot of 140s and 180s from me but the doubles are the main thing and I missed too many. I thought I was going to blow it at the end and started panicking, but I had a good winning leg.”
Anderson now takes on Mark Walsh in Sunday’s semi-finals, and he said: “Mark’s playing well so it should be a good game. His form has been steady throughout the week and he’s done really well to get this far.”
Jenkins said: “I let Gary get into a lead and it was always going to be a big ask to pull it back. I came good at the end but wish I’d played like that in the middle of the game.
“I’m happy with how I’ve played this week since losing in my first game, and I know my form’s coming good so I’ll look to take that forward from here.”
Evening Session (7pm)
Mark Webster 5-16 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor 16-7 Paul Nicholson
Best of 31 legs
PHIL TAYLOR and Adrian Lewis will clash in the semi-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday afternoon after they progressed safely past Paul Nicholson and Mark Webster at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Three-time Grand Slam of Darts champion Taylor swept aside Nicholson 16-7 to earn his spot in the last four as he bids to regain the £100,000 title.
Taylor led 3-0 and 8-1 before Nicholson hit back, but the 15-time World Champion had too much scoring power as he eased into the semis, which will be played on Sunday afternoon ahead of the evening’s final.
“I’m over the moon to still be in the running and it would be special to win this title back on Sunday,” said Taylor.
“It will be a hard day but I’m really looking forward to playing Adrian in the semi-finals because he’s having a good tournament so far and getting back to his best.”
PDC World Champion Lewis – the world number two – had earlier won through to the last four for the first time in the Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-5 win over Welshman Webster.
Lewis had seen John Part threaten a comeback when he pulled clear in Friday’s second round, but made no mistake 24 hours later by finishing 62 percent of his chances at a double in a clinical display.
“I started a bit slowly with my scoring but I was hitting my doubles and I kept Mark under pressure,” said Lewis. “I know I’m in good form and as long as my finishing is good I know that I’ll hit the scores.
“My finishing hasn’t let me down and I feel confident, and there’s no reason why I can’t go on to win the tournament.”
The other semi-final features Mark Walsh and Gary Anderson who had enjoyed tougher victories over Ted Hankey and Terry Jenkins respectively earlier in the day.
Anderson will be competing in his third Grand Slam of Darts semi-final as he bids to follow up May’s Premier League Darts victory with another major title, while 2005 UK Open runner-up Walsh will be appearing in only his second major semi-final.
Play in the semi-finals begins at 2.30pm, with the final to follow at 8pm on Sunday evening, and all games are the best of 31 legs.
ADRIAN LEWIS 16-5 MARK WEBSTER
ADRIAN LEWIS stormed into the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals with a 16-5 win over Mark Webster at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday night.
The PDC World Champion’s best-ever run in the Grand Slam of Darts continued as he progressed to the last four courtesy of a clinical victory, as he hit 62 percent of his chances at a double.
Lewis failed to hit a 180 until the game’s ninth leg, which sparked a run which saw him crucially win eight legs out of nine to pull away from 5-3 to lead 13-4.
Webster took out 108 to threaten a fightback, but unlike John Part 24 hours earlier was unable to cause Lewis any headaches as the Stoke ace won three in a row to seal the win.
“I switched off when I got ahead against John Part on Friday but I learned my lesson and didn’t ease up this time,” said Lewis.
“I started a bit slowly with my scoring but I was hitting my doubles and I kept Mark under pressure. My manager Keith Deller told me to knuckle down and I came out focused and firing.
“I know I’m in good form and as long as my finishing is good I know that I’ll hit the scores. My finishing hasn’t let me down and I feel confident, and there’s no reason why I can’t go on to win the tournament.”
After Lewis edged the opener, Webster hit a 180 in levelling before the World Champion landed the bull for a 95 checkout in the third.
Lewis then missed the bull in the fourth as Webster levelled on tops, but the world number two took out 104 and a superb 152 to lead 4-2 before punishing misses from the Welshman to take out 80 for a three-leg cushion.
Tops gave Webster the eighth, but Lewis opened the next with his first maximum of the contest as he took out an 11-darter to lead 6-3.
He broke twice in the next three legs and then hit tops for a 13-dart leg to complete a run of five in a row as he moved 10-3 up, although Webster hit back with a 12-dart finish courtesy of an 88 checkout.
Lewis replied with three successive 14-dart finishes to move 13-4 up, before Webster defied another 180 from his opponent to take out 108 to take his fifth leg.
That would be his last chance at a double, as Lewis followed another 14-darter with a 91 finish as he moved 15-5 up, and he sealed victory in style with a 128 checkout.
“I’m disappointed with the scoreline and maybe it didn’t reflect the game, but I missed too many doubles early on and Adrian punished me,” said Webster.
“I’ve got to take the positives out of this week and it’s another quarter-final appearance for me in a major tournament. I’m ambitious but I’ve got to be patient too because I’m still learning.”
PHIL TAYLOR 16-7 PAUL NICHOLSON
PHIL TAYLOR’S quest to regain the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts title continued as he swept aside Paul Nicholson 16-7 to power into Sunday’s semi-finals at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Taylor never looked troubled after taking leads of 3-0 and 8-1 against Nicholson, who was unable to find the form which had seen him defeat the world number one in June’s UK Open.
Nicholson had won the pre-match bullseye but handed Taylor the throw in an attempt to win an immediate break, which initially looked set to pay off when he opened with a 180 only to then miss five darts to take the opening leg as Taylor hit double ten to hold.
Taylor then broke with a superb 11-darter, which featured a 180 of his own, before moving 3-0 up courtesy of double 16.
Nicholson hit his second maximum of the game in taking the fourth on double five, landing a pressure third dart after Taylor had hit a 177 to leave 24, but it was the Stoke ace who struck the next blow.
He hit a 180 in a 14-darter to enter the first break 4-1 up and followed that with a 174 score in a 13-dart finish which he ended on double top.
Finishes of double 16 and tops moved Taylor 7-1 up before two misses from Nicholson allowed him in to pull further clear on double five.
Taylor posted another 180 in the next leg, but missed his chance to lead by eight legs when Nicholson stepped in to land double 16.
A 14-darter gave Taylor a 9-2 cushion before Nicholson produced his best spell of the game to win three successive legs, following up a double top finish with a pair of 14-dart checkouts in pulling back to 9-5.
Taylor, though, replied in the same manner with a treble burst of his own, twice hitting double six and once landing double 16 in restoring his advantage at 12-5.
Nicholson hit back with double 16, but Taylor took out 80 and then finished 88 on the bull before a 13-darter, which featured two 180s and a double 16 checkout, moved him to the brink of victory.
Nicholson hit his fourth 180 of the game in an 11-dart finish to hit back, but it was only delaying the inevitable as Taylor posted a ninth maximum and hit double 16 for a 13-darter to complete the triumph.
“It was a good game and I really enjoyed that,” said Taylor. “Paul’s got a lot of bottle and he kept coming back at me, even though he wasn’t playing as well as he can.
“I’m over the moon to still be in the running and it would be special to win this title back on Sunday.
“It will be a hard day but I’m really looking forward to playing Adrian in the semi-finals because he’s having a good tournament so far and getting back to his best.”
Nicholson admitted: “The week as a whole has been good but tonight didn’t go to plan, unfortunately it wasn’t my time.
“I still enjoyed the game and I’ve learned a lot this week, which I can take on now to the Players Championship Finals and World Championship next month.”
Semi-Finals
Sunday November 20 (2.30pm)
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
Mark Walsh v Gary Anderson
Best of 31 legs
Final
Sunday November 20 (8pm)
Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Tags: Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson, Grand Slam of Darts 2011, Mark Walsh, Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson, PDC Darts Results, Phil Taylor, Ted Hankey, Terry Jenkins, Wolverhampton
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William Hill Grand Slam of Darts Last 16
Posted on November 18th, 2011
With the group stages determined last night and half the field eliminated from this years Grand Slam of Darts, our attention turns to the last 16 (Round 2). Following 5 days of races to 6, the last 16 offers the players the chance to slug it out over a few more legs, with the first man to notch up 10 to his name securing a place in the quarter final and a guaranteed £15k payday.
On paper the game of the night looked to be James Wade v Gary Anderson, notwithstanding The Flying Scotsman’s recent comments of course. However, surprisingly, or not? It was the two games featuring BDO v PDC that offered the closest scoreline, drama and overall entertainment.
Dean Winstanley (9) v (10) Mark Walsh
The only thing predictable in this clash was the winners surname would begin with W. Having no previous head to head form to go on, and nothing significantly separating their tournament stats.
Walsh took first blood, however the Yorkshireman quickly took the next 3 legs giving himself a 2 leg buffer with a 92 finish on the bull and sitting on a 107 average. Walsh though, with 83% checkout success including finishes of 138, 98, 60 and 82 regained the advantage at 5-3. The following two legs were shared meaning that Special Brew entered the break 6-4 ahead, despite Winstanley maintaining a 100+ average. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Dean Winstanley, Gary Anderson, Grand Slam of Darts, James Wade, Last 16, PDC Darts Results, Ted Hankey, Terry Jenkins, Wayne Jones
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William Hill Grand Slam of Darts – Tuesday Evening Round-Up
Posted on November 16th, 2011
TED HANKEY, Terry Jenkins and Michael van Gerwen turned on the style to win through to the knockout stages of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday night.
Hankey entered his clash with fellow Stoke-born ace White knowing that the winner would progress to the second round from Group B alongside Dean Winstanley.
And Hankey responded in superb fashion with a 5-3 triumph which included a 161 checkout amongst two bullseye finishes as he averaged over 100 to move into the last 16, where he will play van Gerwen on Thursday night.
“Ian’s a great player and he played well but I was delighted with my finishing, which was brilliant,” said Hankey. “The 161 was sweet and the other bullseye was a big shot, and I felt great.
“I’m looking forward to playing Michael – it will be an interesting game because he’s playing very well this year.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Gary Anderson, Grand Slam of Drats 2011, Ian White, Justin Pipe, PDC Darts Results, Ted Hankey, Terry Jenkins
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William Hill Grand Slam of Darts – Sunday Evening Round-Up
Posted on November 14th, 2011
REIGNING CHAMPION Scott Waites and Raymond van Barneveld were both knocked out of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday night as Mark Walsh and Dean Winstanley secured their places in the last 16 at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Waites suffered a second successive defeat in Group A when he went down 5-4 to Tony O’Shea as the Stockport ace came from 4-1 down to win in a deciding leg.
Walsh’s later victory over Michael van Gerwen means that Waites is now eliminated from the tournament and that the Dutch youngster plays O’Shea on Tuesday night for a place in the second round.
Van Barneveld, meanwhile, followed up Saturday’s loss to Ian White with a 5-2 defeat to Ted Hankey, who had also been defeated in his opening Group B clash but bounced back in style.
Van Barneveld had shared the opening four legs before Hankey took the fifth and then finished 121 to break and move 4-2 up, before winning the next on double ten for a victory which, coupled with Winstanley’s victory over White, ended his opponent’s hopes in the event. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Grand Slam of Darts 2011, PDC Darts Results, Raymond van Barneveld, Scoot Waites, Ted Hankey
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William Hill Grand Slam of Darts – Night One Round-Up
Posted on November 13th, 2011
REIGNING CHAMPION Scott Waites, former World Champions Raymond van Barneveld and Ted Hankey and Premier League Darts Champion Gary Anderson all suffered defeats in an exciting opening to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday night.
The £400,000 tournament kicked off at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall with eight first round matches from Groups A-D, as debutants Ian White, Dean Winstanley and Nigel Heydon stole the show.
Wildcard Qualifier White – who only came into the event on Monday when Simon Whitlock was ruled out through injury – defeated five-time World Champion van Barneveld 5-4 in their opening Group B clash to make a superb first appearance in the event.
Doncaster’s Winstanley, the 2011 Lakeside Championship runner-up, joined White in the winner’s enclosure with a stunning whitewash of two-time World Champion Ted Hankey.
“I’m so happy with the result and to be honest I’m lost for words,” said a stunned Winstanley. “Ted is a superb champion and a great player but he didn’t take his chances tonight.”
Hankey and van Barneveld will now play on Sunday evening knowing that the loser will be almost certainly eliminated from the event in the group stage. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Dean Winstanley, Gary Anderson, Grand Slam of Darts 2011, Ian White, Michael Van Gerwen, PDC Darts Results, Scott Waites, Ted Hankey
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Both poker and darts are highly popular pursuits. The games are available online, in fact, that there are organizations dedicated to making sure the rules of video poker and online darts are conformed. Similar to darts having the World Darts Federation, among others, and poker has the Tournament Directors Association. These rules are put into place in highly competitive tournaments, in which as many as hundreds or even thousands of people compete for cash prizes as well as prestige.
