Congratulations to our new follower winner, Ally Steele, our UK Open quiz question winner, Becky Taylor, and our 500^th follower, Alex Bibby, who all won Bendy Bullies!

Sunday’s action is described elsewhere on the site – James Wade saw off Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Wes Newton to claim his seventh major title as the threads were tied up on a number of sub-plots that culminated in Wade’s remarkable catharsis.

Newton’s run to the final was his best showing in a major and it contained probably his finest display on TV when he demolished Raymond van Barneveld 9-1 in the last 16. That match was the peak of The Warrior’s weekend though as his performances bore a resemblance of Blackpool’s Big One ride.

The Fleetwood thrower didn’t have to extend himself too much in his first two matches against John Henderson and Michael van Gerwen but he steadily improved before hitting the groove against Barney.

From here it was all downhill and in his post match interviews following quarter final victory over Dave Chisnall and semi final victory over Denis Ovens, Newton stated that he didn’t feel he’d played well but had done enough.

Averages of 94.56 and 94.55 contrasted with the 100 plus he banged in against Barney. Come the final his average had dipped to 88.51 and Wade was able to keep his opponent at arm’s length throughout the match. Newton couldn’t produce another big performance when it mattered most.

It is all good experience though and Wes Newton’s career is definitely on the rise. Nobody plays more Pro Tour events and his results over the last year have been great, propelling him to number eight in the PDC Order of Merit. This position was cemented with his Bolton exploits and he now has his sights set firmly on the top five, and a Premier League place in 2012.

He has travelled many miles in his quest for darting glory and he has come a long way (including shuffling about a foot along the oche!) since my first dealings with him back in 2006 when he was known as Avit and made his debut in the World Matchplay at Blackpool. The Matchplay is a home gig for Newton and he was understandably desperate to do well.

I had been discussing sponsorship opportunities with him and this was the first major where he would be wearing my patch on his shirt. He drew John Part on Sunday night in the first round and was distraught after a 10-2 defeat. A year later he’d qualified again and drew Phil Taylor. This is how it goes when you are hovering around the fringes of the top 32.

He has yet to win a match at the Winter Gardens but this year he appears battle hardened and more comfortable on the main stage. Bolton was a big step in the right direction, Blackpool could be a massive leap.

A Grand Slam of Darts place is in the bag for the next two years and Newton has now brought Peter Manley in as manager to help him with the public side of life as a top darts player. This is a smart move; few have been in the spotlight as much as One Dart and his experience will be enormous benefit.

I tell anybody that will listen that their image is a package; what you do away from the oche is just as important as what you do on it. Cultivating a profile and a following, looking after yourself, both physically and mentally, and making yourself an attractive proposition to potential sponsors is almost as important as results on the board.

Many players come and go, visiting the top 16 for a brief period for their fifteen minutes of fame. However Wes Newton looks like he’s here to stay; he’s served his apprenticeship, is about to become a father, and is now ready for a sustained assault on the majors.

Meanwhile James Wade has been gathering major titles at a steady rate; this was his second UK Open title and seventh major (six on TV). Only Phil Taylor has had more success over the period Wade has won these trophies.

What made this latest success so impressive is Wade’s recent revelations of spending a spell in the Priory being treated for depression and mental issues at the turn of the year. The Machine had broken down and needed some serious maintenance.

Few outside darts’ inner circle were aware of what was happening, or the extent of Wade’s obvious mental fragility. We all witnessed his capitulation to Scott Waites in the Grand Slam of Darts final and his meek exit to Mensur Suljovic at the World Championships.

In hindsight, armed with what we now know, reaching the Grand Slam final was a remarkable achievement. He walked off the Ally Pally stage and straight into the Priory where his life changed for the better.

Six months on and he was contesting the first round of the UK Open having amassed insufficient money to be seeded – a reflection of how his tour results had suffered in the preceding nine months. Few could have predicted he would be the last man standing but it was great to see the smile back on his face.

In all honesty James Wade is not everybody’s cup of tea; a curious, introverted character who’s attempts at humour and bravado often have the tumble weed drifting by. The quest for a nickname bordered on comical and the eventual monicker, The Machine, turned out to be perfect, albeit perhaps not for the reasons it was chosen.

However, nobody can deny his talent and he has honed that talent into a winning formula. With Taylor and Barney entering the sunsets of their career, at just 28 years of age he has plenty of time to rack up a CV that will stand the scrutiny of time. A steady home life and rock solid backing from Jason Thame’s Modus Darts organisation is the perfect bedrock.

With nice symmetry it was the UK Open in 2005 where James Wade first came to my attention, he knocked out Wayne Mardle and Bob Anderson (scuppering my accumulator!) before losing to the wily Peter Manley in the last 16. Within a couple of years he had won the World Matchplay and has not looked back.

Wade asserts that his strength of mind has been on the rocks since an early age, plagued by doubt and introspection; this puts his achievements into stark perspective and coats his seven major crowns in a lustrous veneer. In all truth it should have been eight given the position he was in against Waites in ‘that’ Grand Slam final.

Lying in bed and crying on your birthday is no life for a 28 year old; striving to become the best player in the world in your chosen profession on the other hand is. If Wade can get his head around this he will realise he has the world at his feet and then the world of darts really had better watch out.

There is a fresh wind blowing in darts, the old guard are being slowly consigned to the history books as a new brigade take centre stage. As Anderson, Lewis, Nicholson, Newton, Whitlock, Webster, and the rest continue their march on the game, James Wade still leads from the front.

A new chapter in his life coincides with a new page being turned in the sport of darts and if he can win seven majors in the Taylor era with psychological shortcomings, imagine what he will achieve in the future. The new page could well be titled ‘The Wade Era’.

Also extra kudos to Rileys for facilitating our competition and providing one lucky DartsMad winner with tickets to both final day sessions. Read on….

The Rileys 32 did themselves proud at the recent Speedy Hire UK Open.

The UK Open is known as the FA Cup of darts; it gives amateurs the chance to play against the big boys of the darts world on live television, and maybe cause a few upsets!

Thanks to Rileys, 32 amateur darts players got the chance to compete in this major tournament which is broadcast live on Sky Sports.  The Rileys UK Open Qualifiers competition ran in April at Rileys Darts Zones across the UK.  The competition was open to anyone, and the prize was a place in the Speedy Hire UK Open which took place 2-5 June at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

There were 32 places up for grabs at heats across the country.  The winners came from all walks of life including a sports coach, builder, cabinet maker, publican, gardener and salesman.

Out of the 32 qualifiers ten made it through to the money rounds, winning a collective £18,000 prize money between them!

Richard North, Sam Hill, Stuart Monaghan, Richie Howson, Graham Hollis and Paul Harvey all made it through to the third round, winning themselves £1,000 each.

Jo Murnan and Andrew Gilding progressed to the fourth round where they both bowed out with £2,000 prize money.

Two of the Rileys qualifiers brilliantly made it through to the last 16 of the tournament, causing a few surprises along the way.

John Bowles, a builder from Widnes and a former Widnes rugby league player, knocked out Peter Manley on the main stage live on Sky before going on to beat Devon Peterson, Justin Pipe, and knocking out the housewives favourite, Steve Beaton.

Bowles was eventually knocked out in the fifth round by Dave Chisnall by 9 games to 4, taking away £4,000 in prize money.  Not bad for a man with two metal plates in his throwing arm!

Hard Landscaper Andy Boulton, originally from Stoke but now living in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire also bagged himself £4,000.  Boulton beat Jimmy Mann in the first round then went on to knock out another of Rileys qualifiers Jon Bott, followed by Vincent van der Voort and Matthew Edgar before getting beaten 9 – 4 by Mark Webster in the fifth round.

Talking about the qualifiers competition, Maurice Kelly, CEO of Rileys said: “We introduced this competition to give the amateur darts player the chance to play in one of the biggest darts competitions around.  There’s a prize fund of £200,000 so it’s a great opportunity for the qualifiers and a chance for them to be seen in front of millions of viewers on live TV.”

Maurice adds: “It was a great tournament, excellently run and everyone enjoyed themselves.  I’m delighted for the qualifiers, particularly those who got through to the latter stages to come away with prize money!”

To keep up to date with news and competitions on Rileys visit www.Rileys.co.uk

The day’s action is described elsewhere on the site; James Wade saw off Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Wes Newton to claim his seventh major title as the threads were tied up on a number of sub-plots that culminated in Wade’s remarkable catharsis.

More to come…

Left-hander Wade followed up his 2008 success in Bolton with a second UK Open title, scooping £40,000 with wins over Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster and Newton in a gruelling final day of darts.

The Aldershot ace picked up his first major since revealing his battle with bipolar affective disorder and ADHD in a tight final against Newton as the lead changed hands three times.

Newton took three legs in a row to come from 4-3 down to lead 6-4, but Wade won four of the next five in taking command before going on to seal victory with double top.

“It’s amazing for me,” said Wade. “I’ve had so many problems but I’ve got through it and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.

“My sponsors stuck by me and my manager stuck by me and this is dedicated to them. My life’s easier now and the World Championship is a possibility for me now after this.

“The UK Open’s such a hard tournament to win and I started in the first round on Thursday, which seems ages ago, so it’s a proud moment.”

Wade, who won the final three legs of his dramatic semi-final against Mark Webster to win 10-9, started in good fashion winning the opening leg with a two-dart 78 finish and then doubled his lead with a 13-darter.

The world number four had a chance to win the third leg, but his attempt at double top was unsuccessful and Newton stepped in to land double ten and get off the mark.

Newton hit a 180 in the process of taking the fourth leg in just 14 darts, but Wade regained the lead by winning the next on double five.

Wade missed two opportunities to break throw in the sixth as two darts at double top were off-target, and Newton completed a 65 finish by hitting double four with his third dart.

Wade hit double ten in the seventh leg to lead again, but wasted four darts at doubles to lead 5-3 and Newton capitalised by hitting double eight to level.

Another miss at double top proved costly for Wade in the ninth leg as Newton hit a clinical 120 checkout to break throw and lead the match for the first time.

The same fate hit Wade again in the next leg as he missed one dart at tops for a 104 finish, and Newton stepped in to hit the same bed and establish a two leg advantage.

The Fleetwood ace missed the chance to claim his fourth successive leg, and Wade took out 74 before hitting a 13-dart finish to square the game at six apiece.

Wade won his third straight leg with the aid of his third maximum of the game to lead 7-6, before Newton held his nerve in the 14th leg to hit an 80 finish with his opponent waiting on double top to leave matters finely balanced.

Newton fired in his fourth 180 of the game in the next leg, but it wasn’t enough to see him reach a double first as Wade hit tops at the first time of asking to lead 8-7.

Wade then stepped up a gear in the next two legs as he put together consecutive 14-dart finishes to move 10-7 ahead and go one leg away from the title.

He had one chance to end the contest in the next, but missed tops for a 101 finish as Newton posted double 16 to stay alive.

Wade, though, hit back with his fifth maximum of the match to forge ahead in the next, and took out double top for a 13-darter to seal the triumph.

“Wes did really well to reach the final and both of us found it hard, but I really gave it to him in the final five or six legs,” said Wade. “

“Each game becomes harder and harder, but it’s the same for every player. I’ve drunk four litres of water throughout the day and we were both tired.

“I’m back up to third in the world and I’m delighted. This time I’ll go away and really enjoy the win because it’s been a hard time for me, but I’m happier than ever.”

Newton’s run to the final consolidated his place in eighth in the PDC Order of Merit, just two years after he had slumped to 36th in the world.

“I’m happy but at the same time I’m gutted,” said Newton. “When you get to the final you want to win it, but James was the better player and I congratulate him for that.

“It was a battle of a game without us both producing our top form. It was new territory for me and I’ll take a lot of positives from it – it’s a great confidence boost for me.

“We went to the break when I was 6-4 up and that break seemed to kill me because he came back and won the next three legs, and I went from being in control to behind, and James didn’t look back.”

Newton is due to become a father for the first time in a fortnight, and added: “Everything’s going well for me at the moment.

“I’m disappointed with the final because I know I can play better, but I’ve been in my first major final and I’ll hopefully be back for more.”

Newton had won his place in the final with a comeback victory over Denis Ovens in the semis, as he overturned a 5-2 deficit by winning eight of the next nine legs, hitting a 170 finish in the process.

Wade had also shown his battling qualities in the tightest of semi-finals with fellow left-hander Mark Webster, who led 3-1 and 7-3 before Wade hit back to within a leg at 8-7.

Webster took the 16th to move a leg away from victory, but missed the bull for the match as Wade took out pressure finishes of 120 and 61 to force a decider, which he brilliantly won in 11 darts.

Speedy Hire UK Open
Semi-Finals
James Wade 10-9 Mark Webster
Wes Newton 10-6 Denis Ovens
Losers £10,000

Final
James Wade 11-8 Wes Newton
Winner £40,000
Runner-Up £20,000

SEMI-FINALS
JAMES WADE 10-9 MARK WEBSTER
JAMES WADE produced an incredible comeback to remain on course for a second title at the Reebok Stadium by knocking out Mark Webster in the semi-finals of the 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open.

Webster looked on course to reach his first PDC televised final when he led 7-3 and also had one dart to win the match.

But Wade showed his class as he fought back to win the final three legs and the contest, and will now face Wes Newton in the final.

Webster made a superb start as he broke throw with a 139 checkout and then started the second leg with back-to-back maximums.

Thoughts of a nine-dart finish were extinguished as Webster’s attempt at a seventh successive treble 20 was off-target, but the Welshman hit double ten to increase his lead.

Wade won the third leg with an impressive 12-darter before Webster took the fourth with the aid of his third 180 of the match.

Wade, who overcame Paul Nicholson in the Quarter-Finals, hit a brilliant 144 checkout to win the fifth leg but Webster restored his two leg advantage in the next with a 76 finish.

The next two legs were shared before Webster completed an improvised 80 finish on the bullseye to move three legs clear of his opponent at 6-3.

Webster, who reached the semi-finals of the World Championship six months ago, then hit a confident 13-darter to move 7-3 up and leave the world number four with plenty to think about.

Webster kept up the momentum in the 11th leg by hitting his sixth 180 of the game, but a missed bullseye was punished by Wade, who recorded an 80 finish to reduce the arrears to three legs.

Wade won the 12th leg by hitting double top, after his opponent had missed a dart at the same bed, and then took the next with a 115 finish to pull back to just one leg down at 7-6.

Webster won his first leg in four by holding throw in 14 darts, but Wade kept the pressure by winning the 15th leg on double ten.

The Welshman hit a 180 in the next leg and won it courtesy of a 73 finish to go leg away from victory.

Powerful scoring from Webster saw him leave 90 after just nine darts in the next, but a missed attempt at bullseye for the match proved costly as Wade took out 120 finish to keep his hopes alive.

Webster hit his eighth 180 of the game in the 18th leg, but Wade was first to a finish and he hit double 18 under serious pressure with his last dart for a 61 checkout to set up a deciding leg.

The final leg saw Wade hold the advantage of throw and he made that count by hitting a fantastic 11-dart finish, featuring a timely 180, to seal a place in the final and leave Webster stunned.

“I didn’t deserve to win that game but I kept going and managed to come through,” admitted Wade.

“Mark kept hitting 180s at vital times and I just couldn’t keep with him. I virtually closed my eyes on the double 18 to get to nine all and then to hit the 11-darter in the last leg to win it felt fantastic.”

WES NEWTON 10-6 DENIS OVENS
WES NEWTON reached his first major televised final with a fine 10-6 victory over Denis Ovens in the 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open at the Reebok in Bolton.

Newton looked to be in trouble at 5-2 down, but the world number eight won eight of the next nine legs to set up a clash against James Wade for the £40,000 first prize.

Ovens started the better of the two players by taking the opening leg against the darts, but Newton hit back quickly by hitting a 96 finish to level.

Ovens, who defeated Mark Hylton in the Quarter-Finals, missed two chances to win the third leg and Newton gratefully accepted the opportunity by hitting double eight to lead for the first time.

Ovens, playing in the semi-finals in Bolton for a second straight year, won the fourth leg with a 61 finish and then hit double 12 after Newton missed one dart at tops to lead the game for a second time.

Ovens managed to take the sixth leg by hitting double 16 after Newton missed double eight for a 133 checkout, and the man from Hertfordshire then won his fourth leg on the spin by recording a 14-darter to move three legs clear.

Newton, who defeated Dave Chisnall to reach this stage, stopped the rot by hitting a 127 checkout, which was completed on the bullseye, and the won the ninth leg with a 14-dart finish.

Ovens had a chance to move 6-4 up in the next leg, but a missed dart at double top allowed Newton in to hit the same bed and leave matters finely poised at five-all.

Ovens was off-target again on the doubles in the 11th leg as he missed two attempts at double 16, and Newton landed double two to lead for the first time since the third leg.

Newton then won his fifth leg on the spin in fabulous style with a 170 checkout to move 7-5 up, but Ovens stopped the run with double four with his last dart after Newton missed chances for a three-leg lead.

The Fleetwood ace put that disappointment behind him by hitting double top at the first attempt to go two legs clear once again.

The 15th leg saw Newton miss a dart at double top, but Ovens was unable to capitalise as he was off-target with his attempt at double 16, allowing Newton to return and hit tops and go one leg away from the winning post.

And Newton crossed over that line with ease as he hit back-to-back maximums in the process of hitting an 11-dart finish to seal his place in the final.

“I’ve been a bit disappointed with my last two games after the victory over Raymond van Barneveld, but it’s been enough to get through to final,” said Newton.

“The 170 checkout was vital at that stage of the game and I kicked on from there. I’ve beaten James on the circuit before so I know that I can do it.”

Nicholson had knocked out Gary Anderson and reigning champion Phil Taylor in a brilliant day of darts on Saturday, but was unable to add world number four Wade to his list of victims in a tense quarter-final contest.

Wade pulled clear from two-all to lead 5-2 and 8-5, and despite a rally from the 2010 Players Championship Finals winner the left-hander held on to book his semi-final berth.

“It was a really tough game,” said Wade, the 2008 UK Open champion. “Paul’s had a great tournament and he pushed me all the way there too but I showed I’ve got the game to challenge this weekend.

“I’ve done it the hard way by starting in the first round on Thursday but I’m still in there and I think my odds are pretty good now!”

Wade will face another left-hander, Mark Webster, in Sunday evening’s semi-finals, with Wes Newton or Denis Ovens awaiting the winner in the final in a testing night.

“Mark’s a great player and it promises to be a fantastic semi-final,” added Wade. “We both know each other pretty well and I’m looking forward to it.”

Webster secured his first UK Open semi-final spot with a classy 10-7 win over Robert Thornton.

Webster led 4-0 and also took out a 142 finish in moving 6-2 up, but the Scot replied with three bullseye finishes, including a 170, before the left-hander eventually prevailed.

“I made a dream start and I thought that once I got out to 4-0 up I wouldn’t surrender that,” said Webster. “He put me under pressure but I closed the game out well.

“I’ve fallen in the semi-finals of PDC majors before, including at the World Championship, and I don’t want to do that again tonight, I want to go all the way and I’m focused on that.”

In-form Wes Newton booked his place in only the third major semi-final of his career – following up previous runs to the last four of the 2005 and 2006 Las Vegas Desert Classics with a 10-8 defeat of Dave Chisnall.

Newton had defeated Raymond van Barneveld 9-1 in Saturday’s last 16 and never trailed against the Bolton debutant, who battled bravely but saw the Fleetwood ace take out finishes of 118 and 104 on his way to the win.

“It feels brilliant to be through,” said Newton. “I didn’t play as well in this game as I could, or as I did against Raymond, and it was a battle for both me and Dave.

“But I’ve got the win and still have a chance in this tournament, and I can look forward to the semi-finals now. I’m feeling good and will give it my all.”

Veteran Denis Ovens will take on Newton in the last four, having defeated left-hander Mark Hylton 10-6 in their quarter-final clash.

Ovens made a superb start to lead 5-0 against Hylton, who pulled back to 7-6 at one stage finishes of 104 and 107, only for the 53-year-old from Stevenage a key 106 in reply to secure his second successive UK Open semi-final.

“I’m quite pleased but I know I’ve still got two games to win yet,” said Ovens. “I started off well but then Mark started coming back, and thankfully I’d punished him for his slow start when I had the chance.”

Sunday night’s winner will pocket a cool £40,000 cheque, with the runner-up taking home £20,000 and the semi-finalists guaranteed £10,000.

Speedy Hire UK Open
Quarter-Finals
Denis Ovens 10-6 Mark Hylton
Mark Webster 10-7 Robert Thornton
Wes Newton 10-8 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 10-7 Paul Nicholson

Semi-Finals
James Wade v Mark Webster
Wes Newton v Denis Ovens
Best of 19 legs

Final
Wade/Webster v Newton/Ovens
Best of 21 legs

DENIS OVENS 10-6 MARK HYLTON
DENIS OVENS reached the Speedy Hire UK Open Semi-Finals for a second successive year by defeating Mark Hylton 10-6 in the first of Sunday’s Quarter-Finals.

The 53-year-old started the match superbly by taking the first five legs to establish control of the contest, averaging over 108 at that stage of the game.

Ovens looked set for a comfortable victory when leading 7-3, but Hylton won the next three legs to give the Hertfordshire man a fright.

Ovens, though, stopped his opponent’s momentum to win the next three to cross the winning line.

Ovens started well by breaking throw in the opening leg of the contest and then produced a fantastic ten-darter to win the second.

Hylton missed a dart at double 11 to win his first leg of the match in the third, which allowed Ovens to step in and hit double six to increase his lead.

The man from Stevenage, who defeated Andy Smith in the previous round, hit a 13-dart finish to win the fourth leg and an accurate attempt at double 18 increased his lead to 5-0.

Hylton, playing his first televised Quarter-Final, managed to get on the board by winning the sixth leg with an 87 finish, and he then won the seventh in just ten darts to reduce the deficit to 5-2.

Ovens held throw to win the eighth by hitting double top but Hylton won the next with a 12-dart-finish to keep himself in the game.

Ovens won the tenth leg by hitting double 16 to move 7-3 up, but Hylton won the next two legs in excellent style with finishes of 104 and 107 to reduce the gap to two legs.

The 45-year-old from Rugeley then won a third leg on the spin courtesy of the 13-dart finish and had a chance to level the game at seven apiece with a dart at tops – but that chance went begging and his opponent made him pay with an excellent 106 checkout to go 8-6 up.

The 15th leg saw Hylton miss six darts at doubles to close the gap to just a single leg again, and that allowed Ovens in to hit double one to move within touching distance of victory.

Ovens had the advantage of throw in the next leg and he made that count by converting a 74 finish to end Hylton’s excellent run at this tournament.

MARK WEBSTER 10-7 ROBERT THORNTON
MARK WEBSTER reached the Semi-Finals of the 2011 Speedy Hire UK Open with a 10-7 triumph over Robert Thornton.

Webster had led the match 4-0 and 9-4 and had chances to progress with more comfort, but Thornton staged a brief revival before the 27-year-old confirmed his place in the last four.

Webster hit a maximum in the opening leg to settle any pre-match nerves and took out double top to establish an early advantage.

The Welshman then hit the same double to move two legs up and repeated the trick in the third leg, cashing on five missed darts at doubles from Thornton.

Webster, who came from 6-0 down to defeat Co Stompe on his way to the last eight,, hit double ten to move 4-0 up before Thornton managed to win his first leg of the match with the aid of a 13-dart finish.

Webster hit a maximum in the sixth leg, but it was the Scotsman who won it with a superb 140 checkout to reduce the gap to two.

Thornton should have closed the deficit to 4-3 in the next, but he missed nine darts at doubles and allowed Webster to nick it on double 12.

Webster then rubbed salt into the wound of his opponent as he won the eighth leg with a fabulous 142 checkout, with Thornton waiting on tops, to move 6-2 up.

Thornton won the next leg with an accurate attempt at double eight, but Webster took the tenth, which included his fourth 180 of the game to move 7-3 clear.

Webster was unusually off-target on double top in the 11th leg as three attempts, went begging and Thornton recorded an 81 finish on the bullseye to pinch it.

Thornton also had a chance to reduce the gap to 7-5, but he could not convert his attempt at double 16 and Webster hit double six with his last dart to move two legs away from the win.

Webster landed double 12 win the 13th leg against the darts and move 9-4 up, but he missed two darts for the match in the next and Thornton managed to keep his hopes alive by hitting double top.

Webster hit his fifth maximum of the match at the start of the next leg, but Thornton hit an incredible 170 checkout to reduce the deficit to 9-6.

The Welshman’s nerves were starting to show and he missed five more darts for the match in the 15th leg, and Thornton landed double two to reduce to gap to two legs.

But Webster made no mistake in the next as powerful scoring left him with just 24 after 12 darts thrown, and he hit double 12 to complete the win.

“It’s a big relief to perform so well in a televised tournament so soon after my disappointing Premier League experience,” admitted Webster.

“I did feel the nerves a bit towards the end as Robert was coming back well and finishing a lot better – but I got the job done.

“I probably shouldn’t be here after I was 6-0 down to Co Stompe yesterday afternoon, but you have to concentrate until that final double has gone in and maybe my name is on the trophy.”

WES NEWTON 10-8 DAVE CHISNALL
WES NEWTON reached the Speedy Hire UK Open Semi-Finals with a hard-fought 10-8 victory over Dave Chisnall at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Missed opportunities at doubles from Chisnall allowed Newton to establish leads of 7-4 and 9-6, but the Bolton debutant made his opponent sweat by taking the next two legs before Newton crossed the winning line to reach his first televised Semi-Final for five years.

“It feels brilliant to be through,” said Newton. “I never played how I could out there and it was a battle in the end but I’m happy to cross the winning line and keep myself in with a chance to win the tournament.”

Both players shared the opening two legs, which were won against the darts, and that trend continued when Chisnall hit double top to win the third leg.

The St Helens man had chances to move 3-1 up, but he missed two darts at doubles which allowed Newton to step in and nick it the fourth by hitting tops with his last dart.

Newton hit double eight in the fifth leg to lead the match for the first time and then moved two legs clear after Chisnall missed five attempts at doubles.

Newton hit his second 180 of the game in the seventh leg, which was won in 13 darts, before Chisnall stopped the rot by winning the next with an 11-dart finish.

More missed doubles were costly for Chisnall in the ninth leg, which Newton won on double top before Chisnall managed to take the tenth courtesy of an accurate attempt at double eight.

The man from Fleetwood hit an excellent 118 finish to restore his three-leg advantage before Chisnall won the 12th by hitting double top to keep in touch.

Newton hit a 180 in the next leg, although Chisnall was the first to double only to miss two chances before Newton hit double 12 to move closer to the winning line.

Chisnall held throw with a successful attempt at double nine before Newton took out a 104 finish to move 9-6 ahead and require just one leg for the win.

Chisnall continued to fight and won the 16th leg in 13 darts and then won the next against the throw on double top after Newton had missed a dart at the same bed to win the match.

Chisnall hit his sixth 180 of the game early in the 18th, leg but Newton hit one of his own which saw him to a finish first, and he hit double top at the first time of asking to close out the game.

JAMES WADE 10-7 PAUL NICHOLSON
JAMES WADE kept his hopes of claiming a second Speedy Hire UK Open title alive by ending the challenge of Paul Nicholson with a 10-7 triumph.

Nicholson was unable to produce the magic that saw him prevail in final-leg thrillers against Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor in the previous two rounds as he fell to the left-hander in a tense contest.

Nicholson managed to hold throw in the opening leg by hitting double four after Wade was off-target with a dart at tops.

Wade squared the game by winning the second leg before Nicholson took out a 62 finish with two darts.

Wade hit a 72 finish to level and then secured the first break of the match by hitting double 12 at the first time of asking after Nicholson was off-target with his attempt at double 18.

The 2008 champion hit a maximum in the sixth leg and went on to win it with a 61 finish before breaking Nicholson’s throw once again by hitting double ten.

Nicholson, the 2010 Players Championship Finals winner, managed to stop a run of four losing legs by breaking his opponent’s throw with a 14-dart finish to reduce the gap to 5-3.

Wade restored his three-leg advantage by taking the ninth leg in just 13 darts, but Nicholson won the next leg in the same fashion to keep matters finely balanced.

Nicholson reduced the gap to just one leg by winning the 11th with an 86 finish before Wade went 7-5 ahead with a 110 checkout, with his opponent waiting on a two-darter.

Wade hit his third maximum on the way to a 12-dart-finish to take the 13th leg against the darts and move three clear of Nicholson again.

The next leg was a tense affair but it was Wade who won it by hitting double top with his last dart to go 9-5 up.

Although Nicholson won the 15th leg in 14 darts to keep his hopes alive, and after Wade missed two match darts in the next leg he landed double top to reduce the gap to just two legs.

Nicholson had the advantage of throw in the next leg, but Wade was first to a finish and managed to take out 78 to confirm a place in the last four.

We spoke to both players after Nicholson’s stunning 9-8 win against the Scotsman in the fourth round of the 2011 UK Open and they revealed a few interesting thoughts. What shined through from talking to them both (separately) was how gracious a loser Anderson is and how engaging Nicholson is as an interviewee.

Both spent far longer chatting to us than I expected; Nicholson even dragging a chair over and sitting with us, eager to air his views and insights.

Anderson put his collapse mostly down to the heat, saying he struggled to grip his darts at times. When we put the same question to Nicholson he said he is constantly wiping his hands and controls the sweat quite well. Watch out for this next time Nicholson is on stage and you will indeed see he works his hands in the same way a cricketer constantly shines the ball.

Anderson wobbled at the critical time and a couple of bull finishes from his opponent knocked the stuffing out of him.

Maybe this iron nerve was down to Nicholson’s preparation of immersing himself in trance music, or maybe it was more to do with fitness and sharpness garnered from going for a run in the boiling sun to acclimatise to the heat.

For a player who has played in 52 degrees in Australia the Reebok probably felt like Lapland. “I don’t drink much alcohol and I drink a LOT of water when competing, you have to keep hydrated.”

In the final deciding leg it was Nicholson to throw and as he released the first dart Anderson stepped forward. Explanation? “I thought we bulled off for throw in the last leg! He threw his first and as I stepped forward he threw the other two. It threw me for a minute.” And he didn’t recover as Nicholson closed out the match.

So can Nicholson go on and win the trophy? Anderson wasn’t so sure, Nicholson is confident he can.

“I’m 32 years old now, it’s time to show what all that experience can bring.” A mature statement from a player still regarded as a youngster but obviously doesn’t see himself as that. Anderson is almost ten years his senior.

Nicholson again – “Phil Taylor once said you can’t practice being on stage and you can’t practice cacking yourself. I’ve had plenty of practice of both now so I handle it better.” Practising every week with a player of the quality of Dave Chisnall will also help. Chizzy is another to watch out for according to his Tuesday practice partner.

Recent laser eye surgery might have been considered a gamble given that glasses worked perfectly well and he had won a Pro Tour event the week before. Remember what happened when Phil Taylor donned the spectacles?

Wryly batting that comparison aside as being good for publicity Nicholson is happy that he no longer has to push his specs back up his nose when it’s hot. One less thing to think about and his eyesight is now as good as it’s ever been. It will need to be good tomorrow as he follows the Anderson win with a draw against Phil Taylor.

As for Gary Anderson, he will hang around and watch one of his protégés, Michael Smith, play his match against Raymond van Barneveld. Anderson sponsors Smith and has been looking for young players who show the right attitude as well as skill to sponsor, mentor and nurture.

It is admirable to see the senior players on the tour looking to put something back and this is something that is often overlooked by the general press when focusing on how much money professional darts players put behind the bar.

There is obvious respect between these two players and this weekend has shown they are more closely matched than many might have previously thought. This tournament could be the watershed in Nicholson’s career, as the World Championships were for Anderson.

Ultimate respect is reserved for John Part he tells us (“he took Taylor on, and beat him, when nobody else could or would and he’s the most gracious man on the tour.”) and his tip for the weekend coincides with your intrepid reporter’s – “watch out for Robert Thornton this weekend, he fell away a bit but is back in the place he was when he moved to the PDC.”

I point out that Thornton’s PDC career followed a similar path to Nicholson’s and the Geordie Aussie agrees – “yes, his first major was the Players Championship, like me, and our progress has been very similar.” With both through to the last 16 could we be seeing them contest Sunday’s final to converge in perfect symmetry? “It’s possible but the draw will have a big say in that.”

Post interview note: as it turned out, Nicholson was ultimately done by the draw. After beating Anderson & Taylor he drew eventual winner James Wade and couldn’t rouse himself for a third consecutive humdinger.

Nicholson followed up his deciding-leg win over Gary Anderson in Saturday afternoon’s Fourth Round with another thrilling performance, edging out the 15-time World Champion to reach Sunday’s final stages.

The Newcastle-born ace opened up leads of 5-2 and 7-3 before Taylor hit back to within a leg, but a 100 finish saw him move to the brink of victory at 8-6.

A missed bullseye for the match in the next saw Taylor hit back before the defending champion levelled on double 12 – but crucially he was unable to reach a double in the decider as Nicholson posted a 180 and finished double eight for an amazing triumph.

Nicholson had defeated Taylor on his way to winning last year’s Players Championship Finals in Purfleet, and he must now face James Wade in the first of three games he will need to play on Sunday if he is to win a second major title.

“I’m so tired after those two matches and I’ve put everything into them, but I’m thrilled with my mental attitude,” said Nicholson.

“I’ll be going straight to bed after this because I’ve got a job to do on Sunday – beating Phil won’t mean anything if I don’t win the tournament tomorrow.”

He added: “Phil Taylor is such an icon and a wonderful dart player but I’ve looked a lot at how John Part plays against him with no fear.

“When it went to eight-all there was no doubt in my mind because I’ve been there before against Phil. I just wanted a chance, and I took it.”

Wade, the 2008 UK Open, continued his challenge in the event with a fine 9-7 win over resurgent Richie Burnett, who pushed the left-hander all the way but was punished for missing three darts at double top to force a deciding leg.

Fleetwood’s ever-improving Wes Newton continued his run of form with a brilliant 9-1 win over two-time winner Raymond van Barneveld, averaging 100 as he swept into the quarter-finals.

“This weekend is now different to how I’ve been playing on the PDC ProTour events and I wanted to take that form into this tournament,” said Newton, who has moved up to eighth in the PDC Order of Merit this year.

“I’ve put in more effort over the last two years and I’ve got more belief in myself, and it’s paying off because if I can take my floor game onto the stage I’m a danger to anyone.

“I’m in the quarter-finals and I’m due to become a father in a fortnight. Everything’s going well in my life and I’m happy, and I can look forward to the quarter-finals.”

Newton will take on St Helens’ Dave Chisnall in the last eight, after the PDC newcomer continued an impressive Bolton debut with wins over Ronnie Baxter and Widnes amateur John Bowles on Saturday.

Bowles had won four matches to reach the last 16, including wins over Peter Manley and Steve Beaton, but lost out 9-4 to Chisnall.

Mark Webster knocked out the other remaining Rileys Amateur Qualifier, Andy Boulton, in with a fine 9-4 victory which included checkouts of 164, 147 and 146 in a superb display, and now takes on stable-mate Robert Thornton.

The Scot’s return to top form continued in Bolton as he defeated 2009 runner-up Colin Osborne 9-7 to reach the quarter-finals.

The other last eight clash sees Denis Ovens, a semi-finalist last year, take on Mark Hylton, the left-hander from Rugeley who bettered his last 16 finish in the World Championship by defeating colourful Peter Wright 9-7 to reach the quarter-finals of a major for the first time.

Stevenage veteran Ovens won his place in the quarters with a 9-6 defeat of Andy Smith in the night’s other Fifth Round clash, leaving him as the elder statesman in the last eight aged 53, with five of the players aged 33 or under.

Sunday’s decisive final day in the £200,000 event will see the afternoon’s Quarter-Finals followed by the Semi-Finals and Final in the evening session at the Reebok Stadium, with the winner pocketing £40,000 prize money.

A limited number of tickets remain on sale for each of Sunday’s session, and can be purchased in person from the Reebok Stadium.

Speedy Hire UK Open
Saturday June 4
Fifth Round
James Wade 9-7 Richie Burnett
Robert Thornton 9-7 Colin Osborne
Paul Nicholson 9-8 Phil Taylor
Wes Newton 9-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Hylton 9-7 Peter Wright
Mark Webster 9-4 Andy Boulton
Denis Ovens 9-6 Andy Smith
Dave Chisnall 9-4 John Bowles

Sunday June 5 (1pm)
Quarter-Finals
Denis Ovens v Mark Hylton
Robert Thornton v Mark Webster
Dave Chisnall v Wes Newton
James Wade v Paul Nicholson
Best of 19 legs

7pm Start
Semi-Finals – Best of 19 legs
Final – Best of 21 legs

Saturday was less about alcohol and more about darts. Feeling gratefully chipper we went behind the scenes, invited into the press area to cover proceedings from inside as well as out.

The commentary team were in good humour, John Gwynne as warm and welcoming as ever, and the PDC, led by Dave Allen, always extend the welcome mat when attending these events. Even the coffee tasted ok. The place was awash with sweets and treats courtesy of the Speedy Hire team who were having plenty of fun interacting with the world via Twitter and Facebook.

The drama opened with a belter of a match, Paul Nicholson recovering from 5-1 to win 9-8 in a deciding leg against Gary Anderson. It was a tough draw for both so early in the tournament but Nicholson held his nerve, and sweaty darts, the best to prevail.

Citing trance DJ Armin van Buuren as an inspiration is a novel line from a darts player, the pumping music puts Nicholson in a good frame of mind to relax and concentrate. Although I can’t see the likes of Dennis Priestley following suit and sticking some Tiesto on his iPod.

Click here for our engaging post match interview with both players.

The press area is an interesting location to follow the progress of the matches; you get a bird’s eye view from the balcony and can watch the coming and going of the players (mainly victors but occasionally a sporting loser) as they arrive for interview duties, answering the Speedy Six, and to hold up a clutch of Speedy signs with fans messages tweeted through.

The PDC cameramen are in and out taking it in turns to snap the action and the catalogue the best photos for press use. John McDonald lounges near the back between MC duties, cracking the one liners and chatting to anybody within earshot.

The commentators rest their vocal chords between duties and swot up on the next match, quite possibly involving a relative unknown in this event. It was nice to learn that DartsMad.com is an essential tool in the armoury of the commentary team when doing their homework!

The slightly surreal element was the time lag between the live action and the Sky Sports feed to the giant television. Hearing the cheers or groans two seconds before the image appeared in front of us meant we always knew whether the throw would end in success or failure.

Back with the action, round four saw Dave Chisnall making his Sky Sports debut; the Morecambe man obliged with a three figure average and stunned Ronnie Baxter in a class performance. Mark Hylton is flying this weekend and glided past Andrew Gilding. One of our outside tips for this weekend, John Part, missed five match doubles before another of our tips, Robert Thornton, won 9-8.

Wes Newton is looking in great shape. Rileys qualifier, John Bowles, rolled over Steve Beaton. James Wade is now among the favourites after beating Terry Jenkins and Richie Burnett poured water on Joe Murnan’s party.

Another Rileys qualifier Andy Boulton is having a dream weekend and finds himself in the last 16. Youngsters Michael Smith & Reece Robinson ended their journey falling to Barney & The Pieman. Mark Webster staged the comeback of the weekend coming from 6-0 down to win 9-8 against Co Stompe who did a Devon Loch near the finishing line.

Last 16 draw highlights – Taylor v Nicholson and Barney v Newton. The way these four are playing it would be no surprise to see Newton & Nicholson back tomorrow. Two of Andy Smith, Denis Ovens, Peter Wright and Mark Hylton are guaranteed to be in quarter finals, demonstrating the romance of the cup!

Saturday Evening

Following a sojourn to the pub for a burger and beer tea where we watched Michael van Gerwen get a kicking at pool and England go two goals down to the Swiss, we were back to the venue for a tasty evening selection of darting battles.

The DartsMad money went on Hylton (looking a good bet in a closely matched tussle), Thornton (tipped to wing in under the radar since the start) and Ovens (perennial dark horse who is made for this tournament). Wes Newton had a real chance against Barney, as did Nicholson against Taylor but both were tough asks.

James Wade played solidly but Richie Burnett hung in and then raised his game, averaging over 100 as they neared the conclusion. A missed double top from Burnett at 6-7 tilted the game in Wade’s favour as he took the same finish out on the third dart and went 8-6 ahead before wrapping up the win.

Wade entered in round one on Thursday night and is cruising through the rounds, looking like any mental scars have healed. It remains to be seen how he reacts when put under intense pressure under the stage lights.

Peter Wright made the early running but Mark Hylton pegged him back, got to 7-7, and then moved 8-7 in front before closing it out 9-7 to avoid a nerve jangling sudden death leg. How Hylton achieves such accuracy with his throwing style is beyond me but his hard work is obviously paying off and he is putting some good tournaments together to make his way on the PDC circuit.

Mark Webster kept his run going as he steamrollered Boulton with finishes of 164, 147, 146 and 108 en route to a comprehensive 9-4 win.

Robert Thornton broke Colin Osborne in the first leg to gain immediate advantage and a topsy turvy match where breaks were traded eventually went in the Scot’s favour, 9-7 to the Thorn.

Paul Nicholson dominated Phil Taylor but the Power hit back to take it to a decider where he surprisingly crumbled hitting shots of 45 and 43 when it mattered most. The Asset took the 9-8 victory .

Newton put in arguably his best TV performance and battered a dazed looking Barney 9-1. 53 year old, and 3 stone lighter, Denis Ovens, gobbled up a quarter final spot taking out Andy Smith 9-6. Dave Chisnall ended Bowles’ dream run with a comfortable 9-4 win.

PAUL NICHOLSON produced a brilliant comeback to knock Gary Anderson out of the Speedy Hire UK Open on Saturday afternoon, and will take on reigning champion Phil Taylor in the Fifth Round at the Reebok Stadium.

Nicholson avenged last year’s defeat to Anderson in the UK Open with a 9-8 triumph in a thriller, as in-form Anderson swept into leads of 5-1 and 7-4, hitting a ten-darter in the process

However, he missed key doubles to lead by four legs in the 12th as Nicholson began his fightback, taking out 124 and a huge 88 on the bull to put himself 8-7 up, before taking out 83 on double nine to win the deciding leg.

Nicholson now takes on reigning champion Taylor on Saturday night, after the world number one swept aside old rival Dennis Priestley 9-3 with a 105 average as he aims for a third straight Bolton win.

“I’m not scared of anybody and I never have been,” said Nicholson. “At 5-1 down against Gary I knew I had to get myself back closer at the second break and I made it 6-4.

“The 88 on the bull was a huge shot and the 83 at the end was brilliant. It doesn’t matter to me that I’ve drawn Phil and I’ll relish the challenge.”

Van Barneveld, the champion in 2006 and 2007, overcame youngster Michael Smith 9-4, and now takes on in-form world number eight Wes Newton, who powered past Michael van Gerwen 9-3.

Newton was a quarter-finalist in Bolton last year and at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, and is due to become a father for the first time in a fortnight as he bids for a maiden major title.

“My form’s been good going into this tournament and I want to keep it going against Raymond,” said Newton. “I’m enjoying my darts at the moment and am not worried about anybody.

“When you get to this stage of a tournament there are no easy games, and it’s time for me to put up or shut up!”

2008 winner James Wade completed a treble of former winners who are in the last 16 after being a 9-6 victor in his clash against resurgent Terry Jenkins.

Mark Webster, meanwhile, eclipsed Nicholson’s comeback by hitting back from 6-0 and 8-4 down to defeat Holland’s Co Stompe in a decider, and he will now meet Andy Boulton in the last 16.

Boulton, one of the two remaining Rileys Amateur Qualifiers left in the competition, defeated Daventry newcomer Matthew Edgar 9-5, while Widnes’ John Bowles continued his success with a narrow 9-8 win over Steve Beaton, who had led 6-3 at one stage.

Scotland’s Robert Thornton was another 9-8 winner in a thriller against John Part, who hit back from 7-4 down but missed five match darts in the deciding leg.

Thornton now plays 2009 runner-up Colin Osborne, who defeated Kirk Shepherd 9-7, while Richie Burnett’s reward for a 9-6 win over local amateur Joe Murnan is a clash with Wade.

Andy Smith and Denis Ovens will now clash in the Fifth Round following their respective wins over Hull youngster Reece Robinson and Mark Walsh, while Dave Chisnall’s 9-7 victory against Ronnie Baxter means he plays Bowles.

The afternoon’s other games saw wins for Mark Hylton, who knocked out amateur qualifier Andrew Gilding 9-2, and Peter Wright, who won the final four legs without reply in a 9-5 defeat of Joe Cullen.

Speedy Hire UK Open
Fourth Round
Paul Nicholson 9-8 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 9-3 Dennis Priestley
James Wade 9-6 Terry Jenkins
Dave Chisnall 9-7 Ronnie Baxter
Wes Newton 9-3 Michael van Gerwen
Andy Smith 9-8 Reece Robinson
Raymond van Barneveld 9-4 Michael Smith
Mark Webster 9-8 Co Stompe
Richie Burnett 9-6 Joe Murnan
Denis Ovens 9-4 Mark Walsh
Robert Thornton 9-8 John Part
Colin Osborne 9-7 Kirk Shepherd
Andy Boulton 9-5 Matthew Edgar
Mark Hylton 9-2 Andrew Gilding
John Bowles 9-8 Steve Beaton
Peter Wright 9-5 Joe Cullen

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

In his first televised tournament since having laser eye surgery, Nicholson had earlier staged a comeback of his own as he knocked out the newly crowned Premier League Champion Gary Anderson, in another last leg shootout. With a quarter final meeting with James Wade, should The Asset go on to win the title, nobody could argue about the quality of his opposition en-route.

James Wade seemingly enjoying his darts for a change, edged out the Prince of Wales, Richie Burnett 9-7. Burnett the 1995 Embassy World Champion seems to have found some form of late and hopefully we will be seeing a lot more of him as he continues his resurgence. Wes Newton demolished Raymond van Barneveld 9-1, in a confident performance that those in the know have always been convinced he is capable of. A 100 average for the man from Fleetwood on the big stage facilitates a quarter final clash with Dave Chisnall.

Chisnall’s journey to the quarter finals saw him meet John Bowles, the former rugby league playing Kenny Daglish lookalike Rileys qualifier. After taking out the big names of Manley and Beaton, Bowles couldn’t tackle Chisnall eventually losing out 9-4 to the Chizzy Rascal.

Robert Thornton overcame The Wizard Colin Osborne by a 9 legs to 7 scoreline to setup a quarter final meeting with Mark Webster who knocked out the other Rileys qualifier Andy Boulton with some impressive ton plus finishes including 164, 147 and 146 in a comfortable 9-4 win.

Denis Ovens heated up the pie (man) Andy Smith and emerged a 9-6 victor making him the eldest competitor remaining. Many are speculating a sea change in 2011 where the old guard are toppled by an ever improving wave of youth. However 53 year old veteran Ovens will be keen to bring his solid floor game to the main stage and book a semi final place, his opponent though Mark Hylton will have other ideas after seeing off Lowestoft’s Peter Wright 9 legs to 6.

TAYLOR’S REEBOK REIGN ENDED BY NICHOLSON AS NEWTON SOARS PAST BARNEY

PAUL NICHOLSON sensationally knocked reigning champion Phil Taylor out of the Speedy Hire UK Open on Saturday night with a 9-8 triumph at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, as Wes Newton sent two-time winner Raymond van Barneveld packing.

Nicholson followed up his deciding-leg win over Gary Anderson in Saturday afternoon’s Fourth Round with another thrilling performance, edging out the 15-time World Champion to reach Sunday’s final stages.

The Newcastle-born ace opened up leads of 5-2 and 7-3 before Taylor hit back to within a leg, but a 100 finish saw him move to the brink of victory at 8-6.

A missed bullseye for the match in the next saw Taylor hit back before the defending champion levelled on double 12 – but crucially he was unable to reach a double in the decider as Nicholson posted a 180 and finished double eight for an amazing triumph.

Nicholson had defeated Taylor on his way to winning last year’s Players Championship Finals in Purfleet, and he must now face James Wade in the first of three games he will need to play on Sunday if he is to win a second major title.

“I’m so tired after those two matches and I’ve put everything into them, but I’m thrilled with my mental attitude,” said Nicholson.

“I’ll be going straight to bed after this because I’ve got a job to do on Sunday – beating Phil won’t mean anything if I don’t win the tournament tomorrow.”

He added: “Phil Taylor is such an icon and a wonderful dart player but I’ve looked a lot at how John Part plays against him with no fear.

“When it went to eight-all there was no doubt in my mind because I’ve been there before against Phil. I just wanted a chance, and I took it.”

Wade, the 2008 UK Open, continued his challenge in the event with a fine 9-7 win over resurgent Richie Burnett, who pushed the left-hander all the way but was punished for missing three darts at double top to force a deciding leg.

Fleetwood’s ever-improving Wes Newton continued his run of form with a brilliant 9-1 win over two-time winner Raymond van Barneveld, averaging 100 as he swept into the quarter-finals.

“This weekend is now different to how I’ve been playing on the PDC ProTour events and I wanted to take that form into this tournament,” said Newton, who has moved up to eighth in the PDC Order of Merit this year.

“I’ve put in more effort over the last two years and I’ve got more belief in myself, and it’s paying off because if I can take my floor game onto the stage I’m a danger to anyone.

“I’m in the quarter-finals and I’m due to become a father in a fortnight. Everything’s going well in my life and I’m happy, and I can look forward to the quarter-finals.”

Newton will take on St Helens’ Dave Chisnall in the last eight, after the PDC newcomer continued an impressive Bolton debut with wins over Ronnie Baxter and Widnes amateur John Bowles on Saturday.

Bowles had won four matches to reach the last 16, including wins over Peter Manley and Steve Beaton, but lost out 9-4 to Chisnall.

Mark Webster knocked out the other remaining Rileys Amateur Qualifier, Andy Boulton, in with a fine 9-4 victory which included checkouts of 164, 147 and 146 in a superb display, and now takes on stable-mate Robert Thornton.

The Scot’s return to top form continued in Bolton as he defeated 2009 runner-up Colin Osborne 9-7 to reach the quarter-finals.

The other last eight clash sees Denis Ovens, a semi-finalist last year, take on Mark Hylton, the left-hander from Rugeley who bettered his last 16 finish in the World Championship by defeating colourful Peter Wright 9-7 to reach the quarter-finals of a major for the first time.

Stevenage veteran Ovens won his place in the quarters with a 9-6 defeat of Andy Smith in the night’s other Fifth Round clash, leaving him as the elder statesman in the last eight aged 53, with five of the players aged 33 or under.

Sunday’s decisive final day in the £200,000 event will see the afternoon’s Quarter-Finals followed by the Semi-Finals and Final in the evening session at the Reebok Stadium, with the winner pocketing £40,000 prize money.

A limited number of tickets remain on sale for each of Sunday’s session, and can be purchased in person from the Reebok Stadium.

Speedy Hire UK Open
Saturday June 4
Fifth Round
James Wade 9-7 Richie Burnett
Robert Thornton 9-7 Colin Osborne
Paul Nicholson 9-8 Phil Taylor
Wes Newton 9-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Hylton 9-7 Peter Wright
Mark Webster 9-4 Andy Boulton
Denis Ovens 9-6 Andy Smith
Dave Chisnall 9-4 John Bowles

Sunday June 5 (1pm)
Quarter-Finals
Denis Ovens v Mark Hylton
Robert Thornton v Mark Webster
Dave Chisnall v Wes Newton
James Wade v Paul Nicholson
Best of 19 legs

7pm Start
Semi-Finals – Best of 19 legs
Final – Best of 21 legs

Source – PDC