2011 UK Open Day 3 Review
Posted on June 4th, 2011
NICHOLSON STUNS ANDERSON TO SET UP TASTY TAYLOR TUSSLE IN BOLTON
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
Tags: 20011, Paul Nicholson, Results, UK Open
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2011 UK Open Last 16 Results
Posted on June 4th, 2011
Paul Nicholson powered past Phil Taylor in a final leg thriller against the throw, despite at one stage being 4 legs clear of the 15 times World Champion (and reigning UK Open Champ). Entering the break at 3-7 in arrears Taylor came back to square the match at 8-8, however in the tense final leg it was The Asset who held his nerve as Taylor failed twice to exceed a score of 50 with his three darts.
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. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2011, Bolton, Paul Nicholson, Phil Taylor, Reebok, Results, Speedy Hire, UK Open
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2011 UK Open Last 16 Draw
Posted on June 4th, 2011
The last 16 in the Speedy Hire UK Open has been drawn, thanks to Sid and Eric. The FA Cup of Darts on Saturday night will be:
Andy Boulton v Mark Webster
John Bowles v Dave Chisnall
Richie Burnett v James Wade
Robert Thornton v Colin Osborne
Andy Smith v Denis Ovens
Ray van Barneveld v Wes Newton
Peter Wright v Mark Hylton
Phil Taylor v Paul Nicholson
Our hard-earned is on both Wes Newton and Paul Nicholson, and to be fair they have very difficult draws. Both more than capable though. Best of luck to everyone tonight.
We also have money on Chizzy looks favourite against Bowles……..
Schedule of play (Best of 17)
Main Stage
Richie Burnett v James Wade
Robert Thornton v Colin Osborne
Phil Taylor v Paul Nicholson
Ray van Barneveld v Wes Newton
Stage 2
Peter Wright v Mark Hylton
Andy Boulton v Mark Webster
Andy Smith v Denis Ovens
John Bowles v Dave Chisnall
Tags: last 16 draw, UK Open
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Bolton Goes Darts Mad – Friday at the UK Open
Posted on June 4th, 2011
A fan’s eye view of the FA Cup of Darts
- Third round tips: Burnett to beat Lloyd, Gilding to beat Hamilton, Hylton to beat Jenkins, Ovens to beat Painter, Murnan to beat Dudbridge.
Our predicament before leaving for the Reebok was whether to drive and not drink or drink and get a taxi. Still on the fence as we ordered the first beers it took just half a pint to make the decision and book the taxi so we could embark on a thoroughly enjoyable evening of beers and arrers.
We found the Darts Corner team in good spirits following the exploits of one of their own and tagged on to watch Joe Murnan take out Mark Dudbridge in a nail biting final leg decider. After being 8-4 up Murnan was cruising to the victory but in the words of Bolton Steve he contracted “over the finishing line syndrome” and saw Flash pull it back to eight all. Then it was Dudbridge’s turn to contract the dreaded syndrome as he stuttered in the decider, falling to the local favourite.
Tags: Betting, Review, UK Open
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Bolton Goes Darts Mad – Thursday at the UK Open
Posted on June 3rd, 2011
A fan’s eye view of the FA Cup of Darts
Setting the scene
Bolton Wanderers FC have bittersweet memories of the FA Cup this year having reached the semi final stage before being thumped 5-0 by Stoke.
With the nets taken down for the summer Bolton’s home, The Reebok Stadium, opens its doors to 172 players and a legion of noisy darts fans as the tournament known as the FA Cup of Darts rolls into town.
The UK Open descends on Bolton every June and the open draw format makes it the most unpredictable, and hence, most exciting major on the PDC calendar.
For an indication of the unpredictability of this event a look at Phil Taylor’s record and the finalists of recent years is telling. Played eight, won four makes it Taylor’s worst major PDC event in terms of success; although he’s hit a few 9-darters at The Reebok.
The eight losing finalists since the first staging in 2003 are an unlikely roll call – Shayne Burgess, John Part, Mark Walsh, Barrie Bates, Vincent van der Voort, Gary Mawson, Colin Osborne and (still finding his PDC feet at the time) Gary Anderson. For most it was their first and, to date last, major final.
The nature of the open draw can be cruel or kind; sometimes giving players a comfortable route through the field, and often pairing together a couple of guys who would much rather not meet so early. The round one clash between Jelle Klaasen and Colin Lloyd is this year’s best example.
Tags: Betting, Preview, Review, UK Open
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2011 UK Open Night 1 Review
Posted on June 3rd, 2011
The ‘FA Cup’ of darts kicked off in dramatic style with a shock? first round exit for Peter Manley at the hands of John Bowles, and James Wade’s outstretched hand was left flapping in the wind as Dave Prins initially refused to shake hands in defeat.
Wayne Mardle found himself on the wrong end of a 2nd round whitewash by youngster Reece Robinson. The Monk family left Bolton without a pay cheque between them and despite a slow start Peter ‘The Rock’ Hudson, stole a win from careless Swede Magnus Caris checking out in style with a 10 darter.
In the rest of the nights draws, ‘Pecker’ Woods lack of PDC tour success continued as he joined Jelle Klassen as a main stage first round casualty, whilst their respective victors Mark Hylton and Colin Lloyd will see 3rd round action and a guaranteed £1,000 pay day. As will ten of the Rileys Qualifiers.
However, the pick of the 3rd round matches for us are Richie Burnett v Colin Lloyd, Mervyn King v Mark Walsh, the colourful Peter Wright v Peter Hudson and an in-form Steve Beaton v Jamie Caven. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2011, Results, Speedy Hire, UK Open
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Win UK Open Tickets!
Posted on May 17th, 2011
Following a succession of great giveaways this year, we have teamed up with Rileys for our latest free to enter competition. We are offering one lucky winner the chance to watch the Speedy Hire UK Open Final, up close and personal at the Reebok Stadium.
Not that there is anything wrong with the Sky TV coverage, but you just can’t replicate the atmosphere of arguably one of the best fixtures of the darting calender on television.
To keep it simple and thank our Twitter followers and Facebook/Dartbook friends (old and new), we are utilising the power of social networking to facilitate this exclusive competition. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Competition, Free Tickets, Rileys, UK Open, UK Open 2011
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UK Open Order of Merit Finalised
Posted on May 2nd, 2011
A TOTAL of 108 professional players have qualified to compete in the Speedy Hire UK Open in June.
Following the eight Qualifiers which have been held across four weekends this Spring, reigning UK Open champion Phil Taylor topped the Order of Merit by just £400 from Gary Andersno, who joined him in winning two events.
The other four tournament winners, World Champion Adrian Lewis, Steve Brown, Michael Smith and Vincent van der Voort, will join Taylor and Anderson in entering the Speedy Hire UK Open at the Third Round stage on Friday June 3 after finishing in the top 32.
Two-time UK Open winner Raymond van Barneveld, who reached the final of one of the two Qualifiers he competed in, also comes in for the Third Round, and is joined by World Championship semi-finalists Mark Webster and Terry Jenkins, who were among six players tied on £2,600 prize money to complete the top 32.
However, Thursday’s opening night will feature 2008 champion James Wade and 2005 winner Roland Scholten, as well as two-time World Champion Dennis Priestley, Colin Lloyd, Steve Beaton, Wayne Mardle, Peter Manley and the Dutch trio of Michael van Gerwen, Jelle Klaasen and Co Stompe.
Tags: Order of Merit, Qualifiers, UK Open
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Final UK Open Qualifier – Wigan
Posted on May 1st, 2011
PHIL TAYLOR won his second Speedy Hire UK Open Qualifier, defeating Colin Osborne 6-3 to claim victory in the last of eight events as players battled to win places in the televised finals in Bolton.
Taylor bounced back from Saturday’s loss to Gary Anderson in the final by claiming the £6,000 first prize 24 hours later at Wigan’s Robin Park Tennis Centre – copying his achievements a fortnight ago in Wigan.
The world number one, and reigning UK Open champion, will now enter the televised finals in Bolton next month as the number one seed, having edged out Anderson by £400 to top the UK Open Order of Merit following the eight Qualifiers.
Taylor’s success on the day in Wigan included a win over Anderson, coming from 2-0 down to win six straight legs in the semi-finals, as he gained revenge for Saturday’s loss.
Taylor also defeated PDC Unicorn Under-21 World Champion Arron Monk, Colin Lloyd, Nigel Heydon, Joe Cullen and Robert Thornton on his way to the final.
Taylor took a 2-0 lead in the final, hitting double eight in the opening leg and an 11-darter to break, before Osborne hit back to level with a brace of double top finishes.
Tags: Final Qualifier, Phil Taylor, Speedy Hire, UK Open, Wigan
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UK Open Qualifer 7 – Wigan
Posted on April 30th, 2011
ANDERSON COMPLETES SPEEDY HIRE UK OPEN DOUBLE OVER TAYLOR
GARY ANDERSON completed a Speedy Hire UK Open double over Phil Taylor, claiming a 6-2 win when the pair met in the Qualifier Seven final at Wigan on Saturday.
Anderson had defeated Taylor to win Qualifier Five a fortnight ago, and repeated the feat with a fine display to take the £6,000 title, also avenging Thursday’s 888.com Premier League Darts loss to the Stoke legend at the same time.
The Scot enjoyed a strong day, defeating fellow countryman John Henderson in the first round before overcoming Mark Hylton, Ronnie Baxter and Arron Monk to reach the quarter-finals.
He then took out World Champion Adrian Lewis in a deciding leg in the last eight, and saw off Mervyn King 6-3 to reach the final, where an electric start saw him move 4-0 up against Taylor.
Anderson opened the match with a 98 finish before breaking throw twice with 13-dart legs and posting the bull for a 126 checkout in taking command.
Tags: 9 Dart, Anderson Gary, Chisnall Dave, Qualifier, UK Open, Wigan
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