PHIL TAYLOR won his 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with an 18-8 demolition of James Wade at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.

Taylor claimed a fourth successive World Matchplay victory but only his second major ranking title since last summer with a brilliant display of darts.

After trailing 2-1 early on, he won eight successive legs to lead 9-2 and take control of the game, and held off Wade’s fightback – after the left-hander won five out of seven legs in mid-game – to retain the Blackpool title.

He dedicated the victory to former mentor Eric Bristow, the five-time World Champion who brought Taylor onto the professional circuit in the late 1980s and has remained a driving force in his amazing career since.

“I’m overjoyed to win this,” said Taylor. “I didn’t think I’d win anything this year so to keep this title is brilliant.

“This is probably the second biggest title behind the World Championship, and so many other players would love to win it, but I’ve won it four years on the trot now.

“I’m grateful to Eric Bristow for his support and this is dedicated to him. He’s been texting me for the last few weeks when I’ve been losing my Premier League and UK Open titles, he’s been pushing me and he’s always behind me.”

There were few signs of what would follow in the early exchanges as Wade opened the match strongly.

He won the opening leg on double top, and after Taylor checked out a brilliant 135 in the second leg the left-hander won the third in 11 darts for a 2-1 lead.

However, he missed one dart to win each of the next two legs as Taylor firstly levelled on double four before breaking on double two to edge 3-2 up.

Legs of 12 and 11 darts, which included scores of 180 and 174 as well as a 90 finish, moved Taylor 5-2 up, and despite a 180 from Wade in the eighth he landed double top to lead by four legs.

Taylor then broke throw again with a killer blow, following an earlier 180 with a bullseye finish of 86 as Wade waited on 32 – and the reigning champion posted another maximum and a 100 finish for successive 12-darters in leading 8-2.

An 87 finish gave Taylor an eighth successive leg before Wade finally hit back, finishing 100 for a 12-darter to win his third leg of the game.

Taylor, though, replied in style with legs of 13, 13 and 14 darts to take the next three and a 12-3 lead, before double 12 put him ten legs clear.

A double six from Wade saw him hit back, and he powered in 180s in the next two legs in reducing the gap to 13-6 to threaten a fightback.

But he saw a chance to win the 20th go begging, with Taylor missing double top for a 110 finish only for the left-hander to miss the same bed and allow the Stoke legend to win his first leg in four on double five and go 14-6 up.

Taylor also shaded the next leg after Wade missed double 19 for a 158 checkout, but the left-hander followed up a double top finish by opening the 23rd leg with back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter.

He hit a seventh treble 20, but was just off-target on treble 19 before returning to win the leg in 12 darts, pulling back to 15-8 in the match.

However, that would be his final winning leg, as Taylor hit a brace of double top checkouts to move 17-8 up before posting a 74 finish to claim the title on double 16.

“I got so far in front that I started to relax and I thought there was no way he was going to come back,” admitted Taylor.

“Then he started clawing back, I lost one session 4-1 and started to panic a bit, but I took advantage when he hit bad shots, and tried to keep putting the pressure on him.”

Taylor had been priced at 7/4 to take the title with sponsors Sky Bet ahead of the tournament, having found himself odds-on for the majority of events in recent years.

“I doubt I’ll be that price again in a hurry!” Taylor joked. “But it’s not about trying to prove anybody else wrong, it’s about trying to prove myself right, trying to believe in myself and still win major tournaments.

“I know I’m still capable and I showed that tonight.”

Wade admitted: “I wasn’t good enough. I played alright later in the game but the first half was diabolical and Phil showed why he’s the best player in the world.

“It’s a shame that I didn’t play well at the start of the game. I missed a few shots but Phil out-played me and deserved to win.”

PHIL TAYLOR and James Wade will meet for the third time in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay final on Sunday night, following their semi-final defeats of Andy Hamilton and Adrian Lewis.

Reigning champion Taylor’s bid to win the World Matchplay for a 12th time continued as he defeated Hamilton 17-9 at the Winter Gardens with a powerful display.

Taylor finished over half of his 30 chances at a double in the game, and won seven of the final eight legs to progress, hitting finishes of 116, 119 and 121 in the process.

The Stoke legend defeated Wade in both the 2006 and 2008 World Matchplay finals, and will get the chance to complete a treble against the left-hander on Sunday night.

“I’m over the moon that I’m in the final and I’d love to retain this trophy,” said Taylor.

“After the year I’ve had, I’m very happy to be in the final and even more so because it’s such a strong field now and every game’s like a final.”

Wade won through to the decider with a 17-10 victory over Lewis, who failed to hit top gear and never recovered from a run of five successive legs from the left-hander in mid-game, as he hit a 170 finish in moving into a key 10-4 lead.

2007 winner Wade eventually sealed the win with a 127 checkout on the bull, and will get the chance to win a second successive major tournament on Sunday, following last month’s Speedy Hire UK Open triumph.

“I’m glad to be in the final and honoured to be on the same stage as Phil Taylor on Sunday,” said Wade. “I don’t think anyone’s pushed Phil yet, and possibly I am the man to do that.

“There are different ways of beating Phil, and it’s not averaging 110, it’s doing things at the right time. If I do those things at the right time anything could happen, and I wouldn’t want to play me!”

Of his performance against Lewis, he added: “I play to win and I’ve done that, but there wasn’t much in front of me to beat and I was expecting more from Adrian, but he didn’t play like he can.”

Lewis had overcome six missed match darts from Kevin Painter in the first round in Blackpool, and also defeated Vincent van der Voort and Mark Webster, but admitted: “It was awful.

“James wasn’t brilliant but I’ve played like that for the last couple of games and got away with it, and I didn’t tonight. I’m disappointed with myself but that game’s gone now and I’ll be back.”

Hamilton had won nine successive legs to come from 15-8 down and defeat Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals, but was unable to repeat the magic against Taylor, despite hitting ten 180s.

“I’ve got to pay credit to Phil because he was brilliant there,” said Hamilton, who returns to the world’s top 16 after his run in Blackpool.

“I’m happy to have got to the semi-finals because I came into the tournament on a bit of bad form, but I’ve got the fear factor back with people who will be playing me.”

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor 17-9 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 10-17 James Wade

Sunday July 24 (7pm)
Final
Phil Taylor v James Wade
Best of 35 legs

PHIL TAYLOR 17-9 ANDY HAMILTON
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course to win a 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title after booking his place in the final with a 17-9 victory over Andy Hamilton on Saturday night.

The reigning champion will compete for the £100,000 first prize on Sunday after producing another fine performance, averaging 105.59 and finishing 57 percent of his chances at a double.

Hamilton had hit back from trailing by four legs at one stage to be just 10-8 down, but could do little as Taylor won seven of the final eight legs, including checkouts of 116, 119 and 121.

Taylor broke in the opening leg with a 13-dart finish, and he matched that to double his lead as the pair traded 180s before Hamilton won the third on tops to get off the mark.

A missed double 18 from Hamilton allowed Taylor a reprieve on double 11 in the fourth, before the world number one was punished for three misses as Hamilton cut back to 3-2 at the first break.

Taylor found another gear to win the next three in brilliant fashion with finishes of 11, 12 and 13 darts as the pair hit two 180s apiece, although Hamilton replied well with maximums in a brace of 12-darters, which included a 121 finish, to stay in touch at 6-4.

A 68 checkout from Taylor was followed by a 13-darter as he established a four-leg cushion, and the next two legs were shared before Hamilton won three in a row, including a 13-darter to break, in pulling back to 9-8 as Taylor showed some vulnerability on double top.

Double eight from Taylor stopped that run, and he hit a 171 and tops to lead 11-8 and a superb 116 checkout gave him a 12-8 cushion as he restored his advantage.

Two misses allowed Hamilton back to win his ninth leg in the next, but Taylor posted double 16 and then finished 84 after two missed doubles from his opponent to lead 14-9 before producing killer finishes of 119 and 121 on the bull, with Hamilton waiting to pounce in both legs.

They put him to the brink of victory, and the win was sealed when he took out 71 on tops to move into the final.

“I’m over the moon that I’m in the final and I’d love to retain this trophy,” said Taylor.

“After the year I’ve had, I’m very happy to be in the final and even more so because it’s such a strong field now and every game’s like a final.

“Andy hit a lot of 180s at great times and he was superb. He didn’t give in and he made it a great game for the crowd too.

“I need to play better in the final. A few times against Andy I missed doubles and he punished me, and I’ve got to stamp that out in the final.”

Hamilton said: “I’ve got to pay credit to Phil because he was brilliant there.

“I didn’t put up a bad show there and I’ll try to take this form into the European Championship next week and become a bit more consistent.

“I’m happy to have got to the semi-finals because I came into the tournament on a bit of bad form, but I’ve got the fear factor back with people who will be playing me.”

JAMES WADE 17-10 ADRIAN LEWIS
JAMES WADE booked his place in the final of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a 17-10 victory over World Champion Adrian Lewis at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 2007 World Matchplay champion won through to his fourth Winter Gardens final in comfortable fashion, taking full advantage of a below-par Lewis display.

The Stoke ace never hit top gear as Wade hit a 170 finish in taking control with five successive legs in mid-game before he sealed victory with a 127 checkout.

The opening leg set the tone for the match, with Lewis missing three darts to lead as Wade took an immediate break on double two.

He doubled his lead with double top, and could have won the third leg but missed double 15 for a 110 finish as Lewis took out double ten to get off the mark.

The pair traded double top finishes in the next two, before a miss at the same bed from Wade, for a 102 finish, allowed Lewis to follow up an earlier 177 with double four to level.

Wade replied with his first 180 of the game in a 13-darter, and another double top finish gave him a 5-3 lead, although Lewis powered home the bull for a 126 checkout to reduce the gap to one leg.

However, Wade produced his best spell of the match to win the next five legs, hitting a 170 finish and an 11-darter which featured two 180s as he took command of the game at 10-4.

Lewis hit finishes of double four and double 18 to win two of the next three, but Wade landed double ten and double five to edge back into a 13-6 advantage.

A missed double top allowed Lewis in to win a seventh leg on double five, and he then traded maximums with Wade in taking the next in 12 darts.

Wade responded with a key 96 finish as Lewis waited on 80, and when he took out double top and double six he found himself on the brink of victory with a 16-8 advantage.

Lewis kicked off the next leg with a 180 and posted double three to keep the game alive, and when he hit a sparkling 11-darter he began to threaten a comeback akin to Andy Hamilton’s against Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals.

But Wade had other ideas, and hit three ton-plus scores to pull clear in the next before sealing victory on the bull with a 127 checkout.

“I’m glad to be in the final and honoured to be on the same stage as Phil Taylor on Sunday,” said Wade.

“I don’t think anyone’s pushed Phil yet, and possibly I am the man to do that. There are different ways of beating Phil, and it’s not averaging 110, it’s doing things at the right time.

“If I do those things at the right time anything could happen, and I wouldn’t want to play me!”

Of his performance against Lewis, he added: “I play to win and I’ve done that, but there wasn’t much in front of me to beat and I was expecting more from Adrian, but he didn’t play like he can.”

Lewis admitted: “It was awful. James wasn’t brilliant but I’ve played like that for the last couple of games and got away with it, and I didn’t tonight.

“I’m disappointed with myself but that game’s gone now and I’ll be back.”

Match Stats

Source PDC – Lawrence Lustig

PHIL TAYLOR and James Wade moved into the semi-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay on Friday night, defeating Wes Newton and Raymond van Barneveld in thrilling quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Reigning champion Taylor produced one of his finest performances on the Winter Gardens stage with a 16-5 victory over Newton, a win which was made more remarkable as he had to come from 4-1 down.

Fleetwood’s world number eight Newton took the early advantage in an inspired opening, but Taylor followed a 150 checkout with a brace of 128 finishes in taking the lead, and eventually won nine straight legs in storming to victory.

Taylor averaged over 108 – his highest of the event this year – in taking the victory, and will now play Stoke-born Andy Hamilton in an all-Potteries semi-final on Saturday.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Taylor. “I’m not starting brilliantly but it’s going well after that, and I’m playing maybe as well as I can.

“Wes is setting a good standard at the moment and he’s getting better and better. He doesn’t miss and you have to play well to beat him.

He hit everything early on but the 150 and 128 were massive shots and you could see his head drop a little bit.

“I’m loving this event and with the way the players are playing, you have to be completely on your game.

“I want to hit a 110 average against Andy and to keep improving too because I want to leave here on Sunday with the trophy again.

With World Champion Adrian Lewis having won through to the last four earlier in the day, seeing off Mark Webster, James Wade secured a spot in the semis against the Stoke ace with a 16-11 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld.

The Dutchman shared the opening 14 legs against Wade, who pulled clear in the final stages with some clinical finishing, notably on his favoured double top.

“I’m not in top gear but I’m winning and I need five more percent in my game before I’m at my best,” said Wade.

“This is the best tournament in the world, for me it’s bigger than the World Championship and I get a feeling from this tournament that I don’t get from any other.”

Hamilton, the world number 17 who had claimed the last of 16 Players Championship qualifying places just to get into the World Matchplay before defeating Scottish pair Gary Anderson and John Henderson, had won through to the semis in dramatic fashion earlier on Friday.

He looked set to crash out to Simon Whitlock when the Australian ace led 15-8, but he incredibly won nine successive legs in arguably the greatest comeback in the 18-year history of the World Matchplay.

Coverage of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay semi-finals will be shown live on Sky Sports HD1 on Saturday evening, as well as in 3D on the Sky 3D channel.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock 15-17 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 16-12 Mark Webster
Raymond van Barneveld 11-16 James Wade
Phil Taylor 16-5 Wes Newton

Saturday July 23
Semi-Finals (7pm)
Phil Taylor v Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Best of 33 legs. Matches must be won by two clear legs.

JAMES WADE 16-11 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
JAMES WADE secured his place in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay quarter-finals with a 16-11 defeat of Raymond van Barneveld at the Winter Gardens on Friday night.

Dutch star van Barneveld had defeated Wade during his run to the World Matchplay final in Blackpool last year, and had performed superbly against Steve Brown and Paul Nicholson to book his last eight spot this week.

However, he was punished for missed doubles at key times as Wade, the 2007 World Matchplay champion, took out four ton-plus finishes to set up a tantalising semi-final with World Champion Adrian Lewis.

Van Barneveld made a bright start, hitting double top to win the opening two legs without reply before Wade landed a second 180 of the game and double ten to get off the mark in the third.

When he hit tops to take the next three legs and a 4-2 lead, Wade’s early double troubles seemed to have been put behind him, only for the left-hander to then miss three darts to win the seventh as van BArneveld hit back.

Wade hit a 180 in the eighth, but double six drew van Barneveld level – and the tables were turned in the next when the Dutchman landed a maximum only to see his opponent finish 121.

The next two were shared before van Barneveld finished 126 on the bullseye to square the match at six-all, and the pair traded the next two legs as the match remained finely poised.

Wade, through, produced two fine finishes to take the next two legs, taking out 95 and 96 to lead 9-7, assuming an advantage he would never lose.

Van Barneveld landed a 174 and double eight to take the next, but when he missed his chance to level in leg 18 Wade hit double ten to break and a 100 finish for a 14-darter to move 11-8 up.

Finishes of double eight and double six pulled the five-time World Champion back into the game, but again a chance to level slipped away as he missed the bull for another 126 finish, with Wade taking out 116.

Three further missed doubles from van Barneveld gave Wade the chance to hit double ten for a 13-10 lead, and when he took out 127 on double eight the winning line loomed into sight.

Double top saw Wade edge to the brink of victory, and although van Barneveld landed double 16 to stay in the contest it proved only brief respite as the left-hander’s trusted double top secured the win.

“I’m not in top gear but I’m winning and I need five more percent in my game before I’m at my best,” said Wade. “The big finishes were good but they were rescue shots for me – I’m not scoring as well as I can.

“It’s not felt comfortable for the first two games and it didn’t quite click for me, and it’s testing my ability.

“This is the best tournament in the world, for me it’s bigger than the World Championship and I get a feeling from this tournament that I don’t get from any other.”

Wade defeated Lewis in last year’s World Grand Prix final and also in the 2007 World Matchplay semi-finals, but is expecting a huge test against the World Champion.

“He’s supposed to be the best player and roughly is, more times than not,” added Wade.

“He’s done very well to win the one title I want, the World Championship. He’s brilliant at darts, amazing, and there’s no other player who can string together two or three legs when you need them like he can.”

PHIL TAYLOR 16-5 WES NEWTON
PHIL TAYLOR stormed into the semi-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with an amazing fightback to hit back from 4-1 down and defeat Wes Newton 16-5 at the Winter Gardens.

Local star Fleetwood, the world number eight who was appearing in his first World Matchplay quarter-final, stunned the reigning champion by taking an early 4-1 lead.

But Taylor showed his quality in a relentless barrage as he won 15 of the next 16 legs, including nine in a row, to take a superb win, hitting a key 150 finish and a brace of 128 checkouts along the way.

Following his victories over Andy Smith and Justin Pipe earlier in the event, home favourite Newton made a great start by winning the opening leg on double 16 and hitting the same bed to double his lead with an immediate break of throw.

After hitting a 180 in the third, Newton missed the bullseye for an 84 finish in a bid to move further clear as Taylor opened his account with a 66 checkout.

The duo traded maximums in the fourth, and after Taylor missed the bull Newton finished double top for a fine 11-dart leg, and then took the fifth to move 4-1 up at the first break.

He also hit a 180 in the sixth leg, but was left waiting on 40 when Taylor took out 150 before the reigning champion piled in a 128 finish in the next and a 14-darter to draw level.

Taylor then hit another 128 finish to take the lead for the first time, despite a fourth 180 of the game from Newton, and landed a 180 and double ten to edge 6-4 up.

Newton hit back well in the 11th, with Taylor hitting a 174 to leave 32 but being denied a dart at the double as Newton finished 72 on double six to win his fifth leg.

However, Taylor asserted his dominance with a clinical 64 finish before breaking in a key 13th with a 71 checkout after trading 180s with Newton, and double 18 gave him a 9-5 cushion.

He added a 12-darter win his tenth leg, and also produced an 11-dart finish which featured a 180 and a 96 checkout, but it was his accuracy on double 16 – allied to his pounding of the treble 20 and treble 19 beds – which saw him power to victory.

Taylor hit the double 16 bed in five of the final six legs, with none being over 13 darts as he stormed into a a semi-final against Stoke-born Andy Hamilton.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Taylor. “I’m not starting brilliantly but it’s going well after that, and I’m playing maybe as well as I can.

“Wes is setting a good standard at the moment and he’s getting better and better. He doesn’t miss and you have to play well to beat him.

He hit everything early on but the 150 and 128 were massive shots and you could see his head drop a little bit.

“I’m loving this event and with the way the players are playing, you have to be completely on your game.

“I want to hit a 110 average against Andy and to keep improving too because I want to leave here on Sunday with the trophy again.

“Andy will battle for every dart and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He showed that against Simon Whitlock with the best performance I’ve seen all year.

“I can’t think of anyone who can take nine legs in a row against Simon, but Andy never legs his concentration slip. He works hard for what he’s got and he earns everything he gets.”

Taylor added: “It’s a great semi-final line-up and I’m glad I’m on first so that I can watch the other semi-final. Everyones a little bit in awe of Adrian because he’s World Champion and James is on a high at the minute, so that will be a cracking game.”

Newton said: “I’m obviously very disappointed but I gave it my all.

“It’s starting to get on my nerves a bit that Phil seems to play at his very best against me, but I’ve got to take the positives from that because perhaps he does it for a reason, and maybe I’m bringing the best out in him.

“I will keep plugging away and hopefully get the better of him one day. I’ll regroup now and get ready for the European Championship now.

“It’s been a good step forward for me. I’ve come into this tournament and won a couple of games in Blackpool at last.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

ANDY HAMILTON produced the most remarkable comeback in the history of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay as he came from 15-8 down to defeat Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals in Blackpool on Friday, and he was joined in the semis by World Champion Adrian Lewis.

Australian ace Whitlock looked set to progress to his second successive semi-finals at the Winter Gardens when he took a 15-8 lead in their first-to-16 contest.

But Hamilton incredibly clawed his way back into the match, and as Whitlock missed five match darts at double top across three legs as the world number 17 won nine straight legs in an amazing fightback.

“At 15-8 I had nothing to lose and I started clawing it back, and that’s the greatest comeback of my career,” said Hamilton. “Simon kept missing and he gave me a glimmer, and I pounced on him.

“I was probably trying too hard early on and missed too many doubles, but I relaxed as the game went on and it paid off.”

Hamilton will now meet the winner of Friday night’s quarter-final between reigning champion Phil Taylor and Fleetwood’s Wes Newton in the semis on Saturday, while Lewis will take on Raymond van Barneveld or James Wade following his 16-12 defeat of Mark Webster.

Welshman Webster led 4-1 and 6-2 in his bid to claim a place in the semi-finals of a second successive major tournament, but Lewis hit finishes of 118 and 110 in hitting back to take the win.

“When I was 4-1 down at the first break against Mark I knew I had three or four more gears and I knew what I had to do,” said Lewis.

“He kept giving me chances and I didn’t take them early on, but I never felt under pressure. I’ll have to improve, though, and I will probably have to average 103 or 104 to win the semi-finals, but I’ve got the game to do it.”

The remaining two quarter-finals will be played on Friday evening, with 2007 champion Wade meeting last year’s runner-up Raymond van Barneveld, before Taylor seeks to complete a treble of victories for Stoke-born players when he plays Newton.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Simon Whitlock 15-17 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Lewis 16-12 Mark Webster

Evening Session (7pm)
Raymond van Barneveld v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Wes Newton
All matches the best of 31 legs. Matches must be won by two clear legs.

ANDY HAMILTON 17-15 SIMON WHITLOCK
ANDY HAMILTON produced the most remarkable comeback in the history of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, winning nine successive legs in coming from the brink of defeat to Simon Whitlock to win 17-15 in their classic quarter-final.

Hamilton, who only earned his spot in the event as the last of 16 Players Championship qualifiers a month ago, seemed set to see his Winter Gardens challenge end when Whitlock took a 15-8 lead.

However, the Australian’s accuracy on the doubles evaded him as he missed five match darts across three separate legs as Hamilton clawed his way back level and snatched the most dramatic of victories.

Whitlock made the stronger start, hitting a 174 and double eight to win the opening leg and recovering from allowing Hamilton in to level on tops in the second with some clinical finishing to win three successive legs.

The first came courtesy of a 116 checkout, the second saw him hit tops for an 80 finish and the third, for a 14-darter saw Whitlock follow a 180 with double 16.

Hamilton hit his first 180 of the match in the sixth leg, and swiftly added a second in posting a superb 11-dart leg to halt the run.

The next two were shared courtesy of double 16 finishes, before Whitlock took the ninth in spectacular fashion by following a 180 with a 105 checkout.

Hamilton landed another 11-darter to pull back to 6-4, but Whitlock again hit top gear, winning six out of the next seven legs to pull clear at 12-5, with only a third 11-dart finish of the game from the Englishman coming in reply.

Hamilton hit his fifth 180 of the game and double top to slow Whitlock’s progress, although the Australian replied with a 106 checkout and also shared the next four legs as he edged towards victory by moving 15-8 up.

Double 16 from Hamilton saw him begin the fightback, and when he broke throw for the first time in the match in the 24th leg with a 12-darter which featured two 180s, the gap was reduced to 15-10.

Whitlock was first to a finish in the next, but when he missed three match darts just above double top, Hamilton stepped in with an 86 finish to stay alive.

Another missed double top in the next, this time for a 120 finish, allowed Hamilton to finish double 16, and when he hit a pressure double five to reduce the gap to 15-13, the comeback was truly underway.

Whitlock posted a 180 in the next, and when Hamilton missed double 16 for a 142 finish he was handed another chance to take the win – but again was off-target on double top, and his opponent returned to pull to within a leg.

Hamilton then finished 68 to level the match, and landed his ninth 180 and a 68 finish to incredible lead for the first time at 16-15 after Whitlock missed five darts to regain his advantage.

Whitlock replied with a maximum in the next as he battled to keep the game alive, but Hamilton secured the victory in style, finishing 94 on the bullseye with a superb dart to complete the most remarkable of fightbacks.

“I can’t believe it,” said Hamilton. “At 15-8 I had nothing to lose and I started clawing it back, and that’s the greatest comeback of my career.

“Simon kept missing and he gave me a glimmer, and I pounced on him. I got back in the game and at 15-13 I was on a roll.

“I was probably trying too hard early on and missed too many doubles, but I relaxed as the game went on and it paid off.”

Hamilton’s win followed up defeats of number four seed Gary Anderson and a second Scot, John Henderson, and ensures that he will return to the world’s top 16.

“I’m growing in confidence and I’ve nothing to lose in the semi-finals,” said Hamilton. “Because I beat Gary it’s given me more self-belief and I’ve nothing to lose.

“I’m the underdog but I could go all the way, and I’m shutting the doubters up about my game. People said I was gone and that I’d never come back but this will shut them up.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 16-12 MARK WEBSTER
ADRIAN LEWIS overcame a slow start before defeating Mark Webster 16-12 to reach the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay semi-finals at the Winter Gardens on Friday.

The World Champion trailed 4-1 and 6-2 as Webster made a swift start in his bid to reach the semis in a second successive major, following his run in the Speedy Hire UK Open last month.

However, Lewis won seven out of eight legs in mid-game to edge into a 9-7 lead, and he eventually proved too strong as he booked his place in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Webster made an ideal opening to the game, taking the first leg and then breaking to win the second after Lewis suffered some early double trouble.

A makeshift finish of double 11, double three from Webster saw him move into a 3-0 lead, and although Lewis got off the mark by hitting a 180 and tops in the fourth a 13-darter from Webster saw him take a 4-1 advantage at the first break.

A 70 finish from Lewis saw him win the sixth, but Webster edged the next two to take a 6-2 advantage, only to miss two chances in the next as Lewis posted double five to break.

He followed that with a 14-dart leg and checkouts of 110 and 118 for four successive legs in levelling the contest, before Webster took out 72 on double 12 to 7-6 up.

A two-dart 85 finish from Lewis saw him level once more, and he took the lead for the first time with a 13-dart leg, which was followed by double top as he moved clear at 9-7.

Webster finished 104 to win the 17th leg, but Lewis moved three legs ahead with a brace of double tops as he edged towards the winning line.

Webster replied with two double ten checkouts to pull back to 11-10, and hit a 180 in the next only to see Lewis finish 72 on double 18 to five himself breathing space.

After the Welshman took the next, Lewis held his cool to hit a 180 and a 90 finish to lead 13-11 and then moved two legs away from the semis by winning the 25th leg.

Webster produced a brilliant ten-darter to keep his hopes alive at 14-12, but Lewis replied with back-to-back 180s in winning the next before sealing victory on double 11.

Having stared defeat in the face against Kevin Painter in the first round, as his opponent missed six darts to knock him out, Lewis now sits two victories away from claiming his second major title in the space of seven months following defeats of Vincent van der Voort and Webster.

“In the first match Kevin played well and I was lucky to get through, but you have to take your chances and I’ve shown a lot of bottle,” said Lewis. “That’s part of why I’m World Champion and I think I can go on to win this tournament now.

“When I was 4-1 down at the first break against Mark I knew I had three or four more gears and I knew what I had to do.

“He kept giving me chances and I didn’t take them early on, but I never felt under pressure. I’ll have to improve, though, and I will probably have to average 103 or 104 to win the semi-finals, but I’ve got the game to do it.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

BIG GUNS Raymond van Barneveld, Adrian Lewis and James Wade all booked their places in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay quarter-finals with victories as the second round of the £400,000 event began in Blackpool on Wednesday.

The build-up to Sunday’s climax in the prestigious tournament began in earnest as the first four games from round two took place at the Winter Gardens.

World Champion Adrian Lewis powered past Holland’s Vincent van der Voort with a 13-5 victory in their contest, with the Stoke ace taking an early 5-0 lead with a superb start before going on to average 100 in taking the win.

He will now play Welsh left-hander Mark Webster, who reeled off six successive legs to defeat Steve Beaton 13-7 in their clash, taking out four ton-plus checkouts in the process.

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld remains on course to reach his second successive Blackpool final following a 13-9 defeat of Paul Nicholson, who led 7-6 at one stage before the Dutchman powered through.

2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade, meanwhile, produced a clinical display to see off plucky Mark Walsh, who trailed 6-2 and 9-5 before hitting back to trail by just one leg before the left-hander sealed the win with a 122 bullseye checkout.

The second round will conclude with the remaining four games on Thursday, including reigning champion Phil Taylor taking on Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones.

Local star Wes Newton faces Taunton’s Justin Pipe, number five seed Simon Whitlock plays Denis Ovens and Andy Hamilton – who knocked out second-favourite Gary Anderson on Tuesday – meets another Scot, John Henderson.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Wednesday July 20
Second Round
Steve Beaton 7-13 Mark Webster
Adrian Lewis 13-5 Vincent van der Voort
Raymond van Barneveld 13-9 Paul Nicholson
James Wade 13-11 Mark Walsh

Thursday July 21 (7pm)
Simon Whitlock v Denis Ovens
Andy Hamilton v John Henderson
Phil Taylor v Wayne Jones
Wes Newton v Justin Pipe
All second round games are the best of 25 legs. All games must be won by two clear legs.

MARK WEBSTER 13-7 STEVE BEATON
MARK WEBSTER reeled off six successive legs against Steve Beaton to book his quarter-final place at the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a 13-7 triumph.

The Welshman followed up his first round defeat of John Part by knocking out another former World Champion, as he broke a seven-all deadlock with a thrilling run, which included killer finishes of 158 and 142.

Webster will now play World Champion Adrian Lewis in the quarter-finals on Friday, as he bids to follow up his recent run to the semis in the Speedy Hire UK Open with another last four appearance.

Beaton played his part in an entertaining contest, holding his own throughout the opening 14 legs and averaging at over 100 for much of that time.

He took the opening leg against the throw on double seven, a finish which was set up with a 168 score as he started with a flourish, although Webster replied with a two-dart 90 finish to level and double ten to move 2-1 up.

Beaton superbly finished 140 on double 16 to win the fourth leg, but missed tops to steal the fifth as Webster edged back in front, and the next three legs also went with throw to leave the scores locked at four-all.

Beaton then edged back in front by taking the ninth with a brilliant 133 checkout, although three missed doubles gave Webster the chance to break back, which the left-hander took with a 105 finish.

He edged back in front in the 11th to lead 6-5, and after Beaton won the 12th the Welshman added a 104 finish to keep himself on top.

Beaton hit 80 to win the 14th leg as the scores were tied at seven-all, but Webster took the next with a 61 finish before applying a killer blow with a superb 158 checkout to break, with his opponent waiting on a finish.

Double top gave him a 10-7 advantage, and he then punished a missed bullseye from Beaton for a 130 finish with an even bigger checkout as he powered home double 11 for a 142 checkout.

An 87 finish then won him a fifth straight leg, and he landed a second 180 of the game before taking out 86 to ensure his place in the last eight.

“It’s great to be in the quarter-finals,” said Webster. “At the last break I was 8-7 up and I knew I needed to pull ahead and look to control my throw.

“I improved on my first round performance and I think the 158 knocked a bit of stuffing out of Steve.

“I still don’t think that I’m playing as well as I can but I’m in the quarter-finals now and I’m not scared of anybody.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 13-5 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
WORLD CHAMPION Adrian Lewis’ challenge to claim the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title continued as he swept aside Vincent van der Voort 13-5 in the second round at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Lewis had been pushed all the way in his first round clash with Kevin Painter, recovering from seeing six match darts to knock him out missed before he came back to win 14-12.

He had fewer problems against the Dutchman, who never recovered from a slow start as he lost the opening five legs without reply.

Lewis stamped his authority on the game early on, winning the opening leg before breaking on double ten in the second leg, and after van der Voort missed three darts at double top to get off the mark the Stoke ace followed an earlier 177 with tops to move 3-0 up.

Lewis also hit a 180 and an 81 finish in a 12-darter to take the fourth, and when he landed double 18 in the next he moved five legs clear at the break.

Van der Voort took out double top to finally get onto the scoreboard in the sixth, and after another 12-darter from Lewis the Dutchman hit top gear.

He took out double 19 to win a second leg, and then hit scores of 174 and 171 in a 12-dart leg to break Lewis’ throw, while double five in the tenth saw him cut the gap to 6-4.

The next two legs were shared before Lewis took out 86 to lead 8-5, and he then won what proved to be a key 14th, as van der Voort hit scores of 140 and 180 but missed his doubles as the World Champion took out a pressure 70 checkout.

Finishes of 120 and 96 gave Lewis and 11-5 cushion, and he then finished double eight before posting another 180 in opening the 18th leg, which he ended with a show-stopping 170 checkout to seal victory.

“I was expecting more from Vincent but he didn’t get going,” said Lewis. “When I went 5-0 up I took my foot off the gas and he came back well, but then I hit another gear when he got back to 6-4.

“I’ve come off with a 100 average but still think I was in second gear, I wasn’t pushed and I was relaxed all the way through the game.

“It will be harder against Mark Webster and I know I’ve got to dig in deep and push him.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 13-9 PAUL NICHOLSON
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD ended Paul Nicholson’s hopes of Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay glory with a 13-9 victory in their second round contest at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday night.

The Dutchman had endured a disrupted preparation for his first round clash with Steve Brown in Blackpool after leaving his darts at home in Holland, but booked his quarter-final spot with a strong display.

Nicholson played his part and held a 7-6 lead at one stage, but van Barneveld hit key finishes of 116 and 108 amongst a run of five successive legs as he took charge of the contest and went on to seal the win.

Nicholson could have won the game’s opening leg against the throw, but missed three darts at double 16 before van Barneveld returned from an earlier miss to land double nine.

Nicholson hit scores of 180 and 170 in setting up double four to level in the second, and an 11-dart leg edged him ahead against the throw in the third.

Van Barneveld hit back immediately on double 18, and double four moved him 3-2 up before he was unable to make a 180 count when he missed double 18 in the sixth, as Nicholson again levelled.

The next two were shared before van Barneveld took two in a row to move 6-4 up, firstly defying a maximum from Nicholson to set up double 16 with a 149 score before landing a 180 of his own before returning after his opponent missed tops for a 120 finish to hit the same bed.

Nicholson broke back on double 18, and after the pair traded 180s on the 12th leg he powered home a 164 checkout to level matters, before a pressure double top for an 80 finish saw him regain the lead at 7-6.

Van Barneveld, though, immediately broke back with a superb 116 checkout, and then hit a 180 in an 11-darter to put himself back in front at 8-7 – and finishes of 108, double four and double nine saw him extend the advantage to four legs.

He also had a chance to win a sixth successive leg in the next, but missed one dart at double top for a 111 finish as Nicholson made him pay by hitting the same bed.

Nicholson also won the 20th leg with an 82 checkout to threaten a comeback, but van Barneveld hit a sixth 180 of the game in winning the next in 14 darts, and posted another 180 before double ten sealed victory.

“It was a tough game so I’m happy to win it,” said van Barneveld.

“Paul did well in the last few tournaments and beat Gary and Phil in the UK Open, and he’s having a fantastic year. He’s a class player but tonight he let me in a couple of times and maybe I was the better finisher.

“I can play a lot better but I got the win. If you win, the averages don’t matter and I did that, so I can look forward to the quarter-finals now.

“This tournament is very important to me, I want to make it to the final and I want to win it.”

Nicholson said: “Raymond hit the key shots but I think he was there for the taking but I don’t think I was sharp enough tonight to take him out.

“Raymond’s a wonderful guy and it was a very honest game, like my game against Colin Osborne, and the better player won.

“When I hit the 164 I thought that may be my trigger, but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t hit enough 180s and 140s and I was always searching for my game.”

JAMES WADE 13-11 MARK WALSH
JAMES WADE held off a spirited challenge from Mark Walsh before progressing to the quarter-finals of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay with a narrow 13-11 victory on Wednesday night.

Wade, the 2007 World Matchplay champion, looked set to coast to victory when he took leads of 6-2 and 9-5 against the Hertfordshire thrower.

But Walsh hit back to trail just 11-10 before Wade eventually sealed the win with a 122 bullseye finish.

Wade made the stronger start, taking the first two legs with finishes of 68 and 80 before Walsh hit 180s in the next three, winning two but seeing Wade finish 121 on the bull in holding a 3-2 lead.

Wade fired in a maximum of his own in the sixth as he finished 91 to move two legs clear, before a 13-darter broke throw and double 12 moved him into a 6-2 advantage.

Walsh hit back to win two out of the next three legs in cutting the gap to 7-4, and posted another 180 to leave a finish in the 12th only to see Wade take out 102 to regain control.

A 13-dart finish from Walsh in reply was bettered by a 12-darter from Wade, and the duo traded 14-dart finishes before Walsh took out 108 in remaining in touch at 10-7.

Wade hit a 174 score and double ten in a 13-darter as he won his 11th leg of the game, only for Walsh to fire back with three successive legs, posting two 180s in the first of those, a 121 finish in the second and a 64 checkout for a 14-dart leg as he pulled back to 11-10.

Wade took out double top to edge a leg away from the win, only to see Walsh land the same bed for a 13-darter to threaten taking the match into a tie-breaker at 12-11.

Wade, though, produced one more big effort in checking out 122 on the bullseye to set up a tasty quarter-final clash with Raymond van Barneveld on Friday.

“I’m really happy because I thought the game was slipping away at the end,” said Wade. “It’s frustrating because I’m giving opportunities away and being careless but I won and I’ll take that.

“This performance may be good enough to beat Raymond in the quarter-finals but I still want to play better.

“The 122 at the end was massive because I think if I’d not hit that I could have lost the game. He was getting back into the match and making me nervous.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

PHIL TAYLOR overcame the spirited challenge of Mark Hylton to begin his challenge to win a 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a win on Monday night, as local star Wes Newton finally broke his Winter Gardens jinx.

Newcomer Hylton, the emerging left-hander from Staffordshire, led Taylor 3-1 early on and hit back from 9-5 down to reduce the gap to one leg as he threatened an amazing fightback against the reigning champion.

Hylton also opened the 18th leg with a 180, but when he was unable to finish 121 Taylor crucially held his nerve to secure a narrow victory, as he seeks to claim his first major televised title of the year.

“I’m relieved to get through that because Mark came back well at me and when he hit that 180 in the last leg I was thinking we were going have a tie-breaker!” said Taylor.

“I’ve got a lot of improvement in me yet and I know I need to be averaging around 106 to be in contention here, but the key thing is that I’m still in and I’ll prepare well to play Wayne Jones on Thursday.”

Jones booked his place in the second round with a 10-6 victory over another debutant, Coventry’s Scott Rand, who performed well in only his second appearance in front of the television cameras.

Rand shared the first six legs, but Jones pulled clear with a run of four straight legs and also posted a 161 finish in setting up a date with Taylor on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Fleetwood-based Wes Newton picked up his first World Matchplay victory in his fifth appearance in the event as he stormed to a 10-2 win over Andy Smith.

Newton won the first six legs without reply to take command of the match, with a 126 finish from Smith getting him off the mark but failing to stem the tide as the new world number eight sailed into the last 16.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to win,” said Newton. “It wasn’t the best game you’ll ever see, but I am in the next round and I’m fighting for the title.”

Newton now faces Justin Pipe in the second round, after the 39-year-old from Taunton knocked out world number nine Mervyn King with a 10-6 triumph.

King, who has been suffering with tennis elbow in the build-up to the World Matchplay, led 4-2 and 5-4 but Pipe win six of the final seven legs to secure his first-ever televised victory.

The first round concludes on Tuesday night with the final four matches, which include Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson facing Andy Hamilton.

Number five seed Simon Whitlock takes on Peter Wright, 2005 World Matchplay winner Colin Lloyd against debutant John Henderson and Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter playing Denis Ovens.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
First Round
Monday July 18
Wayne Jones 10-6 Scott Rand
Mervyn King 6-10 Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor 10-8 Mark Hylton
Wes Newton 10-2 Andy Smith

Tuesday July 19
Ronnie Baxter v Denis Ovens
Colin Lloyd v John Henderson
Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
Best of 19 legs. Games must be won by two clear legs.

WAYNE JONES 10-6 SCOTT RAND
WAYNE JONES denied Scott Rand a debut victory in the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, as he took a 10-6 win from their clash at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Rand has impressed in qualifying for the World Matchplay through the Players Championship series of events this year, and performed well as he followed up last month’s UK Open with a second appearance in front of the television cameras.

However, Jones – a quarter-finalist last year in Blackpool – showed his quality with a mid-game surge of winning four successive legs which proved crucial in the final outcome.

The opening stages were a tight affair, with Rand hitting double 16 to win the first leg but missing two darts to break in the second as Jones levelled.

The next two were also shared before Rand landed a 180 and double nine for a 3-2 lead, only for Jones to reply with a 106 checkout before producing the first break of the game in the seventh, courtesy of a maximum and double 16 in a 13-darter.

Jones then took the next two legs after Rand missed the final double on combinations of 138 and 131, with double 16 and double 18 giving Jones a sudden 6-3 advantage.

Rand stopped the run with a 69 finish, but a brilliant 11-darter from Jones gave him a seventh leg.

The next two legs went against the throw, and at 8-5 down Rand threatened to continue his fightback by firing in a 180 – only for Jones to reply by finishing 341 with a maximum followed by a 161 checkout to put him a leg away from the win.

Rand posted double nine in the next to keep himself alive a 9-6, but missed three darts to stay in the match as Jones posted double 16 to seal his second round spot.

“I’m pleased to be through but not happy with how I played,” said Jones. “It was an average display and that performance won’t get me past Phil Taylor in the second round, but I won and will work to improve.

“It’s frustrating because I know I’m playing well and I didn’t show that against Scott. My run last year started in Blackpool and hopefully I can lift on Thursday.”

Rand said: “I enjoyed it. The darts didn’t go as they were supposed to, there were a lot of fives and I missed two doubles for big finishes, 138 and a 131.

“If I’d hit them I’d have stayed level and it would have been more of a battle, but that’s darts. I enjoyed the experience and it was good to be up in front of the crowd, and I’ll look forward to next time.”

JUSTIN PIPE 10-6 MERVYN KING
JUSTIN PIPE enjoyed a dream Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay debut with a 10-6 victory over Mervyn King at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The 39-year-old from Taunton claimed his maiden televised victory, capitalising on a below-par display from King as the world number nine, suffering from a bout of tennis elbow, became only the second seeded player to be knocked out so far in the event.

Pipe, who has played in the Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship in the past year, settled any early nerves by finishing 116 to win the opening leg.

The next two legs were shared before King took command, landing a 120 finish to level in the fourth, a 75 checkout in the fifth to break for the first time and a 90 finish to lead 4-2.

Pipe traded 180s with King before finishing 96 for the seventh leg, and broke back to square the contest on double nine in the next.

King replied with a 91 checkout, but Pipe made his move by winning three successive legs, twice punishing misses from his opponent before hitting a 180 in an 11-darter to move 7-5 up.

He also missed three darts to win the next as King took out 76 to reduce the gap to one leg, but another 180 from Pipe was followed by double four as he broke to lead 8-6, double top moved him a leg away from victory and double ten secured a precious win.

PHIL TAYLOR 10- MARK HYLTON
PHIL TAYLOR overcame the spirited challenge of Mark Hylton to begin his challenge to win a 12th Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a 10-8 victory over the Blackpool debutant on Monday night.

Newcomer Hylton, the emerging left-hander from Staffordshire, led Taylor 3-1 early on and hit back from 9-5 down to reduce the gap to one leg as he threatened an amazing fightback.

Hylton also opened the 18th leg with a 180, but when he was unable to finish 121 Taylor crucially held his nerve to secure a narrow victory, as he seeks to claim his first major televised title of the year.

“I’m relieved to get through that because Mark came back well at me and when he hit that 180 in the last leg I was thinking we were going have a tie-breaker!” said Taylor.

“His scoring was brilliant and he’s a cracking player. He’s done his apprenticeship and was impressive.

“I’ve got a lot of improvement in me yet and I know I need to be averaging around 106 to be in contention here, but the key thing is that I’m still in and I’ll prepare well to play Wayne Jones on Thursday.”

Taylor hit a 180 in the opening leg, but Hylton replied in kind and hit double 16 for a 14-darter to make a strong start.

Taylor levelled, on double 16, but Hylton edged the third and then first in double top to break and take a shock 3-1 lead against the world number one – who has lost his World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, World Championship, Premier League Darts and UK Open titles since last summer.

If Taylor was feeling that pressure though, he hit back in style, winning the fifth leg on double 16 to enter the break just one leg behind, before hitting back-to-back 180s in opening the sixth, which he won in 11 darts.

He also took out 96 and then took out 92 for another 11-darter as he moved 5-3 up with a third successive leg.

Hylton finished 66 to stop that run, but Taylor fired in another treble, posting a 115 finish, double eight and double 18 in moving 8-4 up and on course for the win.

Hylton landed a 180 and double ten for the 13th leg, but was left with a mountain to climb when Taylor finished 112 to lead 9-5 and move a leg away from the win.

His opponent, though, took out 108 to save the match in the next leg, before a 61 finish continued his comeback and a 119 checkout left Taylor anxiously looking on as the gap was cut to 9-8.

Hylton opened the next leg with a 180 and was first to a finish, but when needing 121 he could only score 27, and Taylor pounced to take out 68 to wrap up the win.

WES NEWTON 10-2 ANDY SMITH
WES NEWTON broke his Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay jinx with a fine 10-2 victory over Andy Smith at the Winter Gardens on Monday night.

Both Newton and Smith have failed to take victory on the Winter Gardens stage in a total of nine previous meetings, and it was last month’s UK Open finalist who emerged triumphant as Smith endured a Blackpool nightmare.

Newton won the opening six legs without reply, and went on to set up a second round date with Justin Pipe after completing a comprehensive win.

Newton broke in the opening leg on double ten, and a 57 finish in the second leg saw him take command before two misses from Smith allowed him back in to hit double nine for a 3-0 cushion.

He also won the fourth leg with another double ten finish, and he then landed a 180 in a 14-darter to win the fifth and took out 84 on the bull to move six legs clear.

Smith finally got off the mark in the next, finishing 127 on the bullseye, but after Newton won the eighth on tops a further two misses allowed the home favourite in to move 8-1 up.

Smith posted a maximum in the tenth leg, but Newton’s 67 for a 14-darter took him to the brink of victory, and although he missed three match darts in the next leg, four ton-plus scores pushed him clear in the 12th before he sealed victory on double eight.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’m delighted to win,” said Newton. “Andy didn’t play as well as he can and it wasn’t the best game you’ll ever see, but a win’s a win and I am in the next round.

“I’m here and I’m fighting for the title. The crowd were brilliant and they’ve always been behind me here in Blackpool, so I’m glad they’ve got something to sing about at last.”

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

JAMES WADE made a stunning start to his bid for a third Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a whitewash of Jamie Caven on Sunday night, as Raymond van Barneveld shrugged off the loss of his darts to move into the last 16.

Wade, the 2007 champion at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, made the perfect start to his challenge in the £400,000 event, making the Derby ace pay for a nightmare showing.

Caven failed to produce the free-flowing scoring which has aided his rise to 18th in the world rankings, and missed all of his nine attempts at a double in the game as Wade capitalised, sealing victory with a 136 checkout in the final leg.

“It’s not nice to play a player when he’s not playing well, and we’ve all been there, and I just had to do my job and finish him off,” said Wade, the recent Speedy Hire UK Open champion.

“This tournament has been good to me and I’ve been fortunate enough to play well here and play some great darts at times. There’s something special about the Winter Gardens.”

Van Barneveld, meanwhile, arrived in Blackpool without his darts and needed a new set to be delivered from St Helens (well done A180) only hours before going on stage against Steve Brown.

However, the Dutchman showed few signs of disruption by taking a 6-1 lead and averaging over 100 for most of an eventual 10-3 victory.

“It’s your worst nightmare!” admitted van Barneveld. “I practised against Co Stompe on Friday and I think I forgot to put my darts in my suitcase when I got home.

“Luckily for me I was able to get some more darts.”

Van Barneveld will now retain those darts for Wednesday’s second round clash with Paul Nicholson, who produced a gritty display to oust former UK Open finalist Colin Osborne 12-10.

He had defeated Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor on his way to the quarter-finals of the UK Open last month, and landed eight 180s in a narrow victory over Osborne, who twice saved the game after misses from Nicholson but could not prevent the Preston-based ace from taking the win.

“I think it would have been a wonderful game to watch and I enjoyed it,” said Nicholson. “I missed a few match darts and I’ve got to learn from that, but I gave myself another chance.”

The night’s other game saw Hertfordshire’s Mark Walsh power past Dave Chisnall 10-3 as the St Helens ace endured a nightmare debut in Blackpool.

Chisnall had impressed by reaching the UK Open quarter-finals in June, but paid for 15 missed darts at a double as Walsh took a 7-0 lead.

Chisnall won three of the next five to stay in the match, but Walsh followed an earlier 116 finish with a 13-darter in sealing victory.

Reigning champion Phil Taylor enters the fray on Monday night when he begins his bid for a 12th World Matchplay crown against Mark Hylton, who is one of three debutants in action.

Coventry’s Scott Rand and Taunton’s Justin Pipe are also making their first appearances at the Winter Gardens, against Wayne Jones and Mervyn King respectively, while Fleetwood’s world number eight Wes Newton plays Andy Smith – with neither having won previously in a combined total of nine World Matchplay appearances.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
First Round
Sunday July 17
Paul Nicholson 12-10 Colin Osborne
Mark Walsh 10-3 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 10-0 Jamie Caven
Raymond van Barneveld 10-3 Steve Brown

Monday July 18
Wayne Jones v Scott Rand
Mervyn King v Justin Pipe
Phil Taylor v Mark Hylton
Wes Newton v Andy Smith
Best of 19 legs. Games must be won by two clear legs.

PAUL NICHOLSON 12-10 COLIN OSBORNE
PAUL NICHOLSON erased his Winter Gardens demons with a narrow 12-10 Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay first round victory over Colin Osborne on Sunday evening.

Nicholson had endured a nightmare on his Blackpool debut last summer when he lost 10-3 to Steve Beaton, but showed his quality with a gritty display against the former UK Open finalist.

Osborne took Nicholson all the way as his opponent missed five match darts, but the Chorley-based thrower held his nerve to eventually claim the win and a last 16 spot.

Osborne actually held the early advantage with two breaks of throw in the opening three legs, as he took out 126 on the bull in the opener and 85 in leg three.

Nicholson had replied with a 100 finish in leg two to break back, and he also levelled in the fourth after hitting a 180 before holding throw for the first time in the fifth.

That leg included two maximums from Nicholson and one from Osborne, who missed the bull for a 121 finish before his opponent took out double ten.

Osborne levelled in the sixth leg, but Nicholson took the next two to hold a 5-3 lead – only for the Derby ace to respond by hitting a pair of 180s and a brace of double tops finishes to square the match, hitting an 11-dart leg along the way.

However, he could not lead as the next six legs all went with the throw, with Osborne finishing a 115 checkout in one, as the pair remained locked at eight-all.

Nicholson hit another 180 in a 13-dart leg to lead 9-8, but then missed tops for a 120 finish and three further match darts as Osborne scrambled double ten to save the game.

Osborne then missed his chance to break as Nicholson punished him with a 76 finish for a 10-9 lead, only to miss tops once again for a 120 finish and victory as double six pulled the Derby ace level.

Nicholson, though, showed no nerves as he hit his seventh 180 and a 76 checkout to edge back in front at 11-10, and after landing another maximum he finally closed out a high-quality win on double ten.

“I think it would have been a wonderful game to watch and I enjoyed it,” said Nicholson. “I missed a few match darts and I’ve got to learn from that, but I gave myself another chance.

“I’ve not played my best game so far on TV this year but this was a venue which held a few nightmares for me after last year. I lost 10-3 and had doubts at the back of my mind.

“But this year it’s different for me. I’ve turned up and I want to scrap, even if I’m not playing my best darts.”

MARK WALSH 10-3 DAVE CHISNALL
MARK WALSH ensured a miserable Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay debut for Dave Chisnall with a 10-3 victory over the PDC newcomer at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Chisnall has made a big impact since joining the PDC circuit this year, reaching the Speedy Hire UK Open quarter-finals in June and hitting two nine-dart finishes.

But he endured a nightmare on his doubles in Blackpool, with Walsh punishing 15 misses from his opponent in taking a 9-1 lead, and defied a brief rally from the St Helens ace to secure safe passage to the last 16.

Walsh made a confident start, taking the first two legs with double five and double top before defying a 180 from Chisnall to move three legs clear on double 12, after his opponent failed to take his chances in a scrappy third.

A 66 finish from Walsh gave him the fourth, before Chisnall kicked off the fifth with back-to-back 180s to threaten a magical nine-darter – aiming to match John Part’s achievement of Saturday evening.

However, he missed the treble 19 of a 141 finish, and having hit seven perfect darts then contrived to miss nine doubles to win the leg as Walsh took out double five to extend his lead further.

Walsh then took out 88 to lead 6-0 and double 18 to win the seventh leg, although Chisnall had hit a 180 to leave 41 as he threatened to get off the mark.

Chisnall finally did that in leg eight, initially missing four darts at double top before landing the fifth – his first double in 16 attempts – as he got off the mark.

Walsh, though, hit a 180 in restoring his cushion and moved a leg away from the win with a 116 checkout to lead 9-1.

Chisnall returned from the break to give himself a glimmer of a fightback with superb legs of 11 and 12 darts, hitting a 180 and an 86 finish in the first and a 121 checkout in the latter.

But Walsh replied with a 13-dart finish to wrap up victory on double 12 and a spot in the last 16 – as he aims to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in his career.

“Dave’s an up-and-coming player, he’s hit two nine-darters this year and has been doing really well in the Players Championships, but luckily for me I think the occasion got to him,” said Walsh.

“He didn’t play anything like he can play and I’m happy to get the win. He’d beaten me twice already this year but he didn’t turn up tonight.

“I took my chances when I had them, and when I got to 9-1 up, I knew it was a big hurdle and I don’t think any player can throw that sort of lead away.

“It’s Dave’s first time in Blackpool and he’ll learn from it, but it’s my tenth year and I want to get past the second round because I’ve never done that before.

“The second round has been a bit of a brick wall for me, but if I play the darts that I know I can play, there’s no reason why I can’t win on Wednesday.” (No televised interview for Special Brew again)

JAMES WADE 10-0 JAMIE CAVEN
JAMES WADE signalled his intent to win a second Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay title with a whitewash defeat of Jamie Caven at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night.

The 2007 champion made the perfect start to his challenge in the £400,000 event, making the Derby ace pay for a nightmare showing.

Caven failed to produce the free-flowing scoring which has aided his rise to 18th in the world rankings, and missed all of his nine attempts at a double in the game as he suffered a third round loss for a third successive year in Blackpool.

The opening leg set the tone for the contest, as Caven missed three darts to break throw immediately as Wade returned from four earlier misses at double 16 to hit the bed and lead.

Wade hit a 180 and double two to break in the second leg, after Caven missed the bull for an 89 finish, and double five gave the left-hander a three-leg cushion.

Finishes of double top and double ten saw Wade move five legs clear, and three further misses from Caven in the sixth allowed him back from earlier misses to land double five and edge away.

After finishing double ten in the seventh leg, he took out 86 on double seven for an 8-0 lead before Caven opened the ninth with a maximum in his bid to get off the mark.

However, he missed darts at double 18 and nine as Wade punished those with a classy 96 finish of single 20, double 18 and double top before going on to wrap up the victory with a brilliant 136 checkout.

“Jamie’s a much better player than that,” said Wade. “It was awful for him and the more he tried, the worst it got for him.

“It’s not nice to play a player when he’s not playing well, and we’ve all been there, and I just had to do my job and finish him off.

“This tournament has been good to me and I’ve been fortunate enough to play well here and play some great darts at times. There’s something special about the Winter Gardens.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-3 STEVE BROWN
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD recovered from arriving at the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay without his darts to defeat Steve Brown 10-3 in his first round contest at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

The Dutchman, last year’s runner-up at the Winter Gardens, flew to Blackpool on Saturday but discovered – only hours before his game – that his darts were missing, and likely to still be in his car in Holland following a practice session with Co Stompe before he left for the UK.

Having had a set of his darts brought up from a darts store in St Helens who stock his Unicorn darts, van Barneveld shrugged off the disrupted preparation to see off Brown with a classy display.

He averaged over 100 for most of the match, and won five straight legs in taking a 6-1 advantage before moving into the second round, where he faces Paul Nicholson on Wednesday.

“It’s your worst nightmare!” admitted van Barneveld. “I practised against Co Stompe on Friday and I think I forgot to put my darts in my suitcase when I got home.

“Luckily for me I was able to get some more darts, which are the same as the ones I use after dropping to using 22 gram darts recently, and Gary Anderson helped me by giving me some stems!

“I’ve practised well for the last six weeks with lighter darts and have been finishing well, but I will keep using these darts against Paul Nicholson!”

After Brown won the pre-match bull, he handed van Barneveld the chance to throw first but saw his chance to break throw in the opening leg slip away, as he followed a 180 only to miss three darts at a double before the Dutchman finished double 18.

Brown replied well with a 121 finish for a 12-dart leg in the second, but van Barneveld took command of the match with back-to-back 13-dart legs in the next two as he moved 3-1 up.

Brown hit 180s in the next two, but a brace of double top finishes from van Barneveld put him 5-1 up before an 11-dart leg, featuring a 180 and a 90 finish, moved him five legs clear.

He added a second maximum in the eighth leg, but Brown posted double top to win his first leg in six, only to miss two darts at double top as van Barneveld posted double eight to lead 8-2.

Brown missed his chance to cut the gap in the 11th leg, failing to hit the single 14 which would have left the bull, as van Barneveld won his ninth leg with double ten.

Brown did pick up his third leg courtesy of double ten, but failed to pressure van Barneveld’s throw in the next as the Dutchman missed five match darts before eventually sealing the win on double eight.

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

The 18th World Matchplay will take place from July 16-24, offering a £400,000 prize fund as 32 players battle for the prestigious £100,000 title, which has been won 11 times by Phil Taylor.

The PDC can confirm Sky Bet Mobile as the title sponsors for the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay, as the leading sports betting company return to the sport, having previously sponsored the World Grand Prix and UK Open.

“We’re delighted to welcome Sky Bet Mobile back into darts as the sponsors of the World Matchplay,” said PDC Chairman Barry Hearn.

“This tournament has developed a great history since it was introduced in 1994, and I believe the field of players for this year’s SkyBet Mobile World Matchplay is the finest we have assembled, with the world’s top 16 joined by this year’s form stars.

“While Phil Taylor remains the man to defeat on the stage he has made his own with 11 victories, the wins for Adrian Lewis, Gary Anderson and James Wade in other majors this year suggest we’re in for an exciting nine days in Blackpool.”

Sky Bet customers can now bet online or on mobile, using the quick and easy Sky Bet Mobile service, optimised for iPhone, iPad and Android.

Sky Bet Mobile offers odds on a full range of sports, including darts, with enhanced Live Betting. This gives customers more chances to bet in-play with instantly updated price changes and suspended markets.

“The World Matchplay is considered by many to be the best tournament of the year,” said Richard Flint, Managing Director of Sky Betting & Gaming.

“Thanks to its unique qualifying rules, we can look forward to action from the current top 32 players in the world over the nine days, and this makes it the perfect springboard for our latest product, Sky Bet Mobile.

“As always, we’ll be trading every match of the tournament live, so our customers can enjoy the enhanced Live Betting features of Sky Bet Mobile.”

Reigning champion Phil Taylor is the 11/8 favourite for the tournament, with Gary Anderson the 11/2 second favourite and Adrian Lewis rated at 6/1.

Lewis, the reigning World Champion, will be in action on the opening night of this year’s event next month, facing Kevin Painter in a mouth-watering first round contest.

Two-time World Matchplay finalist Terry Jenkins will play Steve Beaton in the opening match, Holland’s Vincent van der Voort then faces Alan Tabern before Lewis plays Painter.

The opening night’s final game will see two former World Champions collide, as Mark Webster take on resurgent John Part, the Canadian who has won two Players Championships this year and has twice previously reached the World Matchplay final.

2007 World Matchplay champion James Wade meets Jamie Caven on Sunday July 17, with Raymond van Barneveld – last year’s runner-up who also hit a nine-dart finish in Blackpool – playing Steve Brown.

The second night will be opened by Paul Nicholson’s meeting with Colin Osborne, while Mark Walsh takes on World Matchplay debutant Dave Chisnall, who was a quarter-finalist in the Speedy Hire UK Open recently.

Reigning champion Taylor plays Mark Hylton amongst Monday’s four games, with the left-hander from Rugeley one of three Winter Gardens debutants in action on July 18.

Coventry’s Scott Rand will play Wayne Jones and Taunton’s Justin Pipe faces Mervyn King as they are rewarded for their form in the Players Championships held so far this year with qualification spots, while Monday’s play is concluded as Fleetwood’s Wes Newton – the UK Open runner-up – meets Andy Smith.

Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter will play Denis Ovens in Tuesday’s opening game, as the final four first round matches take place.

Premier League Darts champion Gary Anderson meets Andy Hamilton, 2010 semi-finalist Simon Whitlock takes on Lowestoft’s colourful Peter Wright and 2005 winner Colin Lloyd plays Scottish newcomer John Henderson.

The second round will be played on Wednesday July 20 and Thursday July 21, before the quarter-finals are played across two sessions on Friday July 22.

The semi-finals are played on Saturday July 23, before the final takes place on Sunday July 24.

The Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay features the top 16 players from the PDC Order of Merit and the leading 16 qualifiers from the Players Championship Order of Merit, comprised of prize money won in the 14 Players Championships held so far in 2011.

Coverage of the tournament will be live in the UK through Sky Sports, whose HD coverage will also be accompanied by 3D broadcasts, while telecasts will also be shown live in Holland, Germany and Australia.

Tickets for some sessions of the Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay are still available in person from the Winter Gardens Box Office or via Ticketmaster on 0844 856 11 11.

Sky Bet Mobile World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Saturday July 16
First Round
7.10pm – Terry Jenkins v Steve Beaton
8.00pm – Vincent van der Voort v Alan Tabern
9.00pm – Adrian Lewis v Kevin Painter
10.00pm – Mark Webster v John Part

Sunday July 17
7.10pm – Paul Nicholson v Colin Osborne
8.00pm – Mark Walsh v Dave Chisnall
9.00pm – James Wade v Jamie Caven
10.00pm – Raymond van Barneveld v Steve Brown

Monday July 18
7.10pm – Wayne Jones v Scott Rand
8.00pm – Mervyn King v Justin Pipe
9.00pm – Phil Taylor v Mark Hylton
10.00pm – Wes Newton v Andy Smith

Tuesday July 19
7.10pm – Ronnie Baxter v Denis Ovens
8.00pm – Colin Lloyd v John Henderson
9.00pm – Gary Anderson v Andy Hamilton
10.00pm – Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright

Wednesday July 20
Second Round
7.10pm – Jenkins/Beaton v Webster/Part
8.20pm – Lewis/Painter v van der Voort/Tabern
9.30pm – van Barneveld/Brown v Nicholson/Osborne
10.40pm – Wade/Caven v Walsh/Chisnall

Thursday July 21
7.10pm – Whitlock/Wright v Baxter/Ovens
8.20pm – Anderson/Hamilton v Lloyd Henderson
9.30pm – Taylor/Hylton v Jones/Rand
10.40pm – Newton/Smith v King/Pipe

Friday July 22
Quarter-Finals
1.10pm – TBC
3.00pm – TBC

7.10pm – TBC
9.00pm – TBC

Saturday July 23
Semi-Finals
7.10pm
9.00pm

Sunday July 24
Final
7.10pm

Format
First Round – Best of 19 legs
Second Round – Best of 25 legs
Quarter-Finals – Best of 31 legs
Semi-Finals – Best of 33 legs
Final – Best of 35 legs
All games must be won by two clear legs.

Tournament Draw Bracket
Phil Taylor (1, ENG) v Mark Hylton (ENG)
Wayne Jones (16, ENG) v Scott Rand (ENG)
Wes Newton (8, ENG) v Andy Smith (ENG)
Mervyn King (9, ENG) v Justin Pipe (ENG)
Simon Whitlock (5, AUS) v Peter Wright (ENG)
Ronnie Baxter (12, ENG) v Denis Ovens (ENG)
Gary Anderson (4, SCO) v Andy Hamilton (ENG)
Colin Lloyd (13, ENG) v John Henderson (SCO)
Adrian Lewis (2, ENG) v Kevin Painter (ENG)
Vincent van der Voort (15, NED) v Alan Tabern (ENG)
Terry Jenkins (7, ENG) v Steve Beaton (ENG)
Mark Webster (10, WAL) v John Part (CAN)
Raymond van Barneveld (6, NED) v Steve Brown (ENG)
Paul Nicholson (11, AUS) v Colin Osborne (ENG)
James Wade (3, ENG) v Jamie Caven (ENG)
Mark Walsh (14, ENG) v Dave Chisnall (ENG)

Sky Bet Pre-Tournament Odds
Phil Taylor 11/8
Gary Anderson 11/2
Adrian Lewis 6/1
James Wade 9/1
Simon Whitlock 12/1
Raymond van Barneveld 14/1
Paul Nicholson 25/1
Mark Webster 25/1
Terry Jenkins 33/1
Mervyn King 40/1
Vincent van der Voort 50/1
Wes Newton 50/1
John Part 50/1
Dave Chisnall 50/1
Ronnie Baxter 66/1
Colin Osborne 80/1
Colin Lloyd 80/1
Wayne Jones 80/1
Steve Beaton 80/1
John Henderson 80/1
Mark Walsh 100/1
Kevin Painter 100/1
Jamie Caven 100/1
Denis Ovens 100/1
Steve Brown 100/1
Alan Tabern 125/1
Andy Smith 125/1
Peter Wright 125/1
Andy Hamilton 125/1
Justin Pipe 150/1
Mark Hylton 150/1
Scott Rand 250/1

Sky Bet First Round Match Odds
Terry Jenkins 4/9 v Steve Beaton 13/8
Vincent van der Voort 4/7 v Alan Tabern 5/4
Adrian Lewis 1/4 v Kevin Painter 11/4
Mark Webster 4/7 v John Part 5/4
Paul Nicholson 4/9 v Colin Osborne 13/8
Mark Walsh 11/10 v Dave Chisnall 2/3
James Wade 2/9 v Jamie Caven 3/1
Raymond van Barneveld 1/3 v Steve Brown 9/4
Wayne Jones 1/2 v Scott Rand 3/2
Mervyn King 4/11 v Justin Pipe 2/1
Phil Taylor 1/25 v Mark Hylton 8/1
Wes Newton 8/13 v Andy Smith 6/5
Ronnie Baxter 2/3 v Denis Ovens 11/10
Colin Lloyd 8/11 v John Henderson 1/1
Gary Anderson 1/6 v Andy Hamilton 7/2
Simon Whitlock 1/7 v Peter Wright 4/1

Source – PDC

PHIL TAYLOR will begin his bid to win a 12th World Matchplay title against emerging star Mark Hylton at the Winter Gardens next month, while World Champion Adrian Lewis plays Kevin Painter in the first round of the £400,000 Blackpool event.

Taylor, the reigning and 11-time World Matchplay champion, opens the defence of his title against the qualifier from Rugeley, a former air steward who recently reached the last eight of the Speedy Hire UK Open.

Number two seed Adrian Lewis, the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Champion, drew Kevin Painter in the first round, while world number three and UK Open winner James Wade faces Derby’s Jamie Caven.

Gary Anderson, the Premier League Darts champion who also won back-to-back Players Championships in Holland this weekend, drew Andy Hamilton, while last year’s Blackpool runner-up Raymond van Barneveld meets Bristol’s Steve Brown.

Simon whitlock, the number five seed, will play colourful Peter Wright, while two-time finalist Terry Jenkins plays Steve Beaton and Fleetwood’s Wes Newton – the UK Open runner-up and number eight seed – meets Andy Smith.

Blackpool’s Ronnie Baxter drew UK Open semi-finalist Denis Ovens, while 2005 World Matchplay winner Colin Lloyd comes up against Scottish debutant John Henderson.

The three other World Matchplay debutants, Scott Rand, Justin Pipe and Dave Chisnall, drew experiences opposition in Wayne Jones, Mervyn King and Mark Walsh respectively.

Resurgent John Part, a two-time finalist who has won a brace of Players Championships this year to qualify for the World Matchplay – which is held from July 16-24 – takes on Welshman Mark Webster, who has moved up to tenth in the PDC Order of Merit, in another tasty first round tie.

The first round is split across four sessions from Saturday July 16-Tuesday July 19, with the tournament then progressing to the final on Sunday July 24, with the winner taking home £100,000.

Coverage will be live in the UK through Sky Sports, whose HD coverage will also be accompanied by 3D broadcasts, while telecasts will also be shown live in Holland, Germany and Australia.

Tickets for some sessions of the World Matchplay are still available in person from the Winter Gardens Box Office or via Ticketmaster on 0844 856 11 11.

2011 World Matchplay
First Round Draw Bracket
Phil Taylor (1, ENG) v Mark Hylton (ENG)
Wayne Jones (16, ENG) v Scott Rand (ENG)
Wes Newton (8, ENG) v Andy Smith (ENG)
Mervyn King (9, ENG) v Justin Pipe (ENG)
Simon Whitlock (5, AUS) v Peter Wright (ENG)
Ronnie Baxter (12, ENG) v Denis Ovens (ENG)
Gary Anderson (4, SCO) v Andy Hamilton (ENG)
Colin Lloyd (13, ENG) v John Henderson (SCO)
Adrian Lewis (2, ENG) v Kevin Painter (ENG)
Vincent van der Voort (15, NED) v Alan Tabern (ENG)
Terry Jenkins (7, ENG) v Steve Beaton (ENG)
Mark Webster (10, WAL) v John Part (CAN)
Raymond van Barneveld (6, NED) v Steve Brown (ENG)
Paul Nicholson (11, AUS) v Colin Osborne (ENG)
James Wade (3, ENG) v Jamie Caven (ENG)
Mark Walsh (14, ENG) v Dave Chisnall (ENG)

The schedule of play will be announced in due course, and the bracket order above is not necessarily the order of play.

Source – PDC/Lawrence Lustig

PHIL TAYLOR claimed his 11th StanJames.com World Matchplay title with an 18-12 win over Raymond van Barneveld at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday night.

Taylor picked up his third successive Blackpool win and a £100,000 cheque with a thrilling performance to see off the Dutchman, who played his part in a superb final.

Van Barneveld stayed with Taylor for much of the game, but Taylor crucially pulled from 11-9 to lead by four legs – and held that advantage to close out victory.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” said Taylor. “I love this tournament and no matter how many times I win it it’s a tremendous feeling to get hold of this trophy.

“The final had a bit of everything. I was a brilliant game and there were times when I had to dig in and times when I was cruising.

“Barney gave me a great game but I’ve worked really hard to prepare for this. I love it when Barney challenges me and his career is back on track, so he’s got to see this week as a positive.

“I love this tournament, I love being in Blackpool and I scrapped my heart out to keep this title.”

Taylor landed a 180 in the game’s opening leg, but van Barneveld took out double two to lead, before hitting a 177 in the second only for Taylor to finish 79 in two darts.

Taylor missed double 11 in the next leg as van Barneveld landed double 18 to hold throw, and the cat and mouse continued as the players held for the next three legs to leave the scores tied at three-all.

Taylor secured the crucial first break in the seventh leg to lead 4-3, with van Barneveld hitting a 180 but missing darts at double 18 and double nine before the world number one pounced on tops to break.

Double eight in the next saw Taylor move 5-3 up, and the pair traded the next seven legs – with the Englishman landing an 11-darter and van Barneveld hitting two 13-dart finishes – before another key moment.

Van Barneveld set up a potential break to level in the 16th, with a 180 leaving 24, only for Taylor to finish 105 on double 16 for a 9-7 cushion.

The Dutchman replied with an 11-darter and was waiting on 67 for the chance to break in the next – but this time Taylor took out 135 to thrill the capacity crowd at the Winter Gardens and leave van Barneveld reeling.

Taylor kicked off the next with a maximum and broke once more for an 11-8 cushion, although he was off-target on the bull in the next before the Dutch ace landed a 136 checkout for his first break of throw.

A chance to hit back further passed van Barneveld by in the 21st leg, with a missed double 16 allowing Taylor back to the oche on double top, before he then won the next for a 13-9 lead.

Van Barneveld won three of the next five to give himself hope of a comeback at 15-12, but he could only watch in the next as Taylor landed double 16 before bursting his score on 65 as the Stoke legend moved a leg away from the win.

Opening scores of 140 and 180 from Taylor gave him the upper hand in the next, and he posted double 16 to complete another superb Blackpool triumph.

“As soon as I broke his throw I knew I just had to keep mine. Even when I was under the cosh I went out on some big shots; the 135 was an absolute belter and it hurt him.

“I had a 105 average and I’m over the moon, absolutely made up to win. I’ll celebrate this tonight but the European Championship starts on Thursday and I’m going to prepare for that.”

He added: “England might have lost the World Cup but this was England v Holland tonight and I’m delighted to have won it for my country as well!”

Van Barneveld had returned from a two-month break with a nine-darter in his win over Denis Ovens in the first round, and also saw off Alan Tabern, Co Stompe and James Wade to reach his first Blackpool final.

“He never seemed to miss doubles,” said van Barneveld. “You know that before the game and he just keeps hurting you, and that’s why he is the greatest.

“Phil keeps improving all the time and it’s so disappointing for me. I keep putting in more preparation and it never seems enough.

“I’m the number two at the moment, and players like James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Gary Anderson are all trying but he’s just too good for everyone.

“I hit a nine-darter in the first round and that is an achievement but it’s only one leg. I enjoyed this week but the final was disappointing.”