Professional Darts Corporation

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Taylor Claims 14th World Title

05 Jan 2009

RUTHLESS Phil Taylor claimed victory in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 7-1 victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

Taylor claimed an unprecedented 14th World Championship title with a sensational display at London’s Alexandra Palace, producing a 110.94 average – the highest ever in a major final.

He dropped only four sets in the tournament to claim the £125,000 title in style and continue his historic career – less than 12 months after some pundits suggested his best days were behind him after a quarter-final exit in the World Championship and a poor start to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.

“It’s a fantastic feeling and very special,” said Taylor. “This ranks up there alongside anything I’ve ever achieved.

“They all said I was finished, and now who’s laughing?! My mum used to say that he who laughs last, laughs the loudest, and I’m here as World Champion for a 14th time.

Van Barneveld averaged a fine 101.18 in reply to Taylor, but admitted: “He was absolutely brilliant.

“I have to say congratulations to him. I just do not know what to do to beat this man – I practice ten hours a day and still it is not good enough.

“He is the greatest ever and I never took the opportunities he gave me, but I will be back.

The second round of the World Darts Championships start on Sunday the 28th  at 1.40am (New Zealand time)

Dennis Smith (4) v’s Kevin McDine (3)

Alan Tabern (1) v’s Co Stompe (4)

Carlos Rodriguez (1) V’s Kevin Painter (4)

Mensor Suljovic (0) v’s Mark Dudbridge (4)

Phil Taylor (4) v’s Michael Van Gerwen (0)

Wayne Mardle(4) v’s Robert Thornton (3)

The Mardle ~ Thornton was the match of the day With Mardle scoring 10 (180′s) 22 (140′s) 44 (100′s)

and Thornton 10 (180′s) 20 (140′s) 33 (100′s)

Mervyn King (4) v’s Mark Walsh (2)

Ronnie Baxter (4) v’s Denis Ovens (1)

Andy Hamilton (4) v’s Tony Ayres (2)

Jelle Klaasen (4) v’s Jon Van Der Rassel (0)

Raymond Van Barneveld (4) v’s Wes Newton (1)

Bill Davis (2) v’s Barrie Bates (4)

Barneveld was in great form scoring 6 (180′s) 21 (140′s) & 21 (100′s) with an average of 102.54 (3 darts) Taylor in his last game was 102.57 (3 darts)

Adrian Lewis (3) v’s Paul Nickolson (Aus) (4)

Dennis Priestly (4) v’s John McGowan (1)

Charles Losper (1) v’s Vincent Van Der Voort (4)

James Wade (4) v’s Remco Van Eijden (2)

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Third Round 30th Dec (NZ time)

Phil Taylor (4) v’s Kevin Painter (1) Great game just watched it. Painter did a 10 darter in the first set.

Barrie Bates (4) v’s Mark Dudbridge (0)

Day 9 31st Dec (NZ time)

Paul Nickolson (4) v’s Dennis Priestly(2) What a great win for Paul to go into the last eight after being down 2 ~ 0

Denis Smith (1) v’s Mervyn King (4)

Wayne Mardle (0) v’s Co Stompe (4)

Andy Hamilton (1) v’s Jelle Klassen (4)

Raymond van Barneveld (4) v’s Ronnie Baxter (3) Ronnie missed bullseye in the 5th leg when it was 3 ~ 3 to take out Barnie who went on to take a sudden death play-off  against the throw when it was 5 legs each (what a match . I just watched it)

James Wade (4) v’s Vincent van der Voort (0)

First Ouarter final  played Jan 2nd (NZ time)

Mervyn King (5) v’s Barrie Bates (2)

Phil Taylor (5) v’s Co Stompe(0)

Second Quarter final Jan 3rd (NZ time)

James Wade (5) v’s Paul Nickloson (3)

Raymond Barneveld (5) v’s Jelle Klaasen (1) Barneveld did the first ever 9 darter in the Ladbrooks .com PDC World Darts Championships

Semi finals Jan 4th (NZ time)

Phill Taylor (6) v’s Mervyn King (2) Phil (8) 180′s (28) 140′s (41) 100′s Mervyn (6) 180′s (13) 140′s) (37) 100′s

Raymond Barneveld (6) v’s James Wade (4) What a match 20/ 180′s.  Raymond (7) 180′s (24) 140′s (57) 100′s  James (13) 180′s (23) 140′s (36) 100′s

Grand Final Jan 5th (NZ time)

What a final this will be

Phil Taylor v’s Raymond Barneveld

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Paul Nicholson (Australia) defeated Adrian Gray 3~0 earlier this morning (1:45 am) to go through to the second round which start on Sat 27th Dec. Till then have a nice Christmas.

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Russel (Rusty) Stewart from Australia had a great debut into the Ladbrooks  WDC  but unfortunately stuck Adrian Lewis in top form and went down fighting to lose 3~1 to Lewis.There were 10 180′s scored with Lewis 8 and Stewart 2.

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The first Lady to play in the World Darts Champs Anastasia Dobromyslova did very well going down to Remco van Eijden 5~3. She threw a 13 darter against the throw which included a 180  in the 5th leg to draw level at 3 all and in the 7th leg just wired 32 for  a 112 finish. Well done Anastasia.(From Russia with Love)

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Sunday 21st 6am in the morning and I have just watched Dennis (the menace) Priestly defeat Warren (Frog) French 3-0

Frog did well with him taking the first leg in each of the 3 sets

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Warren (Frog) French  has just defeated Akihiro Nagakawa from Japan 5-3 after trailing 0-2 to advance to the main round were he will play Dennis Priestly.

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World Darts Champion John Part has just been put out of the World championships by Bill Davis 3-0

PAUL NICHOLSON 4-3 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-2, 1-3, 3-0, 2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 6-4)
PAUL NICHOLSON sent number six seed Adrian Lewis packing 4-3 in a classic second round encounter in the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Nicholson, the English-born Australian number one making his World Championship, debut fell 3-2 down but won the last two sets to end the hopes of the Stoke ace.

Both players started in blistering fashion, with Lewis taking the first leg in 11 darts and then Nicholson taking the second with a 125 checkout.

Lewis broke his opponent’s throw again in the third leg, but Nicholson levelled with a 12-darter and then won the decider thanks to a two-dart 87 finish to take an early lead.

Lewis hit a maximum in each of the opening two legs of set two in the process of taking a 2-0 lead.

Nicholson won the third, but Lewis landed double top to square the match.

But the Australian, who defeated Adrian Gray with a whitewash victory in the first round, moved ahead again by taking the third set without reply.

Nicholson then hit two 14-dart finishes to 2-1 up in the fourth set, and a leg away from a 3-1 advantage.

But Lewis hit a fantastic 124 checkout, finishing on the bullseye, to win the fourth leg and then hit double 12 in the decider to level the game.

In set five, Lewis recorded finishes of 12 and 13 darts to take a 2-1 lead before taking out an excellent 95 finish in the fourth leg to win the set and lead for the first time in the match.

That proved to be short-lived as Nicholson won the sixth set without reply and send the match into a decider, before superb finishes of 101 and 121 put him a leg away from victory.

A sixth maximum of the game pushed him clear in leg three, but a dart at double 18 for victory agonisingly fell into double four and Lewis survived to keep the match going.

The pressure was starting to tell on the Australian, and he missed four more darts for the match in the next leg before Lewis landed a pressure double eight to take the match into extra time.

Lewis missed five chances of his own to take a 3-2 lead and Nicholson converted his seventh dart to win the leg on double five.

The Stoke star levelled the set once again in the next leg, but missed two more darts to break his opponent’s throw and Nicholson went 4-3 ahead.

Lewis hit his ninth maximum of the game in the eighth leg and had to convert a pressure double ten with his last dart to keep the match going.

Lewis hit another maximum in the next leg, but it was not enough as Nicholson produced a fantastic 129 checkout to lead again.

The 29-year-old then hit a dramatic 121 finish against the darts and end an enthralling match.

“It was a scrap from start to finish,” said Nicholson. “I don’t think there was anything between me and Adie and it was going to take something special to break his throw in that last set.

“I was already confident with the 121 because I’d hit it earlier in the game and I hit the 51 for the 20 and as soon as I lined up the bull I knew it was going in.

“I had the game in my hands, let it go and then won it back again. I’ve still got work to do but it feels great and I’m glad to be through.”

Nicholson, whose tournament odds have now been cut to 20/1 after the win, added: “I’m learning so much all the time, and I’m getting more experienced with every dart I throw up there.

“I’m going to keep practising with Jelle Klaasen, because that seems to be working for both of us, and if I can beat Adrian Lewis, and with the people I’ve beaten in the last two months since I’ve been over in the UK, I can go far.”

Lewis said: “He took out some good shots and it was one of the best games of the tournament. He played well and deserved to win.

“Every time I had a chance to go in front I’d wire the double and I couldn’t put them any closer! It wasn’t my day and I’ve got to get back on the practice board.”

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis	3-4	Paul Nicholson
33	100+	51
28	140+	25
10	180	7
32.11	Ave1	31.87
96.33	Ave3	95.62
124,105	High Finish	129,125,121 x2, 110,101

Results from the 2008 DPA Oceanic Masters held at the Castle Hill RSL (labour week-end) It was awesome I should know as I was there.

results courtesy Rob Denny

Stewart Claims Oceanic Masters Crown

26 Oct 2008, 17:28

RUSSELL STEWART has won the 2008 DPA Oceanic Masters, earning himself a place in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The 48-year-old Australian defeated former champion Brian Roach to claim the title with an 8-4 triumph, having defeated former World Championship qualifiers Warren Parry and Barry Jouannet in the event.

Stewart, who played 11 times in the BDO World Championship between 1984 and 2002, will return to the televised stage in the sport’s biggest tournament in December, where he will compete for the £125,000 first prize at Alexandra Palace.

His semi-final win over Parry avenged his loss to the Kiwi in the 2007 Oceanic Masters final, while he lost to Mitchell Clegg in the last four two years ago.

Clegg was a last 32 loser, while Steve Macarthur, who played in last year’s World Championship, lost in a deciding leg to Roach in the semis.

2008 DPA Oceanic Masters
Last 32
Phil Bottrell 5-1 Preston Ridd
Dave McKay 5-2 Rod Neeson
Tommy Hyland 5-4 Tony Crampton
Steve Macarthur 5-2 Richard Te Where
Rod Crawford 5-0 John Forslund
Arnel Galvez 5-0 Colin Barrett
Anthony Reed 5-1 Ron Robinson
Brian Roach 5-3 Bernie Smith
Bill Keogh 5-4 Mitchell Clegg
Warren Parry 5-3 Dean McGladdery
Pete Corcoran 5-2 John Clark
Craig Strooisma 5-1 Dave Fitzpatrick
Daniel Sim 5-4 Jerry Weyman
Russell Stewart 5-3 Barry Jouannet
Phil Hazell 5-2 Paul Neighbour
Wayne Brown 5-2 Kevin Luland

Last 16
Phil Bottrell 6-5 Dave McKay
Steve Macarthur 5-4 Tommy Hyland
Arnel Galvez def Rod Crawford
Brian Roach 6-5 Anthony Reed
Warren Parry def Bill Keogh
Pete Corcoran 6-3 Craig Strooisma
Russell Stewart 6-3 Daniel Sim
Phil Hazell 6-2 Wayne Brown

Quarter-Finals
Steve Macarthur 7-6 Phil Bottrell
Brian Roach 7-5 Arnel Galvez
Warren Parry 7-4 Pete Corcoran
Russell Stewart 7-4 Phil Hazell

Semi-Finals
Brian Roach 7-6 Steve Macarthur
Russell Stewart 7-5 Warren Parry

Final
Russell Stewart 8-4 Brian Roach

The test between Australia and New Zealand ended in a draw with the Men losing 13 ~ 7  and the Ladies winning 13 ~ 7

Mac (Manager) with the 2008 Ladies & Men’s teams @ the Castle Hill RSL Sydney

Mac’s Dart Inn wishes the New Zealand Men’s & Ladies Teams traveling to Australia for the Tri-Nations all the best.

DPA Australian Open Players Championship

Wade and Hammond take Honours at the William Cross Pro Am

Ladies Semis : Margaret Sutton(ENG) 3 Defeated Melissa Sinnott (VIC) Corrine Hammond (NSW) 3 Defeated Lauren Peters (QLD) 2

Ladies Final Corrine Hammond (NSW) defeated Margaret Sutton(ENG) 3-1

Mens Semis : James Wade (ENG) defeated Scott Kirchner (USA) 6-3 & Ronnie Baxter (ENG)6 defeated Brian Roach (NSW) 4

Mens Final : James Wade defeated Ronnie Baxter 7-4

Unicorn Mens Tri Nations : Australia Defeated South Africa 4 legs to Nil

Junior Girls : Melissa Sinnott 3 Defeated Wallisha Gallagher 1

Junior Boys : Mitchell Clegg Defeated Stuart Coburn 3-1

James Wade,Brian Roach,Scott Kirchner and Ronnie Baxter move into the semis

2 Englishmen,1 American and 1 Australian will contest the semi finals of the William Cross Pro Am after a greats days play at the Shoalhaven heads Bowling and Recreation Club.

In a Great display of Darts Ronnie Baxter hit the first ever 9 Darter on the DPA Circuit taking out Robert Thornton with a leg of 180,177,144 to complete a 4-2 Victory

Australians Russell Stewart ad Paul Nicholson were respective Quarter Finalist losers whilst Brian Roach moved into the semis

The ladies Semi finalists Will be Lauren Peters and Corrine Hammond along with Englands Margaret Sutton and Melissa Sinnott

To View the Parktrent Properties Group William Cross Pro Am Draw Men’s Draw Click Here. To view the Womens Draw Click Here

Unicorn Tri Nations

Day 1:Australia Took an Early Lead in the Tri nations table with a 4 nil whitewash of South Africa in the first Tri nations event at the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation club this evening.

Australia started strongly in both legs of the doubles with Phil Pee wee Bottrell and Paul Nicholson accounting for Charles Losper and Wynand Havenga 3 legs to 1.Russell Stewart and Brian roach then stepped up to make it a 2 nil lead with a 3 nil victory over Ruan Hanekom and Waleed Clayton .Australia then completed their victory with singles wins.Paul Nicholson defeated Charles Losper 3 legs to nil whilst Brian Roach easily accounted for Wynand Havenga by the same scoreline.

Day 2 : South Africa Defeated New Zealand 4 legs to 3 after New Zealand Led 3 legs to 1.South Africa then took the initiative to reel off 3 consecutive wins including a fantastic win in the teams game after the game was tied at 3 legs all.Congratulations to South Africa.

Australia must now defeat New Zealand on thursday to be assured of a final berth on Saturday in the Final.

Parktrent Properties Group William Cross Pro Am

William Cross Pro Am Automatic DPA Top 8 x Qualifiers: Paul Nicholson,Russell Stewart,Brian Roach,Phil Bottrell,Shane Tichowitsch,Craig Strooisma,Pete Corcoran,Daniel Sim

William Cross Pro Am 4 Wildcards : Sean Gibbs ,Pat Orreal,Chippy Miller,Ian Brown

William Cross Pro Am South African 4 x Qualifiers : Charles Losper,Wynand Havenga,Ruan Hanekom,Waleed Clayton

William Cross Pro Am New Zealand 4 x Qualifiers: Warren Parry,Warren French,Philip Hazel,Barry Whittaker,

Top 8 Ranked PDC Players : James Wade,Denis Ovens,Robert Thornton,Dave Honey,Johnny Kuzcynski,Scott Kirchner,Garry Mawson,Ronnie Baxter

William Cross Pro Am Mens Qualifiers Frenzy 1.

Dave Breasley, Dave Muller,Rod Crawford,Barry Jouannet,Dean Mcgladdery 14 Darts

Raymond Odonnell,Mitchell Clegg,John Gault,Ivan Townes,Scott Krause 15 Darts

Rod Neeson,Jason Stokes,Tommy Hyland 16 Darts

Matt Kaletta,Bill Keogh Garry Sinnott 17 Darts

Qualifiers from Round 2 Col Sharp, Dave Fitzpatrick,William Aitken,Tony Crampton,Gordon Smith,Wayne Brown,Dave Mckay,Preston Ridd

Quaifiers from Round 3 Don Whittington,Paul Neigbour,Andy Dean, Peter Page,Daniel Brown,Wayne Oldfied, Peter Hawkins, Graham Tompson, Stuart Coburn, Evan Lane, Brian Rowe & Reg Tapper

William Cross Main draw will be made on stage at the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation Club at 12.30pm Thursday 7th August and placed online shortly after

William Cross Pro Am Ladies Qualifiers

Qualifier 1 Corrine Hammond,Rachel Padget,Lynn Howard,Amanda Fish,Lauren Peters,Peggy Waikara,Margaret Sutton,Melissa Sinnott

Qualifier 2 Chris Hay,Kate Gifford,Kylie Townes,Karen Ramsay, Simone Keogh, Piki Morrison, Sandi Ridd & Maree Hendry

DPA/PDC AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The qualifiers for the Australian open have been played today with the following 16 players joining the main draw on Sunday August 10.

Dave Mckay,Sandra Hetcher,Evan Lane,Pat Duke,Andy Dean,Nick Kaletta,Matt Kaletta,Steven Gillard,,Linda Nicholson,Barry Jouannet snr,Trevor Gallagher,Paul Taylor,Jessmond Benetti,Wayne Murray,Amy Clegg,Lynn Kaletta

To View the Parktrent Properties Group William Cross Pro Am Draw Men’s Draw Click Here. To view the Womens Draw Click Here

Unicorn Tri Nations : Australia to meet Sth Africa in Saturdays Final

Day 1:Australia Took an Early Lead in the Tri nations table with a 4 nil whitewash of South Africa in the first Tri nations event at the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation club this evening.

Australia started strongly in both legs of the doubles with Phil Pee wee Bottrell and Paul Nicholson accounting for Charles Losper and Wynand Havenga 3 legs to 1.Russell Stewart and Brian roach then stepped up to make it a 2 nil lead with a 3 nil victory over Ruan Hanekom and Waleed Clayton .Australia then completed their victory with singles wins.Paul Nicholson defeated Charles Losper 3 legs to nil whilst Brian Roach easily accounted for Wynand Havenga by the same scoreline.

Day 2 : South Africa Defeated New Zealand 4 legs to 3 after New Zealand Led 3 legs to 1.South Africa then took the initiative to reel off 3 consecutive wins including a fantastic win in the teams game after the game was tied at 3 legs all.Congratulations to South Africa.

Day 3.Australia Defeats New Zealand to secure finals berth: Russell Stewart led brilliantly to take Australia into the finals after a 4-3 defeat of New Zealand this evening.New zealand started well with wins in the opening legs of the game.Warren Parry Defeated Paul Nicholson in the opening rubber 3 -0 whilst Warren French defeated Brian Roach in a tight game 3-2.Phil Pee Wee Bottrell then stepped up to get australia on the board against the experienced Barry Whittaker followed by a 3 Nil Win to Russell Stewart over Phil Hazel averaging well over 98.Game Score 2-2.Into the doubles legs and NZ took the first advantage with Warren Parry and Warren French defeating Paul Nicholson and Phil Bottrell 3-2.Again it was Russell Stewarts experience on stage that paved the way for australia to level at 3 legs all with Brian roach to defeat Barry Whittaker and Phil Hazel 3 legs to 1.The teams game was a tight affair with both tems trading numerous 140,s and 100,s before Australia skipped away to a 200+ lead.A great 140 from Warren Parry put NZ in the lead.NZ had a shot at the double first wiring D4 before Brian Roach stepped up to take the match with a brilliant 1 dart D8 finish.

The Tri nations final between Australia & Sth Africa will be held Saturday at approx 1pm

	N Z Men’s & Ladies Teams for Australia
	Men’s Team		Ladies Team
	Warren French	Woolston	Peggy Wikaira	Onehunga W.M.C.
	Phillip Hazel	Taradale Club	Chris Hay	Taiti R.S.A.
	Warren Parry	Bluff Memorial R.S.A.	Rachel Padget	Bluff Memorial R.S.A.
	Barry Whittaker	New Brighton	Piki Morrison	Richmond W.M.C.
	Dale Frampton	Manager

Warren French has won this year’s NZ National Singles for the second time and will represent the New Zealand Chartered Clubs Darts Association at this year’s PDC World Championships. With his previous experience at the World Championships Warren is confident he can make it through the initial rounds for a best NZ individual result.

Latest Results Clubs NZ DPA Viva Las Vegas Qualifiers

10 May 2008, 17:40

Paul Nicholson completed a perfect weekend of darts at the Young Services
Club by taking both events at the DPA Viva NZ Las Vegas Qualifier.
Sim played well all day taking the scalps of Brian Roach and Jouannet on his
way to the final but the day belonged to Nicholson.

Paul took the first 2 legs in 15 and 17 darts and in the 3rd opened with 180
and 134 followed by 81 to leave him on 106 after 9 darts. A score of 66 left
Paul on 40 which he hit with 2 darts to take the leg in 14 darts and a 3 nil
lead.

The 4th leg was a good battle with both players scoring evenly. It was
Daniel to the double first taking the leg with a D10 Checkout.

Paul opened with strong scores of 180 and 100 in the 5th followed by 81 to
leave him on 140 after 9 darts. He then scored 120 to play it safe and walk
to the board next walk for a 20 pegout and another 14 dart leg to move 4-1
up.
Strong consistent scoring in the 6th leg saw Paul take the leg in 17 darts
to move within 1 leg of the game.

7th leg and Paul took the advantage by opening with scores of 180 and 96
backed up by 140. With time up his sleeve Paul played safe hitting 53 to
leave himself 32 after 12 darts, He hit this with his 2nd dart to take the
leg in 14 darts and the match 6-1.

Final 16 Best 5

Brian Roach 3-0 Colin Bell
Rod Neeson 1-3 Daniel Sim
Greg Ward 0-3 Dean Mcgladdery
Shaun Travis 2-3 Barry Jouannet
Phil Bottrell 3-1 Pete Corcoran
Colin Edwards 2-3 Rod Crawford
Craig Strooisma 3-0 Judith Baker
Paul Nicholson 3-0 Bobby Holder

Quarter Finals Best 7

Paul Nicholson 4-0 Craig Strooisma
Brian Roach 1-4 Daniel Sim
Dean Mcgladdery 3-4 Barry Jouannet
Phil Bottrell 4-1 Rod Crawford

Semi Finals Best 9

Daniel Sim 5-4 Barry Jouannet

Paul Nicholson 5-0 Phil Bottrell

Final

Paul Nicholson 6-1 Daniel Sim

PDC Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships

Final (01/01/2008)

John Part ~7 ~ Kirk Shepherd ~ 2

Brilliant Part Wins Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship

JOHN PART claimed victory in the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a ruthless 7-2 demolition of Kirk Shepherd at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Qualifier Shepherd defied all odds to battle through to the final in a stunning World Championship debut, with the 21-year-old from Ramsgate seeing off five big-name opponents, including Terry Jenkins, Peter Manley and Wayne Mardle, on his way to the final.

But his dreams of a fairytale ending to an amazing journey were shattered by Canadian Part, who picked up his third World Championship title.

Part took the game’s first four sets to stamp his authority on the contest, and held off a Shepherd fightback to take the £100,000 winner’s cheque.

Semi-Finals (7pm Sunday)
Kevin Painter 2-6 John Part
Wayne Mardle 4-6 Kirk Shepherd
Best of 11 sets

JOHN PART 6-2 KEVIN PAINTER
(3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2)

JOHN PART ended Kevin Painter’s title dream with a clinical display to reach his first Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship final in five years.

Painter knocked out defending champion Raymond van Barneveld earlier in the tournament, but his hopes of a first major title were extinguished by the 2003 champion.

The Canadian started well, winning the first two legs, but Painter won the next two after Part missed four darts for the set.

Painter had chances to win the set in the deciding leg, but he missed two darts at doubles and Part landed an 88 finish, hitting double seven with his last dart to take the lead.

The second set was a replay of the first, with Part again opening up a 2-0 advantage before Painter took the third leg and then levelled with a 101 checkout.

But Part had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg, and made that count with a superb 13-dart finish to open up a 2-0 lead.

The Daventry-based man hit back quickly to take the third set without reply, hitting a 15-dart finish in the second leg and then winning it with a 74 checkout.

Painter then took the first leg of the fourth set, and had two darts at doubles to take a 2-0 lead, but he could not take the opportunity and Part stepped in to take the leg.

The Canadian then took the fourth leg, and then hit another 13-dart finish in the deciding leg of the set to re-establish his two sets advantage.

Painter opened up a two leg advantage in the fifth set with checkouts of 96 and 108.

Part took the third leg with a fantastic 160 checkout, and then hit double seven to take another set to a deciding leg.

He then won that with a 44 finish to lead 4-1, despite Painter having a dart at bull to win the set.

The sixth set also went to a fifth leg and once again it was Part who took it with an 88 finish, landing double seven to go one set away from victory.

Painter stemmed the tide to take the seventh set without reply from his opponent, which included an 11-dart finish in the first leg.

Painter broke the throw at the start of the eighth set with a 65 finish, but Part came back to take the next two legs to go one away from victory.

Painter hit double four to win the fourth leg and had one dart to take the set for 109 finish.

But he failed to hit double 16 and that proved to be costly and Part hit a brilliant 130 finish to take victory in style.

“It’s fantastic,” said Part. “It obviously keeps my hopes of a third title alive and it feels good – but it’s just one step and there’s an even bigger step for me on New Year’s Day, if I can take it.

“I’ve felt fantastic all week but I felt a little worn out today. I played Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday night so I’ll enjoy having a day off!

“Just to be in the final is fantastic, and to be in position to close out another title is really exciting.

“It was a tough match against Kevin. There’s a lot of respect between us and we were both a little tight at times and I hit some key darts.

“It was a difficult match because I got into the lead, you just want to get across the line but he made me earn it.”

Painter conceded that missed doubles cost him, after earlier wins over Gary Mawson, Chris Mason, Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis put him in the last four.

“I felt as good as I did against Barney but sometimes when you go the wrong side of the wire you know it’s not going to be your day,” admitted Painter.

“It was disappointing because five of the six sets that John won were 3-2 and I was at a double before him in some of them.

“Earlier in the week my finishing was good but I let John in and gave it to him. He’s a great champion and he played well in the legs that mattered.

“The sets I won were easy, and if I’d have hit my doubles in the other sets I’d have done better.

“Tomorrow I will wake up disappointed but in a couple of days I will reflect on the whole tournament and I’d have taken a semi-final if you’d said that to me at the start of the week.”

KIRK SHEPHERD 6-4 WAYNE MARDLE
(0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)

QUALIFIER KIRK SHEPHERD produced a sensational performance to reach the final on his debut at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship and shatter Wayne Mardle’s hopes of claiming a maiden major title.

The 21-year-old had built up a 3-1 lead, and had five darts to go 4-1 up in a thriller, only for Mardle to come back to lead 4-3.

Mardle – who knocked out 13-time World Champion Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals – appeared to have weathered the storm, but Shepherd was undeterred and went on to take the next three sets without reply to continue his remarkable journey at this year’s World Championship.

Mardle started well, taking the opening set without reply in a strong start, but Shepherd hit back quickly to win the second in the same manner.

Mardle established a 2-1 lead in the third and then had six darts at double one to win the set, after hitting a 140 to leave two.

But he missed those opportunities and Shepherd cashed in by hitting double two to level.

The Romford man had more chances in the deciding leg, but he was off-target once again and Shepherd landed double top to pinch the set.

Kirk Shepherd – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipAfter Mardle’s problems on the doubles in the third set, he hit an incredible 170 checkout at the start of the fourth set, and then doubled his advantage by taking the second leg.

Shepherd, though, came back to win the next three legs and take the set to establish a 3-1 lead, after Mardle had missed two darts at doubles to win the set.

In the fifth set it was Shepherd who was guilty of missing doubles, and Mardle landed a superb 140 checkout to cut the deficit to 3-2.

He then levelled the match, breaking throw in the third leg and hitting a 13-dart finish in the fourth, which included his fifth maximum of the game.

Mardle took the seventh set to lead for the first time since the opening set of the match, hitting a fantastic 12-dart finish in the deciding leg.

Shepherd levelled at 4-4 by taking the eighth set, which also went to a deciding leg, by landing double 16.

Kirk Shepherd – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipThe qualifier from Kent then broke throw at the start of the ninth set with a clinical 123 checkout, and led 2-0 after both players missed chances to take it.

Mardle converted a 72 finish in the third leg, but Shepherd hit double four to lead once again at 5-4.

Shepherd won the opening two legs of the tenth set, taking the second with an 80 finish after Mardle had missed three darts at doubles.

Mardle broke back in the third leg, hitting a two-dart 96 checkout to complete an 11-dart finish and then won the fourth by landing a crucial double 16 after Shepherd had one dart for the match at double six.

But Shepherd held his nerve and hit two 140s in the deciding leg, followed up with a 62 checkout to win an amazing contest.

“I’m on cloud nine,” said Shepherd. “When I came here I knew if I played the darts I could I would go far, but I never dreamed of reaching the World Championship final.

“I’m there and I really do think I can win this now. I won’t fear John – he has got to beat me.”

Shepherd is guaranteed £50,000 for reaching the final – with the winner on New Year’s Day taking home £100,000 – and he will also move into the PDC’s top 32 after starting the event at 140th in the Order of Merit.

“I know I’m in the Grand Slam of Darts and hopefully I have pushed into the top 32 of the world,” he added. “The £50,000 means a lot to me and it could change my life for the better.”

Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session (1pm Start)
Peter Manley 4-5 Kirk Shepherd
John Part 5-4 James Wade
Evening Session (7pm Start)
Phil Taylor 4-5 Wayne Mardle
Kevin Painter v Adrian Lewis
Best of nine legs

KIRK SHEPHERD 5-4 PETER MANLEY
(3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1, 4-2)

KIRK SHEPHERD produced a sensational performance to knock Peter Manley out of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship in a nine-set thriller.

The youngster was 4-3 down and faced darts for the match in the third leg of the deciding set, but came through to reach the semi-finals at his first attempt.

Shepherd showed no nerves at the start of the match, taking the first set without reply in a superb start.

He then had a dart for a 2-0 lead, but missed double 16 for 102 finish in the deciding leg and a relieved Manley landed double ten to level.

The number five seed broke throw at the start of the third set with a 13-dart finish to lead for the first time in the match, but Shepherd immediately hit back with a 13-dart leg of his own.

Shepherd took a 2-1 lead, and then had four darts at double top to take the set in the next leg, but failed to convert and Manley levelled, hitting double ten.

He also gave Manley a chance to steal the next before returning to land double 16 and regain the lead.

The fourth set also went to a deciding leg but Manley was clinical and landed a 15-dart finish to level again.

Manley then took a 3-2 lead with some superb checkouts, which included a 156 finish in the first leg followed by checkouts of 76, and 60 to win the set.

Shepherd broke throw at the beginning of the sixth set after Manley had missed opportunities to take it, and then doubled his lead with a 104 finish.

Manley took the third leg with a fantastic 11-dart finish, but Shepherd hit double 16 to take the set.

The Carlisle-based star then took a 4-3 lead, breaking Shepherd’s throw in the deciding leg to go one set away from victory.

But Shepherd showed great character to take the eighth set, breaking throw in the first leg and hitting an 11-dart finish in the second.

Manley took the next leg, but Shepherd hit a 70 finish to take the game to a deciding set.

Manley took the opening two legs of the deciding set, and then had two darts to win the match in the third leg, but failed to take them and Shepherd landed a pressure double four with his last dart to remain in the contest.

Shepherd then took the fourth leg and hit his ninth maximum of the contest at the start of the fifth leg as he moved in front.

Shepherd was then on a nine-dart finish in the sixth leg, hitting two 180s but missing the seventh treble 20.

He returned to land double five to stun Manley and win an amazing match.

“It’s a dream come true, I can’t believe it,” said Shepherd. “If someone had said to me at the start of the competition that I’d reach the semi-finals I’d have settled for that – but I’m not finished yet.

“I’m on a roll and I want to keep going.”

Jenkins and McGowan both had darts to defeat Shepherd, and Manley wasted two match darts, but Shepherd added: “At the end of the day, it’s not my fault if they don’t hit their doubles and I take my chances.

“It’s a lot about confidence and luckily I have a lot of confidence and I held my nerve. In the last set I got my chance and really went for it.

“I wasn’t thinking about the nine-dart finish, I was just concentrating on getting to the double and hitting it. Luckily enough I did.”

JOHN PART 5-4 JAMES WADE
(3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 0-3, 4-2)

TWO-TIME World Champion John Part won another thrilling final-set quarter-final at Alexandra Palace to defeat world number three James Wade.

Part led 2-0 and 3-1 before coming through in the deciding set to reach the semi-finals for the first time since he won the event in 2003.

Both players had a chance to win a competitive opening set, but the Canadian landed double top to take the lead.

Part took a 2-0 lead in the second set, Wade missing a number of doubles to win both legs.

He then held throw to double his advantage, hitting his third maximum of the game.

Wade started to get into the match and took the third set with a fantastic 141 checkout to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Part broke throw at the start of the fourth set with a 127 finish, but Wade hit back immediately with a 148 checkout.

Part broke Wade’s throw again with a 16 darter, and then took the set in the next leg to regain his two-set lead.

But Wade, the winner of the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix this year, came back to take the next two sets and level matters.

He took the fifth set in a deciding leg, which included checkouts of 68, 101, and 70, and then took the sixth with a 106 checkout in the fourth leg to break throw and level the game.

The opening two legs of the seventh set where shared before Part then hit double nine to take a 2-1 lead.

The Canadian then won the set in the next leg, hitting a 60 finish to regain his advantage, after Wade missed a dart at double 12 for a 104 finish.

Part missed a number of opportunities in the eighth set, and Wade made the Canadian pay for his mistakes to take a second quarter-final of the day to a deciding set.

Wade then took the lead for the first time in the match, when he hit a clinical two dart 97 finish to take the first leg of the final set.

Part came back to lead 2-1, but Wade produced a fantastic 11-darter under pressure to take the set into a tie-break situation.

Part took a 3-2 lead, by landing double 16, and then hit a vital 113 checkout to win the match, with his opponent waiting on 20.

“Maybe James wasn’t at his best but he’s a class player and I feel very fortunate to get into the semis,” said Part.

“I knew if I kept hitting the 97s and 96s that I’d be in with a shot.

“There were a few missed chances but my mind’s racing on everything before it was four-all – you have to play from there.

“I was ahead a couple of times and he came back really well but the final set was very satisfying.

“James is as good a player as you can play on stage. He’s lethal and if you give him a chance he will exploit it, most of the time he caught me up when I made a mistake.

“He’s won major titles already and I’ve no doubt whatsoever that he’s got it in him to win World Championships.”

Wade admitted: “I tried as hard as I could but John was better than me on the day. It’s disappointing and I’m annoyed with myself.”

WAYNE MARDLE 5-4 PHIL TAYLOR
(0-3, 1-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 6-4)

WAYNE MARDLE ended Phil Taylor’s Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship reign with a stunning 5-4 quarter-final victory at Alexandra Palace on Saturday night.

Taylor was denied a 14th successive PDC final in amazing circumstances, with Mardle coming from 3-0 down to take the game into a decider.

Wayne Mardle – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipThe first eight legs of the ninth set went with the throw as tensions reached boiling point, with Mardle securing a crucial break of throw before sealing his first ever televised win over Taylor.

He looked set to pay for a slow start, with Taylor taking nine of the first ten legs – including an 11-darter – in taking a three-set lead.

Mardle seemed sparked by a 100 finish to open the fourth set, and followed that with legs of 11 and 15 darts to get off the mark.

He won the fifth set 3-1 and then edged a tense sixth 3-2, with Taylor sat on tops in the decider when Mardle levelled matters.

It was Taylor who sneaked to the seventh set thanks to a 13-darter and a 66 finish in the fifth leg with Mardle waiting on 110.

Taylor broke the throw to lead in the next, but was punished for his misses as Mardle twice broke back in taking the set 3-1 to square the contest once more.

Mardle also had the better in the early stages of set nine, but missed three darts at doubles to break Taylor twice as both players narrowly held their throw.

Phil Taylor – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipA 180 from Mardle to kick off leg nine, his eighth of the contest, proved crucial as he pulled clear to break the throw on double top.

He then landed three ton-plus scores in the next to seal the win with a 13-darter on his favourite double 18.

“It’s the best win of my career,” said Mardle. “It’s not my best performance, but it’s my best win.

“He hasn’t been at his best in this tournament but it took a great game from me to beat him.

“I’ve never beaten him on TV but I felt fantastically good.

Wayne Mardle – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship”When it went 3-3 in the final set, I think I’d had darts to win every one of his legs, and he never got to a double on my throw. I thought to keep that going and I’ve never had that confidence against Phil before – the more he kept missing doubles, the more confident I got.

“I’ve just beaten the best player in the world, ever, and I stuck in there and did a great job where others have faltered.

“I nearly did but I proved I had guts, like I proved against Roland Scholten and Ray Carver, and I know that I can win this championship.

“It meant the world to me at the end of the game when he said to me that I have a massive chance to win this now and to go and do it, and that shows his class.

“I’d just beaten him and he had the professionalism to say that to me. I respect him so much and it got me choked up.”

Mardle admitted that he adopted a fresh attitude in the game and, despite losing nine of the opening ten legs, never lost faith in his ability.

“When I was 3-0 down, everyone’s head was dropping apart from mine,” he said. “I had a mindset that didn’t for the first three sets but the longer the game went on it did.

“I treated the game like it was nothing, and when I relax I’m dangerous.

“It’s easy to say it means nothing when it means everything, and when people have said it to me in the past I’ve said you can’t do it, but you can and I proved that tonight.”

Taylor has reached the final of the PDC World Championship in every previous year since the tournament’s inception in 1994.

“Wayne played brilliantly,” said Taylor. “He stuck in well, even when I thought it would be 5-0, but he pegged me back and his last few legs were brilliant.

“My energy level dropped towards the end but Wayne’s didn’t and if he keeps his head on he has the biggest chance of his life to win this tournament.”

Friday 28ith December 2007

KIRK SHEPHERD 4-3 BARRIE BATES
(3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1)

KIRK SHEPHERD continued his superb debut run at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, defeating world number 13 Barrie Bates to reach the quarter-finals.

The 21-year-old has defeated Terry Jenkins and Mick McGowan already in the event, and again took advantage of his opponent’s mistakes at Alexandra Palace.

The Kent man started well by taking the first set. He broke throw in the first leg, and landed double top to take a 1-0 lead after Bates missed three darts to take the third leg.

Bates came back well to take the second set, landing checkouts of 86, 96, and 102 to take the set.

The Welshman should have taken a 2-1 lead, but missed a dart at tops in the third leg for a 110 finish.

He then failed to convert three further opportunities to take the set in the deciding leg, and Shepherd pounced, landing double eight to regain the lead.

The opening two legs of the fourth set where shared and both players had a dart to take out big finishes in the third, but it was Bates who landed the winning double to break throw.

Both players missed darts to take the fourth leg, but Bates managed to land double nine to level the contest once again.

Bates opened up a 2-1 lead in the fifth set, converting a 13-dart finish in the third leg.

He had a dart to win the set in the next, but failed to land the bullseye, for a 128 finish, and Shepherd made it 2-2 with an excellent 112 finish.

The former UK Open finalist had three further opportunities to take the lead and go one set away from the match.

But he failed to take his chances, and Shepherd hit double 12 to take lead once again.

The first two legs of the sixth where shared, but Shepherd then managed to take the next two legs in 15 and 13 darts to take victory.

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-3 TONY ECCLES
(0-3, 0-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 4-2)

ADRIAN LEWIS won a dramatic last 16 encounter with Tony Eccles to reach the quarter-finals of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Eccles came from three sets down to defeat Steve Maish on Thursday, but was on the receiving of a comeback as Lewis came from 2-0 down in sets and 2-0 in legs to take the win in a decider.

Eccles came out like a train, winning the opening eight legs of the match before Lewis got into the contest.

The Hartlepool man took a 1-0 lead, and then landed a 101 checkout to take the opening leg of the second set.

He then broke throw with a 12-dart finish, hitting an 84 checkout and then wrapped up the set with a 119 finish to double his advantage.

Eccles continued his superb checkout rate, by landing finishes of 72, and 105 to go to the verge of a 3-0 lead.

Lewis took his opening leg of the match in the next with a 106 finish and then survived two missed darts by Eccles to take the set in leg four to level.

The number seven seed then hit a 13-dart finish in the deciding leg to take the set.

Lewis began to find his rhythm and broke throw with a 136 finish in the opening leg of the fourth set after Eccles missed the bullseye for a 170 checkout, and then hit a two-dart 81 checkout to level the match at 2-2.

Eccles managed to win the opening leg, of the fifth set, taking his first leg in six, but Lewis quickly hit back, taking the next two legs to lead.

Eccles pulled back in the fourth leg, landing double 16, but Lewis took out a 70 finish to lead 3-2, going ahead for the first time in the match.

Eccles took the first leg of the sixth set, hitting the bullseye for an 84 finish. He had an opportunity to take the second leg, but Lewis hit a superb 120 finish.

But Eccles took the next two legs to send the match into a deciding set.

Lewis took the opening leg of the deciding set, despite his opponent landing his fifth maxmium of the game.

Eccles then took the next two legs, hitting an 11-darter in the second and breaking throw in the third, to go one leg away from victory.

Eccles had two chances to take the match in the fourth leg, but was unable to take them and Lewis landed a pressure double nine with his last dart to stay alive.

After an unscheduled comfort break, Lewis took the lead with an 81 finish. He then hit his fifth maximum of the match in the sixth leg, and went on to complete it in 15-darts to record a fantastic win.

Lewis will now take on either current PDC World Champion Raymond van Barneveld or Kevin Painter in the quarter-finals.

“I believe I can win this tournament but I’ll have to perform better,” admitted Lewis. “I believe in myself and even if Tony had gone 3-0 up, I knew he had come back yesterday and I could.

“He never really missed anything and I had to take out a few big shots there. In the first two sets I kept leaving a finish after 12 darts and not getting a shot at it, and you can’t do anything about that.

“I think the 136 I took out was the turning point in the game.

“I’ve never played Tony before, he’s difficult to play and I didn’t think he was going to perform like he did. It’s probably his best performance on TV and he nearly did me.”

He added: “As long as I keep digging in there and fighting I’ll be okay. I’ll need to be straight off the mark in the quarters and I think I can do that.”

Eccles admitted: “I knew I had to come out of the traps quick and maybe I was too quick!

“He pulled away and just he thought I’d gone I came back at him and took him to the last set.

“I hit him with some big shots which appeared to lift him up, rather than buckle him. One of the big turning points was when I missed the bull for a 170 and he took out a brilliant 136 – that is top class quality.

“I had two darts for the match, but it wasn’t to be. I’ve had a good run, but I know I have it in me to go a lot further.”

JAMES WADE 4-2 MARK DUDBRIDGE
(2-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2)

JAMES WADE overcame a bout of ‘flu and the challenge of Mark Dudbridge in a tough third round match at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Both players were struggling with illness before, and during the match, but Wade managed to come through to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.

Wade started poorly, failing to convert a number of chances to win the opening leg to allow Dudbridge, who was battling against a stomach bug, to pounce.

Dudbridge also took the second leg before Wade hit a 61 finish to open his account.

Dudbridge missed five darts in the fourth leg to win the opening set and Wade stepped in hitting double nine.

The Bristol man made no mistake in the next leg, landing double 16 to take the set.

Wade started to get into the game in the second set, taking the opening two legs before Dudbridge hit back in third, with the help of his first maximum of the match.

Wade then took the set with an excellent 98 finish, hitting two double tops to complete the checkout and level up at one apiece.

The world number three opened up a 2-0 lead in the third set, and then hit a 14-dart leg to take go ahead for the first time in the match.

Dudbridge took the opening leg of the fourth set, and then broke throw to double his lead, hitting a superb 177 and then returning to the oche to hit double twelve.

Wade took the next leg, despite needing six attempts to land double top, and he also required six further shots to land double top in the next leg, after Dudbridge had one dart at double five to take the set.

Wade then produced some class in the deciding leg of the set to lead 3-1. He hit his third maximum of the match to leave 92, which he duly converted, with Dudbridge waiting on 40.

He took the first leg of the sixth set, but Dudbridge showed great character to take the next three legs in succession to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Wade opened a 2-0 lead in the seventh set, to go one leg away from victory. But Dudbridge hit back again, taking the third leg with a 62 finish, and then produced a 14-dart leg to level.

Both players missed opportunities to take the deciding leg, but it was Wade who held his nerve to land double top to win the match.

“I’m not feeling too good but neither was Mark,” said Wade. “I felt a bit dizzy and disorientated when I was moving around on stage but I had to get on with the job in hand.”

Dudbridge said: “I’m not making excuses for myself but I’ve been pretty ill all day. James has been suffering as well and I think that was reflected in the game.

“I never gave up but he pinched a couple of sets. Nobody dominated the game and there were opportunities for both of us.

“He got in front and I was trying to fight back but I had no energy and am really disappointed.”

PETER MANLEY 4-1 JAN VAN DER RASSEL
(2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)

PETER MANLEY ended Jan van der Rassel’s run at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory.

Van der Rassel had defeated Colin Lloyd and Denis Ovens in the opening two rounds, but found the three-time finalist too much of an obstacle to overcome in the last 16.

The scoreline flattered Manley, his opponent having opportunities to level the match at 2-2.

The Dutchman won the opening set, which went to a deciding leg. Manley had two darts to win it, but failed to take either of them and van der Rassel hit a superb 116 checkout to take the lead.

Manley took the second set 3-1, which included a 106 finish in the second leg and his favoured double top for the set.

Van der Rassel started well in the third set, taking the opening two legs only for Manley to hit back to take the next three to pinch the set and go ahead for the first time in the match.

Both players hit 12-dart legs at the start of the fourth set and van der Rassel then took the lead, hitting double ten before Manley hit a 117 checkout to level.

The turning point of the match came in the deciding leg, when van der Rassel missed four darts at double nine to level the match and Manley made the Dutchman pay to take a 3-1 advantage.

Manley appeared to grow in confidence and started the fifth set with a maximum, and then won the leg with a 121 finish.

Van der Rassel managed to hit double ten to level, but Manley took a 2-1 lead with a 16-dart finish.

Manley then hit his fourth maximum in the fourth leg and despite the Dutchman having opportunities to take the leg, Manley hit double six to set up a quarter-final against the Kent youngster Kirk Shepherd.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-1 JASON CLARK
(3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1)

DEFENDING Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld defied a bout of ‘flu to reach the third round of this year’s competition with a 4-1 victory over Jason Clark at Alexandra Palace.

The Dutchman has struggled over the Christmas period and spent much of his return to Holland, following a first round win over Anthony Forde, laid up in bed.

However, he managed to withstand the challenge of Clark, who was also battling illness, to book a last 16 date with Kevin Painter on Friday.

“You do everything you can to prepare properly for months leading up to the World Championship and then get the ‘flu and it was hard,” he admitted.

“I was in bed and there was no Christmas for me, but I hope to get better every day now and improve my performances.”

The scoreline did not truly reflect the story of the match, with the opening two sets going to a deciding leg.

Clark had two darts at double top to take the first set, but failed to take his chance and Barneveld landed tops to take the lead.

Van Barneveld broke the throw at the start of the second set, but Clark came back with a fantastic 11-dart finish.

The Dutchman regained the lead before Clark hit back with an 96 finish, only for van Barneveld to double his advantage in the decider.

The reigning champion began to show some form in the third set, hitting two-dart checkouts of 92 and 96 in extending his advantage to 3-0.

Barneveld broke throw immediately at the beginning of the fourth set and appeared to be coasting towards victory, but Clark levelled up, breaking back to win his first leg in five.

Clark then took the next leg to lead, but van Barneveld hit a 63 checkout in the fourth leg.

He then had an opportunity of a 170 checkout but missed the bullseye, and missed five further darts for the match before Clark stepped in on double 16 to stay alive

The opening two legs of the fifth set where shared, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear, and romped to the finishing line, hitting three maximums in two legs and sealing victory with an 11-dart finish.

“I was 3-0 up but got a bit lucky in the first two sets,” added the Dutchman. “I’m pleased to get through and it’s a different day against Kevin.

“He’s playing well and that’s good to see. I’m really focused and I’ll have to fight for my life against him.”

PHIL TAYLOR 4-3 ALAN TABERN
(3-1, 2-3, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 6-4)

PHIL TAYLOR came back from the brink of defeat for a third successive game to keep alive his Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship hopes with a tie-break defeat of Alan Tabern.

The 13-time World Champion has been pushed to a final set in his opening two matches at Alexandra Palace, against Michael van Gerwen and Mark Walsh, and again rode his luck against the world number 18.

Tabern led 2-1 and 3-2 before moving to the brink of victory, before seeing Taylor take four of the final five legs in the deciding set to move into the quarter-finals.

“If I go on to win this it will be the hardest World Championship I’ve ever had,” said Taylor. “I used to cruise through games but the players are class now.

“I’ve had so many years doing this now and I had to draw on that experience at the end.”

Taylor started the match well, hitting a 107 finish and a 12-darter in taking the first set 3-1.

Tabern hit back to the second set, despite Taylor having four opportunities to double his advantage.

The St Helens man then took the lead in the match, taking the third set without reply in legs of 17, 14 and 15 darts.

But Taylor hit back quickly, taking the fourth set in the same manner to level at 2-2, including a fabulous 137 checkout to win the set with Tabern waiting on 36 after nine darts.

The fifth set proved to be a replay of the second, with Taylor missing two darts to take it in the deciding leg, allowing Tabern to capitalise on double ten to take a 3-2 lead.

Taylor took an early advantage in the sixth set, taking a 2-0 lead, but Tabern hit back with a 12-dart finish and then landed double ten to level up.

The Stoke man had advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but had to produce a fantastic 171 to leave 16, which he converted, to take the contest to a decider after Tabern set up a 116 finish for victory.

Tabern led the final set 2-1, but Taylor hit a clinical 13-darter to level before the next four legs where shared, Tabern hitting a superb 160 checkout in the fifth leg and a clinical 13-darter leg in the seventh.

But the ninth proved to be vital leg of the match when Taylor broke Tabern’s throw, and then landed back-to-back maximums in the tenth leg to record a memorable win.

“The guy is class,” praised Tabern. “The players who have been playing him have been playing well and he’s still beating them.

“If he can win throwing bad then that’s half the battle of being a good dart player.

“I missed a few doubles in the first set but he gave me a few chances and I started to get belief when I took them.

“Once I had that I began to play my own game and it was like a war up there.

“Usually I don’t feel pressure but I think it got in my head a little bit. There’s a lot more to going up there and beating Phil than in a practice room; you’re not just playing Phil but also the crowd at times, and also his enigma.

“You can play your own game in the practice room or at home and beat anyone in the world but when you get up there with the cameras, the lights and the crowd it’s different.

“I don’t take any solace in the fact that I lost but I made a good account of myself and gave it my best shot.”

Taylor added: “Alan’s a very good pressure player and when I missed the double eight to win the second set it seemed to play on my mind a little bit.

“But I’m still in and I’ll get back on the practice board on Friday and get ready for the next game.

“I’m getting better with every round and a little bit more confident in my ability as well. I don’t care about what’s gone on – it’s the next game I’m worried about now.”

WAYNE MARDLE 4-3 ROLAND SCHOLTEN
(3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1)

WAYNE MARDLE won a final-set thriller to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at the expense of Roland Scholten.

The Dutchman established a 3-2 lead, but Mardle managed to come through by winning the final two sets to set up a mouth-watering clash against Phil Taylor on Saturday.

The match will be a repeat of the dramatic semi-final the two played, back in 2006, when Taylor came through in the deciding set.

Mardle started well, taking the first set without reply and landing a 110 checkout among legs of 15, 15 and 14 darts.

Scholten quickly hit back to take the second set without reply.

He had an opportunity of a nine-dart finish in the second leg, but missed treble 15 after landing seven perfect darts, and then wrapped up the set with a superb 140 checkout.

Scholten opened up a 2-0 advantage in the third set, making it five legs in a row before Mardle came back to level and take the set to a fifth leg.

However, the Dutchman held throw to take the set, for a 2-1 lead, hitting a two dart 60 finish, with his opponent waiting on 28.

Both players missed a number of doubles in the fourth set, but it was Mardle who managed to take it 3-1 to level the game.

Scholten regained the lead for the second time in the match hitting checkouts of 76, 60, and 66, to go one set away from victory.

Wayne Mardle – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipThe opening four legs of the sixth set where shared, leaving Scholten one away from victory.

But Mardle took advantage of throwing first, holding his nerve to hit a 68 checkout, with Scholten waiting on an 80 finish, for the match.

Scholten started the deciding set well, completing the first leg in 11 darts.

The Romford man held throw to take the next leg with a 56 finish and then managed a vital break of throw in the third leg, landing double six for a 2-1 lead.

Scholten had an opportunity to break back, but missed a dart at double 16 for a 102 finish, and Mardle took out a superb two-dart 74 checkout to record victory.

“Roland scored more consistently than me but I took my chances when it mattered,” said Mardle.

“I’ve got to straighten up my throwing but I can beat anyone when I play decently.”

Taylor suvives Tabern scrap

Phil Taylor survived another almighty scare at the World Championship to win an epic third round encounter with Alan Tabern 4-3.

Thursday 27th December 2007
Second Round
Steve Maish 3-4 Tony Eccles
Andy Hamilton 1-4 Alex Roy
Ronnie Baxter 2-4 Mark Dudbridge
Evening Session (7pm Start)
Raymond van Barneveld v Jason Clark
Third Round
Phil Taylor v Alan Tabern
Roland Scholten v Wayne Mardle

TONY ECCLES 4-3 STEVE MAISH
(2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)

TONY ECCLES produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Steve Maish 4-3 and reach the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Maish, who defeated Dennis Priestley in the opening round, had established a 3-0 lead and was one leg away from the match in the fourth set, and he also had a dart at tops for match in the sixth before Eccles made a stunning comeback.

“At 3-0 down I thought I was out,” admitted Eccles. “I had nothing to lose and started to feed off Steve, and it came from there.”

Steve Maish – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipEccles started well at the beginning of the contest, taking the second leg in 14 darts and then breaking Maish’s throw for a 2-1 lead.

But the Essex man hit back to take the fourth leg and then converted an 86 finish, with his opponent waiting on 32, to take the opening set.

Eccles took the first leg of the second set but Maish levelled up with a 110 checkout.

He then hit back-to-back 180s at the start of the third leg to leave a chance of a nine-dart finish. He was unable to hit the seventh treble, but went on take the leg for a 2-1 lead.

Maish missed three chances at double top to take the set, but Eccles could not make him pay for the error and he came back to take the leg for a 2-0 lead.

He then took the third set, which went to a deciding leg, completing a 76 finish for a 3-0 lead.

Maish took a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, landing a 110 finish for the second time in the match.

But Eccles levelled the set with a 13-dart leg and then hit a fantastic 156 checkout to turn the tide.

The man from Hartlepool, making his debut in this event, then reduced the deficit to 3-2, taking the set without reply, which included checkouts of 96 and 70.

He then completed the comeback in the sixth set, despite his opponent having one dart at tops to win the match in the decider.

Eccles was now the dominant force and broke throw at the beginning of the final set and then landed a 104 checkout to go one leg away from the match.

Maish managed to take the third leg but Eccles completed a stunning victory by hitting a 56 finish.

“At 3-0 down you think you’re going home, and I was just waiting to get off the stage,” said Eccles.

“Once he missed the match darts, I think that’s where my comeback began and in the end I was thriving on the pressure.

“The more pressure on me, the better I play. Steve’s a cracking player and he kicked my backside in those first three sets, but it’s the best comeback of my career on TV.

“It will be another fast and furious game against Adrian Lewis next. I know I can’t make as many mistakes against him!”

ALEX ROY 4-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(3-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)

ALEX ROY marched into round three of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory over Andy Hamilton at Alexandra Palace.

The Watford star celebrated his return to form with a comprehensive victory over the number six seed.

Andy Hamilton – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipRoy landed almost 60 percent of his doubles in a fine display as he set up a last 16 encounter with two-time World Champion John Part.

He set the tone for his performance by hitting a 180 to open the match and taking the first two legs along with winning the opening set 3-1.

He came back from 2-0 down in the second to level, before Hamilton showed his best finishing of the contest to take out 144 for the set.

Roy produced a superb third set to regain the lead, taking out 121 for the first leg and landing further legs of 11 and 14 darts to move 2-1 up.

The Watford man took the fourth set’s opener, and punished Hamilton in the next, when last year’s semi-finalist opened with back-to-back 180s only to miss the seventh dart of a possible nine-darter and then fail to close out the leg.

Alex RoyA 102 finish saw Hamilton hit back and he also took leg four to level, but Roy took the decider in 13 darter on double 16 to further extend his advantage.

Hamilton took the lead in the next set, but further missed doubles cost him dear as Roy swept the next three aside to complete the win.

“He didn’t turn up and I just dug in,” said Roy. “In the second leg he burst a 120 checkout and I took out 124, I knew that would hurt him and I had to keep playing well.

“I’m playing well at the moment anyway and I’m pleased to take that onto the stage.

“I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never done it in the World Championship – it would be nice to show everybody what I’m all about in a nice new venue.”

MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-2 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0)

MARK DUDBRIDGE came through a tough contest against Ronnie Baxter to set up a last 16 clash against James Wade at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Dudbridge started the match in fantastic fashion, hitting two maximums on his opening two visits to the oche to set up a potential nine-dart finish in the first leg.

He failed to complete the perfect checkout, but went on to take the leg, and further finishes of 78 and 62 where enough to take the opening set without reply.

Baxter started well in the second set, building up a 2-0 lead, but Dudbridge hit back to take the next three legs to double his advantage.

Dudbridge broke throw at the start of the third set, but Baxter took the next two legs after the Bristolian failed to take his chances.

Baxter then had one dart at tops for the set but was unable to convert and Dudbridge hit double 16 to take the set to a deciding leg.

Baxter, though, made no mistake in the fifth leg, landing double eight to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Mark DudbridgAe – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipThe fourth set went the full distance too, and Baxter had one dart at tops to complete a 79 finish and take the set.

However, he failed with the attempt and Dudbridge stepped in with a 60 checkout to regain his two-set advantage.

Dudbridge opened up a 2-0 lead in the fifth and appeared to be closing in on victory before Baxter came back superbly to take next three legs, including a 137 finish, to keep his hopes alive.

Dudbridge again took the first two legs of the sixth set, breaking throw in the second with a two-dart 86 checkout.

This time he made no mistake and took the next leg in style, completing it in 15 darts to confirm victory.

“I came out in blistering form and was ready for a fight in that first set, but Ronnie didn’t really react and my game dipped in the middle,” he said.

“I need to be in a tough battle and that has shown in my games over the years – I need people to push me because otherwise I go to sleep a little bit.

“I showed a bit of strength towards the end to keep my arm straight and get over the finishing line, and I’m happy.

“I’m in the third round now and very much looking forward to performing to my potential.

“James Wade will go into the game as favourite, he has shown he can do it at the top level this year, but I’m a big game player and looking forward to it.”

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-1 JASON CLARK
(3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1)

DEFENDING Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld defied a bout of ‘flu to reach the third round of this year’s competition with a 4-1 victory over Jason Clark at Alexandra Palace.

The Dutchman has struggled over the Christmas period and spent much of his return to Holland, following a first round win over Anthony Forde, laid up in bed.

However, he managed to withstand the challenge of Clark, who was also battling illness, to book a last 16 date with Kevin Painter on Friday.

“You do everything you can to prepare properly for months leading up to the World Championship and then get the ‘flu and it was hard,” he admitted.

“I was in bed and there was no Christmas for me, but I hope to get better every day now and improve my performances.”

The scoreline did not truly reflect the story of the match, with the opening two sets going to a deciding leg.

Clark had two darts at double top to take the first set, but failed to take his chance and Barneveld landed tops to take the lead.

Van Barneveld broke the throw at the start of the second set, but Clark came back with a fantastic 11-dart finish.

The Dutchman regained the lead before Clark hit back with an 96 finish, only for van Barneveld to double his advantage in the decider.

The reigning champion began to show some form in the third set, hitting two-dart checkouts of 92 and 96 in extending his advantage to 3-0.

Barneveld broke throw immediately at the beginning of the fourth set and appeared to be coasting towards victory, but Clark leveled up, breaking back to win his first leg in five.

Clark then took the next leg to lead, but van Barneveld hit a 63 checkout in the fourth leg.

He then had an opportunity of a 170 checkout but missed the bullseye, and missed five further darts for the match before Clark stepped in on double 16 to stay alive

The opening two legs of the fifth set where shared, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear, and romped to the finishing line, hitting three maximums in two legs and sealing victory with an 11-dart finish.

“I was 3-0 up but got a bit lucky in the first two sets,” added the Dutchman. “I’m pleased to get through and it’s a different day against Kevin.

“He’s playing well and that’s good to see. I’m really focused and I’ll have to fight for my life against him.”

Wednesday 26th December 2007 (6 x Second Round)
4pm: Barrie Bates 4-3 Erwin Extercatte
5.20pm: Kevin Painter 4-0 Chris Mason
6.40pm: Kirk Shepherd 4-3 Mick McGowan
8pm: Adrian Lewis 4-2 Vincent van der Voort
9.20pm: John Part 4-1 Mensur Suljovic
10.40pm: James Wade v Steve Beaton

BARRIE BATES 4-3 ERWIN EXTERCATTE
(2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1)

BARRIE BATES came through a final-set thriller to edge out Erwin Extercatte in the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Both players where excellent on their finishing throughout a tight contest as the tournament resumed at Alexandra Palace, but it was the Welshman who held his nerve to reach the last 16 of the event for the first time in his career.

The Dutchman started off well, landing checkouts of 88 and 97 to take a 2-0 lead in the opening set.

Bates hit back to level up, despite Extercatte having opportunities to win the set in both legs.

Both players had chances to win the set, Extercatte missing a dart for the bullseye for a 170 checkout, returning to land double four for the lead.

Bates came back in the second set, breaking throw at the start of the set and then hitting a 106 checkout to double the lead.

Despite Extercatte hitting a 14-dart leg in the third, Bates hit double top in the next to level the match.

The opening two legs of the third set where shared, Extercatte hitting a 121 checkout, Bates hitting back with a 15-dart leg.

The Welshman then took the lead for the match with an 86 finish, but the Dutchman quickly levelled to take the set to a deciding leg.

Bates kept up his clinical finishing with a two-dart 96 checkout to take a 2-1 lead.

Extercatte began the fourth set in superb fashion with 15 and 13 dart checkouts, but Bates once again hit back to level up the set with his opponent waiting on 40 on both occasions.

But Extercatte went on to level up the match once again with a 119 checkout.

Bates regained the lead by taking the fifth set without reply as the Dutchman – who began the tournament in the preliminary round – missing a number of opportunities at doubles.

But Extercatte came back again, taking three legs on the spin to take the contest into a deciding set.

The opening two legs of the final set where shared, Bates then took a 2-1 advantage, landing double eight for a 15-dart leg.

Both players had chances to take the fourth leg, but it was Bates who landed double ten to win the match.

KEVIN PAINTER 4-0 CHRIS MASON
(3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)

KEVIN PAINTER powered into the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-0 win over Chris Mason at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Painter, the 2004 runner-up, produced another classy display to march into round three and maintain his record of not dropping a set so far in the tournament.

He kicked off the game in superb fasion, recovering from losing the opening leg to take the next three, including a 137 finish, in lifting his average to 109 in winning the first set.

Mason punished a string of misses from Painter to also lead in set two, although two double 16 finishes put the number 15 seed back in frony.

Painter missed the same bed for the set, with Mason taking out double eight before the Stoke-based thrower was left sat waiting on double top to level the contest when Painter hit the same bed to double his lead.

The third set followed a similar pattern to the first, with Mason leading before Painter took the next three legs – including a 13-darter – to move 3-0 up.

Painter hit finishes of 112 and 125 at the start of set four to move close to victory, with Mason stepping in after two missed darts for the win to stay in the contest.

However, his respite was short-lived and Painter took advantage of a missed double top from his opponent to seal the win.

KIRK SHEPHERD 4-3 MICK McGOWAN
(2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 1-3, 5-3)

KIRK SHEPHERD won his second final-set encounter in succession to reach the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The 22-year old qualifier, who beat number four seed Terry Jenkins in the first round, was once again on the brink of defeat when McGowan had four darts for the match.

But the Irishman failed to take his chances, and Shepherd stepped in to set up a third round date with Barrie Bates on Friday.

“It was similar to the first round,” he said. “He had darts to beat me and there must be someone looking down on me because I’ve ridden my luck again.

“Mick came back brilliantly, he took two sets where I was on a double to win it and that showed his class.

“When I got my chance towards the end I took it, and thankfully I won. Maybe both games I should have gone out, but you need a bit of luck in anything you do.”

The beginning of the match was a story of Shepherd’s missed doubles, as he hit only two out of 18 attempts in the first set as McGowan made him pay, landing double top to take the lead.

The youngster from Ramsgate came back to take the second set, breaking throw in the third leg and then completed the next leg with a 66 checkout.

Shepherd then went on to take a 2-1 lead in the match, taking advantage of McGowan’s mistakes on missed doubles in the third leg, and then taking the set in the next leg in 13 darts.

The Irishman came back to level the match in the fourth set, which went to a fifth leg, when he landed double top with his last dart with Shepherd waiting on 32.

Both players shared the opening two legs of the fifth set, McGowan then broke throw hitting double eight, Shepherd having missed one dart at double for a 77 checkout.

McGowan then had opportunities to take set but he could not capitalize and Shepherd landed double eight to level up.

Shepherd then managed to hold throw in the deciding leg, hitting double top at the fifth time of asking to take a 3-2 lead.

Shepherd had opportunities to break throw at the start of the sixth set, but missed three attempts at doubles and McGowan made took the leg with a 60 finish.

Shepherd immediately broke back to level with a 76 checkout but McGowan regained the lead and then took the set in the next leg, hitting double top to take the game to a decider.

The opening two legs of the final set where shared before Shepherd took the third leg with a 59 finish to go one away from victory.

McGowan leveled the set, landing double seven with his last dart, and then took a 3-2 lead to break throw.

He then had four chances to win the match, but wasted chances at double top and double ten, with Shepherd managing to grasp the lifeline and keep the match alive.

It proved to be a setback that the Irishman could not recover from, and Shepherd took the seventh leg to go ahead and then hit his seventh maximum of the match followed by a 43 finish to take victory.

Shepherd – a black belt in Karate – now meets Barrie Bates for a place in the quarter-finals, and he admits he is loving his first taste of the big stage.

“It’s brilliant,” he added. “I’ve had a lot of support and I love it.

“It doesn’t affect me – I thrive off seeing more people out there.

“It’s very new to me and I still can’t believe what’s happening – it’s like a dream.

“I used to fight in front of a lot of people doing Karate and it helps me on stage. It’s coming naturally and has been a big help in settling down up there.

“I’ve played Barrie once, it was 3-2 to him and I had two darts to beat him, but he’s a very good player and it will be another tough test for me.”

McGowan admitted: “I had loads of chances and I didn’t take them. I got punished and it was just what I deserved at the end.

“I got here a bit late and didn’t like that. I booked a taxi to pick me up from Gatwick after going back to Ireland for Christmas. That was an hour late and then got stuck in traffic and I didn’t prepare properly in that sense.

“I didn’t play well throughout but I got presented with a chance to win. I wanted to put it away and get off the stage to prepare for my next match.

“But you have to put the double away and I didn’t do that.”

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-2 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
(3-1, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 0-3, 3-2)

ADRIAN LEWIS booked his place in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-2 defeat of Vincent van der Voort.

The Stoke youngster produced an impressive display to see off a fine challenge from the Dutchman.

Van der Voort averaged over 96 and matched Lewis blow for blow during the contest, only for a mature display of finishing to see the 22-year-old home.

Lewis included a ten-darter in coming from a leg down to win the game’s first set 3-1.

Van der Voort also led in set two before legs of 13, 15 and 13 darts saw Lewis storm to the set to double his advantage.

The Dutchman landed two maximums and a 12-darter in winning set three 3-1 before again seeing Lewis come from behind in set four.

A 14-darter put van der Voort in front, but a missed double 18 for a 156 finish in the second leg allowed Lewis back in.

He took out double eight to level and then hit double eight and double ten for the set and a 3-1 lead.

Van der Voort raised his game superbly to stay in the match, taking set five in style with legs of 12, 12 and 13 darters without his opponent reaching a double.

The duo traded legs in the next, with a 12-darter putting Lewis 2-1 up only for van der Voort to keep himself in the game when the Englishman missed double 12 for the game.

But Lewis made no mistake in the decider, defying a seventh 180 of the match from his opponent to land double eight for the win.

“I played his game rather than my own,” said Lewis, who was not totally happy with his performance.

“I followed him too much and it didn’t happen for me today, but I got through.

“I never felt under pressure and was pretty comfortable up there. I’d probably rather feel under pressure to be honest, but I’m just happy to be through.

“I’m just looking forward to my next game and I’ll be a lot better than this in that. I’ve got a lot of improvement in me.”

JOHN PART 4-1 MENSUR SULJOVIC
(3-2, 3-0, 0-3, 3-0, 3-0)

JOHN PART put in a classy performance to end the challenge of Mensur Suljovic in the second round of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Suljovic, who defeated Andy Smith in round one, put in a spirited effort only the experience of the two-time World Champion to be a big factor in the outcome of the match.

The Canadian produced the highest average of the tournament so far, at 99.06, to book his place in the last 16, where he meets either Andy Hamilton or Alex Roy.

Part had opportunities to stamp his authority from the start, but missed double five for a 95 finish and Suljovic stepped in landing double top to take the opening leg.

The Canadian came back to take the next two legs and then had opportunities to take the set in the fourth leg, but he missed three darts at double top and Suljovic hit a 55 checkout to keep the opening set alive.

Suljovic had left himself 32 to take the opening set but Part showed true champion qualities by landing a 115 finish to take the set.

Part took the second set comfortably, breaking the throw in the second leg and then landing double four in the next for a 2-0 lead.

However, the German qualifier refused to be intimidated by his opponent and took the third set without reply, hitting three maximums in the opening two legs.

But the Canadian took charge of the match from then on, winning six consecutive legs to power to the win.

He hit a brilliant 121 checkout to open the fourth set, despite Suljovic hitting his sixth 180 of the game.

Part then landed a 54 finish to take the second leg and wrapped up the set on double ten to take a 3-1 lead.

Part broke throw at the start of the fifth set and then doubled his advantage with a 12-dart leg.

He landed his sixth maximum of the match in the third leg and then hit double 18 to complete victory.

“Mensur played very well,” said Part. “I had a few slip-ups and he punished me at times, and I needed to save myself in that first set with a nice finish.

“I needed to respond at times. He had three 180s where I responded with a 180 and I don’t know what effect it had on him, but I know inside my I felt good, strong and powerful that I answered him.

“I’m a two-time World Champion but when you’ve got a guy bullying you like that you have to respond.”

Part overcame South African star Charles Losper in round one before seeing off the German Darts Corporation number one.

“He’s a fantastic player and I have to tip my hat to the systems that brought Charles and Mensur through here,” added Part.

“Something has worked, they got the right players and they were both a credit to themselves and their country.”
22 Dec 2007, 21:11

2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship – Day Six Reports
REPORTS, results and reaction from Saturday’s second round games at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The second round begins with six matches at Alexandra Palace before the Christmas break.
Saturday 22nd December 2007 (6 x Second Round)
1pm: Andy Jenkins 0-4 Alan Tabern
2.20pm: Jan van der Rassel 4-1 Denis Ovens
3.40pm: Peter Manley 4-1 Alan Warriner-Little

7pm: Roland Scholten 4-2 Mervyn King
8.20pm: Phil Taylor 4-3 Mark Walsh
9.40pm: Wayne Mardle 4-1 Jamie Caven

ALAN TABERN 4-0 ANDY JENKINS
(3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 3-2)

ALAN TABERN secured a place in the last 16 of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-0 victory over Andy Jenkins.

The Portsmouth man, who reached the semi-finals 12 months ago, never really settled during the match and Tabern took full advantage with some clinical finishing.

The man from St Helens dominated through, taking ten consecutive legs to establish a firm grip in the game.

Jenkins started well, with an 84 finish to break throw in the opening leg, but Tabern hit back by taking the next three legs, winning the set with a 15-dart leg.

The St Helens star produced excellent two-dart checkouts of 84 and 100 in the second set to take a 2-0 lead.

Jenkins had no answer and Tabern also took the next set without reply, breaking throw in the second leg with a 13-darter.

Tabern opened up a 1-0 lead in the fourth set, but Jenkins hit back to record his first leg since the beginning of the match.

He then held throw to take the lead and had two darts for the set, but he failed with both and Tabern landed double four to level up.

Tabern missed five darts for match, but Jenkins himself missed seven darts at double eight to stay in the contest and Tabern held his nerve to take victory.

“I’m pleased to have reached the last 16 and I can enjoy Christmas now,” said Tabern, who faces Phil Taylor or Mark Walsh next.

“Andy didn’t play like he can play, because if he did it would not have been 4-0.

“I knew he was struggling and it was just a case of taking each leg at a time and not taking my foot off the gas.

“I feel for him because I’ve been in that position; I had a disastrous UK Open when I lost 11-3 to Steve Hine and I always remember that feeling.”

JAN VAN DER RASSEL 4-1 DENIS OVENS
(3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)

HOLLAND’S Jan van der Rassel produced a sensational display to book his place in round three of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-1 win over Denis Ovens.

The PDPA Qualifier saw off Colin Lloyd in round one and added another big name to his list of scalps with an impressive display.

He edged the game’s first set 3-2 with a 101 finish, with a 100 checkout from Ovens not enough as he went down in the deciding leg.

Van der Rassel defied an eye problem to double his advantage winning the second set 3-1, including a superb 14-darter to break the throw in leg three.

The first four legs of the third set also went with the throw, with a 13-darter from Ovens seeing him level.

But the experienced thrower from Hertfordshire was unable to reach the double despite a 180 in the decider, and van der Rassel landed double eight to move three sets up.

Ovens led 2-0 in the next before van der Rassel hit back to level and move to within a leg of victory.

He was delayed in celebrating, with a 15-darter seeing Ovens get his first set.

A 99 finish saw Ovens level in the next, but van der Rassel took out 76 to lead 2-1 and the wrapped up victory on double top.

“I’m very happy,” said van der Rassel. “It was a very hard match, Denis is a great player and he never gives up.

“I had to keep going and hold my throw and it was good enough.

“In the first set, I got a hair or and eyelash in my eye and I couldn’t see for a few legs. I washed it with water in one of the breaks and managed to get my sight back.”

Van der Rassel now meets Peter Manley or Alan Warriner-Little in the last 16, the first time he has reached that stage in the World Championship.

He added: “I’m driving back to Holland, I have a ferry later on Saturday so I can go back and spend Christmas with my children.”

PETER MANLEY 4-1 ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE
(3-1, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)

PETER MANLEY booked his place in the third round of the PDC Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship, overcoming the challenge of Alan Warriner-Little.

The three-time runner-up got out of the blocks quickly in the battle of the Cambrian-based stars, hitting consecutive 14-dart finishes to establish a 2-0 lead in the opening set.

Warriner-Little took the next, despite Manley having a dart at double top for the set, but he made no mistake in the next, landing double 18 for a 1-0 lead.

Manley then doubled his advantage despite the former World Grand Prix champion having three opportunities to level the match.

Warriner-Little put that behind him and hit a 15-dart leg to begin the fourth, but Manley hit back quickly to level up the set.

Warriner-Little then took a 2-1 lead, completing a 56 finish and then took the set, eventually landing double one, after both players had missed earlier opportunities to take the leg.

The final leg of the fourth set proved to be vital leg in the contest when Manley produced a showpiece 96 checkout, hitting single 20, double 18, double 20, to take a 3-1 lead, after the Lancastrian miscounted earlier in the leg when trying to set up a finish.

Warriner-Little never recovered from this error and Manley broke at the start of the fifth set, followed by a 14-dart finish to take a 2-0 lead.

He then landed his favourite double top to complete victory and set up a last 16 date with Jan van der Rassel.

“Alan and myself are good friends and it was a hard game to play,” admitted Manley. “It’s sad but someone had to win.

“I was probably the more relaxed player and it showed in the end – he outscored me but I hit my doubles when it mattered.

“Whoever wins between me and Jan now has a great chance of reaching the semi-finals. I’ll be going back to Carlisle over Christmas and getting plenty of practice in my log cabin.”

ROLAND SCHOLTEN 4-2 MERVYN KING
(3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2)

ROLAND SCHOLTEN came through a high quality encounter against Mervyn King 4-2 in the second round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The match was evenly poised at 2-2 but Scholten managed to keep his composure and hit the winning shots when it counted over a tense final two sets.

The Dutchman started off well to open up a 2-0 lead in the first set, but King hit back in the next.

He hit back-to-back 180s at the beginning of the third leg to give himself the opportunity of a nine-dart finish, which went wayward at the seventh dart, although King went on take the leg to reduce the deficit.

He then levelled the set with an 81 checkout, finishing on the bullseyebefore Scholten took advantage of throwing first in the decider to take first blood.

King took the opening leg of the second set and then made Scholten pay for missed doubles in legs two and three, to level up the match.

King opened the third set with a superb 170 checkout and then landed double six to go 2-0 up.

Former UK Open champion Scholten took the next leg, despite a fourth maximum of the game from King.

King had opportunities to take the third set in the fourth leg, but failed to take his chances and Scholten stepped in to take the set to a deciding leg.

He then landed a clinical two-dart 98 checkout to go 2-1 up.

The fourth set was a tight affair that also went to a fifth leg, but King had the throw and managed to level, landing double one, after missing a number of doubles.

Scholten held throw at the start of the fifth, despite King having a dart at the bullseye to take the leg, and then took a 2-0 advantage when he converted a 76 finish.

He then had a shot at the bull for a 111 checkout for the set, but was off-target and King stepped in to keep the set alive.

Scholten took the next leg, with the help of his fifth maximum, to take the lead for the third time in the match.

King started the sixth set in excellent fashion, landing an 84 checkout for an 11-dart finish.

Scholten took the second leg, but King converted another ton plus finish, this time recording a 136 checkout, for a 2-1 lead.

King then had a dart at tops to take out a 117 finish which have taken the game to a deciding set, but he failed to take it and Scholten landed double ten to level up.

King had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg but his normal high scoring deserted him and Scholten took out a 14-dart finish to claim an excellent win.

“Mervyn’s such a good player that you don’t want to meet him this early in a tournament, so I’m so pleased to have beaten him,” said Scholten.

“He never gave in no matter how much I pressured him but I got him in that final set.

“It will hold me in good stead now for the rest of the tournament, although I feel good anyway. I’m practising three or four hours a day and running three times a week.”

PHIL TAYLOR 4-3 MARK WALSH
(0-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-0)

PHIL TAYLOR made another remarkable comeback to edge out Mark Walsh 4-3 and book his place in the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The 13-time World Champion had to come from behind in his first round clash against Michael van Gerwen, and had to produce another Great Escape to see off Walsh.

Taylor trailed 3-2 after five sets of an enthralling contest, before showing his champion qualities to find an extra gear and take six straight legs for the win.

Taylor now meets Alan Tabern on Thursday in the third round, and admits that he will need to improve if he is to claim another World Championship.

“I don’t feel 100 percent right and I don’t know why,” said Taylor. “I’ve got to get on the practice board and put it right because I won’t win this title if I don’t.

“I was vulnerable but it’s not easy winning a World Championship and you have to fight hard.”

Taylor was left shell-shocked when Walsh took an early 2-1 lead, winning both the first and third sets without reply,

Taylor had edged the second thanks to a 13-darter in the decider, and a fine fourth set – which saw him land legs of 13, 14 and 15 darts – saw him level.

He had a chance to move in front for the first time after taking the fifth set to a decider, but a missed double 16 allowed Walsh back to land double top for a 3-2 lead.

Taylor regained his range on that most trusted of doubles to win five successive legs and move to the brink of victory in the seventh set, before taking out 95 on double five to seal the win.

“It was a strange game,” he added. “I was trying everything and changing things – I changed my shirt and some of the shots I was making, anything I could.”

Walsh admitted: “I’m gutted with the result.

“When I was 3-2 up in sets I thought I had a really good chance to beat Phil and I was happy with my first five sets.

“He wasn’t on top form and it was now or never for me, but unfortunately in the last two sets I wasn’t in it at all.

“I kept on throwing high, perhaps I was trying too hard but that I really enjoyed it, and to take the best darts player in the world to the final set is unbelievable.”

Taylor has now been eased from 11/8 to 5/4 with sponsors Ladbrokes.com to win the title. Defending champion Raymond van Barneveld is 10/3, with James Wade coming in to 7/2 and Adrian Lewis priced at 9/1.

WAYNE MARDLE 4-1 JAMIE CAVEN
(1-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2)

WAYNE MARDLE came from a set down against Jamie Caven to set up a third round clash against Roland Scholten at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Caven, who enjoyed a 3-0 victory against Wes Newton in the first round, started well before Mardle found his stride.

Mardle had the advantage of throw at the start but his opponent broke immediately, hitting double 11.

Caven then doubled his lead, making Mardle pay for three missed darts at doubles.

The Leicester man then had a chance to win the set in the third leg, but missed the bull for a 130 finish and Mardle landed double four to get himself into the contest.

Mardle hit his first maximum of the game in the next leg, but missed more doubles and Caven took the set on double nine.

The man from Romford won the first leg of the second set and then produced a 15-dart leg to double his advantage.

He went to level up the match in the next leg landing double 18, despite both players having difficulties once again trying to land the winning double.

The four-time World Championship semi-finalist then started to find his range, hitting a 141 checkout at the start of the third and then followed that with a 13-dart leg to take the set and lead for the first time in the match.

Mardle established a 2-0 lead in the fourth set, but Caven stemmed the tide temporarily, taking his first leg in eight, which included his only maximum of the match.

But Mardle took a 3-1 lead in the contest, hitting his third 13-dart finish in five legs.

The opening two legs of the fifth set where shared, both players hitting 76 checkouts, before Caven took a 2-1 lead in the set, landing double four.

Caven had one dart to take the set in the next, but missed the bullseye for a 108 finish and Mardle hit double 16 to level up.

Mardle then wrapped up victory in the deciding leg, landing double top to complete victory.

“I started slowly for the second game running but was fine after that,” said Mardle, who came from behind against Ray Carver in round one.

“Maybe I’m worried when I get up there but when I get into my flow I’m fine.

“I had three 13-darters in the middle of the game and hopefully I can produce that more consistently – if I can I could win this tournament, and in parts I felt like I could beat anyone tonight.

“Jamie’s done really well and I’m pleased for him. I’ve known him for years and he’s a fantastic player and a person.”

Mardle meets Scholten in the third round next Thursday, and he added: “I’m good friends with Roland and it’s going to be a great game.

“I’ve a good record against him, although he gave me a tonking in the World Matchplay this year, although I played quite well on that day and can live with that!”
2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship – Day Five Reports

REPORTS, results and reaction from Friday’s first round action at the 2008
Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship, courtesy Dave Allen from
Planetdarts.tv. The final eight first round games take place at Alexandra
Palace with four matches in the afternoon, and four games in the evening
session.

2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship
First Round
Alan Warriner-Little 3-1 Shi Yongsheng
Colin Osborne 1-3 Erwin Extercatte
Andy Smith 2-3 Mensur Suljovic
Steve Beaton 3-0 Steve Evans
Evening Session (7pm start)
Ronnie Baxter 3-2 Dan Olson
James Wade 3-0 Steve MacArthur
John Part 3-1 Charles Losper
Mark Dudbridge 3-1 Steve Hine

ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE 3-1 SHI YONGSHENG
(3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)

ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE overcame a scare from China’s Shi Yongsheng to progress
to round two at the 2008 Ladrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Yongsheng left the former World Grand Prix champion stunned by taking the
second set of their contest and also leading in the third, before the
experienced Englishman pulled through for the win.

“I’ve never been so nervous in all the years I’ve been playing,” admitted
Warriner-Little.

Shi Yongsheng – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship”I’ve had so
many first round defeats in TV tournaments recently and I didn’t know what
to expect from Shi.

“Everyone expected me to win it but it was hard. He won the second set, but
I came strong in the end and you can settle down after your first match.”

The Lancastrian started strongly, taking the opening set without reply.

The Chinese number one had opportunities to win the opening leg of the
second set, but made too many errors and Warriner-Little made him pay,
landing double top.

Yongsheng then started to make his mark in the contest landing double nine
to win his first leg of the match and then taking the lead with an 84
finish.

Warriner-Little levelled the set, hitting tops for an 80 checkout, but
missed two darts at double sixteen to extend his advantage and the Chinese
player stepped for the set.

Yongsheng then broke the throw at the start of the fourth hitting a superb
119 finish to take the lead for the first time in the match, but
Warriner-Little broke back immediately to level up.

He then took the lead, and won the set landing a 60 checkout, to regain the
lead.

Warriner-Little then took control at the start of the fourth set, hitting a
12-dart leg and then a two-dart 66 checkout to one leg away from victory.

Yongsheng managed to pull one leg back but Warriner-Little took the fourth
with a 108 checkout to win the match and book a second round clash against
Peter Manley on Saturday afternoon.

ERWIN EXTERCATTE 3-1 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)

COLIN OSBORNE was sent crashing out of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts
Championship by Dutch youngster Erwin Extercatte.

The Dutchman, a 4-1 outsider before the match, defied ten maximums from
Osborne to continue his march in the event, having whitewashed Kiwi Alan
Bolton in the preliminary round.

Osborne, a quarter-finalist last year, was in superb scoring form during the
match, but was unable to produce the doubles when it mattered most.

Erwin Extercatte – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipThe
opening two legs were shared and Osborne then took the lead with a fantastic
12-dart finish, which included two maximums.

He then had opportunities to take the first set in the fourth leg but paid
for missed doubles as Extercatte levelled and then held his throw to take
the lead.

Osborne won the second set without reply from his opponent, despite
Extercatte having opportunities in all three legs.

The Derby thrower took the lead at the start of the third set and then
doubled his advantage completing a 56 finish.

However, Extercatte came back to level the set with a 75 finish and then hit
a two-dart 68 checkout to regain the lead.

Both players hit big finishes at the start of the fourth set. Osborne, a 144
to win the first leg and Extercatte a 147 in the second.

The Dutchman then took the lead to go one leg away from the match and made
Osborne pay for more missed doubles to land an 85 finish to claim a superb
victory.

MENSUR SULJOVIC 3-2 ANDY SMITH
(3-2, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-1)

AUSTRIAN qualifier Mensur Suljovic stunned Andy Smith to move into round two
of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The GDC number one showed his class with a gritty display to come from
behind and move into the last 32.

Mensur Suljovic – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipHe came
from 2-1 down to win the first set in a decider, and also led 1-0 in the
second set before Smith took three successive legs to square the game.

The third set went with the throw to see Smith take the set 3-2 and move 2-1
up in the game, punishing Suljovic missed doubles in two legs.

The fourth also went all the way to a decider, with Smith then missed darts
for victory in the final leg as Suljovic landed top to stay in the contest.

A classy 15-darter put him in front in the fifth set, and he crucially made
Smith pay for missed doubles to extend his lead.

Smith kept himself in the game when Suljovic was off-target on double top
for the win, but the newcomer produced two maximums in the next before
securing his place in the last 32.

STEVE BEATON 3-0 STEVE EVANS
(3-0, 3-1, 3-0)

STEVE BEATON enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory over debutant Steve Evans in
the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Beaton did not play to his best, but his opponent had a nightmare day on the
doubles to allow the former World Champion easy passage into the last 32.

Beaton started the match well, hitting a maximum in the first leg and then
landing double six to break throw immediately.

He then punished Evans for missed doubles in legs two and three to take the
first set without reply.

Beaton then opened up a 2-0 lead in the second set, hitting a maximum in
both legs.

The Welshman hit back to break the throw in the third leg, but Beaton landed
an 82 finish in the next with Evans waiting on 40 to double his lead.

The third set proved to be nightmare for Evans, missing sixteen attempts at
doubles and Beaton took advantage of the Welshman’s mistakes to take his
place in the second round.

RONNIE BAXTER 3-2 DAN OLSON
(3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 4-2)

RONNIE BAXTER overcame the Canadian challenge of Dan Olson in another
final-set thriller at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The Lancastrian went ahead twice during the match, but was pegged back by
the plucky Canadian, who put in an impressive display on his World
Championship debut.

Olson started superbly with a 180 in the opening leg, but it was Baxter who
took the lead with a 118 finish.

He then went on to take the first set without reply, hitting a 104 checkout
to clinch it 3-0.

Olson hit a 120 checkout to start of the second set and then took a 2-1 lead
when he landed double eight.

Both came close to completing big finishes in the fourth leg but it was the
Canadian who levelled up, hitting double four.

The opening two legs of the third set where shared before Baxter stepped up
a gear to claim the set, hitting a two-dart 74 checkout and a 13-dart finish
in the fourth to regain his lead.

Olson missed two darts to take the opener to the fourth set, and Baxter made
the Canadian pay to break the throw, then taking the next leg to claim a
fourth straight leg.

However, Olson came back to win the next three to take the contest to a
decider, despite Baxter having three darts for the match.

The Canadian continued his good run to take the opening leg of the final set
and then hit a maximum in the second, but he could not capitalise and Baxter
levelled up.

Baxter then took the next leg to establish a 2-1 advantage but Olson hit
back, landing double 16 to extend the match.

But Baxter’s experience proved crucial and he took the next two legs in 15,
and 16 darts to book a place in the next round.

JAMES WADE 3-0 STEVE MacARTHUR
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1)

JAMES WADE powered past Steve MacArthur to book his second round berth at
the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

The World Number Three was in fine fettle to begin his bid for a third
successive Sky Sports-televised major title, following his World Matchplay
and World Grand Prix successes this year.

He overcame a rocky start, with Australian star MacArthur missing four darts
to win the first leg before being given little chance in the remainder of
the contest.

Wade stepped in on double ten to win the opener, and then took the next four
on double top, including a 120 finish, to take the first set and a 2-0 lead
in the second.

Wade’s superior scoring even allowed him the opportunity to miscount in the
next and still return to land double four for a two-set lead.

Scores of 170 and 136 set up finishes for Wade in the next two before
MacArthur finally got off the mark, taking out double eight to save the
match as the Englishman waited on 40.

But Wade wasted little more time in setting up a second round clash with
Steve Beaton by landing his favoured double top to seal the win.

“It’s the opening game and you’re always nervous – you just want to get the
win under your belt and I can have a good Christmas now,” said Wade.

“It’s a massive event and the one everyone wants to win. It’s brilliant.”

Wade also revealed he will be practising on Christmas Day to stay focused on
his title bid.

“I’ve heard Phil Taylor talking about doing it for years and I can see what
he means because you have to do if you’re going to be that successful,”
added Wade.

“It’s a case of enjoying your Christmas dinner, having a drink and then
getting on the practice board.”

JOHN PART 3-1 CHARLES LOSPER
(3-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)

JOHN PART came through a close encounter with South African Charles Losper
to reach round two at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Losper, the Emperors Palace South African Open winner who appeared in the
Grand Slam of Darts last month, put in an excellent performance against the
two-time World Champion.

The first set proved to be a close affair, with each leg going the way of
throw, Part landing double ten in the decider to take the lead.

The Canadian missed chances to break the throw at the start of the second
set and Losper hit double eight to take the leg.

The next three legs where shared, meaning that the second set also went to
the deciding leg.

Part created an opportunity to give himself a 2-0 lead, but failed to
convert and the South African hit double top to level up.

Part opened up a 2-0 lead at the start of third set, but Losper won the next
leg, which included a maximum.

Part closed out the third set to take a 2-1 lead, landing a two-dart 64
checkout, with his opponent waiting on 80.

The Canadian started well in the fourth set, hitting a 116 checkout to break
the throw and then followed that with a 62 finish to move one leg away from
victory.

But Losper hit back, landing a 94 checkout in the third leg and then
levelling up the set after Part missed five opportunities to win the match.

Part put that disappointment behind and hit scores of 180 and 140 in the
fifth leg, followed by double eight to end the South Africans hopes.

“It was a really good game,” said Part. “He represented himself well and is
a very good dart player.

“He showed experience and took advantage so many times. I always had the
edge, I wasn’t playing and stroked a few 140s and the odd 180, and was
mostly hitting my finishes.

“I was a little nervous because I knew he was playing well and capitalising
if I missed. It was a great first round test for me I can relax over
Christmas now.

“I’m staying over in London, I play again on Boxing Day so I’ll see a few
films, have some time on the practice board and enjoy Christmas Dinner!”

Losper said: “I’m proud of myself. I didn’t think I would perform as well as
I did, especially against a former World Champion.

“I think I did pretty well under the circumstances and I kept up with him
with the scoring.

“The Grand Slam was an eye-opener for me but I was amazed when I got here
and saw the set-up – we’re not used to anything like this in South Africa,
it’s tremendous.

“When I got back from the Grand Slam I practised for two or three hours a
day when I wasn’t working, and it shows I’ve improved a lot since then.

“Hopefully I will have a good year and I’ll definitely be back!”

MARK DUDBRIDGE 3-1 STEVE HINE
(3-1, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)

MARK DUDBRIDGE defeated qualifier Steve Hine 3-1 in the first round of the
2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Dudbridge lived up to his Flash nickname with flashes of his talent during
the course of the match.

The man from Bristol took the first two legs of the contest, despite Hine
having a dart in each to complete big checkouts.

Dudbridge missed an opportunity to wrap up the set in the next leg and Hine
cashed in, landing double top.

The 2005 finalist made no mistake in the next, converting a 90 checkout to
take a 1-0 lead.

The opening two legs where shared at the start of the second, then Dudbridge
took a 2-1 advantage with a fantastic 11-dart finish to break the throw.

However, the Coventry man immediately broke back to level the set and
stepped in, after Dudbridge missed a dart for a 71 finish, to take the set.

Hine then missed a series of doubles in the third set, allowing Dudbridge to
open a 2-0 lead before double ten gave him the set and a 2-1 lead.

Mark Dudbridge – 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts ChampionshipDudbridge
took the first two legs of the fourth set, to go one away from victory, but
Hine put in an 11-dart finish of his own to reduce the deficit with a 100
finish.

Both players missed opportunities to win the fourth leg, but it was
Dudbridge who held his nerve to land double ten and book a place in the
second round, where he will face Ronnie Baxter.

“It wasn’t easy at all and there were a lot of occasions when Steve missed a
few doubles,” said Dudbridge.

“It was the last game of the first round and I’ve seen a lot of seeds go
out. I was the favourite and I know what Steve can do, so I was nervous.

“I checked out really well in the first set but hit some good shots when I
needed to.”

Dudbridge has enjoyed mixed fortunes in recent years, but is confident he
can enjoy a successful World Championship.

“There is belief there and I know what I can do,” he said. “Sometimes it
does get frustrating but I’ve proved I can do it at the top level and that I
can beat the best players.

“That was a tough match for me because I was expected to win, it was a
fantastic new venue but I felt comfortable on the oche and had no problems.

“Doubles has been my problem for the past few years but I was checking out
well, so I’m happy.”

21 Dec 2007, 14:15

PDC Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships
Match Reports by Kevin Berlyn
Live From Alexandra Palace London

Steve Macarthur(AUS) Vs James Wade (GBR)

The 1st Set was one way traffic for James Wade.

Steve Started the first leg well with 2 x 100,s and 140 but 1st leg went to wade with a D10 checkout
2nd leg was all Wade with a 41 peg
3rd leg went much the same with Wade taking it for a clean sweep 3-0

Averages after 1st set Wade 92.02 Macarthur 77.63

James Wade had the walk in the 2nd set and opened with 140 and also a 120 peg to go up 1-0.
He also took the 2nd and 3rd legs without reply from The General to take a comfortable 2 Sets to nil lead.

Averages after 2nd set Wade 89.29 Macarthur 77.38

Macca started the 3rd set positively opening with 100 but consistent scoring from Wade saw him to the double first by hitting 170 to leave 40.
It was all Wade in the 2nd leg with the bright lights and crowd definitely a new experience for Macarthur with his average dropping below 77.00
Wade took the leg with a 10 Checkout.

Macca got on the board with a D8 Checkout in the 3rd leg of the 3rd set and opened the next leg well with consecutive 100,s but it was Wade who sealed the match with a 40 peg to take the match comfortably.

Final Averages 89.82 Wade Macarthur 75.66

Wade will now meet Steve Beaton in the 2nd round.Congratulations to Steve Macarthur for being a great ambassador to Australian Darts

PDC Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championships

Match Reports by Dartplayers Australia

Live From Alexandra Palace London

Alan Bolton vs Erwin Exercatte

Preliminary Game

Best of 9 Legs

Final Score 5-0 Exercatte

Erwen Exercatte whitewashed NZ,s Alan Bolton 5-0 in the Preliminary round of the Ladbrokes.com PDC world Darts championships held at Londons Alexandra Palace.This game would see the winner enter the main draw where they would meet Colin Osbourne.The game winner would also win an extra 1500 Pounds Prize purse by entering the main Draw

Bolton the New Zealand Singles qualifier clearly found the bright lights and huge stage in the ally pally west hall tough to handle.He eventually found his feet in the last leg of the game however the damage had already been done by the dutchman.

Averages

Alan Bolton (NZ) 60.38 Erwen Exercatte (NED) 63.15

Warren Parry vs Alex Roy

Best 5 Sets

Warren Parry met Alex Roy at Alexandra Palace this morning.UK bookmakers had Warren Parry listed as the early favourite however an inform Alex Roy was always going to be a tough oppositionn.

Roy started well taking the first leg in 15 darts after Wazza missed a dart at double top.

The 2nd leg was better for parry landing his first maximum and narrowly missing Double 8 on a 96 checkout but stepping up to peg 8 to level at 1-1

3rd leg was a great start for parry opening with 140 but alex roy stepped up to hit his 1st maximum of the game but it was roy to the double first hitting Double 10 for a 2-1 lead.

Wazza opened with consecutive 140s in the 4th leg and also backed it up with a great score of 91.He narrowly missed a 25 peg but Roy Stepped in to take the first set with a 52 pegout.

Set Score 1-0 Alex Roy.Averages for the first set Roy 76.69 Parry 75.24.

A slow start by Wazza in the 1st leg of the and set saw roy take the lead with consecutive 140,s and a 32 pegout totake a 1-0 lead.

Wazza opened the 2nd leg of the 2nd set with consecutive 100,s that saw him to the double first and peg 48 to level at 1-1.

the 3rd leg was all Roy landing his 2nd maximum and take the leg in 11 darts.

Parry started well in the 4th with scores of 140,100,85 and 81 and 55.He hit double top with his 1st dart at a double to level at 2-2

the 5th leg went to Parry in 14 darts to take the set and level at 1 set all.

Averages for the game after the 2nd set Roy 84.81 and Parry 80.01.

Parry had the walk in the 3rd set and started well with 43 and consecutive 140,s and 138 to be at the double first.

He missed 3 clear darts at 40 but made no mistake on his next walk to peg 20.1-0 Parry.

2nd leg wazza opened with 99,83,47,60 but it was roy to the double first taking out tops to level at 1-1

Parry started well again in the 3rd with 3 consecutive 100,s and a score of 139 to leave 62.He then hit 22 to leave tops.He then made no mistake on double tops.

Parry started slowly in the 4th with 83,58,60,100,128 but it was ro to the double first taking out D13 to level at 2-2

Wazza Started strongly with 140 which pit roy on edge but it was PArry to the Double first leaving 40 with a score of 98.He made no mistake to go 2 sets to 1 up.

Averages 82 Wazza 84 Roy at the end of the 3rd set.

Roy took the first leg of the 4th set with a 95 checkout.The game hotted up in the 2nd with the pair trading 4 consecutive 140,s.roy took the 2nd with a 24 checkout to lead 2-0.Wazzstepped in to have a shot at 41 but missed and Roy made no mistake hitting D8 to level at 2 sets all.

Parry opened with 100 in the 1st leg of the 5th but consistent scoring from roy saw him take it with a 72 pegout.

Roy also stepped up to take the 2nd leg and take a 2-0 lead in the 5th set.PArry needed to step up to save the match which he did by taking a 91 peg in 2 darts to grab a leg.Score 2-1 down.he stepped upto take the 4th leg with a brilliant 72 peg 16,16 Tops.2-2 and the match needed to be won by 2 clear legs.Parry took the next leg to see roy hit back with the next 2 to go up 4-3.

A brilliant leg from Parry saw him throw a 14 darter 4 legs all.

A strong leg saw him take a leads of more than 200 and a leave of 32 but roy hit back with a strong finish to take the lead 5-4.PArry toiled hard but it was

Roy’s game in the end landing D6 for the victory to move into the 2nd round.

Final Score 3-2

Averages Parry 83.73 Roy 85.26

Congratulations to Parry on an outstanding game

---

The results of the World Darts Championships held @ the Circus Tavern Purfleet, 18th Dec 2006 ~ 1st Jan 2007 in which Warren French (Frog) represented New Zealand.

Ladbrookes.com World Darts Championship
First Round
Monday 18 December	Tuesday 19 December	Wednesday 20 December
Afternoon Session	Afternoon Session	Afternoon Session
Ronnie Baxter 2-3 Adrian Gray	Mark Walsh 0-3 Rico Vonck	Wayne Jones 3-0 Ian Branks
Steve Maish 2-3 Wynand	Barrie Bates 2-3 Brian Cyr	Lionel Sams 1-3 Dave Ladley
Terry Jenkins 3-1 Mark Lawrence	Bob Anderson 1-3 Darren Webster	Colin Monk 0-3 Per Laursen
Matt Clark 1-3 Mick McCowan	Denis Ovens 3-0 Steve Smith	Andy Hamilton 3-0 Gary welding
Evening Session	Evening Session	Evening Session
Chris Mason 3-0 Wayne Atwood	Alan Warriner-Little 0-3 Alan Tabern	Steve Beaton 3-0 Convery
John Part 3-2 Alan Green	Colin Lloyd 3-0 Tomas Seyler	Dennis Priestley 3-0 Josephus
Phil Taylor 3-0 Anton Pein	Raymond van Barneveld 3-0 Mitchell Clegg	Wayne Mardle 2-3 Alan Caves
Peter Manley 3-0 Dave Jowett	Adrian Lewis 3-0 Anthony Fleet	James Wade 3-1 Warren French
Thursday 21 December	Friday 22 Decmber	Boxing Day
Afternoon Session	Second Round Best of 7 Sets	Second Round Best of 7 Sets
	12 pm Start	6 pm Start
Dave Askew 3-2 Martin Burchell	Rico Vonck 4-2 Brian Cyr	Denis Ovens 3-4 Alan Tabern
Wes Newton 3-0 Tetsuya Wada	Adrian Lewis 4-3 Wayne Jones	Mark Dudbridge 3-4 Andy Hamilton
Andy Jenkins 3-1 Bill Davis	Terry Jenkins 4-3 Steve Beaton	Phil Taylor 4-1 Mick McGowan
		Alan Caves 2-4 Dave Askew
Evening Session	6pm Start
Mark Dudbridge 3-1 John Kuczynski	Peter Manley 3-4 Wynand Havenga
Roland Scholten 3-0 Ron Miller	Chris Mason 4-2 John Part
Kevin Painter 1-3 Colin Osborne	Colin Lloyd 3-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Alex Roy 3-0 Richie Burnett	Adrian Gray 1-4 Darren Webster
Wednesday 27 December	Thursday 28 December	Friday 29 December
Second Round Best of 7 Sets	Third Round	Quarter Finals Best of 9 sets
12pm Start	12pm Start	1pm Start
James Wade 4-3 Dave Ladley	Wynand Havenga 2-4 Darren Webster	Andy Jenkins 5-4 Colin Osborne
Dennis Priestley 4-3 Per Laursen	Roland Scholten 2-4 Colin Osborne	Terry Jenkins 4-5 Andy Hamilton
Colin Osborne 4-2 Wes Newton	Adrian Lewis 3-4 Andy Jenkins
6pm Start	7pm Start	7pm Start
Andy Jenkins 4-2 Andy Smith	Terry Jenkins 4-3 James Wade	Raymond van Barneveld 5-0 Alan Tabern
Roland Scholten 4-3 Alex Roy	Phil Taylor 4-0 Chris Mason	Phil Taylor 5-1 Darren Webster
	Dennis Priestly 1-4 Andy Hamilton
Third Round
Raymond van Barneveld 4-0 Rico Vonck
Dave Askew 3-4 Alan Tabern
Saturday 30 December	Monday 1 January 07
Semi Finals Best of 11 sets	Final Best of 13 sets
Raymond van Barneveld 6-0 Andy Jenkins	Raymond van Barneveld 7-6 Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor 6-0 Andy Hamilton