The tournament continues at Alexandra Palace with the first two Preliminary Round games and four more First Round matches in the afternoon, and four games in the evening session.
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2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship
Wednesday 19 December
Preliminary Round
Anthony Forde 5-2 Akihiro Nagakawa
Miloslav Navratil 5-0 Rizal Barellano
First Round
Wes Newton 0-3 Jamie Caven
Denis Ovens 3-0 Colin Monk
Mick McGowan 3-0 Jason Barry
Barrie Bates 3-0 Gerry Convery
Evening Session (7pm Start)
Bob Anderson 2-3 Jason Clark
Terry Jenkins 2-3 Kirk Shepherd
Chris Mason 3-1 Steve Brown
Kevin Painter 3-0 Gary Mawson
Best of five sets, best of five legs per set
ANTHONY FORDE 5-2 AKIHIRO NAGAKAWA
ANTHONY FORDE set up a clash with reiging Ladbrokes.com World Champion Raymond van Barneveld with a 5-2 defeat of Japan's Akihiro Nagakawa in the opening preliminary round game at Alexandra Palace.
The man from Barbados, making his second appearance at the World Championship, settled the quicker and opened a 2-0 advantage before the Japanese number one found his range.
Nagakawa opened his account in the next leg, which included the only maximum of the contest.
The next two legs where shared and Nagakawa had two darts at double eight to level the match, but could not take his opportunity and Forde pounced with a 120 finish.
That proved to be decisive and Forde closed out the match in the next leg, landing double top to win a date with the current World Champion on Thursday evening.
Match Stats
|
Akihiro Nagakawa |
2-5 |
Anthony Forde |
|
9 |
100+ |
11 |
|
1 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
- |
|
22.95 |
Ave1 |
23.28 |
|
68.85 |
Ave3 |
69.83 |
|
40 |
High Finish |
120 |
MILOSLAV NAVRATIL 5-0 RIZAL BARELLANO
MILOSLAV NAVRATIL recorded a whitewash victory over Rizal Barellano in the preliminary round of the 2008 PDC Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The Eastern European qualifier's finishing was sharp, hitting double top on four occasions out of five to establish a 4-0 lead.
Both players missed opportunities in the fifth leg, before Navratil completed victory on double one.
The Czech will now play Andy Jenkins in the first round of the competition on Thursday afternoon.
Match Stats
|
Rizal |
0-5 |
Miloslav Navratil |
|
4 |
100+ |
4 |
|
3 |
140+ |
2 |
|
- |
180 |
1 |
|
22.85 |
Ave1 |
24.32 |
|
68.58 |
Ave3 |
74.96 |
|
- |
High Finish |
61 |
JAMIE CAVEN 3-0 WES NEWTON
(3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
Jamie Caven produced an impressive display with a 3-0 victory over Wes Newton in the first round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Caven battled through 160 players to win his debut on the televised stage, and showed some classy touches in seeing off the world number 25.
He broke Newton's throw at the start of the match, only for the Lancashire man to break back immediately.
The next two legs where shared but Caven produced a 180 in the deciding leg and went on to win it in 15 darts to take the first set.
Caven then took charge of the contest and took the second set without reply, including a 121 finish on the bull for a 12-darter to take the set.
Caven took the fourth set's opener with 14 darts, which also had a 180 from Newton, who stopped the rot to record his first leg in five and level the set.
Caven took the lead again with a 15 darter and then a shot at the bull for a 164 finish which would have given him the match, Newton staying alive by landing double top.
Newton did have an opportunity to take the third set, but missed the bull and Caven stepped in to land double ten to record a debut victory.
"I'm thrilled to bits," said Caven. "I came here to enjoy myself but I think I justified being up there.
"I tried to shut out the fact that I was on TV, but you are aware of the TV cameras and you have to stay focused.
"I know how good I can be and hopefully that will start to show now.
"I've got Wayne Mardle next and he's a good pal, we came through the youth system around the same time and he's given me plenty of advice.
"I've got a lot of respect for him but I'll five him nothing when we get on stage! He is made for the stage and loved it up there, but I'll try and enjoy it. That's the key and hopefully I'll do well again."
Match Stats
|
Wes Newton |
0-3 |
Jamie Caven |
|
14 |
100+ |
16 |
|
11 |
140+ |
11 |
|
2 |
180 |
2 |
|
29.05 |
Ave1 |
29.79 |
|
87.15 |
Ave3 |
89.36 |
|
81 |
High Finish |
121 |
DENIS OVENS 3-0 COLIN MONK
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
DENIS OVENS strolled to a comfortable victory with a whitewash of Colin Monk at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Monk suffered his third straight defeat in the first round PDC World Championship, failing to find any rhythm on the big stage and finishing without a leg to his name.
Ovens - the runner-up earlier this month at the German Darts Championship - made a solid enough opening and took the opening set in 18, 16 and 17 darts.
The Hertfordshire man opened up the second set with a maximum and completed the leg in fifteen darts.
Monk missed five darts at double in the second, and Ovens doubled his advantage in the set, landing double two.
Monk had no answer and Ovens landed double 18 on two occasions in the final set to record a straightforward victory.
Match Stats
|
Denis Ovens |
3-0 |
Colin Monk |
|
19 |
100+ |
4 |
|
4 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
- |
|
28.35 |
Ave1 |
23.16 |
|
84.54 |
Ave3 |
69.48 |
|
80 |
High Finish |
- |
MICK McGOWAN 3-0 JASON BARRY
(3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
MICK McGOWAN won the all-Ireland battle with Jason Barry to move into the second round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
McGowan progressed to round two for the second successive year in straight sets, although he was forced to work hard by Barry.
Barry qualified for the World Grand Prix in October and lives just two miles from McGowan, and furthered his growing reputation with a competitive display.
He eventually paid the price for a slow start, with McGowan taking the first set 3-1, thanks in part to finishes of 120 and 103.
Barry led 2-1 in the second before McGowan took out a crucial double top in leg four, with his opponent sat on tops.
Barry was also waiting on a finish in the decider, with a 168 score leaving double four only for McGowan to scramble home double one with his third dart.
A 13-darter put Barry 2-1 up in set three, before missed doubles for the set allowed McGowan to level.
It was a crucial moment, with McGowan landing two 140s in the next leg to edge in front and land double top for victory.
"I'm pleased to get through that," admitted McGowan. "It was tough and we both fed off each other a bit up there.
"Nobody has played their best game yet so far in this event and that goes for me, but I can improve and hopefully will in the next round.
Barry admitted: "I'm delighted to have played on the biggest stage of all. "It was a great experience and hopefully I will be back next year, I'm sure it will help me on the circuit."
Match Stats
|
Mick McGowan |
3-0 |
Jason Barry |
|
21 |
100+ |
13 |
|
9 |
140+ |
13 |
|
2 |
180 |
1 |
|
28.89 |
Ave1 |
29.25 |
|
86.38 |
Ave3 |
87.75 |
|
120,103 |
High Finish |
64 |
BARRIES BATES 3-0 GERRY CONVERY
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
BARRIE BATES won his first round encounter against Gerry Convery 3-0 at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
The Welshman dominated throughout the match, and his opponent managed to win only one leg during the contest.
Bates started the match confidently by taking the opening leg, and then broke the Canadian's throw after both players had missed opportunities to win the second.
Bates then hit double top again to win the set, much to the delight of his travelling army of fans.
Maximums where hit by both players at the start of the second set, but it was Bates who landed the winning double, to break the throw again.
He then followed that up with finishes of 71, and 100 to take a 2-0 lead.
Bates took the first leg of the third set with a 60 finish, before the Canadian replied with an impressive two dart 82 finish, to finally get himself into the contest.
But the Welshman proved too strong and took the next two legs to record a straight sets victory.
Match Stats
|
Barrie Bates |
3-0 |
Gerry Convery |
|
15 |
100+ |
10 |
|
7 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
27.66 |
Ave1 |
26.50 |
|
82.99 |
Ave3 |
79.50 |
|
100 |
High Finish |
82 |
(3-1, 3-2, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1)
JASON CLARK survived a storming comeback by Bob Anderson to win 3-2 in the first round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Clark condemned the former World Championship to a second successive first round defeat at the tournament, although it was not for want of trying following a fine effort from Anderson.
The 60-year-old produced a stirring display to come from two sets down to level, and he actually led in the decider before Clark produced the final blow.
Clark started the match superbly with a maximum in the first leg and hit an 80 checkout to open his account.
He then doubled his lead, hitting another 180 in the process, before Anderson hit back with a 111 checkout in the third leg.
Clark closed out the set with the help of his third maximum to edge in front.
The 60-year-old started the second set well, breaking the Clark throw, only for the local hero to immediately hit back with a 101 checkout.
Clark then took the lead with a 13-dart leg before Anderson hit back to level, and two 140s at the start of the deciding leg from Clark helped him take the set and go one away from victory.
Clark broke the Anderson throw at the beginning of the third set and appeared to be moving towards victory.
But Anderson stormed back to take next three legs and with it the third set to begin his comeback.
The opening two legs where shared at the beginning of the fourth, but Anderson converted a superb 101 checkout with Clark waiting on a two-dart finish to lead 2-1.
Anderson then made Clark pay for a missed dart at double 16, managing to land double top and send the match all the way into a decider.
Anderson was now on a roll and hit a fantastic 141 finish at the beginning of the fifth and appeared to have a strong grip on the match.
But Clark managed to nick the next two legs to go one leg away from victory after Anderson spurned his chances.
The tension failed to affect Clark and two 140s at the start of the next leg proved to be decisive to help clinch victory.
"I felt like a bit of a tourist - at 2-0 I switched off and started enjoying the view on stage!" said Clark.
"I started well but I thought I'd thrown it away when he got level and went ahead in the final set, but luckily I got another chance and took it.
"Bob's a legend and he's beaten me before, but it was a great game and maybe it was my day."
Anderson said: "I've prepared for three months for this and I was mentally and physically as good as I've ever been going into the game, but Jason was the better man.
"I've no complaints whatsoever, and I wish Jason all the best. When I went 2-0 down I was determined to take the game at least to the final set, and I did that, but it wasn't quite enough."
Match Stats
|
Bob Anderson |
2-3 |
Jason Clark |
|
30 |
100+ |
26 |
|
16 |
140+ |
18 |
|
4 |
180 |
5 |
|
30.36 |
Ave1 |
29.90 |
|
91.07 |
Ave3 |
89.70 |
|
141,111,101 |
High Finish |
101 |
KIRK SHEPHERD 3-2 TERRY JENKINS
(3-2, 0-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
KIRK SHEPHERD caused a major upset in the first round of the 2008 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship, knocking out number four seed Terry Jenkins at Alexandra Palace.
The 21-year-old came back from 2-1 down to reach the second round in a five-set thriller.
Jenkins had seven darts at doubles in the fourth set to clinch the match, but failed to convert and was made to pay for his errors by the PDPA Qualifier.
Shepherd started the match in fine style by taking the opening two legs before Jenkins hit back to level the set.
Shepherd got to the double first in the decider to take the lead, although it would not last.
The man from Herefordshire took a strong grip on the match by winning eight of the next nine legs to establish a 2-1 advantage, as well as a 2-0 lead in the fourth to go one leg away from winning the match.
But Jenkins then could not take the opportunities he had created, with Shepherd capitalising by landing double 18 and double eight to level the set.
Shepherd then took the deciding leg to force another first round contest into a decider. completing the fifth leg in 16 darts.
Jenkins' struggles continued in the final set, missing more doubles in all the three legs of the to allow Shepherd to step in and claim a famous victory.
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
2-3 |
Kirk Shepherd |
|
32 |
100+ |
23 |
|
13 |
140+ |
9 |
|
1 |
180 |
1 |
|
27.87 |
Ave1 |
26.36 |
|
83.62 |
Ave3 |
79.09 |
|
56 |
High Finish |
67 |
CHRIS MASON 3-1 STEVE BROWN
(2-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
CHRIS MASON came from a set down to end Steve Brown's Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship hopes at the first round stage with a 3-1 victory.
Mason looked on course to crash out of the event following a poor opening set, in which he struggled to find his range as the debutant took the lead.
However, Mason found his best form in set two, including a 136 finish, and went on to reel off nine straight legs to seal his place in the last 32.
Mason missed three darts for the opening leg, with Brown stepping in to take the lead and also move 2-0 up.
Brown failed to take his chance for the set in the third leg, allowing Mason to hit back to level before a 67 finish in the decider put the newcomer one up.
Mason kicked off the second set with a 15-darter, and doubled his advantage with a brilliant 136 finish, before levelling the match on double 12.
His confidence seemed to return in an instant, taking the third set without Brown even reaching a double with fine legs of 12, 13 and 14 darts.
An 81 finish, with Brown sat on double top, proved a telling blow in the fourth set's opener, and Mason wasted little more time in sealing the win with two more legs.
"I didn't settle at all and I'd hate to think what my average was in the first set, but from then on I think I looked pretty solid," said Mason.
"Nobody wants to lose before Christmas - and my Christmas would have been absolutely ruined because this means so much to me.
"My whole year has been based around one event, and after that first set I think I showed a lot of things I've never had before.
"That first set was probably the worst I've ever played on television, but I forgot about it. That's an improvement for me."
Mason, who was born in Bristol but is now based in Stoke, has known Brown since the 26-year-old was a schoolboy, and added: "It was a tough match.
"Steve's dad used to own a pub that I once practised in, and he used to come home from school, throw his bag down and practise with me for two hours when he was a teenager.
"He's like a little son of mine and it was tough because I think of him as family.
"It's easy to play someone you dislike and it's very tough to play someone who, if they weren't playing you, you would want to win against anybody."
Match Stats
|
Chris Mason |
3-1 |
Steve Brown |
|
16 |
100+ |
20 |
|
8 |
140+ |
7 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
28.24 |
Ave1 |
25.87 |
|
84.72 |
Ave3 |
77.61 |
|
136 |
High Finish |
67 |
KEVIN PAINTER 3-0 GARY MAWSON
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1)
KEVIN PAINTER produced a fine display against Gary Mawson to romp into round two of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a straight sets victory.
Painter dropped just two legs and ended the match with the highest average of the tournament so far, at 96.45.
Both players were impressive at the beginning of the match, with Mawson recording two maximums but Painter more clinical with his doubles to take the first set 3-1.
Painter was in full flow in the second set, hitting a 101 checkout in the first leg, and the next two without reply to double his lead.
The 2004 runner-up took the first leg of the third set, but Mawson replied with a 96 checkout to level matters.
Mawson had an opportunity to take the lead in the third, but missed tops and Painter landed double eight to take him to the brink of victory.
Painter hit a 180 and 140 in the next leg and then took out double nine to complete a comfortable victory.
"I enjoyed that," said Painter. "I came into the tournament with a bit of form but you never know what's going to happen in the first round.
"It's nice to get through. I played well, hit my doubles and scored well, which is all you can ask for.
"My confidence is up anyway, and as soon as I got on stage the darts started flowing."
Match Stats
|
Kevin Painter |
3-0 |
Gary Mawson |
|
15 |
100+ |
14 |
|
8 |
140+ |
4 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
32.15 |
Ave1 |
27.95 |
|
96.45 |
Ave3 |
83.86 |
|
101 |
High Finish |
96 |