REPORTS from Monday's second day of play at the 2008 Stan James World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The tournament continues with two sessions on Monday, with four games in the afternoon followed by four more in the evening.
Follow the action in DartsTV, with a free live scoreboard accompanied by live audio commentary and video highlights.
Click here to visit DartsTV
Tickets are still available for the Stan James World Matchplay, visit the Winter Gardens Box Office for more details or call 0844 856 1111.
Stan James World Matchplay
Monday
1pm Start
Dennis Priestley 10-8 Adrian Gray
Kevin Painter 8-10 Tony Eccles
Roland Scholten 4-10 Matt Clark
Terry Jenkins 10-6 Alex Roy
7pm Start
John Part 10-3 Chris Mason
Adrian Lewis 8-10 Kevin McDine
Phil Taylor 10-6 Steve Beaton
Raymond van Barneveld 11-9 Mark Frost
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 10-8 ADRIAN GRAY
DENNIS PRIESTLEY showed his resilience with a superb comeback to edge out Adrian Gray 10-8 at the Stan James World Matchplay.
The two-time World Champion needed to draw on his two decades of experience at the top level to battle back from an 8-5 deficit.
Priestley and Gray were locked for the first half of the game, with a break of throw for the veteran to take a 4-2 lead matched by the Sussex youngster as he pulled level.
Gray then broke throw for a second time in leg nine to lead for the first time in the match, and double 16 put the 27-year-old into a 6-4 lead after winning four straight legs.
Priestley replied in leg 11 on double ten, but missed the bullseye to square the match as double top put Gray 7-5 up.
He landed a second 180 of the game on his way to a three-leg cushion, but the 27-year-old saw his chance to move a leg away from the win slip away when Priestley took out double eight to break Gray's throw.
Gray also hit another maximum in the next, but a 121 finish this time saw Priestley cut back to 8-7.
A missed double eight for a 136 finish cost Gray in leg 16, with Priestley hitting double top to level and then the same bed to lead again at 9-8, with the youngster waiting on a finish.
It was Priestley who landed a killer 180 in the next, giving him the breathing space to miss two match darts before returning for double four to progress to the last 16.
"I made it hard for myself," said Priestley. "It didn't quite work out as I wanted it to but I showed a bit of tenacity.
"As soon as I relaxed I was okay and I won five legs on the trot in the end.
"It's probably as good as any comeback I've had in 15 years at Blackpool, and I'm delighted to be through."
Match Stats
TONY ECCLES 10-8 KEVIN PAINTER
TONY ECCLES held off a Kevin Painter fightback to celebrate his Stan James World Matchplay debut with a 10-8 win at the Winter Gardens.
The Hartlepool-based qualifier gained revenge for defeats to Painter in the UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic with a gritty display.
He took a 7-3 lead before Painter hit back to level, and then took advantage of misses from the 2004 World Championship runner-up to book his place in the last 16.
Painter started well to lead 2-1, but Eccles replied with an 11-darter and then broke throw with a brilliant 157 checkout.
Three missed doubles from Painter allowed Eccles in to lead 4-2, although the Daventry-based star landed a 174 on his way to winning leg seven.
Eccles hit back with a fourth maximum of the game to open leg eight, and he took three legs in a row to move clear at 7-3.
Painter finally found his range to spark to life after the break, hitting a 180 in winning leg 11 and three double top finishes to take four legs in a row and pull level.
He also gave himself a chance to lead, but three missed doubles, at double 12 and double six, cost him when Eccles produced a 106 checkout.
Painter hit back to level at eight-all with a 13-darter, but once again paid for missed doubles as Eccles moved 9-8 up on double eight before sealing the win on double 16.
"I saw the winning post too early and at 7-3 up you think you've got the job done," admitted Eccles. "The job isn't done until you hit that winning double and it's something I have to learn.
"Kevin played well in the second half of the game and I was getting a little nervy. I panicked a bit.
"It was a brilliant atmosphere though. It's the first time I've played in Blackpool and I felt comfortable on that stage.
"The crowd helped me through in the end and I didn't want to let them down. It was a battle and I'm over the moon to have come through it."
Eccles' form has been hampered recently by a torn tendon in his arm, and he added: "I've had a bad arm injury and touch wood it will last the tournament.
"I pulled it a bit more in Las Vegas lifting a suitcase, but I've been playing well in the last couple of weeks and I'm looking to keep that going."
Match Stats
TERRY JENKINS 10-6 ALEX ROY
TERRY JENKINS bounced back into top form to defeat Alex Roy 10-6 in the first round of the Stan James World Matchplay.
The 2007 Winter Gardens runner-up has enjoyed a disappointing year so far in the major tournaments, but a return to the Blackpool stage saw him produce arguably his best performance since a Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts win over Phil Taylor in February.
He took out three ton-plus finishes in a high-quality display, with four successive legs at the end of the contest seeing him take victory.
Roy kicked off the match with a 116 finish to take the first leg, but Jenkins replied with three in a row, including a 13-darter and a spectacular 160 checkout to bring the Blackpool crowd to its feet.
Roy hit back to win three of the next four, starting with a 14-darter and also including a 105 checkout, to level at 4-4 before Jenkins nudged himself back in front.
Roy levelled on double eight before a 120 finish put Jenkins 6-5 up.
A fine 13-darter saw Roy square matters at six-all before Jenkins found another fear, hitting a 180 in moving 7-6 up, breaking the throw with a 14-darter and then taking out 127 for a 9-6 lead.
Roy battled bravely and landed a second maximum of the game to stay in touch in the next leg, but missed darts at double eight and double four allowed Jenkins back in to seal victory on double top.
"It's not been my year so far but the Premier League tired me out a lot," admitted Jenkins. "I've recovered from that now and I've had good practice going into this event.
"That showed today and I'm going into competitions hungry for success.
"Alex is a very under-estimated player who's been playing well recently. He's beaten me the last two times we've played when I've played well, and I knew it would be tough.
"He played well today, had a couple of ton-plus finishes and that shows the quality of player he is."
Jenkins meets Dennis Priestley in round two on Wednesday, having been defeated by the veteran in last Saturday's Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship in Blackpool.
"I owe him one for that!" said Jenkins. "Dennis is playing well at the moment but I feel I can beat him and hopefully I'll produce the performance to do that."
Match Stats
JOHN PART 10-3 CHRIS MASON
JOHN PART produced a clinical demolition of Chris Mason to book his place in round two of the Stan James World Matchplay with a 10-3 victory at the Winter Gardens.
The Canadian failed to reach the heights which took him to a third World Championship title in January, but remained far too strong for Mason as he moved into the last 16.
Mason, who was hampered throughout by an elbow problem which will require surgery, never found his range, and was never going to recover after Part took a 4-0 lead early on.
The Canadian opened the match with a 120 'Shanghai' finish, and secured two breaks of throw with Mason sat on a double.
Mason got off the mark in leg five on double ten, and further Part missed doubles allowed him to halve the deficit to 4-2.
But Part ruthlessly won the next three with Mason waiting on a finish, including a 91 finish before a 78 checkout, finishing on the bullseye, put him 8-2 up.
Double top moved Part a leg away from victory before Mason produced his best leg of the match, with three ton-plus scores followed by a 115 finish for a 12-darter.
But it was not enough to save him from defeat, with Part too strong in the next to book his round two place.
"I'm pleased to be through that," said Part. "Chris struggled and it was nothing like our games have been in the past.
"It was easier than I thought it would be in a way, but sometimes when it's easier you play mind games with yourself and lose focus, and luckily I got through it.
"Sometimes a guy can catch a run where they come back at you and I was also wary of that. But when it came down to the finishes I knew what I had to do and did it, and I took some good shots out."
Part followed up his participation in the Las Vegas Desert Classic recently by playing in the World Series of Poker, where he reached the second stage before being eliminated well short of challenging for the $9million first prize.
"I'm going to have to have a good World Matchplay to pay the bills!" said Part. "It all comes down to losing at poker and I've got to win at darts if I can't win at poker, and someone has to pay the price."
Match Stats
KEVIN McDINE 10-8 ADRIAN LEWIS
KEVIN McDINE made a sensational Stan James World Matchplay debut with a 10-8 comeback victory over Adrian Lewis at the Winter Gardens.
The 23-year-old found himself 4-1 down in a battle of two of the sport's top young talents, but supported his growing reputation with a classy comeback to see off Lewis.
Lewis had been a semi-finalist last year, but was left ruing a below-par display as McDine finished the stronger.
The Stoke youngster included a 116 finish and a crucial break of throw in leg four, after McDine missed five darts at a double, in taking an early 4-1 lead.
McDine hit back on double top, and a 171 score in next set up a break of throw on double 18 before he landed double eight to level.
The next four legs went with the throw before a 121 finish from McDine saw him secure another break to lead for the first time at 7-6.
A crucial double five from Lewis saw him break back immediately, after McDine missed three darts at a double.
The next two legs also went against the throw, and a double top finish saw McDine move 9-8 up and a leg away from the win.
Lewis set up a finish in the next, leaving 24 to send the game into extra time, with two clear legs needed for victory, but a clinical two-dart 74 finish propelled McDine into round two.
"It's still a blur to me but I'm over the moon," said McDine. "It felt great for me on stage but to be 4-1 down and win is amazing.
"I said I'd have to average over 100 to beat Adrian and to finish with a 96 average is very pleasing."
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 10-6 STEVE BEATON
PHIL TAYLOR survived a scare from Steve Beaton before beginning his challenge for a ninth Stan James World Matchplay title with a 10-6 win at the Winter Gardens last night.
The 13-time World Champion looked set to cruise to victory when he took a 3-1 lead, only for Beaton to battle back and provide nervous moments for Taylor at 4-3 and 5-4.
However, Taylor pulled clear to move into the second round, where he will meet Colin Osborne on Tuesday night.
Beaton opened the match with a 180 and added a second maximum in the opening leg - only for four missed doubles to allow Taylor to take the lead.
Taylor doubled his advantage on double 16, but a 180 was not enough in the next as Beaton got off the mark with a double 16 finish of his own.
The two traded 180s in the next, With Taylor taking out double four to lead 3-1 only for Beaton to power home a 152 checkout.
Although Taylor took leg six, Beaton produced a 121 finish for a 12-darter to pull back to 4-3.
The next two legs were shared to leave Taylor - who was 125/1 on with the bookmakers to win the match - sweating with just a 5-4 cushion.
However, legs of 14, 15 and 13 darts from the eight-time World Matchplay champion pulled him out to 8-4 before Beaton finished 95 on the bullseye to reduce the gap.
Beaton also remained in the game at 9-6 with a double seven finish, but a 174 score from Taylor - his fourth of 174 or 177 in the game - pulled him clear before his favoured double 16 saw him complete the win.
"I didn't take Steve lightly and that's why I played so well," said Taylor, who averaged 103.5 in the win.
"Winning the first leg against the darts helped me but Steve never gave in and was brilliant. I put him under pressure and he missed a few doubles, but it was a fantastic game.
"I'm a bit like Manchester United or Chelsea I think, people raise their game against me and Steve did that, but I'll come out all guns blazing against Colin Osborne and that should be a cracker."
Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 11-9 MARK FROST
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD was pushed all the way by qualifier Mark Frost before taking an 11-9 tie break win at the Stan James World Matchplay.
Frost, a scaffolder from Stoke rated at 7/1 to defeat the Dutchman, almost caused one of the greatest upsets in World Matchplay history when he took leads of 6-4 and 9-8 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
However, van Barneveld showed the class of a five-time World Champion to battle back from the brink of defeat to win the final three legs and take victory.
Frost made a fine start on his World Matchplay debut, hitting a 180 in winning the opening leg before van Barneveld won four of the next five to lead 4-2.
Frost hit back with successive 14-darters before making it four straight legs to move 6-4 up.
Van Barneveld, inspired by a 13-darter, hit back with a quartet of his own to edge 8-6 up, but missed doubles cost him the chance of wrapping up the win.
Frost, the underdog roared on by the Blackpool crowd, hit back with a 102 finish and also took out successive 16-darters to move a leg away from an incredible win.
A second 13-darter saw van Barneveld level, before six missed doubles from Frost cost him dear as the Dutchman took a 10-9 lead.
Frost also missed two darts at double top to save the match in the next, with van Barneveld landing double 18 to sneak into the last 16.
"I missed far too many doubles and let myself speed up into Mark's rhythm," said van Barneveld. "Late in the game I got back to my own pace and came through.
"It's not been my year so far, but I put myself under a lot of pressure to succeed and hopefully I can relax a bit more now."
Frost admitted: "It was an incredible experience but I'm gutted.
"Raymond's the number two in the world but it could have gone either way and a few missed doubles at the end cost me."
Match Stats
The tournament continues with two sessions on Monday, with four games in the afternoon followed by four more in the evening.
Follow the action in DartsTV, with a free live scoreboard accompanied by live audio commentary and video highlights.
Click here to visit DartsTV
Tickets are still available for the Stan James World Matchplay, visit the Winter Gardens Box Office for more details or call 0844 856 1111.
Stan James World Matchplay
Monday
1pm Start
Dennis Priestley 10-8 Adrian Gray
Kevin Painter 8-10 Tony Eccles
Roland Scholten 4-10 Matt Clark
Terry Jenkins 10-6 Alex Roy
7pm Start
John Part 10-3 Chris Mason
Adrian Lewis 8-10 Kevin McDine
Phil Taylor 10-6 Steve Beaton
Raymond van Barneveld 11-9 Mark Frost
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 10-8 ADRIAN GRAY
DENNIS PRIESTLEY showed his resilience with a superb comeback to edge out Adrian Gray 10-8 at the Stan James World Matchplay.
The two-time World Champion needed to draw on his two decades of experience at the top level to battle back from an 8-5 deficit.
Priestley and Gray were locked for the first half of the game, with a break of throw for the veteran to take a 4-2 lead matched by the Sussex youngster as he pulled level.
Gray then broke throw for a second time in leg nine to lead for the first time in the match, and double 16 put the 27-year-old into a 6-4 lead after winning four straight legs.
Priestley replied in leg 11 on double ten, but missed the bullseye to square the match as double top put Gray 7-5 up.
He landed a second 180 of the game on his way to a three-leg cushion, but the 27-year-old saw his chance to move a leg away from the win slip away when Priestley took out double eight to break Gray's throw.
Gray also hit another maximum in the next, but a 121 finish this time saw Priestley cut back to 8-7.
A missed double eight for a 136 finish cost Gray in leg 16, with Priestley hitting double top to level and then the same bed to lead again at 9-8, with the youngster waiting on a finish.
It was Priestley who landed a killer 180 in the next, giving him the breathing space to miss two match darts before returning for double four to progress to the last 16.
"I made it hard for myself," said Priestley. "It didn't quite work out as I wanted it to but I showed a bit of tenacity.
"As soon as I relaxed I was okay and I won five legs on the trot in the end.
"It's probably as good as any comeback I've had in 15 years at Blackpool, and I'm delighted to be through."
Match Stats
|
Dennis Priestley |
10-8 |
Adrian Gray |
|
25 |
100+ |
23 |
|
12 |
140+ |
7 |
|
2 |
180 |
3 |
|
29.15 |
Ave1 |
28.21 |
|
87.46 |
Ave3 |
84.63 |
|
121 |
High Finish |
81 |
|
4 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
TONY ECCLES 10-8 KEVIN PAINTER
TONY ECCLES held off a Kevin Painter fightback to celebrate his Stan James World Matchplay debut with a 10-8 win at the Winter Gardens.
The Hartlepool-based qualifier gained revenge for defeats to Painter in the UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic with a gritty display.
He took a 7-3 lead before Painter hit back to level, and then took advantage of misses from the 2004 World Championship runner-up to book his place in the last 16.
Painter started well to lead 2-1, but Eccles replied with an 11-darter and then broke throw with a brilliant 157 checkout.
Three missed doubles from Painter allowed Eccles in to lead 4-2, although the Daventry-based star landed a 174 on his way to winning leg seven.
Eccles hit back with a fourth maximum of the game to open leg eight, and he took three legs in a row to move clear at 7-3.
Painter finally found his range to spark to life after the break, hitting a 180 in winning leg 11 and three double top finishes to take four legs in a row and pull level.
He also gave himself a chance to lead, but three missed doubles, at double 12 and double six, cost him when Eccles produced a 106 checkout.
Painter hit back to level at eight-all with a 13-darter, but once again paid for missed doubles as Eccles moved 9-8 up on double eight before sealing the win on double 16.
"I saw the winning post too early and at 7-3 up you think you've got the job done," admitted Eccles. "The job isn't done until you hit that winning double and it's something I have to learn.
"Kevin played well in the second half of the game and I was getting a little nervy. I panicked a bit.
"It was a brilliant atmosphere though. It's the first time I've played in Blackpool and I felt comfortable on that stage.
"The crowd helped me through in the end and I didn't want to let them down. It was a battle and I'm over the moon to have come through it."
Eccles' form has been hampered recently by a torn tendon in his arm, and he added: "I've had a bad arm injury and touch wood it will last the tournament.
"I pulled it a bit more in Las Vegas lifting a suitcase, but I've been playing well in the last couple of weeks and I'm looking to keep that going."
Match Stats
|
Kevin Painter |
8-10 |
Tony Eccles |
|
26 |
100+ |
26 |
|
10 |
140+ |
6 |
|
2 |
180 |
4 |
|
28.86 |
Ave1 |
29.58 |
|
86.57 |
Ave3 |
88.73 |
|
76 |
High Finish |
157,106 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
4 |
MATT CLARK 10-4 ROLAND SCHOLTEN
MATT CLARK gained his first Stan James World Matchplay victory with a 10-4 romp against Roland Scholten at the Winter Gardens.
Clark has been a first round loser on his two previous visits to Blackpool, including a loss to Scholten in 2005, but avenged that with a stylish display.
Scholten opened well to lead 2-1, but struggled to produce his trademark high-scoring, with Clark levelling and then pulling clear.
Double four saw him break to lead 3-2, and he also won the next three legs, including some clinical finishing on double top, to take a 6-2 cushion.
Scholten landed double 18 to hit back, but a two-dart 74 finish saw Clark restore a four-leg cushion, which was further extended on double top.
Two missed darts at double 16 allowed Clark to move a leg away from victory, although he missed two darts for the match in the next as Scholten hit double ten to stay in the match.
But Clark kicked off the next leg with a maximum, and sealed his second round place on double five.
"Years ago, someone said I'd win the World Championship on double five because it's always been a good double for me, and that was a lovely one to win this match," said Clark.
"I always try to leave double top and that was handy for me too in this match.
"Roland didn't really turn up, but I owed him one anyway because he's beaten me in close games at the World Championship and here in Blackpool before."
Match Stats
|
Roland Scholten |
4-10 |
Matt Clark |
|
26 |
100+ |
17 |
|
10 |
140+ |
6 |
|
1 |
180 |
3 |
|
30.19 |
Ave1 |
30.25 |
|
90.56 |
Ave3 |
90.75 |
|
113 |
High Finish |
74 |
|
0 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
TERRY JENKINS 10-6 ALEX ROY
TERRY JENKINS bounced back into top form to defeat Alex Roy 10-6 in the first round of the Stan James World Matchplay.
The 2007 Winter Gardens runner-up has enjoyed a disappointing year so far in the major tournaments, but a return to the Blackpool stage saw him produce arguably his best performance since a Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts win over Phil Taylor in February.
He took out three ton-plus finishes in a high-quality display, with four successive legs at the end of the contest seeing him take victory.
Roy kicked off the match with a 116 finish to take the first leg, but Jenkins replied with three in a row, including a 13-darter and a spectacular 160 checkout to bring the Blackpool crowd to its feet.
Roy hit back to win three of the next four, starting with a 14-darter and also including a 105 checkout, to level at 4-4 before Jenkins nudged himself back in front.
Roy levelled on double eight before a 120 finish put Jenkins 6-5 up.
A fine 13-darter saw Roy square matters at six-all before Jenkins found another fear, hitting a 180 in moving 7-6 up, breaking the throw with a 14-darter and then taking out 127 for a 9-6 lead.
Roy battled bravely and landed a second maximum of the game to stay in touch in the next leg, but missed darts at double eight and double four allowed Jenkins back in to seal victory on double top.
"It's not been my year so far but the Premier League tired me out a lot," admitted Jenkins. "I've recovered from that now and I've had good practice going into this event.
"That showed today and I'm going into competitions hungry for success.
"Alex is a very under-estimated player who's been playing well recently. He's beaten me the last two times we've played when I've played well, and I knew it would be tough.
"He played well today, had a couple of ton-plus finishes and that shows the quality of player he is."
Jenkins meets Dennis Priestley in round two on Wednesday, having been defeated by the veteran in last Saturday's Bobby Bourn Memorial Players Championship in Blackpool.
"I owe him one for that!" said Jenkins. "Dennis is playing well at the moment but I feel I can beat him and hopefully I'll produce the performance to do that."
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
10-6 |
Alex Roy |
|
25 |
100+ |
27 |
|
11 |
140+ |
13 |
|
4 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.83 |
Ave1 |
30.44 |
|
92.48 |
Ave3 |
91.32 |
|
160,127,120 |
High Finish |
116,105 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
JOHN PART 10-3 CHRIS MASON
JOHN PART produced a clinical demolition of Chris Mason to book his place in round two of the Stan James World Matchplay with a 10-3 victory at the Winter Gardens.
The Canadian failed to reach the heights which took him to a third World Championship title in January, but remained far too strong for Mason as he moved into the last 16.
Mason, who was hampered throughout by an elbow problem which will require surgery, never found his range, and was never going to recover after Part took a 4-0 lead early on.
The Canadian opened the match with a 120 'Shanghai' finish, and secured two breaks of throw with Mason sat on a double.
Mason got off the mark in leg five on double ten, and further Part missed doubles allowed him to halve the deficit to 4-2.
But Part ruthlessly won the next three with Mason waiting on a finish, including a 91 finish before a 78 checkout, finishing on the bullseye, put him 8-2 up.
Double top moved Part a leg away from victory before Mason produced his best leg of the match, with three ton-plus scores followed by a 115 finish for a 12-darter.
But it was not enough to save him from defeat, with Part too strong in the next to book his round two place.
"I'm pleased to be through that," said Part. "Chris struggled and it was nothing like our games have been in the past.
"It was easier than I thought it would be in a way, but sometimes when it's easier you play mind games with yourself and lose focus, and luckily I got through it.
"Sometimes a guy can catch a run where they come back at you and I was also wary of that. But when it came down to the finishes I knew what I had to do and did it, and I took some good shots out."
Part followed up his participation in the Las Vegas Desert Classic recently by playing in the World Series of Poker, where he reached the second stage before being eliminated well short of challenging for the $9million first prize.
"I'm going to have to have a good World Matchplay to pay the bills!" said Part. "It all comes down to losing at poker and I've got to win at darts if I can't win at poker, and someone has to pay the price."
Match Stats
|
John Part |
10-3 |
Chris Mason |
|
11 |
100+ |
26 |
|
9 |
140+ |
3 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
28.41 |
Ave1 |
27.32 |
|
85.24 |
Ave3 |
81.97 |
|
120 |
High Finish |
115 |
|
4 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
KEVIN McDINE 10-8 ADRIAN LEWIS
KEVIN McDINE made a sensational Stan James World Matchplay debut with a 10-8 comeback victory over Adrian Lewis at the Winter Gardens.
The 23-year-old found himself 4-1 down in a battle of two of the sport's top young talents, but supported his growing reputation with a classy comeback to see off Lewis.
Lewis had been a semi-finalist last year, but was left ruing a below-par display as McDine finished the stronger.
The Stoke youngster included a 116 finish and a crucial break of throw in leg four, after McDine missed five darts at a double, in taking an early 4-1 lead.
McDine hit back on double top, and a 171 score in next set up a break of throw on double 18 before he landed double eight to level.
The next four legs went with the throw before a 121 finish from McDine saw him secure another break to lead for the first time at 7-6.
A crucial double five from Lewis saw him break back immediately, after McDine missed three darts at a double.
The next two legs also went against the throw, and a double top finish saw McDine move 9-8 up and a leg away from the win.
Lewis set up a finish in the next, leaving 24 to send the game into extra time, with two clear legs needed for victory, but a clinical two-dart 74 finish propelled McDine into round two.
"It's still a blur to me but I'm over the moon," said McDine. "It felt great for me on stage but to be 4-1 down and win is amazing.
"I said I'd have to average over 100 to beat Adrian and to finish with a 96 average is very pleasing."
Match Stats
|
Adrian Lewis |
8-10 |
Kevin McDine |
|
17 |
100+ |
27 |
|
14 |
140+ |
9 |
|
4 |
180 |
3 |
|
30.25 |
Ave1 |
32.01 |
|
90.76 |
Ave3 |
96.02 |
|
116 |
High Finish |
121 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
PHIL TAYLOR 10-6 STEVE BEATON
PHIL TAYLOR survived a scare from Steve Beaton before beginning his challenge for a ninth Stan James World Matchplay title with a 10-6 win at the Winter Gardens last night.
The 13-time World Champion looked set to cruise to victory when he took a 3-1 lead, only for Beaton to battle back and provide nervous moments for Taylor at 4-3 and 5-4.
However, Taylor pulled clear to move into the second round, where he will meet Colin Osborne on Tuesday night.
Beaton opened the match with a 180 and added a second maximum in the opening leg - only for four missed doubles to allow Taylor to take the lead.
Taylor doubled his advantage on double 16, but a 180 was not enough in the next as Beaton got off the mark with a double 16 finish of his own.
The two traded 180s in the next, With Taylor taking out double four to lead 3-1 only for Beaton to power home a 152 checkout.
Although Taylor took leg six, Beaton produced a 121 finish for a 12-darter to pull back to 4-3.
The next two legs were shared to leave Taylor - who was 125/1 on with the bookmakers to win the match - sweating with just a 5-4 cushion.
However, legs of 14, 15 and 13 darts from the eight-time World Matchplay champion pulled him out to 8-4 before Beaton finished 95 on the bullseye to reduce the gap.
Beaton also remained in the game at 9-6 with a double seven finish, but a 174 score from Taylor - his fourth of 174 or 177 in the game - pulled him clear before his favoured double 16 saw him complete the win.
"I didn't take Steve lightly and that's why I played so well," said Taylor, who averaged 103.5 in the win.
"Winning the first leg against the darts helped me but Steve never gave in and was brilliant. I put him under pressure and he missed a few doubles, but it was a fantastic game.
"I'm a bit like Manchester United or Chelsea I think, people raise their game against me and Steve did that, but I'll come out all guns blazing against Colin Osborne and that should be a cracker."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
10-6 |
Steve Beaton |
|
17 |
100+ |
19 |
|
17 |
140+ |
14 |
|
5 |
180 |
4 |
|
34.51 |
Ave1 |
32.64 |
|
103.53 |
Ave3 |
97.91 |
|
84 |
High Finish |
152,121 |
|
2 |
Legs Against Throw |
0 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 11-9 MARK FROST
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD was pushed all the way by qualifier Mark Frost before taking an 11-9 tie break win at the Stan James World Matchplay.
Frost, a scaffolder from Stoke rated at 7/1 to defeat the Dutchman, almost caused one of the greatest upsets in World Matchplay history when he took leads of 6-4 and 9-8 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
However, van Barneveld showed the class of a five-time World Champion to battle back from the brink of defeat to win the final three legs and take victory.
Frost made a fine start on his World Matchplay debut, hitting a 180 in winning the opening leg before van Barneveld won four of the next five to lead 4-2.
Frost hit back with successive 14-darters before making it four straight legs to move 6-4 up.
Van Barneveld, inspired by a 13-darter, hit back with a quartet of his own to edge 8-6 up, but missed doubles cost him the chance of wrapping up the win.
Frost, the underdog roared on by the Blackpool crowd, hit back with a 102 finish and also took out successive 16-darters to move a leg away from an incredible win.
A second 13-darter saw van Barneveld level, before six missed doubles from Frost cost him dear as the Dutchman took a 10-9 lead.
Frost also missed two darts at double top to save the match in the next, with van Barneveld landing double 18 to sneak into the last 16.
"I missed far too many doubles and let myself speed up into Mark's rhythm," said van Barneveld. "Late in the game I got back to my own pace and came through.
"It's not been my year so far, but I put myself under a lot of pressure to succeed and hopefully I can relax a bit more now."
Frost admitted: "It was an incredible experience but I'm gutted.
"Raymond's the number two in the world but it could have gone either way and a few missed doubles at the end cost me."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
11-9 |
Mark Frost |
|
26 |
100+ |
29 |
|
17 |
140+ |
13 |
|
2 |
180 |
2 |
|
29.47 |
Ave1 |
27.39 |
|
88.41 |
Ave3 |
82.17 |
|
76 |
High Finish |
102 |
|
6 |
Legs Against Throw |
5 |