REPORTS from Belfast's Odyssey Arena from night four of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.
The tournament continued across the Irish Sea with four matches on Thursday night - with James Wade becoming the first player to defeat Phil Taylor twice in the Premier League's history.
John Part and Raymond van Barneveld picked up their first wins of this year's event, while Mervyn King remained unbeaten at the head of the table.
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening
Click here for a Photo Gallery
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
JOHN PART 8-1 WAYNE MARDLE
JOHN PART stormed to his first win of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-1 demolition of Wayne Mardle in Belfast.
Part bounced back from two successive defeats with a clinical display to take seven successive legs in wrapping up the two points.
Mardle shared the opening two legs, but paid for a string of missed doubles as the Canadian capitalised.
Mardle had a chance to break throw in the third leg after a 180 pushed him ahead, but a miss at double top allowed Part in on double 18.
The three-time World Champion then broke throw on double four after landing a maximum of his own, and defied a 180 from Mardle to take a 4-1 lead with a key final-dart double five.
Double 18 put Part 5-1 up before missed doubles from Mardle in the next two legs allowed the Canadian to move to the brink of victory.
A missed double 19 from Mardle in leg nine was to be his final chance, with Part completing the win on double eight.
"I'm pretty happy because I really needed to win tonight and I got that," said Part. "Wayne was not himself and I capitalised.
"Nothing worked for him and I know how it feels to be on that side of things, but I benefitted and I can't complain because I needed the two points.
"It was like painting by numbers and I did what I needed to do. I hit doubles and that's what I've been practising.
"I hit a couple of third-dart doubles too. Sure, I had three darts at a double but when you miss the first two because you're over-confident I'm hitting the third because I'm putting a little extra into it.
"That's where my game is really good right now. My practice is working and it showed tonight.
"I can get my scoring up a bit but when push comes to shove it's more about the doubles."
Match Stats
MERVYN KING 8-4 JELLE KLAASEN
MERVYN KING'S flawless start to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts continued with an 8-4 defeat of Jelle Klaasen at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
King completed a fourth successive win in his debut year with a fine display to leave Klaasen without a victory so far in the event.
Klaasen missed the bullseye for a 167 finish in the opening leg, and that set the precedent for a number of costly misses throughout the contest.
Double four put King ahead before the duo traded 180s in the second leg - only for the roles to be reversed when a missed bullseye from the league leader was punished on double ten.
The next two legs were traded before a missed double top from Klaasen was punished by King on double 16, before he took out 116 for the first break of throw and a 4-2 lead.
Klaasen replied with a superb 158 finish, but misses at double 16 in the next two legs saw him slip 6-3 down as King's accuracy on double top paid dividends.
A 114 checkout from Klaasen, on double top, stepped the tide, but back-to-back 180s from King in the next leg set up an 11-darter as he took a 7-4 cushion.
He also began the next with a 180, and took out double nine to secure the victory.
Match Stats
JAMES WADE 8-4 PHIL TAYLOR
JAMES WADE inflicted Phil Taylor's first Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts defeat of 2009 with a superb 8-4 win.
Wade became the first ever player to defeat Taylor in the tournament in week one last year, and repeated the feat with a classy display at Belfast's Odyssey Arena.
The world number two reeled off seven successive legs to claim his first win of the campaign a week ago, and was similarly impressive in week four.
Taylor, who had not been defeated in 26 games since the end of November, crucially missed four darts at the double to level at 3-3, which proved costly in the final outcome.
Taylor won just two of the next six legs as Wade wrapped up the win, which was sealed with a stylish 138 finish.
"James was the better man," admitted Taylor. He held his throw well and I couldn't break back. I missed some doubles but I'll be back."
Wade landed a 180 in setting up a finish in the opening leg, before Taylor replied on double 12 to level.
Taylor landed a maximum of his own in the third, only to miss the bullseye to break throw as double seven edged Wade 2-1 up.
Another 180 helped Taylor to the fourth leg, only for a second missed bullseye to again be punished in the next by a double ten from Wade.
Wade secured the game's first break of throw in the sixth leg, with four missed darts at double top and ten from Taylor allowing him to move two legs clear.
A further miss at double top from Taylor proved costly in the seventh as Wade took out double two, before a 13-darter saw the 14-time World Champion reduce the gap to 5-3.
The duo traded maximums in leg nine before double top put Wade three legs clear once more, with Taylor replying on double 16 before Wade ensured a minimum of a draw with double 12 putting him 7-4 up.
Taylor missed the bullseye to take the next, giving Wade his shot for victory - which he clinically despatched with a 138 checkout on double nine.
"You know when you play Phil what you have to do and I did the job," said Wade. "I'm over the moon with an 8-4 win, it's brilliant.
"If I'd missed the 138 I think he would have come back for a draw.
"It wasn't the start I thought I'd have got but these two games have shown what I can do and I'll hopefully continue my success from here."
Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8-6 TERRY JENKINS
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD claimed his first win of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-6 victory over Terry Jenkins.
Van Barneveld bounced back strongly from his 8-4 loss to James Wade in Coventry with a 108 average to overcome Jenkins at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
The Dutchman opened the game with a 180 but Jenkins found himself 2-0 up after a strong start, taking out 121 on the bullseye to break throw in the second leg,
Van Barneveld included another maximum in hitting back to win the third on double 16, and landed the same bed in levelling in leg four.
Jenkins saw a 180 go to waste in the fifth as a missed double top allowed van Barneveld to hit the same bed and edge in front, although three missed doubles in the next allowed the Ledbury man to level.
A quality 116 finish saw van Barneveld take the seventh, but Jenkins hit maximums in the next two to go 5-4 up.
Van Barneveld snatched back the advantage with three successive legs, including checkouts of 82 and 91, to put himself 7-5 up and ensure a minimum of a point.
Jenkins landed a 180 and a two-dart 76 finish to send the game into a deciding leg, but van Barneveld produced a fifth maximum of the game before sealing a narrow win on double four.
"At 2-0 I thought 'here we go again' but I kept believing in myself," said van Barneveld. "It's a tough competition this year and there are no easy games.
"I'm working hard in Holland, going to the gym every day and it showed because I was hitting my doubles and had a good average of over 105."
Match Stats
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening
Click here for a Photo Gallery
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
The tournament continued across the Irish Sea with four matches on Thursday night - with James Wade becoming the first player to defeat Phil Taylor twice in the Premier League's history.
John Part and Raymond van Barneveld picked up their first wins of this year's event, while Mervyn King remained unbeaten at the head of the table.
Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts
Week Four - Odyssey Arena, Belfast
John Part 8-1 Wayne Mardle
Mervyn King 8-4 Jelle Klaasen
James Wade 8-4 Phil Taylor
Terry Jenkins 6-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Latest Table
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
+/- |
Pts | |
|
Mervyn King |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
+24 |
8 |
|
Phil Taylor |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+6 |
5 |
|
James Wade |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
5 |
|
John Part |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
+1 |
4 |
|
Terry Jenkins |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
-2 |
3 |
|
R v Barneveld |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
-6 |
3 |
|
Wayne Mardle |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
-12 |
3 |
|
Jelle Klaasen |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
-12 |
1 |
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening
Click here for a Photo Gallery
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme
JOHN PART 8-1 WAYNE MARDLE
JOHN PART stormed to his first win of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-1 demolition of Wayne Mardle in Belfast.
Part bounced back from two successive defeats with a clinical display to take seven successive legs in wrapping up the two points.
Mardle shared the opening two legs, but paid for a string of missed doubles as the Canadian capitalised.
Mardle had a chance to break throw in the third leg after a 180 pushed him ahead, but a miss at double top allowed Part in on double 18.
The three-time World Champion then broke throw on double four after landing a maximum of his own, and defied a 180 from Mardle to take a 4-1 lead with a key final-dart double five.
Double 18 put Part 5-1 up before missed doubles from Mardle in the next two legs allowed the Canadian to move to the brink of victory.
A missed double 19 from Mardle in leg nine was to be his final chance, with Part completing the win on double eight.
"I'm pretty happy because I really needed to win tonight and I got that," said Part. "Wayne was not himself and I capitalised.
"Nothing worked for him and I know how it feels to be on that side of things, but I benefitted and I can't complain because I needed the two points.
"It was like painting by numbers and I did what I needed to do. I hit doubles and that's what I've been practising.
"I hit a couple of third-dart doubles too. Sure, I had three darts at a double but when you miss the first two because you're over-confident I'm hitting the third because I'm putting a little extra into it.
"That's where my game is really good right now. My practice is working and it showed tonight.
"I can get my scoring up a bit but when push comes to shove it's more about the doubles."
Match Stats
|
John Part |
8-1 |
Wayne Mardle |
|
12 |
100+ |
10 |
|
4 |
140+ |
5 |
|
1 |
180 |
3 |
|
29.30 |
Ave1 |
29.56 |
|
87.90 |
Ave3 |
88.68 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
0 |
|
54 |
High Finish |
24 |
MERVYN KING 8-4 JELLE KLAASEN
MERVYN KING'S flawless start to the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts continued with an 8-4 defeat of Jelle Klaasen at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
King completed a fourth successive win in his debut year with a fine display to leave Klaasen without a victory so far in the event.
Klaasen missed the bullseye for a 167 finish in the opening leg, and that set the precedent for a number of costly misses throughout the contest.
Double four put King ahead before the duo traded 180s in the second leg - only for the roles to be reversed when a missed bullseye from the league leader was punished on double ten.
The next two legs were traded before a missed double top from Klaasen was punished by King on double 16, before he took out 116 for the first break of throw and a 4-2 lead.
Klaasen replied with a superb 158 finish, but misses at double 16 in the next two legs saw him slip 6-3 down as King's accuracy on double top paid dividends.
A 114 checkout from Klaasen, on double top, stepped the tide, but back-to-back 180s from King in the next leg set up an 11-darter as he took a 7-4 cushion.
He also began the next with a 180, and took out double nine to secure the victory.
Match Stats
|
Mervyn King |
8-4 |
Jelle Klaasen |
|
22 |
100+ |
14 |
|
5 |
140+ |
7 |
|
4 |
180 |
3 |
|
32.54 |
Ave1 |
29.46 |
|
97.61 |
Ave3 |
88.38 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
|
110 |
High Finish |
158,114 |
JAMES WADE 8-4 PHIL TAYLOR
JAMES WADE inflicted Phil Taylor's first Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts defeat of 2009 with a superb 8-4 win.
Wade became the first ever player to defeat Taylor in the tournament in week one last year, and repeated the feat with a classy display at Belfast's Odyssey Arena.
The world number two reeled off seven successive legs to claim his first win of the campaign a week ago, and was similarly impressive in week four.
Taylor, who had not been defeated in 26 games since the end of November, crucially missed four darts at the double to level at 3-3, which proved costly in the final outcome.
Taylor won just two of the next six legs as Wade wrapped up the win, which was sealed with a stylish 138 finish.
"James was the better man," admitted Taylor. He held his throw well and I couldn't break back. I missed some doubles but I'll be back."
Wade landed a 180 in setting up a finish in the opening leg, before Taylor replied on double 12 to level.
Taylor landed a maximum of his own in the third, only to miss the bullseye to break throw as double seven edged Wade 2-1 up.
Another 180 helped Taylor to the fourth leg, only for a second missed bullseye to again be punished in the next by a double ten from Wade.
Wade secured the game's first break of throw in the sixth leg, with four missed darts at double top and ten from Taylor allowing him to move two legs clear.
A further miss at double top from Taylor proved costly in the seventh as Wade took out double two, before a 13-darter saw the 14-time World Champion reduce the gap to 5-3.
The duo traded maximums in leg nine before double top put Wade three legs clear once more, with Taylor replying on double 16 before Wade ensured a minimum of a draw with double 12 putting him 7-4 up.
Taylor missed the bullseye to take the next, giving Wade his shot for victory - which he clinically despatched with a 138 checkout on double nine.
"You know when you play Phil what you have to do and I did the job," said Wade. "I'm over the moon with an 8-4 win, it's brilliant.
"If I'd missed the 138 I think he would have come back for a draw.
"It wasn't the start I thought I'd have got but these two games have shown what I can do and I'll hopefully continue my success from here."
Match Stats
|
James Wade |
8-4 |
Phil Taylor |
|
16 |
100+ |
11 |
|
12 |
140+ |
12 |
|
4 |
180 |
4 |
|
35.12 |
Ave1 |
34.90 |
|
105.35 |
Ave3 |
104.69 |
|
2 |
Legs Against Throw |
0 |
|
138 |
High Finish |
82 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 8-6 TERRY JENKINS
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD claimed his first win of the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-6 victory over Terry Jenkins.
Van Barneveld bounced back strongly from his 8-4 loss to James Wade in Coventry with a 108 average to overcome Jenkins at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
The Dutchman opened the game with a 180 but Jenkins found himself 2-0 up after a strong start, taking out 121 on the bullseye to break throw in the second leg,
Van Barneveld included another maximum in hitting back to win the third on double 16, and landed the same bed in levelling in leg four.
Jenkins saw a 180 go to waste in the fifth as a missed double top allowed van Barneveld to hit the same bed and edge in front, although three missed doubles in the next allowed the Ledbury man to level.
A quality 116 finish saw van Barneveld take the seventh, but Jenkins hit maximums in the next two to go 5-4 up.
Van Barneveld snatched back the advantage with three successive legs, including checkouts of 82 and 91, to put himself 7-5 up and ensure a minimum of a point.
Jenkins landed a 180 and a two-dart 76 finish to send the game into a deciding leg, but van Barneveld produced a fifth maximum of the game before sealing a narrow win on double four.
"At 2-0 I thought 'here we go again' but I kept believing in myself," said van Barneveld. "It's a tough competition this year and there are no easy games.
"I'm working hard in Holland, going to the gym every day and it showed because I was hitting my doubles and had a good average of over 105."
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
6-8 |
Raymond van Barneveld |
|
22 |
100+ |
17 |
|
12 |
140+ |
13 |
|
4 |
180 |
5 |
|
33.90 |
Ave1 |
35.50 |
|
101.71 |
Ave3 |
106.51 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
4 |
|
121 |
High Finish |
116 |
See match highlights in PDCtv from Friday evening
Click here for a Photo Gallery
Click here to purchase the official Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Programme