World Championship - Day Seven

PHIL TAYLOR eased into the third round of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-0 victory over Steve Hine on Sunday evening - with Co Stompe shocking world number five Mervyn King with a 4-2 win earlier in the day.

Taylor is chasing his 15th World title and dropped just two legs in seeing off the baker from Coventry, and will now face Robert Thornton in the first match of the last 16 on Tuesday night.

The Stoke ace averaged 103 and hit six maximums in the match, and followed his local rival Adrian Lewis into the third round - with the prospect of a quarter-final clash between the pair a distinct possibility.

"Adrian has impressed me for a few matches now, and if we play in the last eight I think you're going to see the winner in that one - it's a match that would light the World Championship up," said Taylor.

Stompe, who reached the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace last year, stormed into a two-set lead by winning the first six legs on the trot. King responded by edging the third set but Stompe replied by taking the fourth before missing four darts at tops for the match to allow King back in the game.

But there was to be no great comeback from King as Stompe closed out the sixth set to set up a meeting with Mark Dudbridge after he edged a thrilling seven-set encounter with Alan Tabern in a final set tie-break.

Tabern missed four more darts for the match in the fourth set before Mark levelled to take the match into a tie-break, with the fifth and six legs going with throw. Tabern edged ahead once more but missed a costly sixth dart for the match in the eighth leg which proved decisive, as Dudbridge took three legs on the trot to win the final set 6-4 and advance.

Thornton set up his meeting with Taylor with a 4-1 victory against Jyhan Artut, the German qualifier who knocked Wayne Mardle out in the opening match of the tournament.

The Scot dropped just one leg in taking the first two sets to always be in control and although the Hannover man reduced the deficit by taking the third set, the world number 16 claimed the following two sets to form the latest barrier between Taylor and a 15th World crown.

Kevin McDine whitewashed Barrie Bates in the second match of the afternoon and will face Adrian Lewis in the third round, after the Stoke man held of a spirited comeback from Wes Newton to win 4-2.

McDine, who came back from two-sets down to beat Dennis Priestley in the first round, had little trouble against the Welshman who couldn't replicate his fine performance from the first round where he saw off Jelle Klaasen.

Lewis stormed into a 3-0 lead against Newton and missed a dart for a 4-1 win before finally clinching a high-quality match in the sixth leg. The world number eight followed his 106 average from the first round with a 103 average against the Lancastrian, who had Lewis rocking before the 24 year-old fired five maximums in four legs in the final set to progress.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Sunday December 27
Co Stompe 4-2 Mervyn King
Kevin McDine 4-0 Barrie Bates
Adrian Lewis 4-2 Wes Newton

Mark Dudbridge 4-3 Alan Tabern
Phil Taylor 4-0 Steve Hine
Robert Thornton 4-1 Jyhan Artut
Best of seven sets

CO STOMPE 4-2 MERVYN KING
(3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2)
CO STOMPE produced one the best televised performances of his career to upset Mervyn King with a 4-2 victory at the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Stompe, who reached the quarter-finals of last year's competition, defied eight maximums from his opponent and ended the match with a three-dart average of 99.

Both players started the match superbly hitting 180s with their opening three darts. Stompe won the first leg with an 11-dart finish, which was followed by a 13 darter in the second.

Stompe continued that form by wrapping up the first set in the third leg with a two-dart 100 checkout in a 14-dart finish.

King, who produced an impressive performance to beat Matt Clark in the first round, missed chances to break at the start of the second set and Stompe kept the winning run of legs going.

The Dutchman, who defeated Steve Maish in the first round then hit a two-dart 72 finish in the second leg, followed by an accurate attempt at double top to take a two sets lead.

King finally managed to get his name on the board by winning the opening leg of the third set. But Stompe levelled the set and then broke throw by landing double 20 to win the third.

In the fourth leg Stompe missed a dart at double top to win the set and King hit a vital 119 checkout on the bullseye, to keep the set alive.

Stompe had another opportunity to establish a three sets lead in the deciding leg. But his attempt at the bullseye was off-target and King landed double eight to pinch the set.

Both players hit maximums at the start of the fourth set, but Stompe won the leg by hitting double 10.

King hit another maximum in the second leg, but the end result was the same as Stompe landed double top for a 2-0 lead.

The number five seed missed opportunities to win the third leg and Stompe made his opponent pay by hitting the winning double to regain his two sets advantage.

Stompe punished King once again at the start of the fifth set by winning the first leg after King missed two darts at double 15.

But King hit the bullseye to convert a 124 checkout to level and then won the third leg, which included a maximum.

Stompe won the fourth leg with an accomplished 14-dart finish and was in complete command of the deciding leg to set up victory.

But the Dutchman missed four darts at double top and that allowed King to survive yet again by hitting double 20 to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Stompe put that disappointment behind him by taking out a 94 finish on the bullseye to take the first leg of the sixth leg.

King levelled after Stompe missed the bullseye by the smallest of margins for a 170 checkout.

Stompe won the third leg to go within touching distance of victory before King hit a fantastic 136 checkout with his opponent waiting on a two darter.

In the deciding leg King was unable to hit double 16 with three darts to win the set and Stompe stepped in to hit a pressure two-dart 64 finish to seal a fantastic win.

'I know what Mervyn can do, said Stompe. 'The way he plays in the practice room is unbelievable, but sometimes he can't always bring it on to the stage.

'When I missed those four darts at double top for the match, he came back with some fantastic finishing. But I managed to come through in the end and it feels great.

'If I play like that and take out my double opportunities when they come, I could go all the way.'

Match Stats

Mervyn King	2-4	Co Stompe
30	100+	29
12	140+	19
8	180s	5
31.03	Ave 1	33.29
93.10	Ave 3	99.86
136,124,119	High Finish	100
2	Legs Against Throw	6

KEVIN McDINE 4-0 BARRIE BATES
(3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
KEVIN McDINE reached the third round of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship for the first time with a straight-sets victory over Barrie Bates.

The Welshman was unable to replicate the kind of form he showed to dump out Jelle Klaasen in the opening round and McDine will now face either Adrian Lewis or Wes Newton.

The opening two legs of the match where shared before Bates went 2-1 ahead with a two-dart 60 finish.

Bates hit a maximum in the fourth leg but McDine won it with a 'showpiece' 96 checkout completed by hitting double 18 and double top.

McDine then won the fifth leg against the darts with a 76 finish to win the set after Bates missed a dart at double 16.

The first two legs of the second set where held with throw and McDine continued that sequence by hitting double top to complete a 70 finish.

Bates replied by converting a pressure 66 finish, hitting double top with his last dart. But McDine held his throw in the deciding leg with an excellent 11 darter to win the set and double his lead.

The 24-year old continued the good form taking out a 127 checkout on the bullseye to win the opening leg of the third set, which included a maximum from Bates.

McDine, who came two sets to nil down to defeat two-time world champion Dennis Priestley on the opening night of the competition, doubled his lead with a 90 finish before Bates won the third with an excellent 110 to take the third.

The Welshman, who defeated Dutch youngster Jelle Klaasen in the opening round hit back-to-back maximums in the fourth leg and was on-course for a nine darter.

But his attempt at a seventh treble 20 was off-target before missing eight darts at double to win the leg and McDine made the Welshman pay by hitting double eight to take the third set.

McDine won the opening leg of the fourth set before Bates levelled in fine fashion with a 120 checkout.

But McDine won the third leg with another 76 finish to go one leg away from the match, and the Irthlingborough based thrower made no mistake by hitting double nine to record victory.

"Barrie didn't play at his best today," said McDine. "It was a tough game and the scoreline flattered me a little bit. I always enjoy myself on the big stage and I always try to express myself out there."

Match Stats

Kevin McDine	4-0	Barrie Bates
28	100+	29
15	140+	7
1	180s	4
31.91	Ave 1	30.16
95.73	Ave 3	90.47
127	High Finish	120,110
4	Legs Against Throw	1

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-2 WES NEWTON
(3-0, 3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 2-3, 3-1)
ADRIAN LEWIS ended the hopes of Wes Newton with a 4-2 victory in an enthralling second round encounter at the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Lewis ended the match with a three-dart average of over 100 for the second consecutive game and will now take on Kevin McDine for a place in the quarter-finals.

The Stoke star appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory after establishing a 3-0 lead. But Newton put up a spirited fight to win the next two sets before Lewis came through.

Lewis came out of the traps quickly, breaking throw in the opening leg with a 68 finish.

He then doubled his lead after missed a dart at double eight for a 136 checkout, and the Stoke ace wrapped up the first set with ease by hitting double 15.

Lewis continued the relentless pace in the second set by winning the first leg with a 107 checkout.

He hit his second 180 of the game in the process of winning the second and then won his sixth leg in succession by landing double six for two sets lead.

Newton managed to win his first leg of the game in the third set by taking the first leg, defying a maximum from his opponent.

Lewis quickly levelled but Newton produced a classy 13-dart finish to regain the lead.

The Lancastrian missed two darts at double 16 to win the set in the fourth leg and Lewis cashed in to win that leg and the decider to extend his advantage to 3-0.

Lewis hit a 13-dart finish to win the first leg of the fourth set, but Newton replied to win the second.

Lewis then regained the lead to go one leg away from the match, but Newton sent the set to a deciding leg with a two-dart 56 finish.

In the fifth leg, Lewis was way off-target with a dart at double 16 for the match and Newton kept his hopes alive to hit that same bed to seal the set.

Lewis hit his sixth 180 of the game in the opening leg of the fifth set, but Newton won it with a fabulous 124 checkout on the bullseye.

Lewis won the second, but Newton held throw to win the third leg after Lewis missed a dart at the bullseye for a 121 finish.

The eighth seed won the fourth leg with ease but Newton converted an excellent 106 checkout to win the set and reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Lewis hit his eighth maximum of the game in the process of winning the first leg of the sixth set, before Newton won the second, which included a maximum each from both players.

Lewis hit an 11 darter to win the third leg, and then hit back-to-back maximums in the fourth, to leave himself on course for a nine-dart finish.

That was not to be but Lewis went on to win the leg by hitting double 16 and with it end a high quality contest.

"I've practiced really hard before and during this tournament," said Lewis. "Wes pushed me really hard and that game shows me that I can hold my own when put under pressure."

Match Stats

Adrian Lewis	4-2	Wes Newton
32	100+	36
15	140+	16
12	180s	6
34.56	Ave 1	31.75
103.68	Ave 3	95.26
107	High Finish	124,106
5	Legs Against Throw	1

EVENING SESSION

MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-3 ALAN TABERN
(2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 6-4)
MARK DUDBRIDGE came through a nail-biting second round match against Alan Tabern to seal a last 16 place at the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Dudbridge had led the match 3-1 but saw that advantage slip as Tabern came storming back to level.

But Tabern, who hit 11 maximums and four ton-plus checkouts, was unable to get over the winning line as he missed a total of six darts for the match, which allowed Dudbridge to finally come through.

Dudbridge started the match well, breaking Tabern's throw in the opening leg of the contest with a 68 finish. But Tabern, who defeated Canadian Ken MacNeil, in the first round, won the second leg, and then hit a fabulous 140 checkout to win the third leg.

The St Helens man, who reached the quarter-finals of this event in 2007 missed two darts for the set in the fourth leg and Dudbridge stepped in to hit double 12. But Tabern managed to hold throw in the deciding leg by hitting double 18 with his last dart for a 96 finish, to open an early lead.

Tabern had chances to take a 1-0 lead at the start of the second set, but wasted two darts at doubles and Dudbridge landed double 10 to take the leg. The Bristolian then broke throw to win the second leg, but missed a dart at bullseye to win the set in the third leg and Tabern hit double six with his last dart to keep the set alive. But Dudbridge won the deciding leg to square the game at one set apiece by recording a 78 finish.

The third set saw Tabern take the opening leg by landing double 16, but Dudbridge won the next two legs to take the lead. The 2005 world finalist then hit double 16 after his opponent wasted opportunities to win the fourth leg to establish a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Dudbridge kept the winning run of legs going by winning the first of the fourth set, before Tabern stopped by hitting double 10 to stop the rot. Tabern missed three darts at doubles in the third leg and Dudbridge punished his opponent with an accurate attempt at double 10. Dudbridge missed two chances for the set in the fourth leg, but Tabern was unable to set up a finish and the 21st seed hit double 10 for the second time in succession to move 3-1 ahead.

The sixth set saw Tabern produce some excellent darts winning three legs on the trot after Dudbridge won the first. He hit a maximum in the process of winning the second leg, and then a 13-dart finish to record victory in the third. Tabern then wrapped up the set by hitting double 16 to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and keep his hopes alive.

The 12th seed missed an opportunity to keep that run going in the opening leg of the sixth set and Dudbridge capitalised by hitting double 12 to hold throw. In the second leg Dudbridge hit a maximum followed by an 84 finish to take the second leg and go one leg away from victory. But Tabern showed great fighting spirit to win the next two legs. He won the third with a pressure 120 checkout with his opponent waiting on 40, and then a 118 finish to win the fourth.

A dramatic deciding leg saw Dudbridge miss a dart at double top for the match and Tabern hit double 16 to take the contest to a deciding set.

The 43-year old kept that excellent form up by taking the first two legs of the deciding set, which included a 141 checkout to win the first, and a 13 darter in the second.

Tabern hit his 10th maximum in the third leg but was off-target with a dart at double 18 to win the match, and Dudbridge hit double 12 to win his first leg in five. Dudbridge survived again by winning the fourth leg but only after his opponent missed four more darts for the match.

That sent the match into a tie-break situation and Tabern regained the lead with a clinical two-dart 76 finish, only to see Dudbridge reply with a two-dart 90 finish. Tabern went ahead once again with by hitting an 80 finish, but he wasted another dart for the match in the eighth leg and Dudbridge produced a vital 92, landing double 16 with his last dart.

Dudbridge then won the ninth leg against the darts and that proved to be the deciding factor as the man from Bristol won the 10th leg to end an enthralling contest.

"Somehow I got through - I don't know how, said Dudbridge. "He just seemed to hit his checkouts at the right time.

"I'm really proud of myself and everyone who has helped me along the way. I've been working really hard recently and it paid off in the latter stages of the match."

Match Stats

Alan Tabern	3-4	Mark Dudbridge
50	100+	49
30	140+	28
11	180s	2
30.78	Ave 1	31.69
92.34	Ave 3	95.06
141,140,120,118	High Finish	92
7	Legs Against Throw	9

PHIL TAYLOR 4-0 STEVE HINE
(3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0)
PHIL TAYLOR made comfortable progress into the last 16 of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a straight sets victory over Steve Hine.

Taylor ended the match with a three-dart average of 103.28 and dropped just two legs to the man from Coventry.

Both players hit maximums in the opening leg of the contest but it was Taylor who won it after Hine missed a dart at double 14 to hold throw. The world number one then hit double top to win the second leg, and wrapped up the first set comfortably in the third by converting a 65 finish.

Taylor won the first leg of the second set courtesy of an 11-dart finish, but Hine won the second with a two-dart 60, after Taylor missed a dart at double top.

That ended a run of 13 consecutive legs won by the defending champion at this year's event, but he won the next two legs with checkouts of 64 and 65 to double his lead.

Hine won his second leg of the encounter at the start of the third set but Taylor won the next two, hitting a maximum in each leg. And Taylor wrapped up the set in the fourth leg, recording a 65 finish, for the third time in the match.

Taylor continued on in supreme fashion in the fourth set. He landed double top to win the first leg, and broke throw to win the second to go one leg away from victory. And the match was soon concluded as Taylor hit his sixth maximum of the game in the third leg, which was followed by double eight to follow his Stoke rival Adrian Lewis into the third round.

"Adrian has impressed me for a few matches now, said Taylor. "If we meet in the last eight I think it will be a cracking, and the winner will go on to take the title."

Match Stats

Phil Taylor	4-0	Steve Hine
17	100+	13
11	140+	5
6	180s	2
34.43	Ave 1	28.75
103.28	Ave 3	86.25
84	High Finish	60
5	Legs Against Throw	0

ROBERT THORNTON 4-1 JYHAN ARTUT
(3-0, 3-1, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0)
ROBERT THORNTON ended the German challenge of Jyhan Artut with a 4-1 triumph at the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The Scotsman came out firing to take the opening two sets and he managed to keep that advantage, to reach the third round of this event for the first time, despite a spirited effort from Artut.

Thornton won the first leg against the darts and won the next two legs in clinical fashion to wrap up the first set with ease to establish an early lead.

The Scot held throw at the start of the second set before Artut won his first leg of the contest by hitting double six. Thornton, who defeated Christian Perez on the opening night of the competition, then hit finishes of 84 and 81 to take a 2-0 lead keep up his 100 per cent record on the doubles.

The 16th seed hit double top at the first time of asking to win the opening leg of the third set, before Artut managed to level after both players missed several opportunities at doubles. The next two legs were held with throw to send into a deciding leg. That saw Thornton waste a dart at double top for a 3-0 lead and Artut hit double six to take the third set and reduce the deficit.

Artut, who defeated Wayne Mardle in the first round, hit a 96 finish to win the opening leg of the fourth set against the darts. But Thornton hit-back to win the second leg with a 78 checkout, and then took the third leg by hitting double two.

Artut won the fourth leg by taking out 68, but Thornton had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg and he made it count, with an accurate attempt at double eight to restore his two sets lead. Thornton won the first leg of the fifth set with an excellent 105 checkout, after Artut missed a dart at double 16.

The man from Stevenston hit double top to win the second leg, and then wrapped the game up in style with a 13-dart finish in the next to book a last 16 clash with Phil Taylor.

Match Stats