ALAN TABERN staged a sensational comeback from 5-3 down to defeat Gary Anderson in a deciding leg and win Group Three of Championship League Darts.
The left-hander entered the tournament on Thursday and enjoyed a superb day at Crondon Park GC in Essex in the internet-streamed tournament.
Six wins from seven games in the group stage saw him top the league table, before he defeated James Wade 6-2 in the semi-finals and Anderson in the decider, earning a spot in the Winners Group plus £3,200 prize money on the day.
His semi-final included finishes of 121 and 138 as he took a 4-0 lead against world number three Wade, who hit back to 4-2 but had no answer as the left-hander closed out the win with a brace of double top finishes.
Anderson took leads of 3-1 and 5-3 in the final, but after Tabern took out 100 in the ninth leg the Scot was made to pay for a missed dart at the bullseye for the match and two at double eight in the next.
Tabern landed double nine to force a deciding leg, and was the first to a double despite a 180 from Anderson, before hitting double ten to seal victory.
Tabern now progresses to compete in October's big-money Winners Group, which offers £10,000 to the eventual champion plus a place in the Grand Slam of Darts for the finalists - an event the St Helens man is now targeting.
"I'm delighted to win and it's been a memorable day for me," said Tabern. "Gary played really well in the final but I was determined to just hang in there and keep fighting away, and it paid off.
"I can relax and look forward to the Winners Group now. The Grand Slam is an extra incentive for me but I'll come back in October and do my best."
Anderson's loss meant he suffered defeat in the final for a second successive day, having lost out to Simon Whitlock in Group Two's decider.
The Scot finished second in the table thanks to a 6-2 win over Andy Hamilton in the final round of games, and defeated reigning champion Colin Osborne 6-4 in the semis, but will now have to return for Group Four on September 21.
Osborne and Wade will also return for Group Four, alongside Adrian Lewis and Co Stompe, with Ronnie Baxter and Andy Hamilton eliminated from the event.
Lewis was unlucky not to win a semi-final place, losing out to Wade for fourth spot on Legs Won over the course of their seven league matches, but will maintain an ever-present record this year when he returns to Essex in a fortnight.
Championship League Darts is streamed exclusively live around the world through 16 bookmakers' websites, as well as to PDCtv subscribers at the PDC's official website, www.pdc.tv - click Watch Live to view
Group Three Fixtures
|
Board One |
Board Two |
|
James Wade 6-2 Adrian Lewis |
Co Stompe 5-6 Alan Tabern |
|
Colin Osborne 3-6 Gary Anderson |
Ronnie Baxter 6-2 Andy Hamilton |
|
Alan Tabern 6-4 James Wade |
Gary Anderson 6-2 Ronnie Baxter |
|
Andy Hamilton 3-6 Colin Osborne |
Adrian Lewis 6-2 Co Stompe |
|
Alan Tabern 6-4 Ronnie Baxter |
James Wade 1-6 Gary Anderson |
|
Andy Hamilton 3-6 Co Stompe |
Adrian Lewis 6-4 Colin Osborne |
|
Ronnie Baxter 6-5 James Wade |
Alan Tabern 6-3 Gary Anderson |
|
Adrian Lewis 1-6 Andy Hamilton |
Co Stompe 5-6 Colin Osborne |
|
Co Stompe 6-4 Ronnie Baxter |
Colin Osborne 5-6 James Wade |
|
Gary Anderson 1-6 Adrian Lewis |
Andy Hamilton 3-6 Alan Tabern |
|
Colin Osborne 6-4 Alan Tabern |
Adrian Lewis 6-4 Ronnie Baxter |
|
Gary Anderson 4-6 Co Stompe |
James Wade 6-3 Andy Hamilton |
|
Co Stompe 5-6 James Wade |
Ronnie Baxter 3-6 Colin Osborne |
|
Andy Hamilton 2-6 Gary Anderson |
Alan Tabern 6-3 Adrian Lewis |
|
Semi-Finals |
|
|
Alan Tabern 6-2 James Wade |
Gary Anderson 6-4 Colin Osborne |
|
Final |
|
|
Alan Tabern 6-5 Gary Anderson |
Final League Table
|
Pl |
W |
L |
Won |
Lost |
Leg +/- |
£Won |
Pts |
Total | |
|
Alan Tabern |
7 |
6 |
1 |
40 |
28 |
+12 |
£2000 |
12 |
£3200 |
|
Gary Anderson |
7 |
4 |
3 |
32 |
26 |
+6 |
£1600 |
8 |
£2700 |
|
Colin Osborne |
7 |
4 |
3 |
36 |
33 |
+3 |
£1800 |
8 |
£2200 |
|
James Wade |
7 |
4 |
3 |
34 |
33 |
+1 |
£1700 |
8 |
£1900 |
|
Adrian Lewis |
7 |
4 |
3 |
30 |
29 |
+1 |
£1500 |
8 |
|
|
Co Stompe |
7 |
3 |
4 |
35 |
35 |
0 |
£1750 |
6 |
|
|
Ronnie Baxter |
7 |
2 |
5 |
29 |
37 |
-8 |
£1450 |
4 |
|
|
Andy Hamilton |
7 |
1 |
6 |
22 |
37 |
-15 |
£1100 |
2 |
First Set of Games
James Wade kicked off his challenge in Group Three with a strong 6-2 win over Adrian Lewis. The world number three, competing for a third successive day in the event, took the opening four legs without reply to leave Lewis trailing. He hit 180s in the opening two legs, taking the second with a 122 finish, before Lewis traded maximums with the left-hander in the fifth before landing double top to get off the mark. Wade took the first before missing double 12 for the win as Lewis hit tops again to pull back to 5-2, but a miss at the same bed allowed the 2008 Group One winner to seal the win with a clinical 104 finish.
Alan Tabern won a dramatic final-leg shoot-out with Co Stompe to begin his challenge in the 2010 Championship League with a win. After a tight opening five legs went with the throw, Stompe punished two misses from the left-hander to take the first break in leg six for a 4-2 cushion. Tabern, though, hit back in style to break, hitting a 180 to leave 100 in the seventh, and checked out the finish before double two in the next levelled mattes. Stompe hit a 177 and double eight in winning the ninth before a 101 finish saw Tabern force a decider. Stompe was first to a finish, but msised double top for a 160 checkout and five subsequent darts at a double before Tabern took his second chance at double ten to snatch the points.
Gary Anderson came from behind to see off Colin Osborne 6-3 in their Group Three opener. Anderson hit a 180 in breaking throw in the opening leg, only for Osborne to punish two misses in breaking back and an 80 finish to lead 2-1. Anderson levelled and, after sharing the next two, made the key move with a 96 finish to break in the seventh, traded 180s in taking the eighth on double two and then punished Osborne's missed doubles for a second successive leg to seal victory on double top.
Ronnie Baxter kicked off his Group Three challenge with a 6-2 win over Andy Hamilton. After Hamilton won the opener, Baxter took five successive legs, including a 96 finish amongst two breaks of throw, in leading 5-1. Double 16 kept Hamilton in the contest, although the revival was brief as double nine sealed Baxter's victory.
Second Set of Games
Alan Tabern continued his winning start to Thursday's play with a 6-4 win over James Wade. Tabern looked set to take a comfortable win when he pulled clear from two-all to lead 5-2, taking the first break of throw in leg six. Wade, though, hit a 180 in taking the eighth and punished three missed match darts from his opponent with double top in the ninth to pull back to 5-4. However, one miss at tops from Wade in the next gave Tabern another chance for victory, which he took in style with a two-dart 78.
Gary Anderson's flying start to Group Three continued as he saw off Ronnie Baxter 6-2. Baxter started well to break throw in the first leg, but Anderson levelled and then took out 124 on the bull to lead 2-1. Baxter hit a 180 in squaring the match, but the Scot posted double five for the fifth leg and hit 180s in the next two in assuming a 5-2 advantage. Baxter was first to a double in leg eight, but six misses allowed Anderson back to the oche, and he took out double five for a second win of the day.
Colin Osborne produced an impressive display to defeat his Derby neighbour Andy Hamilton 6-3. While a 90 finish in the opening leg gave Hamilton an ideal start, but Osborne kicked off the second with a maximum, took out 76 to break in the third and then returned after a missed bullseye for a 170 finish from his opponent to land double two for a 3-1 cushion. Double 12 put him into a three-leg lead, although double 18 and double eight saw Hamilton pull back to 4-3. A 12-darter from Osborne, featuring scores of 140, 180 and 140, saw him move a leg away from the win, which was sealed when he followed a 180 in the next leg with a sensational 167 checkout.
Adrian Lewis bounced back from defeat in his opener to condemn Co Stompe to a second successive loss, taking the points 6-2. Lewis kicked off the match with a 180 and landed double eight to break in the opening leg, before Stompe punished three misses in the next to level. However, it was the Dutchman's turn to waste his chances in the third, with three darts at double top going begging as Lewis broke, then won the next three for a 5-1 lead. Stompe took the seventh, but double 16 sealed Lewis' triumph.
Third Set of Games
Alan Tabern maintained a 100% start to Group Three, seeing off Ronnie Baxter 6-3. The left-hander followed up wins over Co Stompe and James Wade with a fine display against the Blackpool ace, taking leads of 2-0 and 4-1 with some strong finishing. Baxter hit back to take three of the next four as Tabern, approaching the winning post, appeared to wobble - but he regained his composure to seal the win with a superb 12-darter, featuring a 180 and an 86 finish.
Gary Anderson won a third straight match, storming past James Wade 6-1. Anderson had whitewashed Wade in Wednesday's league phase, and set off in style against the world number three, hitting a 12-dart finish to win the opening leg and maximums in the next two before a 96 finish put him 4-0 up. Double eight moved him a leg away from the win, before double top from Wade got him off the mark. However, Anderson posted yet another 180 and double two secured another victory.
Co Stompe claimed his first win of Group Three, defeating Andy Hamilton 6-3. Hamilton, who joined Stompe without a win after two games, held his own for most of the contest against the Dutchman, with the Derby-based star hitting a 93 finish and two double top checkouts to hold throw in his first three starts, while Stompe recovered from bursting a 168 score to land double 14 in the fifth as they shared the opening six legs. Hamilton missed the bullseye to take the seventh, and double nine saw Stompe hold throw before he secured the first break to lead 5-3 and sealed the win on double 13.
Adrian Lewis hit top gear to claim his second successive win of the day, defeating Colin Osborne 6-4. Lewis hit a 180 in the opening leg as he took a 2-0 lead, although a brace of double ten finishes saw Osborne level, and he then took advantage as Lewis missed his chance to break again and the reigning champion hit double five to lead 3-2. Lewis levelled with a brilliant 11-darter, which opened with back-to-back 180s as the duo hit three maximums to kick off the leg, and after edging a scrappy seventh he took out 105 for a 5-3 cushion. Osborne won the next, but Lewis hit scores of 180, 140 and 170 in the tenth, sealing the win by taking out 11 on double four for a second 11-darter of the game.
Fourth Set of Games
Ronnie Baxter produced a moment of magic to defeat James Wade 6-5 in a final-leg battle - taking out 160 for victory after the left-hander missed one dart for the match. In a tight game, there was never more than a leg between the pair, as Baxter hit back from being 1-0 down to lead 2-1, only for Wade to edge 4-3 up. Baxter, with the aid of a 180, levelled, and after Wade won the ninth he took out 76 in two darts to force a decider. Wade, with the advantage of throw, pushed clear but crucially missed one dart at double top for the win before Baxter snatched glory in style.
Alan Tabern brought Gary Anderson's winning run in Group Three to a halt with a 6-3 victory as he maintained the only unbeaten record. The left-hander broke with a 96 finish in the opening leg and doubled his lead on double eight. Anderson edged the third on double one and levelled before hitting a 180 and double 18 for a 3-2 lead. However, Tabern took out 91 to level after the pair traded 180s in the sixth, punished three misses from Anderson in the seventh, landed double 14 for a 5-3 lead and double top to extend his perfect record.
Andy Hamilton won his first game of the 2010 Championship League Darts with a 6-1 romp against Adrian Lewis. Hamilton hit a 180 in the game's opening leg, and repeated the double six finish to take the second against the throw after Lewis followed up a 180 with a missed bullseye. Double four, double top and double nine put him into a 5-0 lead before Lewis took advantage of two missed match darts from Hamilton to land double four to get off the mark. But he could do nothing in the seventh as Hamilton took out 82 on double eight to complete a comprehensive win.
Colin Obsorne battled from 5-3 down to punish Co Stompe's missed match darts in snatching a win over the Dutchman. The game's first six legs went with the throw, with Osborne twice missing chances to break, before Stompe fired in a 180 in taking the seventh and double ten for the first break to lead 5-3. He missed the bull for a 167 finish in the ninth as Osborne kept the game alive on double eight, then saw two chances for the game slip away, with double top from the Englishman seeing him force a decider. Stompe was first to a double, but missed two at double four for the win and Osborne returned to hit tops to snatch the points.
Fifth Set of Games
Co Stompe's play-off challenge picked up pace with a 6-4 win over Ronnie Baxter. Stompe hit back to level three times before breaking throw in the seventh, hitting double two with his third dart to edge in front. A superb 154 checkout put him 5-3 up, and after Baxter took the ninth he sealed the win on double ten.
James Wade took out 110 in the deciding leg of a dramatic 11-leg battle with Colin Osborne. Wade took the first two legs, including an 84 on the bulll, before Osborne hit back to level. Wade set up a potential nine-darter with two 180s in the fifth, and took out double one for the leg - hitting a 130 on his third visit to leave 11 - and move 3-2 up, despite Osborne hitting a 180 and missing two darts himself for the leg. Wade also took the sixth to lead 4-2, and traded legs to move within touching distance of the match. Osborne won the next two to force a decider, in which he edged clear only to miss double top as Wade returned to take out 110 on double 15 for the win.
Adrian Lewis boosted his semi-final hopes with a third win of the day, also overturning his negative leg difference with a 6-1 defeat of Gary Anderson. The Scot won the opening leg, despite a maximum from Lewis, before the youngster turned on the style. He hit another maximum in levelling, a 78 finish to break throw in the third and double eight for a 3-1 lead. An 85 checkout was followed by an 89 finish as he led 5-1, before sealing victory in style with a brilliant bull-25-bull finish on 125.
Alan Tabern ensured a play-off spot in Group Three with a 6-3 defeat of Andy Hamilton. Unbeaten Tabern produced a strong second half to the contest to see off the Derby-based man, who shared the first four legs only to see the left-hander step up a gear to take out 71 in the fifth, 76 to break throw and double ten for a 5-2 lead. Double eight kept Hamilton in the game, but a miss at double 15 for a 90 finish was punished as Tabern finished 72 in two darts to remain unbeaten.
Sixth Set of Games
Reigning champion Colin Osborne inflicted a first defeat of the day on Alan Tabern, taking a 6-4 win to improve his play-off hopes. Osborne came from a leg down to lead 2-1, breaking throw in the third with a 133 finish. Tabern levelled but Osborne took the next two for a 4-2 lead, only for the left-hander to break back in levelling in the eighth, hitting double 14 after a miss at tops from the Derby ace. Osborne, though, recovered to hit a 180 in the ninth, with double top putting him 5-4 up before a clinical 62 finish sealed victory.
Adrian Lewis claimed his fourth Group Three win with a 6-4 defeat of Ronnie Baxter. Lewis kicked off the game with a 180, taking out 100 with two double tops in the first leg before Baxter hit double five and double ten to take the next two. Lewis won two of the next three to level at three-all before hitting two 180s in a superb ten-dart leg to break and lead 4-3, after Baxter missed three darts for the leg. A bullseye finish on 88 saw him move 5-3 up, and after Baxter landed double top to stay in the game the Stoke ace hit the same bed to seal the win.
Co Stompe won his third game of Group Three, seeing off Gary Anderson 6-4 to move into fourth place in the table. Stompe took leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before Anderson took the fifth, but a 122 finish from the Dutchman and double eight put him 5-2 up. Anderson stepped in to take the next on double four, and double ten cut the gap to 5-4 before Stompe hit a 180 and double five to secure victory.
James Wade ensured elimination for Andy Hamilton with a 6-3 win which keeps his own semi-final hopes alive. Wade took out 121 on the bull in the opening leg and doubled his lead before double eight got Hamilton off the mark. Wade also won the next two for a 4-1 cushion, only for Hamilton to fire in a 180 in taking the sixth and an 81 finish to pull back to 4-3. Wade won the next, and after the Derby-based man missed three darts to win the ninth he took out 78 to seal the win.
Final Set of Games
James Wade moved fourth with a final-leg victory over Co Stompe - but must wait on the final round of games before finding out if he wins a semi-final spot. In a tight battle, the opening eight legs all went with throw before a 108 finish from Wade saw him break for a 5-4 lead. Stompe denied him a shot for victory with a sensational 167 finish, but Wade was strong in the decider and took out double 18 for his fourth win of the day.
Colin Osborne sealed a semi-final spot with a 6-3 defeat of Ronnie Baxter, who is eliminated from the 2010 Championship League Darts. Osborne made an ideal start to break throw twice in the opening three legs for a 3-0 lead before Baxter landed double top to get off the mark. He also won the fifth before Osborne replied with a maximum in moving 4-2 up. The next two were shared as Osborne moved to the brink of victory, but two misses from Baxter at double 18 allowed him back to wrap up the win.
Gary Anderson's 6-2 win over Andy Hamilton wins him a semi-final spot. Hamilton was unable to avoid elimination but did his best to gain some consolation - only for missed doubles in the early legs to cost him as the Scot moved 3-0 up. Anderson, enjoying a purple patch, hit two 180s in the fourth, only to miss five darts at a double as Hamilton got off the mark. Double 19 and double one edged him 5-1 up before Hamilton posted an 88 checkout on double seven to take a second leg. But Anderson was not to be denied, wrapping up the win in the next and a second-placed finish courtesy of his leg difference.
Alan Tabern defeats Adrian Lewis 6-3 to seal top spot in the table - and also means the Stoke ace misses out on the play-offs on legs won to James Wade, after the pair ended on the same leg difference. The left-hander won the opening two legs before Lewis broke back with a 102 finish in the third and then levelled in the next. The next two were shared before Tabern powered home a 161 for the seventh and double 14 to break and lead 5-3, with double 14 sealing the win and a costly loss for Lewis.
Semi-Finals
Alan Tabern booked his place in the final with a 6-2 defeat of James Wade, who now progresses to compete in Group Four on September 21. Tabern started superbly with finishes of 121 and 138 in the opening two legs, and also won the next two for a 4-0 cushion. Wade got off the mark in the fifth and broke throw following a second 180 of the game to halve the deficit. However, Tabern edged towards the win on double top and hit the same bed to seal the triumph.
Gary Anderson came from 3-0 down to defeat Colin Osborne 6-4 and win a place in a second successive Championship League Darts Group Final. Osborne made a flying start, winning the opening three legs as Anderson twice missed darts to get off the mark. Osborne had chances to lead 4-0, but two misses at double 16 allowed the Scot back to the oche on double five. He also broke in the fifth and levelled with another double five, although double 16 gave Osborne a 4-3 cushion. A tricky bullseye finish from Anderson gave him the eighth, and he stepped in to break in the ninth before double top gave him the win.
Final
Alan Tabern battled back from 5-3 down to hand Gary Anderson defeat in a final for the second successive day. Anderson took leads of 3-1 - hitting three maximums along the way - and 5-3 in the decider, but after Tabern took out 100 in the ninth leg the Scot was made to pay for a missed dart at the bullseye for the match and two at double eight in the next. Tabern landed double nine to force a deciding leg, and was the first to a double despite a 180 from Anderson, before hitting double ten to seal victory.
The bookmakers streaming Championship League Darts are:
Bet365 - www.bet365.com
188bet - www.188bet.com
IBC Bet - www.ibcbet.com
Unibet - www.unibet.com
Sportingbet - www.sportingbet.com
Ladbrokes - www.ladbrokes.com
Paddy Power - www.paddypower.com
Betfair - www.betfair.com
Betclic - www.betclic.com
Betathome - www.betathome.com
Expekt - www.expekt.com
Digibet - www.digibet.com
Titanbet - www.titanbet.com
Hititbet - www.hititbet.com
Stan James - www.stanjames.com
Betboo - www.betboo.com
Score updates are also available at www.twitter.com/officialpdc