ADRIAN LEWIS was stung into action as he began the defence of his Ladbrokes World Darts Championship by coming from two sets down to defeat Nigel Heydon on Thursday night.
Reigning champion Lewis looked set to crash out on the opening night of the £1 million tournament when he fell 2-0 down to Leamington Spa-based undertaker Heydon.
The Stoke ace, though, was stung by a wasp on his left hand in the advert break after losing the second set - and although the injury failed to hamper his throwing arm he fought back to force a deciding set.
Heydon led 2-1 in the fifth set, but was denied a dart for the match as Lewis again fought back to win the decider 5-3 and progress to a second round clash with Robert Thornton or Ian White next Thursday.
"I thought it wasn't going to be my night," admitted Lewis. "To be 2-0 down and then get stung by a wasp is awful luck, but I kept fighting right to the end and never thought I was going out.
"Nigel played fantastic darts and put me under the cosh all the way through, and his finishing in the first two sets was phenomenal.
"It's a relief for me to be through now and I'm looking forward to my second round next week now. It would be a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas by moving into the last 16."
The 15-night tournament had kicked off with further drama in another five-set thriller as Richie Burnett defeated Mark Webster 3-2 in the battle of two all-Welsh former Lakeside Champions.
Burnett hit 11 out of a mammoth 20 180s during the match, and took the final set 4-2 to see off Webster, a semi-finalist in the last two World Championships.
"I feel for Mark but it's dog-eat-dog up there and I'm happy to get through," said Burnett, who has enjoyed a brilliant renaissance since dropping out of the world's top 100 two years ago.
"I'm back to my fighting best and I have the ability and also the knowledge now of what I have to do to be successful. I know my scoring will give me chances and if I hit my doubles I can be dangerous."
Wolverhampton's Wayne Jones overcame the challenge of Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie to win through to to the last 32 at Alexandra Palace.
MacKenzie, the Greater China Qualifier, defeated debutant Paul Barham 4-2 in their preliminary round contest earlier in the night, but never recovered from going 2-0 down before slipping to a 3-1 loss.
Jones now meets Roland Scholten in the second round next Thursday, after the Dutchman - who won the 2004 UK Open - defeated Derby's Jamie Caven 3-1 in the tournament's opening game.
Phil Taylor, the 15-time World Champion, is in action on Friday night when he begins his challenge to win back the £200,000 title against either Dennis Nilsson, a former winner of Sweden's Strongest Man, and Japanese number one Haruki Muramatsu.
In-form Justin Pipe meets Australian Sean Reed, Holland's Co Stompe faces St Helens' emerging talent Michael Smith and UK Open finalist Wes Newton plays Belgian debutant Kurt Van De Rijck.
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Schedule of Play
Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Preliminary (P) and First Round
Thursday December 15
Jamie Caven 1-3 Roland Scholten
Paul Barham 2-4 Scott MacKenzie (P)
Mark Webster 2-3 Richie Burnett
Adrian Lewis 3-2 Nigel Heydon
Wayne Jones 3-1 Scott MacKenzie
ROLAND SCHOLTEN 3-1 JAMIE CAVEN
(3-1, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
ROLAND SCHOLTEN kicked off the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 3-1 triumph over number 18 seed Jamie Caven.
The Dutchman, who has been blighted by shoulder problems over the last few years, showed the kind of form which saw him claim the 2004 UK Open, in a performance which included seven maximums.
Scholten, who was knocked out by Ronnie Baxter in last year's competition, hit a 180 in the process of winning the opening leg of the match before Caven held throw to take the second by hitting double eight.
Scholten regained the lead by landing double ten after Caven missed two chances on double four and a second maximum from the Dutchman followed by double six secured the first set.
Caven started to show some form at the start of the second set as he hit a two-dart 76 finish to take the first leg and fired a maximum in the second.
The Derby thrower hit double top to break his opponent's throw for the first time and then took out 97 in two darts to take the third leg and the set to level the match.
Caven continued his good finishing form at the start of set three by hitting a two-dart 76 checkout to win the first leg.
Scholten hit double top to break back before Caven hit the same bed to win the next leg against the darts and regain the advantage.
The Dutchman produced an excellent two-dart 100 checkout to win the fourth leg and then landed double four in a crucial decider to move 2-1 up.
The fourth set began with Scholten hitting a 180, but Caven was first to a finish, only to waste seven darts at doubles as the Dutchman stole in and landed double two.
Scholten hit his fifth maximum of the match in the process of taking the second leg, before Caven hit back-to-back maximums in the next to set up a potential nine-darter.
Caven hit the seventh treble 20 but his attempt at treble was off-target - ending hopes of a nine-darter and then seeing Scholten hit a second 180 of the leg himself to leave 41 after nine darts.
Caven, though, managed to win the leg on double eight to keep the match alive and then hit another maximum in the fourth leg, but it turned out to be his last three darts of the match as the Dutchman took victory in style with a fantastic 138 checkout.
"I'm very happy with that because it's been a hard time for me in the last couple of years and a win like that is a long time coming," said Scholten.
"My shoulder is still not 100 percent but this is a confidence boost and I'll look forward to the second round now."
|
Jamie Caven |
1-3 |
Roland Scholten |
|
14 |
100+ |
17 |
|
5 |
140+ |
6 |
|
4 |
180s |
7 |
|
27.87 |
Ave 1 |
27.93 |
|
83.62 |
Ave 3 |
83.79 |
|
97 |
High Finish |
138, 100 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
4 |
|
7/22 - 32% |
Finishing - % |
9/25 - 36% |
Preliminary Round
SCOTT MACKENZIE 4-2 PAUL BARHAM
SCOTT MACKENZIE progressed to the first round of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a fine 4-2 win against Basildon's debutant left-hander Paul Barham.
MacKenzie, who was edged out in a deciding leg against Jyhan Artut at the same stage of last year's competition, will now face Wayne Jones in the first round later in the evening.
Barham, who has made a big impression on the PDC Unicorn Youth Tour in 2011, started the game well on his televised debut by holding throw comfortably to establish an early lead.
MacKenzie took out 100 to win the second leg before Barham regained the lead after both players missed opportunities at doubles.
Greater China Qualifier MacKenzie, making second successive World Championship appearance, hit double six to level the match at two-all and then recorded a 15-darter to secure the first break of throw in the game.
That put the Hong Kong player one leg away from victory, and that was duly completed as he hit double top at the first time of asking.
|
Paul Barham |
2-4 |
Scott MacKenzie |
|
6 |
100+ |
8 |
|
6 |
140+ |
3 |
|
0 |
180s |
0 |
|
25.61 |
Ave 1 |
24.41 |
|
76.83 |
Ave 3 |
73.23 |
|
20 |
High Finish |
100 |
|
0 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
|
Finishing - % |
RICHIE BURNETT 3-2 MARK WEBSTER
(3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 4-2)
RICHIE BURNETT came out on top in the battle of the Welsh World Champions by knocking out Mark Webster in a titanic five-set battle on the opening night of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.
Both players missed chances to secure a place in the second round before Burnett hit the winning double in the sixth leg of the deciding set to end Webster's hopes in a classic first round encounter which included 20 maximums.
Burnett made a nightmare start to the contest as he missed a total of ten darts at doubles in the opening two legs, which allowed Webster to step in and open a 2-0 advantage.
Burnett got off the board in the third leg by taking out 78 and then won the fourth by hitting double eight after both players had recorded maximums.
The deciding leg saw Burnett hold the advantage of throw and he made that count by hitting a 62 finish to claim an opening set that he looked like losing.
Webster fired in a 180 in the process of winning the first leg of set two before Burnett won the second in style with a 121 finish, completed on the bullseye.
The world number six regained the lead by taking out 62 to win the third leg and then kicked off the next with his fourth maximum of the game.
Webster was first to a finish, but missed five darts to win the set, although Burnett could not capitalise as he missed four darts at tops and the left-hander returned to hit double eight and claim the set.
Both players hit maximums at the start of the third set and Burnett hit another to set up a chance of a nine-dart finish.
That was not to be, but the leg was won by the 1995 Lakeside Champion on double 18 before Webster held throw to take the second.
Webster, who has reached the last four in the previous two years at Alexandra Palace, hit his seventh maximum in the third leg but missed a dart at the bull for a 167 checkout, and Burnett stepped to hit double 18 with his third dart to convert a 96 finish.
That gave him a 2-1 lead, and some solid scoring saw Burnett to a finish first in the next, and he duly hit double top take the set and regain the lead.
Both players held their throws at the start of the fourth set before Burnett hit a maximum and an excellent two-dart 85 finish to break throw.
Burnett was now throwing for the match but Webster fired in a maximum at a vital time and landed double top to keep the game alive.
A dramatic deciding leg saw Burnett miss two darts at double 16 for victory, and Webster showed his class by taking out 100, courtesy of landing double top with his third dart to force a fifth set.
Burnett put those missed chances behind him as he began the final set with a 13-dart finish, but Webster held throw to level.
The third leg saw Burnett miss four chances to break throw and Webster hit an 80 finish to move one leg away from victory.
The next leg saw Burnett miss a dart at bullseye for a 161 checkout, but Webster failed to land double top which would have secured him a remarkable triumph.
Burnett accepted the reprieve and hit double eight to keep the match alive before beginning the fifth leg with a maximum.
Burnett won the leg in 14 darts to establish a 3-2 lead before Webster missed five darts at doubles to take the sixth leg.
Burnett missed another dart to take the match but Webster was off-target with three darts at double five and Burnett hit double top to end a fabulous contest.
After the match, a delighted Burnett said: "That was a hard draw for both of us and a tough game to play, but I'm thrilled to have won.
"My scoring was excellent throughout the game and that created chances for me.
"I feel that my game is back to where it was when I was at the top of the game and if I continue to score well then I'm a match for anybody."
|
Mark Webster |
2-3 |
Richie Burnett |
|
29 |
100+ |
32 |
|
11 |
140+ |
16 |
|
9 |
180s |
11 |
|
29.91 |
Ave 1 |
31.77 |
|
89.72 |
Ave 3 |
95.30 |
|
100 |
High Finish |
121 |
|
4 |
Legs Against Throw |
5 |
|
11/45 - 24% |
Finishing - % |
13/51 - 25% |
ADRIAN LEWIS 3-2 NIGEL HEYDON
(2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 5-3)
ADRIAN LEWIS was stung into action as he hit back from 2-0 down to to defeat Nigel Heydon in an amazing five-set encounter on the opening night of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
The defending champion was two sets down to Heydon and looked like heading for an early exit, but after being stung by a wasp on his left hand during a break returned to the stage to win the remaining three sets and hold on to his place in the £1 million tournament.
Lewis now takes on either Robert Thornton or Ian White next Thursday in the second round, having been both stunned and stung in the same contest.
"Nigel had me under the cosh throughout the match and I had to work really hard to get through that," said Lewis. "His finishing in the first two sets was phenomenal.
"I was telling myself at 2-0 down that I can play much better, but after that incident with the wasp I felt it wasn't my night. But I managed to fight all the way to the end - the wasp probably stung me into action!
Heydon started the match superbly by breaking the World Champion's throw with the aid of a maximum in the opening leg.
Heydon hit another 180 in the second leg, but Lewis levelled with a sensational 134 checkout where he hit treble 18, followed by two double tops.
Heydon, who lost in the first round to Robert Thornton on his debut appearance at the World Championship last year, hit a 70 finish to win third leg but Lewis won the fourth against the darts by hitting tops.
Lewis held the advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but Heydon secured a third consecutive break of throw in the set by hitting double top to take an early lead.
The undertaker from Leamington Spa made a good start to the second set as he won the first leg with a clinical 100 checkout.
Lewis won the second on double top before Heydon won the third leg by taking out 66 on double eight.
The world number two missed two darts at doubles to win the fourth leg and that proved expensive as Heydon converted a 65 finish to move two sets clear and leave Lewis in major trouble.
Lewis made a winning start to set three with the aid of a 95 finish before Heydon won the second by hitting double ten.
Lewis took the third leg, but Heydon hit a pressure 76 finish in the next with his opponent waiting on 24 to take the set.
That left Heydon needing just needing the deciding leg to record a straight-sets victory, but Lewis held his nerve to hit double top at the first time of asking to keep the match alive.
Heydon won the opening leg of the fourth set by hitting double nine before Lewis showed his best form of the game, hitting consecutive 13-dart finishes to take the next two.
The fourth leg saw Heydon miss five darts at doubles and that allowed Lewis to step in and hit double eight and force a deciding fifth set.
Heydon started the set well by hitting his sixth maximum in the process of taking the first leg against the darts.
The 41-year-old had three chances to establish a 2-0 lead, but three darts at double top were just off-target and Lewis converted a superb two-dart 97 finish to level.
Heydon hit a 180 in the third leg but missed a dart at double 16 and Lewis landed double five to move one leg away from victory.
Heydon won the fourth leg by hitting double top at the first time of asking and then won the fifth leg with a break of throw by landing double four with his last dart after Lewis missed six darts at doubles.
Heydon hit his eighth maximum of the match in the next, but Lewis was first to a finish and he hit double top at the first attempt to level the set at 4-3.
Lewis hit a fabulous 11-darter at a vitally important time to win the seventh leg, and two missed darts at double top from Heydon allowed him to step up and hit the same bed to end an enthralling contest.
A disappointed Heydon admitted: "I'm not happy about that. When I was 2-0 up I was hitting my doubles really well and I didn't think I was going to fold, as I was feeling so comfortable out there.
"But I started to miss a few doubles and you can't give those kind of opportunities to a class player like Adrian."
|
Adrian Lewis |
3-2 |
Nigel Heydon |
|
28 |
100+ |
39 |
|
18 |
140+ |
15 |
|
7 |
180s |
8 |
|
34.14 |
Ave 1 |
30.43 |
|
96.41 |
Ave 3 |
91.30 |
|
134 |
High Finish |
100 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Throw |
6 |
|
14/31 - 45% |
Finishing - % |
12/34 - 35% |
WAYNE JONES 3-1 SCOTT MACKENZIE
(3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1)
WAYNE JONES ended the hopes of Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie with a 3-1 victory in the first round of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.
Jones' win sets up a last 32 clash against Roland Scholten next Thursday, after the Dutchman had knocked out Jamie Caven in the opening match of the competition earlier on Thursday.
MacKenzie, who defeated Paul Barham in their preliminary round game earlier in the evening, started well and established a 2-1 lead in the first set.
Jones held throw for a second time to take the fourth leg and hit double five with his last dart in the deciding leg to take edge ahead.
The Wolverhampton star drew confidence from taking the opening set as he hit 180s in each of the first two legs of set two to build a 2-0 lead.
Jones, who reached the semi-finals of this tournament back in 2006, took the set without reply as he converted a 75 finish to confirm a two-set cushion.
MacKenzie began the third set by hitting double top to win the first leg and then broke throw in the next by landing double ten.
Jones won the third leg against the darts with an 81 finish but MacKenzie took the fourth by hitting double ten once again to get back into the game.
MacKenzie capitalised on missed darts at doubles from Jones to win the first leg of set four, but the 15th seed recovered to take the second with a two-dart 68 finish, after MacKenzie missed the bullseye for a 167 checkout.
Jones hit double top to win the next leg against the darts and then closed out the game by landing double 16 at the first attempt.
"There were some patches of being pretty good there and it's great to be through," said Jones. "I know I hit a few 180s but it was a bit frustrating that I struggled to score well outside of that.
"Scott played really well and was more consistent than I expected, and if it had gone to a deciding set he'd have probably beaten me, so I'm pleased to get it over with."
|
Wayne Jones |
3-1 |
Scott MacKenzie |
|
24 |
100+ |
26 |
|
11 |
140+ |
7 |
|
8 |
180s |
1 |
|
31.50 |
Ave 1 |
28.46 |
|
94.49 |
Ave 3 |
85.37 |
|
81 |
High Finish |
53 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |
|
10/34 - 29% |
Finishing - % |
6/14 -43% |
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