TAYLOR'S PITCH PERFECT IN SINGHA BEER GRAND SLAM OF DARTS OPENER
PHIL TAYLOR began his defence of the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts title with a superb 5-0 whitewash of Richie George at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday night, as Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson, Michael Smith and James Wade turned on the style.
Taylor, a five-time Grand Slam of Darts winner, was in clinical mood as he swept aside former Lakeside Championship semi-finalist George.
Taylor averaged 100.20 in the win and hit five doubles from seven attempts, with George missing with three darts at double top in the game's third leg - after he had landed a 180 in being first to a finish - in his best chance to get off the mark.
Taylor will now meet Holland's Christian Kist in Sunday's second Group E fixtures, after the 2012 Lakeside Champion was a 5-2 winner against Andy Hamilton in their first fixture.
"If you'd offered me a 5-0 win at the start of the night I'd have been a happy man and it's a good start for me," said Taylor. ""Richie's a better player than he showed tonight but you've got to take your chances.
"Christian's an ex World Champion and he's a good player so I know it won't be easy on Sunday, but I'll be ready for him."
Wolverhampton debutant Stephen Bunting enjoyed a memorable first appearance as he averaged almost 104 in a superb 5-1 Group H win over Wesley Harms, who was restricted to just two darts at a double in the contest.
"That's a really good win for me," said Bunting. "I was trying to prove a point and I'm happy to get the win because the first game is always the hardest. I was nervous so I'm glad to get it out of the way."
Gary Anderson set up a mouthwatering Group H clash with Bunting on Sunday night with an equally impressive 5-1 win over Dean Winstanley in their opening clash.
In-form James Wade - the 2010 Grand Slam of Darts runner-up - continued his strong recent form by hitting five doubles from six attempts in a superb 5-1 win over Jamie Caven.
Wade will now meet Mervyn King on Sunday night in a repeat of their clash in last week's Masters final in Edinburgh, after the latter edged out Tony O'Shea 5-4 in a tight clash.
Former World Youth Champion Michael Smith kicked off Group F with an outstanding comeback as he hit back from 2-0 down to win 5-2 against Simon Whitlock, with the St Helens youngster reeling off four 180s and averaging almost 105.
"At 2-0 down I was always confident that I could get back into the game, and Simon didn't have an answer to what I threw at him," said a bullish Smith. "I've come here believing I'm going to win the Grand Slam and this is a great start."
Smith now plays Peter Wright in his second Group F gae on Sunday, with the PDC world number four having defeated Brendan Dolan 5-2 in their opener.
Earlier in the day, PDC World Champion Michael van Gerwen overcame a huge scare against Darren Webster as he opened with a narrow 5-4 Group A win - but Adrian Lewis was stunning by debutant Rowby-John Rodriguez.
PDC World Champion van Gerwen, the 2012 runner-up at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, had looked set for a shock defeat to the Wildcard Qualifier when Webster opened up a 3-1 lead in their race to five legs.
However, Norfolk's Webster missed one dart at double top to extend his lead to three legs as van Gerwen hit back to level the game in leg six and leg eight, before the Dutchman took the game's deciding ninth leg with a 104 checkout.
"I didn't play very well - I was rubbish," said a self-critical van Gerwen. "I wasn't comfortable and Darren took his chances, but it's a really important win for me.
"I need to get back on the practice board now because I have to play better in my next two games."
Van Gerwen now meets Kim Huybrechts in Sunday's second group games, with the Belgian taking a 5-2 win over Holland's Jan Dekker in the tournament's opening fixture.
Huybrechts finished 143 as he took a 4-0 lead before holding off the Lakeside Championship semi-finalist's brief rally to claim the win, admitting: "I'm trying to play a little bit faster at the moment and just get on with my darts without thinking about it, and it's working."
Webster meets Dekker on Sunday afternoon, and added: "I pushed Michael all the way but I've still got two games left and I could still get through. I love playing the big players and I gave Michael a great game today."
Two-time World Champion Lewis, though, was left stunned by a superb debut from Austrian youngster Rowby-John Rodriguez, who took a 5-2 win from their opening Group C contest.
Lewis shared the opening four legs with the 20-year-old, but the two-time World Champion was punished for misses in the next two as Rodriguez took out 118 and 60 to pull clear before landing his third 180 of the game in a 13-darter to seal victory.
"I was really nervous during the game but I'm so glad to get the win," said Rodriguez, the PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship finalist in May.
"I want to relax and play my game and prove myself here, but to win that game against a two-time World Champion is great for me."
Rodriguez will now play Dave Chisnall on Sunday afternoon, with Lewis facing a must-win contest with World Youth Champion Keegan Brown.
Former World Grand Prix finalist Chisnall also impressed as he opened his challenge with a 100 average in a 5-1 win over Brown, who took the opening leg but saw the St Helens man level with a 103 finish to spark a run of five successive legs.
2012 Grand Slam of Darts champion Raymond van Barneveld opened Group D with a 5-3 win over debutant Robbie Green, who hit back from 4-1 down to trail just 4-3 before the Dutchman sealed victory on double six.
"I wasn't at my best today but I got the win, and hopefully I'll be better tomorrow," said van Barneveld. "This is a special tournament and I love this venue and crowd, so hopefully I can have another good week."
Van Barneveld will face an all-Dutch second game against Vincent van der Voort, who defeated Robert Thornton 5-2 in their opener.
Thornton replied to a 127 checkout from his opponent in the game's opening leg by finishing 93 and 161 to move 2-1 up in a heavy-scoring opening.
Van der Voort, though, levelled with a 158 finish and hit back-to-back 180s as he wrestled back the lead, before punishing the Scot's missed doubles to close out the win.
"I'm really happy with that win and it was a great performance," said van der Voort. "You have to be in there straight away in this format and when Robert gave me chances I took them."
Alan Norris and Terry Jenkins were the Group B winners on the opening afternoon as they set up a tasty Sunday afternoon fixture with wins over Ronny Huybrechts and Scott Waites.
Norris, the Lakeside Championship runner-up, enjoyed a winning Grand Slam debut with a 5-2 victory over Belgian ace Huybrechts, winning the game's final three legs without reply.
"I didn't perform as well as I can do, but it's my first game and I just wanted to get through it and get the first win under my belt," said Norris. "I'm sure I'll improve as the week goes on."
Jenkins won in the same manner against 2010 Grand Slam champion Waites, who now faces Huybrechts on Sunday in a key clash if the former Lakeside Champion is to maintain his fine record on the Wolves Civic stage.
Sunday's play sees all 32 players competing in their second Group Stage games, with Groups A-D in action in the afternoon session before Groups E-H returning to the Wolves Civic stage in the evening session.
The SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts will be screened live on Sky Sports HD, and through the following international PDC broadcast partners:
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Online through www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers
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SINGHA BEER GRAND SLAM OF DARTS
Saturday November 8
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
Groups A-D First Matches
Kim Huybrechts 5-2 Jan Dekker (A)
Scott Waites 2-5 Terry Jenkins (B)
Robert Thornton 2-5 Vincent van der Voort (D)
Alan Norris 5-2 Ronny Huybrechts (B)
Dave Chisnall 5-1 Keegan Brown (C)
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Darren Webster (A)
Raymond van Barneveld 5-3 Robbie Green (D)
Adrian Lewis 2-5 Rowby-John Rodriguez (C)
Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
Groups E-H First Matches
Andy Hamilton 2-5 Christian Kist (E)
Stephen Bunting 5-1 Wesley Harms (H)
Mervyn King 5-4 Tony O'Shea (G)
Peter Wright 5-2 Brendan Dolan (F)
Gary Anderson 5-1 Dean Winstanley (H)
Phil Taylor 5-0 Richie George (E)
Simon Whitlock 2-5 Michael Smith (F)
James Wade 5-1 Jamie Caven (G)
All games are the best of nine legs
MATCH INFORMATION
Kim Huybrechts v Jan Dekker - Group A
1-0 - Double six gives Huybrechts the opening leg.
2-0 - Dekker misses the bull for a 130 finish, and Huybrechts finishes 82 on tops to break.
3-0 - The Belgian wins a third successive leg as he pulls clear.
4-0 - A superb 143 finish, ending on double 16, moves Huybrechts a leg from the win.
4-1 - Dekker wins his first leg of the game, finishing 124 on the bull.
4-2 - Dekker finishes 76 on double 18 to continue his revival.
5-2 - Double 16 sees Huybrechts complete the win.
Scott Waites v Terry Jenkins - Group B
0-1 - Jenkins finishes 110 on double 18 to win the opener.
0-2 - 2010 champion Waites misses four darts at doubles, allowing Jenkins in on tops to break throw.
1-2 - Waites misses double 19 to take out 118, but returns after a miss at tops from Jenkins to land double four and win his first leg of the game.
2-2 - Jenkins is unable to capitalise on Waites' missed doubles as he misses three darts, allowing the former Lakeside Champion back in on double six to level the game.
2-3 - Jenkins fires in a 180 before taking out tops to regain the lead.
2-4 - The former Grand Slam finalist lands a second maximum before finishing 81 on the bull to break and move a leg away from victory.
2-5 - Tops sees Jenkins secure victory in his opening group game.
Robert Thornton v Vincent van der Voort - Group D
0-1 - The Dutchman claims the opening leg in style by finishing 127 on double eight.
1-1 - Thornton takes out 93 on double 12 to level.
2-1 - The Scot breaks throw with a superb 161 checkout.
2-2 - van der Voort hits back with a 158 finish on double 19.
2-3 - van der Voort opens with two 180s, and though he eventually wins the leg on tops, Thornton misses the bull for another 161 finish!
2-4 - Thornton opens with a maximum, but misses five doubles to take the leg as van der Voort follows a 170 score by landing tops to move a leg away from the win.
2-5 - Thornton fires in a third 180, but is punished for four more missed doubles as van der Voort returns to pin double ten to take the points.
Alan Norris v Ronny Huybrechts - Group B
1-0 - Huybrechts opens the game with a 180, but double five gives Norris the opening leg.
1-1 - The pair both miss tops before the Belgian returns to hit the bed and level.
2-1 - Four missed doubles from Huybrechts allow Norris in to take out 80 with two double tops.
2-2 - Norris posts a maximum, but Huybrechts finishes 68 on double four to square the game.
3-2 - Norris regains the edge by finishing 60 on tops.
4-2 - Four further missed doubles from Huybrechts are punished as Norris lands double 16 to move two legs clear.
5-2 - Norris misses the bull for a 130 checkout, but Huybrechts is unable to land tops as the Lakeside Championship runner-up returns on double 16 to seal victory on his Grand Slam debut.
Dave Chisnall v Keegan Brown - Group C
0-1 - Chisnall fires in the game's first 180, but Brown holds throw on double 16.
1-1 - Chisnall levels in style by following another maximum with a 103 checkout.
2-1 - Brown misses five darts at doubles and is punished by Chisnall, who takes out 83 on double 16 for a break of throw.
3-1 - Chisnall lands double five to move two legs clear.
4-1 - Chisnall claims a fourth successive leg, taking out 84 on double 12.
5-1 - Chisnall posts his fourth 180 of the game, and when Brown misses tops for a 160 finish he returns to seal victory.
Michael van Gerwen v Darren Webster - Group A
1-0 - van Gerwen breaks throw immediately by finishing 76 on double 18.
1-1 - Tops sees Webster level the game with a break.
1-2 - Webster is first to a finish and lands double 12 to move ahead.
1-3 - Webster wins a third successive legs, capitalising when van Gerwen misses double eight to finish 136.
2-3 - Webster misses a dart at tops, and van Gerwen hits back on double 16.
3-3 - The Dutchman lands a 180 before levelling the game on tops.
3-4 - Webster takes out 64 to move a leg away from the win.
4-4 - van Gerwen finishes 74 in two darts as he sends the game into a deciding leg.
5-4 - Webster is unable to take out 122, and van Gerwen finishes 104 on double 18 to complete his fightback in style.
Raymond van Barneveld v Robbie Green - Group D
1-0 - The pair trade 180s before van Barneveld lands double 18 to take the opening leg against the darts.
2-0 - Double 16, with his third dart, sees van Barneveld double his lead.
2-1 - van Barneveld misses double top and ten, and Green returns to finish double ten - with his third dart - to get off the mark.
3-1 - van Barneveld finishes 82 on double eight as he regains his cushion.
4-1 - van Barneveld opens with a 180, and has enough cushion to initially miss three darts at doubles before returning to land double two and move a leg away from victory with a break of throw.
4-2 - Double eight sees Green keep the game alive.
4-3 - Green cuts the gap to one leg by firing in double 16.
5-3 - van Barneveld posts a third-dart double six to seal victory and earn the opening points.
Adrian Lewis v Rowby-John Rodriguez - Group C
0-1 - Lewis misses two darts at double ten to break throw, and Rodriguez finishes double 16 to claim the opening leg.
1-1 - Lewis levels by this time hitting the double ten to take out 80.
1-2 - World Youth Championship finalist Rodriguez takes out 50 on double 16 to move back ahead.
2-2 - Rodriguez misses three darts at double 16 and eight to punish Lewis, who returns from initially failing to leave a double when on 84 to finish double 16 with a third dart.
2-3 - The pair trade 180s during the scoring phase of the leg, with Rodriguez punishing misses from Lewis at double 18 and nine by finishing 118 on double 19.
2-4 - Rodriguez opens with his second 180 of the game before punishing a miss at tops from Lewis for a 125 finish by taking out 60 on double ten.
2-5 - The young Austrian lands another maximum before sealing victory on double 16 with a 13-darter to complete an impressive debut.
Match Stats
| Average | 180s | Doubles | Average | 180s | Doubles | |||
| 91.54 | 3 | 5/9 | Kim Huybrechts | 5-2 | Jan Dekker | 85.47 | 0 | 2/3 |
| 85.78 | 0 | 2/11 | Scott Waites | 2-5 | Terry Jenkins | 94.83 | 2 | 5/10 |
| 97.19 | 3 | 2/11 | Robert Thornton | 2-5 | Vincent van der Voort | 99.26 | 2 | 5/6 |
| 85.63 | 1 | 5/11 | Alan Norris | 5-2 | Ronny Huybrechts | 89.35 | 1 | 2/13 |
| 100.84 | 4 | 5/11 | Dave Chisnall | 5-1 | Keegan Brown | 93.04 | 0 | 1/7 |
| 90.33 | 2 | 5/6 | Michael van Gerwen | 5-4 | Darren Webster | 94.64 | 0 | 4/12 |
| 91.53 | 2 | 5/17 | Raymond van Barneveld | 5-3 | Robbie Green | 85.31 | 1 | 3/6 |
| 91.37 | 1 | 2/9 | Adrian Lewis | 2-5 | Rowby-John Rodriguez | 90.22 | 3 | 5/9 |
EVENING SESSION
Andy Hamilton v Christian Kist - Group E
1-0 - Hamilton finishes 96 on double 18 to win the opening leg.
1-1 - He pair trade 180s and Kist adds a 162 score before punishing misses from Hamilton at the bull and double eight by finishing tops to level.
1-2 - Both players miss their chance to move ahead before Kist returns on double one.
2-2 - Hamilton finishes 91 to level on double 16.
2-3 - Kist finishes a third-dart double 16 as he edges back in front.
2-4 - Hamilton misses the bull and two darts at double eight as Kist steps in to take out 64 on double eight.
2-5 - Hamilton misses darts at double 18 and nine, and Kist returns to claim the win on double four.
Stephen Bunting v Wesley Harms - Group H
1-0 - Tops gives Grand Slam debutant Bunting the opening leg.
1-1 - Harms takes out 106 on double eight to level.
2-1 - Bunting fires in a 177 to leave 16 as double eight moves him back ahead.
3-1 - The Lakeside Champion now lands a 180 and finishes 81 on double six for a two-leg lead.
4-1 - Harms misses double eight for another 106 checkout, and Bunting hits the same bed to win his fourth leg.
5-1 - Double 16 secures victory for Bunting with a 103.84 average.
Mervyn King v Tony O'Shea - Group G
0-1 - Double ten gives popular O'Shea the opening leg.
1-1 - O'Shea posts a maximum, but King levels by taking out 61 on double 18.
1-2 - O'Shea kicks off the leg with another 180 before taking out 104 on double 16 to move back ahead.
2-2 - O'Shea sees his chance to break go begging, and King lands double eight to level.
2-3 - Double eight sees O'Shea regain the advantage.
3-3 - King misses the bull for a 126 finish, but O'Shea fails to give himself a dart at a double when on 90, allowing his opponent back on double four.
3-4 - O'Shea fires in his third 180 of the game and takes out double eight to move a leg away from victory.
4-4 - O'Shea posts another maximum, but King replies with his first of the match before taking out 61 on double 18 again to force a deciding leg.
5-4 - King lands his second 180 of the match at the right time, pulling clear before returning from a miss at the bull to finish 161 to land double eight.
Peter Wright v Brendan Dolan - Group F
0-1 - Double ten edges Dolan into the lead.
1-1 - Wright finishes 60 on double ten to level.
2-1 - Double top moves Wright ahead.
3-1 - Dolan fires in a 180, but Wright lands double 16 to break and move two legs clear.
3-2 - Dolan misses two darts at double 12, but Wright is unable to finish the bull when needing 82, as the Northern Irish ace returns on double six.
4-2 - Wright takes out 105 on double 16 as he regains his edge.
5-2 - Wright lands his first maximum, and though he initially misses tops for the win, he returns to seal the two points.
Gary Anderson v Dean Winstanley - Group H
1-0 - Anderson kicks off the game with a superb 13-darter, hitting a 180 before posting double six.
1-1 - Anderson misses two darts at tops, allowing Winstanley in to finish 20 as he levels.
2-1 - Anderson takes out 44 on tops to regain the edge.
3-1 - Anderson kicks off the leg with 140 and 180 before breaking throw by finishing 76 on tops.
4-1 - The Scot moves a leg away from victory.
5-1 - Winstanley is punished for his missed doubles as Anderson returns to finish 57 on double ten to claim a comprehensive win.
Phil Taylor v Richie George - Group E
1-0 - Taylor takes out 70 on double eight to claim the opening leg.
2-0 - Taylor doubles his lead by finishing 50 on double 16,
3-0 - George lands a 180 but is punished for missing three darts at tops as Taylor takes out double three.
4-0 - Taylor finishes 65 on tops to win a fourth successive leg.
5-0 - Taylor seals a whitewash win by finishing 107 on double 16, ending the game with a 100.20 average.
Simon Whitlock v Michael Smith
1-0 - Whitlock makes a fine start, scoring 180 and 140 before taking out 76 for a 12-darter.
2-0 - Smith fires in scores of 180 and 165 to leave 40, only for Whitlock to hit tops and double his lead.
2-1 - Smith gets off the mark with a 13-darter.
2-2 - The former World Youth Champion levels matters.
2-3 - Smith scores 140 and 180 before adding double 12 once more to move ahead.
2-4 - Another maximum helps pull Smith clear before he finishes 60 on tops.
2-5 - Smith's charge continues as he scores 140 and 180 - his fourth - before taking out 60 on double ten to seal victory with an impressive 104.91 average.
James Wade v Jamie Caven
1-0 - Caven misses a single 11 to leave the bull when on 121, allowing Wade to take out 60 on tops.
2-0 - Wade finishes 108 for a break to double his lead.
3-0 - Wade lands tops again to move three legs clear.
3-1 - The pair trade 180s before Caven takes out double ten to win his first leg.
4-1 - Wade finishes tops once more to move to the brink of victory.
5-1 - Wade seals a clinical victory by taking out 76, naturally, on tops.
Match Stats
| Average | 180s | Doubles | Average | 180s | Doubles | |||
| 95.69 | 1 | 2/13 | Andy Hamilton | 2-5 | Christian Kist | 95.52 | 1 | 5/12 |
| 103.84 | 1 | 5/8 | Stephen Bunting | 5-1 | Wesley Harms | 91.54 | 1 | 1/2 |
| 80.37 | 2 | 5/8 | Mervyn King | 5-4 | Tony O'Shea | 89.45 | 4 | 4/16 |
| 91.96 | 1 | 5/9 | Peter Wright | 5-2 | Brendan Dolan | 92.28 | 1 | 2/5 |
| 96.32 | 2 | 5/11 | Gary Anderson | 5-1 | Dean Winstanley | 78.40 | 0 | 1/8 |
| 100.20 | 0 | 5/7 | Phil Taylor | 5-0 | Richie George | 80.09 | 1 | 0/3 |
| 92.84 | 1 | 2/4 | Simon Whitlock | 2-5 | Michael Smith | 104.91 | 4 | 5/7 |
| 99.48 | 1 | 5/6 | James Wade | 5-1 | Jamie Caven | 98.43 | 1 | 1/3 |
League Tables
|
Group A |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Kim Huybrechts |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Michael van Gerwen |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Darren Webster |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Jan Dekker |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Group B |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Alan Norris |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Terry Jenkins |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Scott Waites |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Ronny Huybrechts |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Group C |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Dave Chisnall |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+4 |
2 |
|
Rowby-John Rodriguez |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Adrian Lewis |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Keegan Brown |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-4 |
0 |
|
Group D |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Vincent van der Voort |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+2 |
2 |
|
Robbie Green |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-2 |
0 |
|
Robert Thornton |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Group E |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Phil Taylor |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+5 |
2 |
|
Christian Kist |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Andy Hamilton |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Richie George |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-5 |
0 |
|
Group F |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Peter Wright |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Michael Smith |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+3 |
2 |
|
Simon Whitlock |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Brendan Dolan |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-3 |
0 |
|
Group G |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
James Wade |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+4 |
2 |
|
Mervyn King |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Tony O’Shea |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Jamie Caven |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-4 |
0 |
|
Group H |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Leg Diff |
Points |
|
Stephen Bunting |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+4 |
2 |
|
Gary Anderson |
1 |
1 |
0 |
+4 |
2 |
|
Dean Winstanley |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-4 |
0 |
|
Wesley Harms |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-4 |
0 |
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