REPORTS, stats and results from Friday's first round at the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The first day of action from the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, sees the first round involve all 32 competitors.
You can also watch highlights & listen to live commentary online wherever you are with PDCtv - click here to sign up now
Follow a live blog at the Matchroom Bets website
coral.co.uk Players Championship
First Round
Afternoon Session
Vincent van der Voort 6-2 Chris Mason
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jamie Caven
Ronnie Baxter 6-4 Tony Eccles
Wayne Jones 6-2 Terry Jenkins
Mervyn King 6-2 Felix McBrearty
Andy Smith 6-1 Colin Osborne
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Steve Maish
Evening Session
Kevin Painter 6-5 Alex Roy
Alan Tabern 6-3 Adrian Lewis
Andy Hamilton 6-2 Peter Manley
James Wade 6-2 Steve Beaton
Robert Thornton 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Phil Taylor 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Andy Jenkins
John Part 6-3 Denis Ovens
Wayne Mardle 6-4 Mark Walsh
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 6-2 CHRIS MASON
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT opened the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a 6-2 victory over Chris Mason.
The Dutchman quickly created a 4-0 lead early against an under-par Mason and went on to comfortably reach the second round, where he will play either Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen.
Van der Voort broke throw in the opening leg with a 15-dart finish on double top, despite a maximum from his opponent.
The Dutchman hit a maximum of his own in the second leg for a 2-0 lead, and then took the third after Mason missed four darts at doubles.
Van der Voort then won took the fourth with a 66 finish before Mason opened his account on double eight to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
In the sixth van der Voort missed three darts at double, but Mason was unable to capitalise on the opportunity and the Dutchman landed double four to go 5-1 up.
The Dutchman had a dart to win the match in the next but his attempt at bullseye was off-target and Mason kept his hopes alive by landing double top with his last dart.
Van der Voort missed two more opportunities for the match in the eighth leg, but three missed doubles from Mason allowed the Dutchman to return and land double eight for victory.
Match Stats
COLIN LLOYD 6-1 JAMIE CAVEN
COLIN LLOYD produced an impressive display to defeat Jamie Caven 6-2 in the first round of the 2009 coral.co.uk Players Championship at the Circus Tavern.
Lloyd, who suffered a disappointing early exit at last month's World Championship to Jelle Klaasen, will now take on either Andy Hamilton or Peter Manley in the last 16 on Saturday.
The Essex man quickly opened up a 2-0 lead, hitting double top to win both legs.
Caven reduced the deficit to win the third with a 78 finish, before Lloyd hit a superb 11-darter to restore his two-leg advantage.
Lloyd landed double top for the third time in the contest to go 5-1 up and a leg away from victory.
He then wrapped up the win in the seventh leg after Caven missed two darts at double to keep the alive, allowing Lloyd to return to the oche and hit double four.
Match Stats
RONNIE BAXTER 6-4 TONY ECCLES
RONNIE BAXTER came from 4-1 down to defeat Tony Eccles 6-4 on the first day of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Eccles had opportunities to go 5-2 and 5-4 ahead, but wasted chances left the Hartlepool ace ruing missing 16 of the 22 darts he had at doubles.
Eccles started well with a two-dart 56 finish, which he then followed up by landing double 10 for a 2-0 lead.
A 14-dart finish gave Eccles a 3-0 advantage before Baxter landed double 16 in the fourth to get-off the mark.
Eccles restored his three leg advantage in the fifth leg after Baxter missed a dart at double four. But Baxter managed to win the next to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
In the seventh Baxter hit his second maximum of the game, but Eccles missed three darts at double 12 to go 5-2 up and the Lancastrian took his opportunity to land double ten to pull back another leg.
The comeback was complete in the eighth leg as Baxter converted an 80 checkout on double 10 to square the game.
In the next Eccles missed six darts at doubles to go 5-4 up - five off-target on double eight - and Baxter stepped up to hit double 10 for the fourthleg in a row to lead the match for the first time.
In the tenth leg Baxter missed three darts for the match, but Eccles wasted two of his own at double 16 to send the game into a decider and Baxter sealed victory on double eight.
Match Stats
MERVYN KING 6-2 FELIX MCBREARTY
MERVYN KING moved into the last 16 of the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a comfortable 6-2 triumph over Northern Ireland's Felix McBrearty.
King started the match in confident fashion with a 118 checkout to break throw in the first leg, and followed that up with a 101 finish to go 2-0 ahead.
McBrearty, who won the Ireland Open Classic Players Championship last September, managed to win the third leg after King missed a number of opportunities to move 3-0 up.
King, who qualified for the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League after breaking into the world's top six, hit double 16 to move 3-1 ahead, before McBrearty took the fifth leg by landing double top.
McBrearty had chances at the double top to level the game at three apiece, but his two attempts were off-target and King hit double 16 to move 4-2 up.
After that, King stamped his authority on the match and won the next two legs with 13-dart finishes to book a second round clash against Wayne Mardle or Mark Walsh.
Match Stats
ANDY SMITH 6-1 COLIN OSBORNE
ANDY SMITH upset the form book with a 6-1 thrashing of seventh seed Colin Osborne in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Smith produced some superb finishing during the contest and will now play either Raymond van Barneveld or Andy Jenkins on Saturday.
Osborne, twice a finalist on the PDC Pro Tour this year already, suffered problems with his darts and saw several throws fall out of the board during the match, including four in the first leg as Smith took the opening two to lead 2-0.
Smith landed a maximum in the third and had opportunities to extend his lead, but was off target and Osborne managed to take out a 92 finish to pull back to 2-1.
Smith replied to take the fourth by landing double eight for the second time in the game, and pulled clear thanks to two superb finishes.
He took out a 155 checkout in the fifth leg, and then hit a 161 to go 5-1 up and put himself in pole position for the £2,000 high checkout prize.
Osborne had three chances to keep the match alive in the seventh leg, but those went begging and Smith converted double 13 at the first time of asking to record an excellent win.
"It's the best I've played on TV for a long time and I'm very pleased," he said.
"I've been playing well in the last few weeks and the big finishes went in today, which I'm pleased as punch with.
"I felt a bit sorry for Colin because he had a lot of bounce-outs but he'd had new points put in. Maybe it cost him the game but I did the job today."
Match Stats
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 6-3 STEVE MAISH
DENNIS PRIESTLEY fought from 3-1 down to defeat Steve Maish 6-3 in a tough first round encounter at the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Yorkshireman found himself two legs down midway through the contest, but battled back to defeat Maish and gain revenge for his loss to the Essex player in the 2008 World Championship.
Both players held their own throws at the start of the match before Maish managed to break for a 2-1 lead.
The local favourite then went 3-1 ahead after landing double ten with his last dart, before Priestley took the fifth leg with 100 checkout.
Priestley then levelled matters by hitting a crucial double two with his last dart, and then went ahead for the first time in the match in the seventh leg, which included his first maximum of the game.
Priestley hit another maximum in the next, but Maish missed six darts at doubles to level and Priestley snatched the leg to move 5-3 up by hitting double four, again with his third dart.
That took the veteran within touching distance of victory and he duly wrapped up the match with a 56 finish, converting double top to move into the last 16, where he meets Denis Ovens or John Part.
"It was a mixed sort of game really," said Priestley. "To be honest I'd been practising poorly so a win was a bonus, because I've had a few injections in the last few weeks for flu, tetanus and the like and I didn't realise it had upset me so much.
"I dug in, kept my composure and used my experience to win five legs on the trot, and I'm pleased with that. Hopefully I'll have some more consistency on Saturday."
Match Stats
KEVIN PAINTER 6-5 ALEX ROY
KEVIN PAINTER won a thrilling first round encounter at the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a deciding leg victory over Alex Roy.
Roy was on course to win the match having led 5-2, but Painter took the remaining four legs of the match to secure a place in the last 16.
Painter won the opening leg of the match with throw, despite a 180 from his opponent.
He then had opportunities to break Roy's throw in the second leg, but he missed the two opportunities he had and Roy levelled.
Painter hit a 14-dart finish in the third leg to lead 2-1, before Roy levelled once again with a two-dart 56 finish.
In the fifth leg, Roy broke throw with a clinical 100 checkout, after Painter had missed three darts to hold throw.
Roy, who won a Players Championship event in Irvine last October, won the sixth to open up a two-leg gap, and then hit a superb 114 finish to go 5-2 up and look the likely winner.
But Painter came back strongly, winning the eighth leg with a two-dart 65 and the next to reduce the deficit to 5-4.
The man from Daventry then broke his opponent's throw to square the game with a timely 105 checkout.
Painter had the momentum in the deciding leg and duly wrapped up victory by landing double eight.
"At the break I was 3-2 down but should have been 4-1 up and took heart from that," he said. "At 5-2 I thought I was gone but kept plugging away and at right at the death the pressure told.
"I felt I was playing well and scoring well but not checking out and when I did I managed to get back into it."
Roy admitted: "I didn't start well in any leg but took my chances. I probably didn't deserve to be 3-2 up but Kevin let me in and I took my chances in the first half."
Match Stats
ALAN TABERN 6-3 ADRIAN LEWIS
ALAN TABERN dumped Adrian Lewis from the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a 6-3 win at the Circus Tavern.
Tabern, who is seeded three for this event after his hat-trick of wins in Players Championships last year, was never behind during the contest and came through against an under-par Lewis.
Tabern took an early lead by landing double 16, and then doubled the advantage in the second leg by landing double six after both players had wasted earlier opportunities.
The St Helens man then went 3-0 up before Lewis got on the scoreboard with a two-dart 64 finish in the fourth, which also included a maximum.
Tabern went 4-1 ahead after landing double 12 before Lewis briefly came to life with an excellent 121 checkout.
But Tabern hit a 121 finish of his own in the next leg to move 5-2 up and within sight of the winning line.
Tabern was off-target with three darts at doubles for the match in the eighth, and Lewis hit a 110 finish to keep his hopes alive.
But that was as good as it got for the world number seven as Tabern wrapped up victory in the next on double four.
"It didn't feel like a comfortable win," said Tabern. "He can either beat you up or if you're playing well you can beat him up.
"I was lucky that he didn't produce his best form but maybe I stopped him producing his best form too, and I kept in and produced a workmanlike performance."
Match Stats
ANDY HAMILTON 6-2 PETER MANLEY
ANDY HAMILTON overcame the challenge of Peter Manley with an impressive 6-2 win in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Hamilton was never really troubled during the match and will now take on Colin Lloyd in an eye-catching second round tie on Saturday afternoon.
Hamilton broke throw in the opening leg of the match by landing double ten after Manley missed two darts at the same double.
The Stoke ace then took the second leg to go 2-0 up before hitting a maximum in the third followed by double eight in taking the third.
Hamilton moved further away from Manley by winning the fourth leg before the three-time World Championship finalist hit a 101 finish to take his first leg of the match.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs to leave Hamilton 5-2 ahead and the Stoke player wrapped up the win in the next leg by hitting double ten.
"Peter gave me some chances and I took them," said Hamilton. "I'm throwing well, throwing consistently but this wasn't my best game.
"Hopefully I will settle down and score better on Saturday. I'm not scared of Colin and I'll look forward to playing him."
Match Stats
JAMES WADE 6-2 STEVE BEATON
JAMES WADE ended Steve Beaton's hopes with a 6-2 victory in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship at the Circus Tavern.
Beaton had opportunities to go 3-1 up in the early stages of the match, but those wasted chances proved be costly as the UK Open champion took complete command.
Wade won the first leg of the match before Beaton held throw with an excellent 106 finish, after Wade missed bullseye for what would have been a 'showpiece' 125 checkout.
Beaton then won the third leg against the darts after Wade had missed four opportunities to hold throw.
But Wade immediately broke back to level the match with a two-dart 61 finish after Beaton missed three darts at doubles for a 3-1 lead, and double top put him back in front.
Beaton hit his second maximum of the game in the sixth leg, but wasted two more chances at doubles to level.
The world number two then won the seventh to go 5-2 up and wrapped up the match in fine style with a 126 checkout, finishing on the bullseye to set up a clash with Kevin Painter in round two.
Match Stats
ROBERT THORNTON 6-5 MARK DUDBRIDGE
ROBERT THORNTON came out on top in a dramatic final-leg thriller to edge out Mark Dudbridge 6-5 in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The two were locked throughout a tight battle, with the opening eight legs going with throw before Thornton took a 5-4 lead, Dudbridge levelled but then fell in the decider.
Both players missed a number of opportunities to win the first leg, with Dudbridge managing to hold throw landing double five with his last dart.
The second leg followed a similar pattern but this time it was the Scotsman who levelled by hitting double four.
Both players held their throws in the next two and that sequence continued as Dudbridge converted a two-dart 52 finish to go ahead 3-2.
The Bristolian then had opportunities break throw in the sixth leg, but three misses gave Thornton a chance, and he landed double five with his last dart.
Dudbridge held throw to ahead for the fourth time in the match, and had a dart at bullseye to go 5-3 ahead in the next.
But he was unable to convert that opportunity and Thornton levelled again make it eight consecutive legs that had been held with throw.
The deadlock was finally broken in the ninth leg when Thornton produced an excellent 118 checkout on double 19 to go into the next throwing for the match.
However, he missed a dart at double top in the tenth leg and Dudbridge managed to break back after hitting three consecutive 140s.
Dudbridge had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but Thornton quickly took that away with scores of 140 and 180, his fourth of the game, before going on to land double top and book a last 16 clash against Alan Tabern.
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 6-3 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
PHIL TAYLOR stormed into round two of the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a superb 6-3 win over Michael van Gerwen.
Taylor, making his first televised appearance since he became World Champion for the 14th time at the start of January, ended the match with a three dart average of 108.49 in setting up a clash with Vincent van der Voort on Saturday.
The number one seed started in superb style with a 140 checkout to take an early lead with a 12-darter, but van Gerwen replied to take level at 1-1 with the aid of a maximum.
Taylor took the third leg to move ahead again, but missed three darts at double 16 to break throw in the fourth, and the teenager hit double top with his last dart to level again.
Taylor hit a superb 11-dart finish to lead 3-2, and then landed a 12-darter, which was completed with a clinical 136 checkout, to pull clear.
Taylor moved to within touching distance of victory when he held throw to go 5-2 up, but van Gerwen kept the match alive by converting a two-dart 60 finish.
But in the ninth leg Taylor wrapped up the match by landing double 12 at the first time of asking to seal a strong start to his challenge for the £50,000 title.
"Michael is a great player and I knew I had to start well," said Taylor. "In this short format, with only legs and no sets, you cannot get behind because you can be in trouble.
"I can play better but a win is a win and you want to come here to perform.
"I have so many memories of this place and now I want to create some more by winning this title."
Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 6-4 ANDY JENKINS
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD held off the challenge of Andy Jenkins with a 6-4 first round win in the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Van Barneveld, seeded tenth for the event after what was by his standards a disappointing season in Players Championships last year, will now take on Andy Smith in the last 16.
The Dutch ace had not played since reaching the World Championship final, but continued the form he showed at Alexandra Palace to progress.
Jenkins opened up an early lead by converting an 80 finish after the Dutchman missed two darts at double 16 to break.
Van Barneveld, returning to the scene of his 2007 World Championship triumph, took the second leg to level and then took the lead in the next, which included six perfect darts with back-to-back 180s.
Jenkins levelled the game again at 2-2 with a three-dart 84 finish, but van Barneveld regained the lead with an 81 checkout to break his opponent's throw for the second time in the match.
The world number three had a dart at double eight to go 4-2 ahead after the break, but was off-target and Jenkins squared the game once again on the same bed.
Van Barneveld broke throw once again to move 4-3 ahead, and then won the eighth leg to go one leg away from the winning line.
Jenkins kept the game alive in the next by landing double three with his last dart, but a missed bullseye to ensure a decider proved costly as van Barneveld hit double ten to record victory.
"I've known Andy for years and know what he can do and it was a strange game which I'm very happy to win," said van Barneveld.
"I'm still undefeated at the Circus Tavern, which is great, but Andy Smith played really well in the first round and I look forward to playing him on Saturday."
Match Stats
JOHN PART 6-3 DENIS OVENS
JOHN PART overcame the challenge of Denis Ovens with a 6-3 victory in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Canadian will now take on fellow former World Champion Dennis Priestley on Saturday afternoon in his bid for a place in the quarter-finals.
Part capitalised on seven missed doubles from his opponent in the opening leg to take an early lead, and soon doubled his advantage by landing double top.
Part should have gone 3-0 up after hitting his first maximum of the match, but he was unable to land the winning double and Ovens managed to hold throw with a 78 finish.
Part, who defeated Phil Taylor at the Circus Tavern to win the 2003 World Championship, won the fourth leg to go 3-1 up, before Ovens opened the fifth with two maximums.
The nine-dart finish was not to be, but he won the leg in 12 darts to go into the break just a leg behind at 3-2.
Ovens hit his third maximum in two legs but lost the sixth leg as Part restored his advantage by landing double 16.
Ovens managed to win the seventh to pull back to 4-3, but Part took out consecutive two-dart 52 finishes in the next two legs to win the match and book a place in the second round.
Match Stats
WAYNE MARDLE 6-4 MARK WALSH
WAYNE MARDLE produced a brilliant comeback to reel off five straight legs and defeat Mark Walsh in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Essex favourite looked dead and buried at Purfleet's Circus Tavern when he trailed 3-0 and 4-1 to in-form Walsh.
But he strung together five superb legs to book a last 16 clash against Mervyn King on Saturday in a stylish second half to the game.
Walsh started in confident with a 66 finish in the first leg, followed by a 14-darter to double his lead.
Walsh, who hit a nine-darter in Gibraltar two weeks ago, hit double top for a 3-0 lead before Mardle managed to take his first leg of the match.
But Walsh restored his three-leg advantage by landing double 13 to look on-course for a comfortable victory at the break.
Mardle hit a 96 finish in the sixth leg, and then landed double 16 to reduce the deficit to 4-3 after Walsh missed a dart at double top for a 105 checkout.
Mardle completed the comeback by landing double 10 to level, and then broke Walsh's throw to lead for the first time in the match with an 81 finish for a 12-darter.
Both players hit maximums in the tenth leg, but momentum carried Mardle through and landed double eight for a 14-dart finish to seal a remarkable victory.
Match Stats
The first day of action from the Circus Tavern, Purfleet, sees the first round involve all 32 competitors.
You can also watch highlights & listen to live commentary online wherever you are with PDCtv - click here to sign up now
Follow a live blog at the Matchroom Bets website
coral.co.uk Players Championship
First Round
Afternoon Session
Vincent van der Voort 6-2 Chris Mason
Colin Lloyd 6-1 Jamie Caven
Ronnie Baxter 6-4 Tony Eccles
Wayne Jones 6-2 Terry Jenkins
Mervyn King 6-2 Felix McBrearty
Andy Smith 6-1 Colin Osborne
Dennis Priestley 6-3 Steve Maish
Evening Session
Kevin Painter 6-5 Alex Roy
Alan Tabern 6-3 Adrian Lewis
Andy Hamilton 6-2 Peter Manley
James Wade 6-2 Steve Beaton
Robert Thornton 6-5 Mark Dudbridge
Phil Taylor 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Andy Jenkins
John Part 6-3 Denis Ovens
Wayne Mardle 6-4 Mark Walsh
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 6-2 CHRIS MASON
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT opened the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a 6-2 victory over Chris Mason.
The Dutchman quickly created a 4-0 lead early against an under-par Mason and went on to comfortably reach the second round, where he will play either Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen.
Van der Voort broke throw in the opening leg with a 15-dart finish on double top, despite a maximum from his opponent.
The Dutchman hit a maximum of his own in the second leg for a 2-0 lead, and then took the third after Mason missed four darts at doubles.
Van der Voort then won took the fourth with a 66 finish before Mason opened his account on double eight to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
In the sixth van der Voort missed three darts at double, but Mason was unable to capitalise on the opportunity and the Dutchman landed double four to go 5-1 up.
The Dutchman had a dart to win the match in the next but his attempt at bullseye was off-target and Mason kept his hopes alive by landing double top with his last dart.
Van der Voort missed two more opportunities for the match in the eighth leg, but three missed doubles from Mason allowed the Dutchman to return and land double eight for victory.
Match Stats
|
Vincent van der Voort |
6-2 |
Chris Mason |
|
11 |
100+ |
5 |
|
4 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
26.76 |
Ave1 |
25.53 |
|
80.29 |
Ave3 |
76.59 |
|
66 |
High Finish |
56 |
COLIN LLOYD 6-1 JAMIE CAVEN
COLIN LLOYD produced an impressive display to defeat Jamie Caven 6-2 in the first round of the 2009 coral.co.uk Players Championship at the Circus Tavern.
Lloyd, who suffered a disappointing early exit at last month's World Championship to Jelle Klaasen, will now take on either Andy Hamilton or Peter Manley in the last 16 on Saturday.
The Essex man quickly opened up a 2-0 lead, hitting double top to win both legs.
Caven reduced the deficit to win the third with a 78 finish, before Lloyd hit a superb 11-darter to restore his two-leg advantage.
Lloyd landed double top for the third time in the contest to go 5-1 up and a leg away from victory.
He then wrapped up the win in the seventh leg after Caven missed two darts at double to keep the alive, allowing Lloyd to return to the oche and hit double four.
Match Stats
|
Colin Lloyd |
6-1 |
Jamie Caven |
|
6 |
100+ |
8 |
|
7 |
140+ |
2 |
|
2 |
180 |
0 |
|
31.74 |
Ave1 |
27.08 |
|
95.21 |
Ave3 |
81.23 |
|
52 |
High Finish |
78 |
RONNIE BAXTER 6-4 TONY ECCLES
RONNIE BAXTER came from 4-1 down to defeat Tony Eccles 6-4 on the first day of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Eccles had opportunities to go 5-2 and 5-4 ahead, but wasted chances left the Hartlepool ace ruing missing 16 of the 22 darts he had at doubles.
Eccles started well with a two-dart 56 finish, which he then followed up by landing double 10 for a 2-0 lead.
A 14-dart finish gave Eccles a 3-0 advantage before Baxter landed double 16 in the fourth to get-off the mark.
Eccles restored his three leg advantage in the fifth leg after Baxter missed a dart at double four. But Baxter managed to win the next to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
In the seventh Baxter hit his second maximum of the game, but Eccles missed three darts at double 12 to go 5-2 up and the Lancastrian took his opportunity to land double ten to pull back another leg.
The comeback was complete in the eighth leg as Baxter converted an 80 checkout on double 10 to square the game.
In the next Eccles missed six darts at doubles to go 5-4 up - five off-target on double eight - and Baxter stepped up to hit double 10 for the fourthleg in a row to lead the match for the first time.
In the tenth leg Baxter missed three darts for the match, but Eccles wasted two of his own at double 16 to send the game into a decider and Baxter sealed victory on double eight.
Match Stats
|
Ronnie Baxter |
6-4 |
Tony Eccles |
|
8 |
100+ |
11 |
|
7 |
140+ |
9 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.92 |
Ave1 |
31.12 |
|
92.77 |
Ave3 |
93.36 |
|
80 |
High Finish |
56 |
WAYNE JONES 6-2 TERRY JENKINS
WAYNE JONES sent world number five Terry Jenkins packing from the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a 6-2 victory.
Jenkins crashed out in the first round of the European Championship and World Championship at the end of last year, and suffered a similar fate on his return to the Circus Tavern.
Jones did the damage in the first half of the game, opening up a 4-1 lead at the break before closing out victory.
A 96 checkout won him the first leg against the throw, before he took the second in 15 darts to double the advantage.
Double top got Jenkins off the mark, but Jones included a 127 checkout in taking a three-leg lead at 4-1.
Jenkins broke back in 14 darts, but Jones hit 180s in back-to-back legs to wrap up the win, taking out 67 and then a 44 for a 12-darter in the final leg.
Match Stats
|
Terry Jenkins |
2-6 |
Wayne Jones |
|
16 |
100+ |
15 |
|
7 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
33.95 |
Ave1 |
33.03 |
|
101.84 |
Ave3 |
99.08 |
|
40x2 |
High Finish |
127 |
MERVYN KING 6-2 FELIX MCBREARTY
MERVYN KING moved into the last 16 of the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a comfortable 6-2 triumph over Northern Ireland's Felix McBrearty.
King started the match in confident fashion with a 118 checkout to break throw in the first leg, and followed that up with a 101 finish to go 2-0 ahead.
McBrearty, who won the Ireland Open Classic Players Championship last September, managed to win the third leg after King missed a number of opportunities to move 3-0 up.
King, who qualified for the 2009 Whyte & Mackay Premier League after breaking into the world's top six, hit double 16 to move 3-1 ahead, before McBrearty took the fifth leg by landing double top.
McBrearty had chances at the double top to level the game at three apiece, but his two attempts were off-target and King hit double 16 to move 4-2 up.
After that, King stamped his authority on the match and won the next two legs with 13-dart finishes to book a second round clash against Wayne Mardle or Mark Walsh.
Match Stats
|
Mervyn King |
6-2 |
Felix McBrearty |
|
12 |
100+ |
8 |
|
9 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
31.98 |
Ave1 |
27.23 |
|
95.95 |
Ave3 |
81.69 |
|
118,101 |
High Finish |
40 |
ANDY SMITH 6-1 COLIN OSBORNE
ANDY SMITH upset the form book with a 6-1 thrashing of seventh seed Colin Osborne in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Smith produced some superb finishing during the contest and will now play either Raymond van Barneveld or Andy Jenkins on Saturday.
Osborne, twice a finalist on the PDC Pro Tour this year already, suffered problems with his darts and saw several throws fall out of the board during the match, including four in the first leg as Smith took the opening two to lead 2-0.
Smith landed a maximum in the third and had opportunities to extend his lead, but was off target and Osborne managed to take out a 92 finish to pull back to 2-1.
Smith replied to take the fourth by landing double eight for the second time in the game, and pulled clear thanks to two superb finishes.
He took out a 155 checkout in the fifth leg, and then hit a 161 to go 5-1 up and put himself in pole position for the £2,000 high checkout prize.
Osborne had three chances to keep the match alive in the seventh leg, but those went begging and Smith converted double 13 at the first time of asking to record an excellent win.
"It's the best I've played on TV for a long time and I'm very pleased," he said.
"I've been playing well in the last few weeks and the big finishes went in today, which I'm pleased as punch with.
"I felt a bit sorry for Colin because he had a lot of bounce-outs but he'd had new points put in. Maybe it cost him the game but I did the job today."
Match Stats
|
Colin Osborne |
1-6 |
Andy Smith |
|
6 |
100+ |
7 |
|
3 |
140+ |
11 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
26.58 |
Ave1 |
33.01 |
|
79.74 |
Ave3 |
99.03 |
|
92 |
High Finish |
161,155 |
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 6-3 STEVE MAISH
DENNIS PRIESTLEY fought from 3-1 down to defeat Steve Maish 6-3 in a tough first round encounter at the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Yorkshireman found himself two legs down midway through the contest, but battled back to defeat Maish and gain revenge for his loss to the Essex player in the 2008 World Championship.
Both players held their own throws at the start of the match before Maish managed to break for a 2-1 lead.
The local favourite then went 3-1 ahead after landing double ten with his last dart, before Priestley took the fifth leg with 100 checkout.
Priestley then levelled matters by hitting a crucial double two with his last dart, and then went ahead for the first time in the match in the seventh leg, which included his first maximum of the game.
Priestley hit another maximum in the next, but Maish missed six darts at doubles to level and Priestley snatched the leg to move 5-3 up by hitting double four, again with his third dart.
That took the veteran within touching distance of victory and he duly wrapped up the match with a 56 finish, converting double top to move into the last 16, where he meets Denis Ovens or John Part.
"It was a mixed sort of game really," said Priestley. "To be honest I'd been practising poorly so a win was a bonus, because I've had a few injections in the last few weeks for flu, tetanus and the like and I didn't realise it had upset me so much.
"I dug in, kept my composure and used my experience to win five legs on the trot, and I'm pleased with that. Hopefully I'll have some more consistency on Saturday."
Match Stats
|
Dennis Priestley |
6-3 |
Steve Maish |
|
7 |
100+ |
13 |
|
8 |
140+ |
6 |
|
2 |
180 |
0 |
|
29.15 |
Ave1 |
27.33 |
|
87.46 |
Ave3 |
81.98 |
|
100 |
High Finish |
76 |
KEVIN PAINTER 6-5 ALEX ROY
KEVIN PAINTER won a thrilling first round encounter at the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a deciding leg victory over Alex Roy.
Roy was on course to win the match having led 5-2, but Painter took the remaining four legs of the match to secure a place in the last 16.
Painter won the opening leg of the match with throw, despite a 180 from his opponent.
He then had opportunities to break Roy's throw in the second leg, but he missed the two opportunities he had and Roy levelled.
Painter hit a 14-dart finish in the third leg to lead 2-1, before Roy levelled once again with a two-dart 56 finish.
In the fifth leg, Roy broke throw with a clinical 100 checkout, after Painter had missed three darts to hold throw.
Roy, who won a Players Championship event in Irvine last October, won the sixth to open up a two-leg gap, and then hit a superb 114 finish to go 5-2 up and look the likely winner.
But Painter came back strongly, winning the eighth leg with a two-dart 65 and the next to reduce the deficit to 5-4.
The man from Daventry then broke his opponent's throw to square the game with a timely 105 checkout.
Painter had the momentum in the deciding leg and duly wrapped up victory by landing double eight.
"At the break I was 3-2 down but should have been 4-1 up and took heart from that," he said. "At 5-2 I thought I was gone but kept plugging away and at right at the death the pressure told.
"I felt I was playing well and scoring well but not checking out and when I did I managed to get back into it."
Roy admitted: "I didn't start well in any leg but took my chances. I probably didn't deserve to be 3-2 up but Kevin let me in and I took my chances in the first half."
Match Stats
|
Kevin Painter |
6-5 |
Alex Roy |
|
13 |
100+ |
15 |
|
11 |
140+ |
6 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.66 |
Ave1 |
29.17 |
|
91.98 |
Ave3 |
87.51 |
|
105 |
High Finish |
114,100 |
ALAN TABERN 6-3 ADRIAN LEWIS
ALAN TABERN dumped Adrian Lewis from the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a 6-3 win at the Circus Tavern.
Tabern, who is seeded three for this event after his hat-trick of wins in Players Championships last year, was never behind during the contest and came through against an under-par Lewis.
Tabern took an early lead by landing double 16, and then doubled the advantage in the second leg by landing double six after both players had wasted earlier opportunities.
The St Helens man then went 3-0 up before Lewis got on the scoreboard with a two-dart 64 finish in the fourth, which also included a maximum.
Tabern went 4-1 ahead after landing double 12 before Lewis briefly came to life with an excellent 121 checkout.
But Tabern hit a 121 finish of his own in the next leg to move 5-2 up and within sight of the winning line.
Tabern was off-target with three darts at doubles for the match in the eighth, and Lewis hit a 110 finish to keep his hopes alive.
But that was as good as it got for the world number seven as Tabern wrapped up victory in the next on double four.
"It didn't feel like a comfortable win," said Tabern. "He can either beat you up or if you're playing well you can beat him up.
"I was lucky that he didn't produce his best form but maybe I stopped him producing his best form too, and I kept in and produced a workmanlike performance."
Match Stats
|
Alan Tabern |
6-3 |
Adrian Lewis |
|
15 |
100+ |
6 |
|
10 |
140+ |
7 |
|
1 |
180 |
1 |
|
32.34 |
Ave1 |
28.71 |
|
97.02 |
Ave3 |
86.13 |
|
121 |
High Finish |
121,110 |
ANDY HAMILTON 6-2 PETER MANLEY
ANDY HAMILTON overcame the challenge of Peter Manley with an impressive 6-2 win in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Hamilton was never really troubled during the match and will now take on Colin Lloyd in an eye-catching second round tie on Saturday afternoon.
Hamilton broke throw in the opening leg of the match by landing double ten after Manley missed two darts at the same double.
The Stoke ace then took the second leg to go 2-0 up before hitting a maximum in the third followed by double eight in taking the third.
Hamilton moved further away from Manley by winning the fourth leg before the three-time World Championship finalist hit a 101 finish to take his first leg of the match.
Both players held their throws in the next two legs to leave Hamilton 5-2 ahead and the Stoke player wrapped up the win in the next leg by hitting double ten.
"Peter gave me some chances and I took them," said Hamilton. "I'm throwing well, throwing consistently but this wasn't my best game.
"Hopefully I will settle down and score better on Saturday. I'm not scared of Colin and I'll look forward to playing him."
Match Stats
|
Andy Hamilton |
6-2 |
Peter Manley |
|
12 |
100+ |
13 |
|
5 |
140+ |
8 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
30.00 |
Ave1 |
29.42 |
|
90.00 |
Ave3 |
88.25 |
|
44 |
High Finish |
101 |
JAMES WADE 6-2 STEVE BEATON
JAMES WADE ended Steve Beaton's hopes with a 6-2 victory in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship at the Circus Tavern.
Beaton had opportunities to go 3-1 up in the early stages of the match, but those wasted chances proved be costly as the UK Open champion took complete command.
Wade won the first leg of the match before Beaton held throw with an excellent 106 finish, after Wade missed bullseye for what would have been a 'showpiece' 125 checkout.
Beaton then won the third leg against the darts after Wade had missed four opportunities to hold throw.
But Wade immediately broke back to level the match with a two-dart 61 finish after Beaton missed three darts at doubles for a 3-1 lead, and double top put him back in front.
Beaton hit his second maximum of the game in the sixth leg, but wasted two more chances at doubles to level.
The world number two then won the seventh to go 5-2 up and wrapped up the match in fine style with a 126 checkout, finishing on the bullseye to set up a clash with Kevin Painter in round two.
Match Stats
|
James Wade |
6-2 |
Steve Beaton |
|
8 |
100+ |
8 |
|
10 |
140+ |
2 |
|
2 |
180 |
2 |
|
32.35 |
Ave1 |
27.78 |
|
97.05 |
Ave3 |
83.34 |
|
126 |
High Finish |
106 |
ROBERT THORNTON 6-5 MARK DUDBRIDGE
ROBERT THORNTON came out on top in a dramatic final-leg thriller to edge out Mark Dudbridge 6-5 in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The two were locked throughout a tight battle, with the opening eight legs going with throw before Thornton took a 5-4 lead, Dudbridge levelled but then fell in the decider.
Both players missed a number of opportunities to win the first leg, with Dudbridge managing to hold throw landing double five with his last dart.
The second leg followed a similar pattern but this time it was the Scotsman who levelled by hitting double four.
Both players held their throws in the next two and that sequence continued as Dudbridge converted a two-dart 52 finish to go ahead 3-2.
The Bristolian then had opportunities break throw in the sixth leg, but three misses gave Thornton a chance, and he landed double five with his last dart.
Dudbridge held throw to ahead for the fourth time in the match, and had a dart at bullseye to go 5-3 ahead in the next.
But he was unable to convert that opportunity and Thornton levelled again make it eight consecutive legs that had been held with throw.
The deadlock was finally broken in the ninth leg when Thornton produced an excellent 118 checkout on double 19 to go into the next throwing for the match.
However, he missed a dart at double top in the tenth leg and Dudbridge managed to break back after hitting three consecutive 140s.
Dudbridge had the advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but Thornton quickly took that away with scores of 140 and 180, his fourth of the game, before going on to land double top and book a last 16 clash against Alan Tabern.
Match Stats
|
Robert Thornton |
6-5 |
Mark Dudbridge |
|
12 |
100+ |
12 |
|
8 |
140+ |
9 |
|
4 |
180 |
3 |
|
28.20 |
Ave1 |
27.99 |
|
84.61 |
Ave3 |
83.97 |
|
118 |
High Finish |
52 |
PHIL TAYLOR 6-3 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
PHIL TAYLOR stormed into round two of the coral.co.uk Players Championship with a superb 6-3 win over Michael van Gerwen.
Taylor, making his first televised appearance since he became World Champion for the 14th time at the start of January, ended the match with a three dart average of 108.49 in setting up a clash with Vincent van der Voort on Saturday.
The number one seed started in superb style with a 140 checkout to take an early lead with a 12-darter, but van Gerwen replied to take level at 1-1 with the aid of a maximum.
Taylor took the third leg to move ahead again, but missed three darts at double 16 to break throw in the fourth, and the teenager hit double top with his last dart to level again.
Taylor hit a superb 11-dart finish to lead 3-2, and then landed a 12-darter, which was completed with a clinical 136 checkout, to pull clear.
Taylor moved to within touching distance of victory when he held throw to go 5-2 up, but van Gerwen kept the match alive by converting a two-dart 60 finish.
But in the ninth leg Taylor wrapped up the match by landing double 12 at the first time of asking to seal a strong start to his challenge for the £50,000 title.
"Michael is a great player and I knew I had to start well," said Taylor. "In this short format, with only legs and no sets, you cannot get behind because you can be in trouble.
"I can play better but a win is a win and you want to come here to perform.
"I have so many memories of this place and now I want to create some more by winning this title."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
6-3 |
Michael van Gerwen |
|
11 |
100+ |
13 |
|
11 |
140+ |
5 |
|
2 |
180 |
1 |
|
36.16 |
Ave1 |
30.70 |
|
108.49 |
Ave3 |
92.10 |
|
140,136 |
High Finish |
60 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 6-4 ANDY JENKINS
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD held off the challenge of Andy Jenkins with a 6-4 first round win in the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
Van Barneveld, seeded tenth for the event after what was by his standards a disappointing season in Players Championships last year, will now take on Andy Smith in the last 16.
The Dutch ace had not played since reaching the World Championship final, but continued the form he showed at Alexandra Palace to progress.
Jenkins opened up an early lead by converting an 80 finish after the Dutchman missed two darts at double 16 to break.
Van Barneveld, returning to the scene of his 2007 World Championship triumph, took the second leg to level and then took the lead in the next, which included six perfect darts with back-to-back 180s.
Jenkins levelled the game again at 2-2 with a three-dart 84 finish, but van Barneveld regained the lead with an 81 checkout to break his opponent's throw for the second time in the match.
The world number three had a dart at double eight to go 4-2 ahead after the break, but was off-target and Jenkins squared the game once again on the same bed.
Van Barneveld broke throw once again to move 4-3 ahead, and then won the eighth leg to go one leg away from the winning line.
Jenkins kept the game alive in the next by landing double three with his last dart, but a missed bullseye to ensure a decider proved costly as van Barneveld hit double ten to record victory.
"I've known Andy for years and know what he can do and it was a strange game which I'm very happy to win," said van Barneveld.
"I'm still undefeated at the Circus Tavern, which is great, but Andy Smith played really well in the first round and I look forward to playing him on Saturday."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
6-4 |
Andy Jenkins |
|
11 |
100+ |
15 |
|
11 |
140+ |
5 |
|
3 |
180 |
0 |
|
33.26 |
Ave1 |
30.25 |
|
99.77 |
Ave3 |
90.75 |
|
81 |
High Finish |
84 |
JOHN PART 6-3 DENIS OVENS
JOHN PART overcame the challenge of Denis Ovens with a 6-3 victory in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Canadian will now take on fellow former World Champion Dennis Priestley on Saturday afternoon in his bid for a place in the quarter-finals.
Part capitalised on seven missed doubles from his opponent in the opening leg to take an early lead, and soon doubled his advantage by landing double top.
Part should have gone 3-0 up after hitting his first maximum of the match, but he was unable to land the winning double and Ovens managed to hold throw with a 78 finish.
Part, who defeated Phil Taylor at the Circus Tavern to win the 2003 World Championship, won the fourth leg to go 3-1 up, before Ovens opened the fifth with two maximums.
The nine-dart finish was not to be, but he won the leg in 12 darts to go into the break just a leg behind at 3-2.
Ovens hit his third maximum in two legs but lost the sixth leg as Part restored his advantage by landing double 16.
Ovens managed to win the seventh to pull back to 4-3, but Part took out consecutive two-dart 52 finishes in the next two legs to win the match and book a place in the second round.
Match Stats
|
Denis Ovens |
3-6 |
John Part |
|
13 |
100+ |
9 |
|
4 |
140+ |
6 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.27 |
Ave1 |
32.16 |
|
84.80 |
Ave3 |
90.19 |
|
78 |
High Finish |
52x3 |
WAYNE MARDLE 6-4 MARK WALSH
WAYNE MARDLE produced a brilliant comeback to reel off five straight legs and defeat Mark Walsh in the first round of the coral.co.uk Players Championship.
The Essex favourite looked dead and buried at Purfleet's Circus Tavern when he trailed 3-0 and 4-1 to in-form Walsh.
But he strung together five superb legs to book a last 16 clash against Mervyn King on Saturday in a stylish second half to the game.
Walsh started in confident with a 66 finish in the first leg, followed by a 14-darter to double his lead.
Walsh, who hit a nine-darter in Gibraltar two weeks ago, hit double top for a 3-0 lead before Mardle managed to take his first leg of the match.
But Walsh restored his three-leg advantage by landing double 13 to look on-course for a comfortable victory at the break.
Mardle hit a 96 finish in the sixth leg, and then landed double 16 to reduce the deficit to 4-3 after Walsh missed a dart at double top for a 105 checkout.
Mardle completed the comeback by landing double 10 to level, and then broke Walsh's throw to lead for the first time in the match with an 81 finish for a 12-darter.
Both players hit maximums in the tenth leg, but momentum carried Mardle through and landed double eight for a 14-dart finish to seal a remarkable victory.
Match Stats
|
Mark Walsh |
4-6 |
Wayne Mardle |
|
17 |
100+ |
16 |
|
3 |
140+ |
7 |
|
2 |
180 |
3 |
|
31.35 |
Ave1 |
32.45 |
|
94.06 |
Ave3 |
97.36 |
|
66 |
High Finish |
96 |