WAYNE JONES 3-0 IAN BRANKS
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2)
WAYNE JONES edged out Ian Branks in straight sets to win a place in the second round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Jones reached the semi-finals of the tournament 12 months ago, and began his challenge this time with a steady, if unspectacular, display.
He won each of the three sets only in a deciding leg against qualifier Branks, who was making his debut on the big stage.
Jones began the match with a 119 finish to take the first leg, and moved 2-0 up on double four after Branks missed three darts to level matters.
He did get off the mark in the third leg with a three-dart 73 before squaring the set, but - despite landing a maximum in the decider - it was Jones who managed to take the set on double nine.
Branks came from a leg down to lead 2-1 in the second set before Jones took advantage of a missed double to draw level and then take out 116 for a two-set lead.
Jones won a scrappy opener to the third set before Branks took out a superb 126 for a 15-darter.
The next two legs also went with the throw to leave Branks battling to stay in the game, but Jones produced his best darts of the match with a 13-darter to take victory.
Click here to listen to an interview with Wayne Jones in DartsTV
"It's nice to get through but I am not happy with how I played," said Jones. "I felt great but it didn't happen for me today.
"I was looking forward to a good game and was feeling confident with my new darts. I'd had my last set for over 20 years - I've never played with anything different but the grip had gone so I picked up a new set from my cupboard!"
Branks was disappointed not to take his chances to win a set, but was pleased with the experience he gained from his first televised appearance.
"I can't believe I lost 3-0," he said. "My doubles cost me, and probably the pressure of being on stage.
"I thought I was going to come back but it didn't happen for me. I think I did OK though and it gives me confidence for next year.
"Whoever plays me on the circuit now will know I can play pretty well. I had my chances to win some sets but to be honest my final came when I beat John Lowe, a three-time World Champion, in the qualifiers."
Match Stats
|
Wayne |
3-0 |
Ian |
|
21 |
100+ |
19 |
|
11 |
140+ |
8 |
|
1 |
180 |
1 |
|
27.16 |
Ave1 |
26.19 |
|
81.48 |
Ave3 |
78.58 |
|
119,116 |
High Finish |
126 |
DAVE LADLEY 3-1 LIONEL SAMS
(3-1, 0-3, 3-1, 3-0)
DEBUTANT Dave Ladley enjoyed a dream first appearance on the Circus Tavern stage with a 3-1 win over Lionel Sams.
The qualifier from Scunthorpe has never played in front of the television cameras before, but seemed a natural on the big stage with an impressive performance.
Sams played his part in a fine contest, landing five maximums and producing some quality darts.
He landed a 13-dart leg in the first set, but Ladley held his throw twice and crucially broke his opponent in leg four to take a 1-0 lead.
Sams - nicknamed the Lion - roared back in set two, needing just 45 darts to level matters with legs of 14, 15 and 16 darts and landing three 180s.
Ladley held his nerve to move 2-1 up by winning the fourth set, landing some key doubles to keep Sams at bay.
A 103 finish punished Sams in the opening leg of set four, and Ladley steamed through the next two legs to complete the win.
Click here to listen to an interview with Dave Ladley in DartsTV
"It's brilliant, it means everything to me," said Ladley, who knocked out former World Champion Keith Deller in the qualifiers.
"I felt quite good, I was nervous coming into it and I didn't know what to expect.
"I can play better. There's a lot more to come and I'll have to change my sights now because, after qualifying, my goal was to win the first round so now I guess it's to win my second game and go from there!
"I'm looking forward to spending Christmas at home with my family. I could hear my wife and son in the crowd - my wife was probably more nervous than me so I don't know how she'll be in the next game."
Ladley has come through the Yorkshire County scene, and admitted: "It's been a steady progression for me but I've never experienced this before.
"It's a very different tournament but I had nothing to lose."
Match Stats
|
Lionel |
1-3 |
Dave |
|
17 |
100+ |
20 |
|
6 |
140+ |
6 |
|
5 |
180 |
2 |
|
29.97 |
Ave1 |
28.51 |
|
89.91 |
Ave3 |
85.53 |
|
96 |
High Finish |
103 |
PER LAURSEN 3-0 COLIN MONK
(3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
DENMARK'S Per Laursen made a fine Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship debut with a straight sets victory over Colin Monk.
Laursen came through a series of qualifying events in his homeland in October to become the first Dane to qualify for the tournament, and suggested he could be a force to be reckoned with in a solid display.
Monk began brightly, taking the first leg with a 112 finish, before three successive legs from Laursen - including a 96 checkout against the throw - gave him the opening set.
The Dane also led 2-0 in the second set before Monk hit back to square matters.
Laursen, though, landed his first maximum of the match in the deciding leg to take out a 13-darter and go 2-0 up.
Monk continued to battle, and led 2-1 in the third set before Laursen took out double 16 to put himself within one leg of victory.
And he secured his place in round two with a neat two-dart 84 finish, after Monk twice missed double eight to stay in the game.
Click here to listen to an interview with Per Laursen in DartsTV
"It was my dream to come here and win," said Laursen, who will now return to Denmark for Christmas before flying back to the UK to face Dennis Priestley or Josephus Schenk.
"I felt comfortable on the stage and wasn't nervous at all, but the pressure was on Colin. In my eyes he was the favourite, and I had to be the underdog.
"I've seen the draw, and it's tough. If I played Dennis that would be great because he's a big name in Denmark."
Match Stats
|
Colin |
0-3 |
Per |
|
27 |
100+ |
26 |
|
6 |
140+ |
4 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
28.06 |
Ave1 |
28.93 |
|
84.19 |
Ave3 |
86.78 |
|
112,100 |
High Finish |
96 |
ANDY HAMILTON 3-0 GARY WELDING
(3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
ANDY HAMILTON began his challenge in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a straight sets triumph over Gary Welding.
Hamilton was in impressive form to see off a fellow rising star, with Welding looking to repeat last year's run to the last eight.
The St Helens qualifier took the game's opening leg, but Hamilton won the next three to give himself a 1-0 lead in the match.
Welding took out a 12-dart leg to open the second set, but Hamilton hit back with six perfect darts in the next on his way to an 11-darter in return.
Hamilton also won the third leg before Welding took the set into a decider, with the Stoke publican producing another 180 on his way to a 13-dart leg for a 2-0 cushion.
Two more legs put Hamilton to the brink of victory before he wasted the chance to wrap up the win in a third leg which descended into comedy as both players missed doubles.
Hamilton even hit double two and thought he had won the game - only to find that he had hit Welding's required score of four, and not his own five!
Welding finally took that leg on double two and won the fourth leg to square the set, but Hamilton took out double 16 to move into round two.
Click here to listen to interviews with Andy Hamilton and Gary Welding in DartsTV
"I've had a good preparation and it's probably the best I've felt coming into a tournament," said Hamilton, a semi-finalist at the World Matchplay in July.
"I was comfortable up on stage, I want to go a long way and feel I can.
"I put myself under pressure a bit but I held it together and came through in the end. I knew Gary had beaten Colin Lloyd last year and had that vision in my head.
"There were a few dodgy doubles along the way and I probably relaxed too much at times, but I can look forward to the next game now."
Match Stats
|
Andy |
3-0 |
Gary |
|
17 |
100+ |
12 |
|
10 |
140+ |
9 |
|
4 |
180 |
4 |
|
29.37 |
Ave1 |
28.39 |
|
88.11 |
Ave3 |
85.18 |
|
68 |
High Finish |
85 |
STEVE BEATON 3-0 GERRY CONVERY
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
STEVE BEATON rolled back the years with a scintillating display to whitewash Gerry Convery and book his place in round two of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The 1996 World Champion looked in fine fettle to overcome the Canadian star with some clinical finishing - notably on double top.
His only blip came in the opening leg, when he missed a string of doubles and only took the lead on double one after Convery wired double 14 for a 148 finish.
He took the first set 3-0, including 100 finish in the second leg and a 12-darter to move clear in the match.
Beaton also won the second set without reply from Convery, although the Canadian twice pressured his throw without being able to get off the mark.
A neat three-dart 66 was followed by a classy 120 'Shanghai' finish as Beaton moved to within a leg of the match, and he wrapped up the win at the first time of asking on double top.
"Gerry gave me a few chances and I managed to take them out, so I'm very happy," said Beaton.
"I was looking forward to this but I am relieved to get it out of the way. I've been practising hard and it's going to pay off if you do that.
"That showed in the first leg - I'd been practising one double one before the game and it saved me. That leg was probably crucial too in how the game went."
Beaton will take on Terry Jenkins in Friday's second round, and admitted: "I'll be ready for that.
"Terry's a good mate and we've played plenty of times before. I know his game better than I did with Gerry, so I can relax a little more and enjoy it."
Match Stats
|
Steve |
3-0 |
Gerry |
|
17 |
100+ |
8 |
|
7 |
140+ |
7 |
|
- |
180 |
1 |
|
30.06 |
Ave1 |
27.01 |
|
90.18 |
Ave3 |
81.04 |
|
120,100 |
High Finish |
- |
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 3-0 JOSEPHUS SCHENK
(3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
DENNIS PRIESTLEY rued a mid-game lapse despite a straight sets win over Josephus Schenk in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The world number three looked on course for a comfortable victory when he took six of the first eight legs.
However, Dutchman Schenk battled back to lead in the third set before Priestley finally set up a second round date with Denmark's Per Laursen.
Schenk won the game's opening leg, but Priestley powered back with the next three to take the first set averaging 98.46.
Priestley stepped in to punish Schenk's missed doubles in the second set's opener, and doubles his advantage on double top before seeing the third leg slip away after posting a 180, with the Dutch youngster ending a run of losing five successive legs on double four.
Priestley took the next leg to wrap up the second set, but allowed Schenk into a 2-1 lead in the third.
However, he stepped in when Schenk missed double 14 for the set to land double ten, and then sealed victory on double top.
Click here to listen to an interview with Dennis Priestley in DartsTV
"I'm pretty pleased - especially after the first leg," said Priestley. "At 2-0 up I was playing some pretty decent darts but I lost the fire in my belly after that.
"I lost my way for a little while and was probably fortunate to win 3-0. I was poor in the third set and have been playing for long enough to know that I should have kept the pressure on him.
"Even at my age you can still learn and I have to be better, more motivated and kill people off. I know it's in my so I can find it again."
Match Stats
|
Dennis |
3-0 |
Josephus |
|
19 |
100+ |
18 |
|
12 |
140+ |
7 |
|
2 |
180 |
1 |
|
30.37 |
Ave1 |
25.00 |
|
91.12 |
Ave3 |
74.99 |
|
48 |
High Finish |
64 |
ALAN CAVES 3-2 WAYNE MARDLE
(2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 5-3)
ALAN CAVES recorded his first ever win in a televised tournament with a sensational tie-break victory over Wayne Mardle at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The 40-year-old had slipped out of the world's top 32 this year and had to come through the PDPA Qualifiers to win a place at the Circus Tavern.
However, he produced a superb display to end Mardle's hopes of bettering the semi-final run he has enjoyed at the last three World Championships.
Caves came from two legs down in the first set to take the set 3-2 as the pair made a blistering start, trading maximums.
Mardle also moved ahead in set two with a two-dart 96 finish, before Caves reeled off three straight legs to establish a two-set lead.
Mardle found his top gear to race through the third set and reduce the arrears, and included a 13-darter in a pulsating fourth to draw level as the tension mounted.
The local Essex favourite, with the crowd behind him, took a 2-1 lead in the deciding set before missing two darts to complete an incredible comeback and take victory - both at his favoured double 18.
Caves landed double top to level the set and stay in the game, sending the match into a tie break, with two clear legs needed for a victory.
Mardle won leg five with double top after Caves missed the bullseye, and set up another match point - before blowing three more chances at the same bed to seal the win.
A crucial 68 saved the game for Caves, and he stepped up to take leg seven with double four - after Mardle was again off-target at double top.
The qualifier then secured the win for himself with double eight to move into the last 32 and register his first ever televised triumph.
Click here to listen to interviews with Alan Caves and Wayne Mardle in DartsTV
"I felt confident and have a good record against Wayne, but when he came back I thought 'here I go again'," admitted Caves.
"Things do go through your head. I know I'd not won a game on television but that doesn't bother me because I am playing against good players.
"I took my time and it worked, so I'm happy."
Mardle was full of praise for Caves' display, and said: "I felt good but he kept punishing my mistakes and you can't do that at this level.
"He played ever so well but I thought when I got back to 2-1 I could win it if I played my game.
"I should have won it but sometimes it just doesn't go in. I was nowhere near the 36 with both darts (at 2-1 in the final set). I tried to relax on it and they didn't get anywhere near.
"Then I had two brilliant darts on the wire of double top and for the third I knew I had to relax a little, but I came up short.
"I only felt comfortable on the double 18 all night and it let me down on that occasion, but I'm more known as a scorer anyway.
"I've worked ever so hard coming into this but no matter how much you prepare you have to do it on stage.
"I'm actually pleased in a strange, macabre sort of way because it shows I can do it when the going gets tough."
Match Stats
|
Wayne |
2-3 |
Alan |
|
38 |
100+ |
34 |
|
15 |
140+ |
16 |
|
3 |
180 |
4 |
|
29.77 |
Ave1 |
27.70 |
|
89.31 |
Ave3 |
83.11 |
|
96 |
High Finish |
68 |
JAMES WADE 3-1 WARREN FRENCH
(3-1, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1)
JAMES WADE gained his first ever win in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 3-1 defeat of New Zealander Warren French.
Wade, the number 11 seed, looked on course to cruise to victory when he won eight of the game's first nine legs to put himself on the brink of the win.
However, he stuttered to allow French, the New Zealand National Champion, to pull back a set before booking his own place in the last 32 against qualifier Dave Ladley.
Wade opened the match with a two-dart 74 finish, before landing a maximum on his way to a 2-0 lead, before French took out double top to pull back the third leg.
Neither player seemed keen to take the fourth, with Wade missing a stack of doubles before French was wide on double ten and double five to allow him back in to take the set.
French also missed darts in the second set as Wade took all three legs without reply to double his cushion, and when he added two more in the third victory seemed inevitable.
But Wade - the World Matchplay finalist in July - stuttered before the finishing line, missing three darts for the match as French stepped in on double top to stay alive.
Wade also missed the bullseye for the match in leg four as French levelled matters, before the Kiwi took out a fine 113 finish to take the set.
French won the first leg of the fourth set with a two-dart 92 finish, but Wade kicked into gear with a maximum to start the second leg.
French also opened with a 180 and followed that with a 140, but Wade edged the leg with a 13-darter and repeated the dose to move 2-1 up.
Wade then finally crossed the finishing line with double ten to complete a hard-fought win.
Click here to listen to an interview with James Wade in DartsTV
"I'm disappointed with my performance because I've put so much into it and can't explain that display," said Wade, who had lost in the first round in the last two years.
"I'm relieved it's over and I've got the win, and perhaps I put myself under pressure because I've lost before from being ahead.
"I hope it was nerves and not a loss of form because I've prepared well.
"But there's no reason why I should not have averaged 90 and although I should be happy that I've won, I'm not."
Match Stats
|
James |
3-1 |
Warren |
|
8 |
100+ |
18 |
|
11 |
140+ |
8 |
|
3 |
180 |
- |
|
27.15 |
Ave1 |
26.20 |
|
81.45 |
Ave3 |
78.60 |
|
90 |
High Finish |
113 |