Jones Books Last Eight Berth

WAYNE JONES booked his place in the last eight of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 4-1 win over Steve Alker.

The Wolverhampton thrower continued his emergence on the big stage with a strong display to hold off the challenge of the Welsh qualifier.

Jones took the opening set without reply before Alker found his range on the treble twenty bed, hitting two on his way to winning the second 3-1.

Jones, though, was the stronger finisher of the two and punished the Welshman by edging the third set.

He then won the fourth 3-1 before winning a deciding leg in the fifth set to secure his first ever appearance in a major quarter-final, against Gary Welding on Friday.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Jones. "I was scoring well but my doubles were rubbish at times!

"If I throw well I know I will take some beating. I've been good on the floor but have struggled a bit on stage, but it's coming together for me now.

"I get on really well with Gary Welding and hopefully it will be a good game. I'm confident and looking forward to it."

Match Stats