ANDY JENKINS 5-4 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
ANDY JENKINS edged out Colin Osborne in a nine-set classic to reach the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
The number 12 seed has overcome Bill Davis, Andy Smith and Adrian Lewis to reach the last eight for the first time in his career, and another clinical display saw him come from behind to see off Osborne.
After checking out 68 percent of his chances against Lewis, he was again in top form to punish misses from the usually unruffled Osborne.
Osborne actually led 3-1 and 4-3, but his late slips allowed Jenkins to take the game into a decider and prevail 3-1 in the final set.
"I've had a lovely week and I'm so proud," said Jenkins, whose father Chris died only a month before the tournament.
"At the end I felt like crying but I've got to hold it together and concentrate on the semi-final now.
"I'm chuffed for myself and also for my partner Karen and my mum, and I wish my dad was here to see me. Hopefully I can go all the way now.
"Yesterday I finished well but I've always been a battler on the circuit and it's great to put that form into this tournament. It feels great and I've got at least £20,000 in the bank now!"
Jenkins took the opening set 3-2, coming from 2-1 down with a 102 finish and then a 13-darter in the deciding leg.
The Portsmouth-based star hit three maximums in the second set, only to see legs of 13, 14 and 16 darts from Osborne level the match.
A two-dart 96 finish for an 11-darter gave the qualifier from Derby the third set, and he also won set four 3-1 - including a 146 checkout - to open up a 3-1 cushion.
Jenkins battled back from being a leg down to take the fifth set, and stepped up a gear in the sixth to square the game with legs of 15, 15 and 13 darts and a key 142 finish.
Osborne edged the seventh set in a decider, before Jenkins kept himself in the contest by winning the eighth 3-1.
The world number 12 then took out double top to take the opening leg of the final set, and a superb 108 doubled the advantage with Osborne sat on a double.
Osborne won leg three in 14 darts, but Jenkins replied in kind to land double 18 and book his place in the semis.
"I've had a brilliant week and I've no complaints," said Osborne, a 31-year-old who has spent less than two years as a professional.
"I didn't play as well as I can do but some days that happens. In parts my darts went in and in others they didn't, and at this level you can't afford to miss your doubles.
"I had to keep plodding away at Andy but I'm pleased because I've proved I can perform on this stage. I've felt at home up there all week.
"I'll be back. I'm going to consider becoming a full-time professional in the next couple of weeks and speak to some potential sponsors."
Match Stats
|
Andy |
5-4 |
Colin |
|
55 |
100+ |
55 |
|
24 |
140+ |
25 |
|
8 |
180 |
8 |
|
29.97 |
Ave1 |
30.03 |
|
89.91 |
Ave3 |
90.09 |
|
142,108,102 |
High Finish |
146,114 |
ANDY HAMILTON 5-4 TERRY JENKINS
(1-3, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 1-3)
ANDY HAMILTON held of Terry Jenkins' fightback to book his place in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship in a dramatic contest.
The Stoke star produced another superb display to see off the World Grand Prix finalist in yet another epic clash to go to a deciding final set.
Hamilton began in blistering fashion, winning the opening three sets in style.
He opened the match with a 12-darter, and hit seven maximums in the opening 12 legs.
Jenkins produced legs of 14, 16 and 13 darts to win the fourth set 3-1 and begin his comeback, and defied a 124 finish from Hamilton in the fifth to take the set in a decider.
Jenkins also landed a 13-darter on his way to taking set six 3-1 and squaring the game.
Hamilton regathered himself to regain the lead superbly with legs of 13, 12 and 15 darts that included sparking finishes of 121 and 98.
Jenkins upped the ante by taking the eighth set, including two 11-darters, to send the game into a decider.
Hamilton broke the throw with a 14-darter in the first leg, and then held his throw on double ten to take a 2-0 lead.
A 13-darter from Jenkins, including a maximum, kept him in the contest before Hamilton powered in his 16th 180 of the game to lead a 44 finish - and he needed just two more darts to seal victory.
"He came back at me and I thought it was going all the way," admitted Hamilton. "Terry threw good darts to come back and I knew I had to break his throw in the last set - I didn't want it to go to 5-5.
"I am hitting doubles when I need to at the moment under pressure, which is important, and have felt more confident as the tournament has gone on.
"I play on big scores and if they go in it's great. My finishing was good today too so hopefully I can carry it on.
"If I play Phil in the semis, I won't turn over and lie down. It's a big chance for me now, but I'll enjoy it and play my own darts."
Match Stats
|
Terry |
3-4 |
Andy |
|
54 |
100+ |
37 |
|
29 |
140+ |
21 |
|
10 |
180 |
16 |
|
32.44 |
Ave1 |
32.62 |
|
97.32 |
Ave3 |
97.86 |
|
100 |
High Finish |
124,121 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 5-0 ALAN TABERN
(3-0, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD stormed into the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 5-0 win over Alan Tabern.
The Dutchman remains on course for an appearance in the Purfleet final in his debut year at the Circus Tavern after another quality display.
He dropped just four legs in the match, and the tone was set early on when van Barneveld took the first set 3-0 without Tabern even reaching a double.
Tabern then missed ten darts at a double in the opening leg of the second set, but took the next two with finishes of 60 and 130 on the bull, to move ahead.
Four-time Lakeside champion van Barneveld kept himself in the set in leg with double ten after Tabern missed the bull for the set, and he then won the decider to double the lead.
He twice broke Tabern's throw in the third set, as well as landing a 13-darter to move 3-0 up, and also led 2-0 in the fourth.
Tabern again hit back, with a 62 finish followed by a 126 checkout as he levelled matters, but van Barneveld was again the stronger in leg five to go four sets up.
Despite a maximum from Tabern in the opening leg of set five, van Barneveld checked out 64 in three darts and then 87 on double 18 to move to within a leg of the match.
He then wrapped up the win on double four to set up a tasty clash with Andy Jenkins in the last four.
Tabern, a qualifier from St Helens who has burst onto the scene in the past 18 months, admitted: "It was my most disappointing night as a professional.
"Everything that could do wrong, did go wrong. Maybe the week took its toll on me - it was like running two marathons in my last two matches.
"I hope I'm not remembered for this instead of the wins I've had earlier in this tournament because I know I am better than this.
"I needed to win a couple of legs to settle me down and give me the belief. Ray may have been there for the taking, but I didn't do anything to pressure him."
Match Stats
|
Raymond |
5-0 |
Alan |
|
23 |
100+ |
23 |
|
18 |
140+ |
10 |
|
5 |
180 |
4 |
|
32.10 |
Ave1 |
28.14 |
|
96.31 |
Ave3 |
84.42 |
|
106 |
High Finish |
130, 126 |
PHIL TAYLOR 5-1 DARREN WEBSTER
(3-0, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 3-0)
PHIL TAYLOR remained on course for a 14th World Championship title with a 5-1 win over Darren Webster at the Circus Tavern.
Taylor dropped only four legs in an impressive demolition of the qualifier, who defeated Bob Anderson, Adrian Gray and Wynand Havenga before becoming the latest victim of another masterclass from the defending champion.
Webster played his part in an enjoyable contest, taking out a 164 finish in winning the fifth set without reply - despite a maximum from Taylor in each of the legs.
However, it was not to be as Taylor powered through the final set to finish with an average of 101.5 to book a date with Andy Hamilton in Saturday's semi-finals.
Webster had chances to win the first leg, but was punished for misses at double top and ten when Taylor took out 81 in two darts.
Legs of 15 and 14 darts gave Taylor the first set, and he also took the second without reply in only 45 darts.
He led 2-0 in the third before a 12-darter from Webster got him off the mark, although Taylor responded to take the fourth leg and create a 3-0 advantage.
Taylor included a 112 finish in winning the fourth set 3-0, before Webster took the fifth by the same scoreline.
He capitalised on Taylor misses in the first, before taking out 164 in the second leg and landing a maximum to set up a one-dart 24 finish in the third.
His celebrations were short-lived, though, as Taylor wrapped up victory with three successive legs - including a 90 finish on the bull - to move into the last four.
"Darren was good to play against and hung in there," said Taylor. "I thought he would come back at one stage and he deserved his moment of success.
"The 90 finish on the bull was important. It was probably my best shot of the tournament - I had to knock his confidence back down after he won the fifth set!
"Everything's going well for me in this event and a 100 average is nice and steady. There's a lot of pressure now and some good players coming through.
"I do enjoy the game and the battles, and Andy Hamilton will be a tough game."
Webster admitted: "It was a big thing for me in the last eight against Phil Taylor, and the moment got to me at the start.
"I eventually settled down and enjoyed it, but it was 3-0 by that point,
"The 164 finish was great and I was proud to play like that in the fifth set. That is how I can play, and maybe if I'd produced that throughout it would have been different.
"I can concentrate on next year now and try to get back into the top 32. That way I will get used to the big stage more, although you can't gain any more experience than playing Phil in a quarter-final of the World Championship."
Match Stats
|
Phil |
5-1 |
Darren |
|
22 |
100+ |
32 |
|
14 |
140+ |
12 |
|
5 |
180 |
4 |
|
33.84 |
Ave1 |
31.71 |
|
101.51 |
Ave3 |
95.13 |
|
112 |
High Finish |
164 |