SkyBet World Grand Prix - Night Three Reports

REPORTS and reaction from the first four second round matches at the 2006 SkyBet World Grand Prix on Wednesday night.

WAYNE MARDLE 0-3 ANDY SMITH

ANDY SMITH marched into the quarter-finals of the SkyBet World Grand Prix with a 3-0 whitewash of Wayne Mardle at the Citywest Hotel.

The lumberjack from Warwickshire chopped down the number four seed with a high quality display, dropping just three legs in the match and punishing a subdued Mardle throughout.

Smith won the opening set 3-0 despite two maximums from Mardle, with the Essex star missing doubles in the opening leg and sat on a finish in the third.

Mardle got off the mark by winning the second set's opener, but three in a row from Smith, including a 90 finish, put him 2-0 up in the match.

Smith stepped in to take the first leg of the third set after Mardle wasted his chances, although Mardle responded with a 16-darter to level matters.

Smith landed two 140s to move to within a leg of the match and, though Mardle battled to win the fourth and stay in the set, a 120 Shanghai finish sent the world number 18 into the last eight.

"Wayne was superb in his first round match against Denis Ovens and I knew I had to put him under pressure," said Smith. "He's the sort of player who can make you look silly when he gets in front.

"But you have to make him think, and do the business and I did. I haven't really got a good record on TV yet.

"I still wasn't happy with my game. I had some bad shots but if I had a chance I tried my best to take it and prevailed.

"Wayne wasn't at his best but there's a lot of pressure on those lads who are nearly in the Premier League. They have to get points and we all know what he can do.

"But the draw now is in my favour because the biggest names are in the bottom half and have to bash each other up.

"All I have to do is take my chances and ride my luck."

Wayne Mardle	0-3 (0-3, 1-3, 2-3)	Andy Smith
12	100+	14
3	140+	8
4	180	1
26.13	Ave1	27.21
78.39	Ave3	81.62
40	High Finish	120

ANDY CALLABY 2-3 TERRY JENKINS

TERRY JENKINS edged out qualifier Andy Callaby 3-2 to progress to the last eight of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Callaby battled through from over 120 players just to win a place at the Citywest Hotel, and overcame Cambridgeshire rival Kevin Painter in the first round.

But he was unable to repeat the feat against Jenkins, who punished Callaby's missed doubles to remain on course for a first major final.

Callaby won the first set in a deciding leg, but Jenkins hit back to win the next two 3-1 and move to within one set of the match.

Callaby won the fourth set 3-1 with two 14-darters and a 112 finish - despite a 141 checkout from Jenkins - to send the match into a decider.

Jenkins twice took out double top with his first dart, but a pressure double 16 from Callaby kept him in the Hunt.

However, he was off-target on the bullseye for a 122 finish, allowing Jenkins to wrap up the win on double top.

"I seemed to make hard work of that today," said Jenkins. "That frustrates me, because I know how I can play but one day I'll go up on stage and play a really good game.

"The top half of the draw is really open. I've been playing well away from the TV cameras. People don't see those games but it's probably tougher playing on the floor than up there on stage.

"I'm feeling pretty confident to be honest."

A disappointed Callaby said: "I've been feeling unwell throughout the day and it did affect me, I felt flat and there was nothing there.

"I'm pleased with the way I played considering how I felt. I was happy to get two sets. It's very frustrating after working so hard to get to this stage."

Andy Callaby	2-3 (3-2, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1, 1-3)	Terry Jenkins
19	100+	34
16	140+	7
3	180	5
26.51	Ave1	27.94
79.52	Ave3	83.81
112	High Finish	141

BOB ANDERSON 3-1 ANTO McCRACKEN

IRISH hopes at the SkyBet World Grand Prix were ended on Tuesday night when Bob Anderson defeated Anto McCracken 3-1.

Local hero McCracken won his first round clash with Mark Walsh on Monday to move into the last 16 on his televised debut.

However, he was unable to complete a giant-killing against Anderson, who followed up his sensational defeat of number one seed Colin Lloyd with a solid display.

Anderson came from behind to take the first set 3-1, including a 110 finish, but McCracken battled back to take the second in a deciding leg.

A 149 finish to open the third set put Anderson on top, and he continued to push ahead by winning the set without reply.

A 14-dart leg edged him in front in the fourth, although McCracken stepped in to level the set with double 19.

However, Anderson's scoring power and more clinical opening on the double saw him complete the win with two more legs.

"I'm very relieved," admitted Anderson. "I felt I was not only playing Anto but half of Ireland as well - they got behind their man like only an Irish crowd can.

"Anto played well, much better than in his first game but it's really nice to tip the breast of the quarter-finals. Terry will offer a different challenge but I'll be ready for him.

"It's a longer format I think - I've never been this far in the tournament before but I'll take each game as it comes now."

McCracken said: "The occasion got to me, I'm usually a lot better than that on the doubles but it's a new experience and I'll know what to expect if I qualify again next year.

"I will take a lot of experience from it. I've loved every second this week and it's a learning curve for me."

Bob Anderson	3-1 (3-1, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)	Anto McCracken
25	100+	11
12	140+	6
-	180	2
25.95	Ave1	19.81
77.84	Ave3	59.44
149	High Finish	71

PETER MANLEY 3-1 LIONEL SAMS

PETER MANLEY overpowered Lionel Sams to secure his last eight berth at the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

The world number four raced past Chris Mason to move into round two, and continued his good form to see off Sams in four sets.

Manley only failed to land a double with his first three darts on one occasion in the game, and produced two ton-plus finishes as well as a brace of 96 checkouts to leave Sams reeling.

Manley won the opening set 3-1 before Sams hit back to take the second without reply, including a sparkling 101 finish to level the match.

Manley responded with a 100 finish to open the third set before producing a party-piece 96, hitting 20, double 18 and double top to go 2-0 up.

Sams was left dumbstruck by the hammer-blow, with Manley on a finish in the next leg before he even landed the double to start scoring.

Manley took out double four to seal the third set, and a 116 finish at begin the fourth further extended his cushion.

A 12-dart leg put him to within touching distance of the win and he duly sealed victory on his trademark double top to set up a quarter-final against Andy Smith on Friday.

"I'm pleased but it was a tough contest," said Manley. "Lionel is showing his class now.

"When I saw him take out 136 to beat John Part, I knew he hadn't come here to make up the numbers.

"I think my concentration was there but I was lazy at times and relied on hitting big scores or a big shot-out.

"I can remember hitting that lovely 96 with the 20, double 18 and tops and I think that more-or-less killed him off for the rest of the game.

"It's shots like that that I can pull off that ruin other players."