SkyBet World Grand Prix - Night Two Reports

REPORTS and reaction as the first round at the 2006 SkyBet World Grand Prix concludes on Tuesday night.

DENNIS PRIESTLEY 2-0 GEOFFREY MATTHEWS

Dennis Priestley made light work of qualifier Geoffrey Matthews to romp into round two of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Priestley dropped just one leg against the Northern Irishman to march into round two with an impressive display.

He opened the game with a 116 finish in the opening leg, and raced through the next two to win the first set without reply.

A 106 finish put him 2-0 up in the second set before Matthews took out 100 on double ten to get off the mark.

There was little more he could do, though, as Priestley hit double 16 for an 86 checkout to seal the win.

"I was really pleased," said Priestley. "I played seven legs and didn't fail to get in on the first three darts at any stage.

"That's a pleasing aspect, and I didn't waste too many darts at the end of legs.

"I probably wasn't as prolific with my scoring as I would need to be to progress to the latter stages."

Priestley has been one of the form players in the sport this year, and could move up to number three in the world after this event - and he has his sights set on the title in Dublin.

"If I can keep my concentration and energy up, who knows?" added the Yorkshireman.

"When I first started playing, the long formats suited me but now I want a shorter one because I've doubts over whether my stamina will hold up.

"Last year in the semi-finals here it didn't. After four sets I was going like a train and then I hit a barrier.

"That's the only doubt I have in my mind. I don't mind who I play - if you don't perform you won't win, no matter who you play."

Matthews battled through more than 300 players in the All-Ireland Qualifiers, and said: "It was a brilliant experience but what can you do against a man like that.

"I tried my best but found it hard at the start to get going. After that I started to enjoy it more and did get going a bit, I managed one leg but it was too late then."

Dennis Priestley	2-0 (3-0, 3-1)	Geoffrey Matthews
12	100+	6
6	140+	4
1	180	-
31.25	Ave1	24.16
93.74	Ave3	72.49
116	High Finish	100

MARK DUDBRIDGE 0-2 STEVE BEATON

STEVE BEATON produced a classy performance to race past Mark Dudbridge into the last 16 of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

The former World Champion showed some superb finishing to overcome the world number 13.

The pair shared the opening four legs, with a 13-darter from Dudbridge taking the first set into a decider.

A maximum from Dudbridge gave him the opportunity to steal the lead with a 111 finish, but he missed single 11 after landing treble twenty to allow Beaton in - and he crucially took out double 16 to go ahead.

Dudbridge made no mistake with a 103 finish to open the second set, but Beaton stepped up a gear to punish slow scoring from his opponent.

He took the next three legs in succession without Dudbridge getting to a double to book his place in round two.

"I'm very pleased," said Beaton. "I knew it would be a tough game and really it came down to that first set.

"All the darts went with the throw and then he hit me with that 180 in the fifth leg. All I could do was leave a double, he messed up on the finish and I wasn't going to miss then.

"That was a big turning point. It boosted my confidence and he must have felt a bit down about missing the single 11, but I was on a high then.

"I don't think I went once where I didn't get off with my first three darts and I was very happy.

"I'll take every game as it comes. The hardest thing I did was qualify for this, that was like winning a tournament.

"I know the big names are in my half of the draw so it's going to be tough but I accept that."

Mark Dudbridge	0-2 (2-3, 1-3)	Steve Beaton
12	100+	8
5	140+	5
1	180	2
26.97	Ave1	29.56
80.92	Ave3	88.68
103	High Finish	75

ALAN WARRINER-LITTLE 1-2 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

DUTCHMAN Raymond van Barneveld enjoyed a successful debut in the SkyBet World Grand Prix with a 2-1 win over Alan Warriner-Little.

Van Barneveld battled through over 120 players in the PDPA Qualifiers just to win a place in the main tournament.

But he looked comfortable with the double-start format as he took the opening set 3-1, taking out 107 for the set after Warriner-Little landed a 104 finish to get off the mark.

Van Barneveld then took out 143 in the opening leg of the second set, and landed a third maximum of the game to take the third leg and a 2-1 lead.

Warriner-Little took out double six to stay in the match before a double five finish squared matters and sent the game into the final set.

The Lancastrian missed the bull for a 130 finish in the opener to the third set, with van Barneveld stepping in with double 16.

A 69 finish put him within a leg of the match and he punished misses from Warriner-Little to wrap up a hard-fought win.

Van Barneveld was playing for the first time in a major tournament with a new set of darts, using slimline flights modelled on Phil Taylor.

"I've always been impressed by the way Phil plays and you have to look to the future," said van Barneveld.

"My old darts had big flights and the way they landed affected my way of throwing but I've got a lot of confidence in my new darts.

"I am hitting a lot more 140s and 180s and it is increasing my chances with the doubles. I can see more of the treble 20 because of how they land, a lot flatter.

"I've reached two finals in my last three tournaments so I have to stick with them and believe in myself."

Van Barneveld will now face Taylor on Thursday in the second round, having won the last two meetings between the pair.

"I hope it's a good game with Phil on Thursday," he added. "He is the best player in the world and you have to give everything of yourself - I've beaten him twice in two tournaments but they were both in the last leg.

"It's good for TV and for people to watch and I'm happy I did that, but I have to look forward and you're only as good as your last game.

"This is one of the hardest tournaments to win in the world. Everyone says that if you win the UK Open, or the Dutch Open you have to be a fanastic player but to win this one, hitting doubles to open and at the end, is so hard.

"It's my first time here but I have the confidence and belief."

Warriner said: "First rounds are never easy in any tournament and especially in this because of the double start and best-of-three sets.

"There are no bad players in this but I tried my best and had a chance.

"I could have taken him out, I think I scored better than him and I had my chances.

"But it wasn't to be, and I didn't get off too well all the time. I think the pressure of the game got me a little bit."

Alan Warriner-Little	1-2 (1-3, 3-2, 0-3)	Raymond van Barneveld
16	100+	15
10	140+	8
2	180	4
25.20	Ave1	28.63
75.60	Ave3	85.88
104	High Finish	143

ANDY SMITH 2-0 GARRETT GRAY

ANDY SMITH ended the hopes of Irish qualifier Garrett Gray to progress to the second round of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Smith showed some quality touches on his debut in the double-start tournament, dropping just one leg to set up a meeting with Wayne Mardle on Wednesday night.

He took the opening set without reply, with Gray missing his chances to take the second leg on four occasions before Smith finally landed double one.

Smith landed a maximum on his way to the opening leg of the second set, and double ten put him within one leg of the match.

Though Gray battled, another 180 saw Smith push clear, and he then took out two double tops in a 100 finish to seal the win.

"I didn't play too well but I'm through," said Smith. "I did enough to win and have a hard game now against Wayne Mardle.

"I'll have to be on top of my game for that. I wasn't for this game, everyone wanted Garrett to win but that put pressure on him and he didn't play as well as he can."

Gray said: "Andy took out everything and always got away in his first three darts. He was great.

"It was a great experience and has been a massive buzz for me. I wasn't used to the crowd and could hear bits, which did affect me a little but you get used to it.

"In the second set I settled down and got away more often, but I was chasing the game."

Garrett Gray	0-2 (1-3, 0-3)	Andy Smith
12	100+	12
2	140+	1
-	180	2
25.48	Ave1	27.54
76.45	Ave3	82.63
20	High Finish	100

PHIL TAYLOR 2-0 WES NEWTON

PHIL TAYLOR taught Wes Newton a lesson in finishing to set up a second round clash with Raymond van Barneveld at the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Taylor dropped just one leg against the rising star from Fleetwood to begin the defence of his title in style.

Newton played well enough, landing three maximums to Taylor's one during the contest but paying for missed doubles.

The duo shared the first two legs but Newton missed two chances at double 14 to break his throw in the third before Taylor took out 82.

He then won the set with a 15-darter and punished Newton's misses in the opener to the second set to edge in front.

Newton missed further doubles in the next two legs, with Taylor swiftly stepping in to secure the win.

"I'm glad to get past that first round," said Taylor. "Every year I've been here, I've either lost in the first round or won the tournament.

"I hurt Wes a few times with doubles. It is hard when you've had a shot, it hurts you because it's another leg lost and it's only a short game.

"It's a difficult format and a bit longer against Raymond so I'm not going to be nervous at all.

"He's a good player, very consistent and professional. He puts everything into it and it's going to be a good game."

A rueful Newton said: "I played really well with my scoring - I matched him all the way and just didn't take my chances. You pay the price for that, especially against Phil.

"I've been practising my finishing and playing well but with the pressure Phil puts on you, that's what happens if you do miss.

"I was getting off okay but missed that crucial dart at a double that you need to take.

"It hurts when you miss and your opponent goes out, so when you've had the chance and not taken it it's your fault at the end of the day."

Phil Taylor	2-0 (3-1, 3-0)	Wes Newton
10	100+	7
3	140+	5
1	180	3
27.52	Ave1	28.73
82.57	Ave3	86.18
86	High Finish	44

ADRIAN LEWIS 2-0 BARRIE BATES

ADRIAN LEWIS laid down his marker for the SkyBet World Grand Prix by powering past Welshman Barrie Bates 2-0.

Lewis dropped just two legs against the debutant, who has risen into the top 24 of the world rankings this year with some superb displays on the circuit.

However, he failed to adapy quickly enough to the double-start format in the best-of-three set first round.

Lewis took out two maximums in cruising to the first set without reply, although Bates missed double 16 for a 132 finish in the first leg.

Bates took out 96 to get off the mark in the second set, with Lewis hitting back with a 14-dart leg before the Welshman moved back in front.

Lewis levelled the set with double top and stepped in to seal the win with a 13-darter after Bates missed double 16 for a 101 finish.

"It wasn't bad tonight," said Lewis. "On Saturday and Sunday in the Pro Tour events I wasn't quite as good but I was thinking about this.

"Barrie put me under some pressure at times and I'm pleased to get through."

Lewis will play Dennis Priestley in round two, having lost 5-0 to the veteran last weekend but demolished him 11-1 in the World Series of Darts semi-final in May.

"I've beaten him twice on TV but the other day he didn't have a checkout under 126!" added Lewis. "The game in the World Series is the best I've played on stage.

"I was averaging 106 until the last leg, when I missed seven darts at a double, and I've got to average 95 here to beat Dennis on Thursday."

Bates said: "The double start was new for me and if you don't get away against someone of Adrian's calibre you're not going to win.

"Fair play to him, he was sensational. I scored alright but his starting doubles were first class.

"I've been full-time for two weeks now since leaving my job as a builders merchant, and I'll build up for the World Championship now.

"That was my main aim at the start of the year and since then I've got to the UK Open final and played in the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix.

"I'm now certain to play in the World Championship - it's been a dream year. I'm getting used to the big stage and the more I play on it, the better I'll be."

Adrian Lewis	2-1 (0-3, 3-2, 3-1)	John Part
7	100+	9
5	140+	4
4	180	-
30.19	Ave1	22.96
90.56	Ave3	68.89
83	High Finish	96

RONNIE BAXTER 2-0 ALAN GREEN

RONNIE BAXTER rocketed into round two with a 2-0 win over qualifier Alan Green.

The world number three showed glimpses of the form which took him into the semi-finals two years ago with some clinical finishing.

He took the first set 3-1, punishing Green's misses in the fourth leg to put himself ahead in the game.

A 113 finish saw him move clear in the second before Green landed a maximum on his way to taking the second leg.

Baxter landed a hammer blow with a 160 finish in the third, when Green was sat on double top, before the players traded 180s in the next as the number three seed sealed victory.

"At the start Alan must have thought he had a chance but I kept going and he pushed me," said Baxter.

"I needed something like that, I was ready for it but didn't quite fire early on.

"Alan was missing doubles, giving me the chance and I took it but the last set was a stormer with good scoring and good finishing.

"I'm chasing at least a semi-final because that's what I did two years ago and am defending those ranking points."

Green came through the PDPA Qualifiers and admitted: "I enjoyed it but had too many missed doubles.

"I missed two big outshots but Ronnie's number three in the world and you can't take anything away from him. I came through the qualifiers, and that was hard enough.

"I settled in the second set but it takes a little bit of time to get used to it. I was hitting the trebles but couldn't get the doubles and the 160 Ronnie shot hurt me.

"But I'll be back and want to get through the play-offs and play in the World Championship now. This is good experience and I've enjoyed my time here."

Ronnie Baxter	2-1 (0-3, 3-2, 3-1)	John Part
7	100+	12
5	140+	2
2	180	2
28.33	Ave1	24.74
84.98	Ave3	74.21
160	High Finish	40

JAMES WADE 2-0 PAUL WATTON

JAMES WADE booked his place in the last 16 of the SkyBet World Grand Prix with a straight sets victory over Paul Watton.

The qualifier from Northern Ireland was making his second appearance in the tournament, having previously lost to Dennis Smith in the first round six years ago.

He took a little time to get into his stride, with Wade winning the opening two legs before Watton landed double top to get off the mark.

Wade won the first set with a 14-darter, and looked set to wrap up a quick win when he took the first next in the next.

But Watton, a postman by trade, punished a lapse in concentration from Wade to take the next two and level matters.

The World Matchplay finalist regained his composure with three ton-plus scores in the decider before setting up a second round clash with Ronnie Baxter with a neat 76 finish.

"I'm pleased that I'm though but you want to put a good performance in to make your next opponent think twice," said the 23-year-old from Aldershot.

"But I'm through and it's a win. It's a lot harder with the double-start in this event and I can relax now I'm through the first game.

"I proved to myself in Blackpool what I know I can do but this is another tournament and a new start."