SkyBet World Grand Prix - Semi-Final Reports

MATCH REPORTS, reaction and stats from the semi-finals of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.



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TERRY JENKINS 6-4 PETER MANLEY

TERRY JENKINS will make his debut in a major final after overcoming Peter Manley 6-4 in a thrilling opening semi at the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

The 43-year-old from Herefordshire has made a solid name for himself over the past three years on the PDC circuit but had yet to establish himself on the televised stage.

That has changed at the Citywest Hotel after a brilliant week of darts continued with a stunning semi-final triumph.

Jenkins led Manley 2-0 in the early stages and survived a comeback to prevent the number five seed from reaching a fifth major final.

The victory also means that Jenkins will compete in the 2007 Holsten Premier League, with his run to the final meaning he will move above Wayne Mardle into sixth place in the world rankings.

"I feel so chuffed," said Jenkins. "I suppose it was the toughest game of my career.

"There was a lot of extra pressure with the Premier League spot and perhaps I wanted it too much.

"I nearly blew it in the middle of the game, where I could have gone 5-2 up and it was 4-3 instead. I thought that was my chance to get a good lead.

"I wasn't too worried when he got it back to four-all. I knew I was in with a shout as long as I could hold my throw.

"I'd be a liar to say that the Premier League wasn't in mind and when I got to the last set I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"A few years ago I was nowhere, I didn't play professional darts and only played for fun. But I decided to have a go with the PDC because I believed I could do well and get into the top ten.

"I've done better than I thought I could do but I'll have to do some serious practice now - for the Premier League and also for the final of this tournament!

"I pulled a few doubles and I'll practice them plenty before the final."

Jenkins began the semi-final superbly, hitting his starting double with the first dart in six of the first eight legs on his way to taking the opening two sets 3-1.

Manley hit back to lead 2-0 in the third before Jenkins set up a possible nine-dart leg by opening on 160 and landing a 180.

He added a seventh perfect dart with the treble 20, but missed double 17 to see his hopes of a £10,000 bonus go astray.

Jenkins finished the leg in 12 darts and took the next to square the set before Manley hit double top to take the set, and then won the next 3-1 including a 12-darter of his own.

The next two sets saw Jenkins take the opening two legs before Manley hit back twice to send them into a deciding leg before the semi-final debutant took the fifth.

Manley again hit back from being two sets behind to square matters, winning a dramatic seventh set 3-2 with his 12th dart at a finishing double before taking the next 3-1.

Jenkins won the ninth set 3-1 to move closer to victory, and landed a sixth maximum of the match on his way to going 1-0 up.

Manley took out double six to level matters before Jenkins fired in a key 119 checkout to lead 2-1.

With the tension rising, both players struggled to start in the fourth leg, with Manley then missing six darts to stay in the game before Jenkins sealed his win with a clinical 76.

"It was relentless tonight," said Manley. "I knew the pressure he was under and, for some reason, I put it onto my shoulders.

"I got back to four-all and thought about starting the game again, it was the best of three sets but I missed and let him in.

"I still had my chance to command the game and I didn't but the conditions were hard. We never let up and it was tough.

"Terry's a class player but I wasn't kicking in at the start of legs.

"After the quarter-finals I had one of the best ever averages of starting off but I knew that two days are never the same.

"Darts is a funny game and the double top looked like a magnet against Andy Smith, and tonight it wasn't to be."

Manley will join Jenkins in the Premier League next year, and he added: "Terry came in as a total outsider to get a place.

"He had no chance and has gone through the field to win a place. Obviously Bob Anderson took Colin Lloyd out and he could have met Colin so some things have gone his way but he's done well and deserves it."

PHIL TAYLOR 6-3 DENNIS PRIESTLEY

PHIL TAYLOR battled past Dennis Priestley to reach the final of the SkyBet World Grand Prix in a classic semi-final contest at the Citywest Hotel.

The duo have shared many superb clashes during the years, and their nine-set epic in front of a packed Irish crowd will live among the best.

Priestley fought back from two sets down to tie the contest at 2-2 and the paid traded blows like veteran boxers to leave the match level at four sets each.

But Taylor found an extra gear to win three sets without reply to put himself into a seventh World Grand Prix final in the nine-year history of the tournament.

"It was very hard," said Taylor. "I think both of us were OK for the first couple of sets and then we started feeling the heat.

"It was wierd and took us four or five sets to settle down. I've got another big game to come with Terry tomorrow and I'll look forward to that.

"We've unleashed a monster in Dennis and he's going to be a tough cookie for the next 12 months."

After Priestley took the game's opening leg, Taylor won six of the next seven to move 2-0 up in the match.

Priestley responded with two 14-dart legs on his way to winning the third set 3-1, and repeated the scoreline in the fourth to square the game.

Taylor had two ton-plus finishes and a 14-darter in the fifth, with Priestley coming from a leg down in the next to level matters once more.

A 13-darter put the Yorkshireman in front in set seven, but Taylor kicked in with legs of 14, 13 and 15 darts to move back in front.

He then came from 2-0 down in the eighth set to finally put daylight back between the duo, including six perfect darts in one leg and an 11-darter in another.

Taylor broke his opponent's throw in the ninth set opener, and landed two more killer punches with legs of 14 and 13 darts which confirmed his place in yet another final.

"The heat on stage, and the length of the game, cost me," admitted the 56-year-old. "I had to play a different game to usual by trying to stay cool in between throws.

"I tried my best but Phil was the superior player and his stamina came to the fore at the end. I'm disappointed with the 6-3 scoreline."