Stan James World Matchplay - Tuesday Afternoon Session Reports

REPORTS from Tuesday's afternoon session at the Stan James World Matchplay, including a win for Andy Hamilton over Mick McGowan.

Watch coverage live on Sky Sports, and follow reports, reaction and stats below.

Stan James World Matchplay
Andy Hamilton 10-6 Mick McGowan
Adrian Lewis 10-4 Steve Beaton
James Wade 10-7 Wayne Jones
Andy Jenkins 10-6 Mark Walsh

Picture courtesy Chris Sargeant/PDPA.

ANDY HAMILTON 10-6 MICK McGOWAN

ANDY HAMILTON moved into the second round with a grinding 10-6 defeat of Mick McGowan in Tuesday's Stan James World Matchplay opener.

Hamilton won through to the semi-finals at the Winter Gardens last year, but failed to recapture that form in an uncharacteristic display against McGowan.

Neither player showed the high-scoring form which propelled them into the world's top 32, with Hamilton pulling away to win six of the final seven legs and move into the last 16.

"I put too much pressure on myself instead of going out there to enjoy it," admitted Hamilton. "I gave Mick too much respect because I know he is capable of beating me.

"I pushed my darts through and didn't play my normal game, but I'm through now so I can relax and get stuck into my next game. I'll get better."

Hamilton landed his first of four 180s on his way to the opening leg of the match, but McGowan led 3-2 after punishing a string of missed doubles from the Stoke man - who had finished just two of 20 chances in the opening session.

Hamilton returned from the break to win the next two, only for a 106 finish and then a double 12 checkout edge McGowan back ahead.

That was as good as it got for McGowan, with Hamilton taking five straight legs to move to within touching distance of the win, including a 13-darter and a 109 checkout.

McGowan kept himself in the match with a 14-darter, but another 180 settled Hamilton's nerves and he finished the win on double top.

Andy Hamilton	10-6	Mick McGowan
22	100+	22
6	140+	5
4	180	0
26.54	Ave1	24.56
79.63	Ave3	73.58
109	High Finish	106

ADRIAN LEWIS 10-4 STEVE BEATON

ADRIAN LEWIS eased past Steve Beaton to set up a second round date at the Stan James World Matchplay with Stoke rival Andy Hamilton.

Lewis was defeated by Hamilton in the last 16 of the tournament a year ago, and earned the chance to avenge that by seeing off the former World Champion.

He set his stall out early on by taking a 3-1 lead, and punished Beaton for missed doubles in the sixth leg as the experienced professional wasted his chance to level matters.

Lewis took that leg on double two and the next two to move 6-2 up before misses on double top allowed Beaton in to win the ninth.

A 180 helped Lewis restore his cushion in the tenth, he took out 102 in the next and then moved 9-3 up with a sparkling 13-darter.

Beaton took the next leg to stay in the contest, but a 116 checkout sealed Lewis' place in the second round.

"I'm pleased to get through," said Lewis. "Steve's no walkover and my finishing was spot on at times.

"We both gave each other too much respect and it was always going to be the one who got away to the best start who would win."

Adrian Lewis	10-4	Steve Beaton
23	100+	23
8	140+	4
1	180	1
30.00	Ave1	27.75
90.00	Ave3	83.24
116,102	High Finish	41

JAMES WADE 10-7 WAYNE JONES

JAMES WADE set off on another Stan James World Matchplay adventure with a 10-7 win over Wayne Jones at the Winter Gardens.

The 24-year-old from Aldershot reached the final of the tournament 12 months ago, and made a steady start to his 2007 challenge against Jones.

A mid-game run of four legs from five saw him surge clear from five-all to 9-6 and set up a second round game with Dennis Priestley.

"I lost to Wayne Jones two years ago at the World Championship when I was two sets and two legs ahead, and it was a big game for me to get through," revealed Wade.

"Now I can relax and enjoy the tournament, which I'm good at. I felt at home up there after what happened last year.

"I've been playing well in practice but it didn't quite go to plan today. I'm putting the work in and I might not be at my best in this competition but I will for the World Championship in December.

"Hopefully I can do very well here again this week though!"

Wade took the game's first two legs before missed doubles allowed Jones in to level matters, and further wayward finishing allowed the Wolverhampton thrower to edge 4-3 up.

Wade stepped up a gear to win the next two, but a missed bullseye for a 121 finish to allow Jones to level in the tenth leg.

Wade won the 11th on double five, and punished missed doubles from Jones in the next two to create a three-leg cushion for the first time in the match.

Jones took out 95 to his back and also won leg 16 to stay in the game at 9-7, but a 14-darter from Wade booked his last 16 place.

James Wade	10-7	Wayne Jones
23	100+	19
11	140+	14
2	180	1
29.63	Ave1	29.13
88.88	Ave3	87.40
92	High Finish	95

ANDY JENKINS 10-6 MARK WALSH

ANDY JENKINS put behind him six disappointing months to progress to round two at the Stan James World Matchplay with a 10-6 win over Mark Walsh.

The Portsmouth thrower has been in poor form since reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship at Christmas, but had a confidence-boosting display against Walsh.

He opened up an early 4-1 lead, averaging 105 after five legs and forcing Walsh to produce a maximum to win leg three.

Jenkins added a 108 finish in moving 5-3 up, and extended his lead to five legs before beginning to feel the pressure of the approaching winning line.

Misses from Walsh allowed Jenkins in to make the score 9-4, before Walsh battled to win the next two and remain in the contest.

But a strong leg from Jenkins saw him land three ton-plus scores and then take out double eight for a 14-darter and the match.

"I'm happy to get through," said Jenkins. "My form hasn't been too good and I played quite well in the first five legs - I couldn't have asked for a better start.

"Walshie has been playing well recently and he pushed me hard. We both enjoyed being back on the big stage and, apart from a little dip in the middle, I'm pleased to get into the next round."

Jenkins plays close friend Mervyn King in the last 16, and added: "I'm looking forward to that.

"He's a close friend and I went to the Lakeside to watch him in the BDO Championship last year - he's joined the PDC now so I'll have to bash him up!"