stanjames.com World Matchplay Semis

REPORTS from the semi-finals of the 2009 stanjames.com World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

stanjames.com World Matchplay
Semi-Finals
Ronnie Baxter 12-17 Terry Jenkins
Phil Taylor 17-6 Mervyn King
Best of 33 legs

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TERRY JENKINS 17-12 RONNIE BAXTER

TERRY JENKINS won through to his second stanjames.com World Matchplay final with a 17-12 win over Ronnie Baxter at the Winter Gardens.

Jenkins, the 2007 runner-up, continued his superb return to form to hold off the Blackpool-born favourite.

Number six seed Jenkins took early leads of 6-1 and 10-5 before Baxter hit form to pull back to within two legs, only for a late flourish to send the Ledbury man through.

Jenkins made a fine start to win the first three legs, hitting 68 in the first leg, a 180 in a 14-darter to break in the second and double top in the third.

Double eight got Baxter off the mark, but Jenkins produced a superb 131 checkout, a 13-darter against the throw and double 18 for another treble in legs to create a 6-1 cushion.

His superb accuracy on the early doubles deserted him in the next, missing eight darts to take the leg before Baxter hit double ten to double his tally.

Double seven put Jenkins 7-2 up, but misses in the next two allowed crowd favourite Baxter to win the next two - including his first break of the match.

Baxter then lost his range on tops to allow Jenkins back in for the next two legs and a 9-4 lead, while the next six legs went with the throw to leave the Ledbury man - who hit a 120 finish - 12-7 up.

Baxter took the next with a 14-darter, and punished more misses from Jenkins to break throw and then put in a 13-darter to pull back to 12-10.

Jenkins hit his second 180 of the game in the next leg, with double 12 ending Baxter's run, although double four put the number seven seed back to 13-11.

Baxter kicked off the next with a maximum, but double top restored Jenkins' cushion and a key 11-darter moved him four legs clear.

A 76 checkout moved him to the brink of victory, although Baxter remained in the game with a two-dart 88 finish for a 14-darter.

However, he trailed in the next and was left waiting on a finish as Jenkins sealed victory, fittingly on double top, to ensure a seventh major final.

"I think I can win this but I'm struggling with the heat on stage," he said. "Half way through I got so hot I lost concentration.

"There was a lot of pressure on that game because of the ranking situation and race for Premier League places as well as the tournament here - it was like playing two games in one.

"If I keep giving myself chances to win the tournaments it will happen.

"I've always said Ronnie is the best player who's never won a major title but hopefully people will stop putting me in that bracket after Sunday night!"

Match Stats

Ronnie Baxter	12-17	Terry Jenkins
44	100+	39
13	140+	20
3	180	2
31.39	Ave1	30.58
94.18	Ave3	91.54
88	High Finish	131,120
2	Legs Against Throw	4

PHIL TAYLOR 17-6 MERVYN KING

PHIL TAYLOR'S challenge for a tenth stanjames.com World Matchplay title remains on course after a 17-9 win over Mervyn King sent him into the final.

Taylor continued to produce the power scoring that has already seen off Robert Thornton, Kevin Painter and Adrian Lewis in avenging his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts semi-final loss to King earlier this year.

King matched Taylor in the opening 11 legs, trailing 6-5, but had no answer as the defending champion took 11 of the next 12 legs for victory.

Taylor made a traditionally strong start, opening with scores of 140 and 180 in breaking King's throw with a 13-darter.

A 100 finish doubled the lead, but a miss at the bullseye and two darts at double eight allowed King to hit back on double eight himself to get off the mark.

The two traded double top finishes before Taylor hit back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter.

Taylor missed the seventh treble 20, but still took the leg in 11 darts before being left waiting on 32 after a 177 score in the next, only for double four to pull King back to 4-3.

Taylor began the next with a maximum, and took out double eight before King replied with a 180 and a 101 checkout to take the ninth leg.

The duo also traded maximums over the next two legs to leave King 6-5 down, but double top gave Taylor a two-leg cushion before he hit top gear.

He landed seven perfect darts in opening the next leg, missing treble 19 for a potential nine-darter but hitting another 11-dart finish to break King's throw.

Double top moved him 9-5 up but though he hit a ninth maximum of the contest in the next only for King to take out double six to win a sixth leg.

Taylor hit another 180 in a 13-darter to restore a four-leg cushion, and finishes of 124 and 104 helped him pull away.

Double 14 and double ten pushed him 14-6 up, and a missed double 18 from King for a 150 checkout allowed Taylor to land double 12 for another leg.

He then hit two more 180s in the next two legs to complete the victory, ensuring yet another appearance in the Blackpool final.

"I think I was trying too hard at the beginning but Mervyn stuck in there well," said Taylor. "He's a good player but he was struggling with the heat.

"I felt fine but I'm here to win the tournament and concentrating on that. I've got a fantastic chance to win now and I'm really looking forward to playing Terry.

"He's done really well this week and I always enjoy playing him. It will be a challenge but I feel great and am on course."

Match Stats