MARK WALSH defeated Kevin Painter 6-4 to win Group Four of Championship League Darts on Tuesday.
The Hertfordshire ace booked his place in the tournament's Winners Group for a second successive year following a consistent day at Crondon Park GC in Essex.
Having finished top of the Group Three league table only to lose in the semi-finals last week, Walsh reversed that this time.
He ended the eight-player round-robin phase in fourth spot, but overcame unbeaten leader Terry Jenkins 6-3 in the semi-finals.
Walsh then came from 4-2 down to defeat Painter in the final by taking four successive legs.
Walsh led 2-1 only for Painter to hit a 128 checkout and level, double eight to break throw and then double four in the sixth leg - after hitting seven treble 20s in the leg - to open up a two-leg lead.
Walsh won the seventh and then took out 120 against the throw to level, before punishing a missed double 12 from Painter to move 5-4 up and then seal the win on tops.
"I'm over the moon," said Walsh. "It was a good day all round and I'm really pleased to have got through to the Winners Group.
"I really enjoy the tournament and it's a great challenge, but I can look forward to coming back in October now."
Walsh won four of his seven league matches but had to defeat Colin Lloyd in his final game to book a semi-final spot, before coming through the play-offs.
Jenkins, making his debut in this year's event, was unbeaten in the league phase following some fine displays to earn the maximum possible prize money of £2,100, but fell at the semi-final stage.
Adrian Lewis' day included a whitewash win over Vincent van der Voort, but he finished third in the final table and then went down to Painter, who picked up five wins in his seven league games.
Van der Voort and Lloyd were both eliminated from the tournament in Group Four after collecting just one win apiece, while Colin Osborne and Denis Ovens progress to Group Five on Wednesday.
They join Jenkins, Painter and Lewis, who will be maintaining an unwanted ever-present record so far in this year's tournament, while Peter Manley, Wayne Mardle and Mark Dudbridge come into the fray.
Championship League Darts Group Five will begin at 11am on Wednesday and is screened live worldwide via a series of bookmakers' websites.
Championship League Darts - Group Four Fixtures
|
Board One |
Board Two | |
|
Match One |
Terry Jenkins 6-4 Adrian Lewis |
Vincent vd Voort 2-6 Denis Ovens |
|
Match Two |
Mark Walsh 6-4 Kevin Painter |
Colin Lloyd 2-6 Colin Osborne |
|
Match One |
Denis Ovens 3-6 Terry Jenkins |
Kevin Painter 6-1 Colin Lloyd |
|
Match Two |
Colin Osborne 4-6 Mark Walsh |
Adrian Lewis 6-0 Vincent vd Voort |
|
Match One |
Denis Ovens 6-3 Colin Lloyd |
Terry Jenkins 6-5 Kevin Painter |
|
Match Two |
Colin Osborne 6-3 Vincent vd Voort |
Adrian Lewis 6-3 Mark Walsh |
|
Not before 2.30pm |
||
|
Match One |
Colin Lloyd 2-6 Terry Jenkins |
Denis Ovens 4-6 Kevin Painter |
|
Match Two |
Adrian Lewis 6-5 Colin Osborne |
Vincent vd Voort 4-6 Mark Walsh |
|
Match One |
Vincent vd Voort 6-5 Colin Lloyd |
Mark Walsh 5-6 Terry Jenkins |
|
Match Two |
Kevin Painter 6-5 Adrian Lewis |
Colin Osborne 6-4 Denis Ovens |
|
Not before 4.45pm |
||
|
Match One |
Mark Walsh 5-6 Denis Ovens |
Adrian Lewis 2-6 Colin Lloyd |
|
Match Two |
Kevin Painter 6-1 Vincent vd Voort |
Terry Jenkins 6-1 Colin Osborne |
|
Match One |
Vincent vd Voort 4-6 Terry Jenkins |
Colin Lloyd 3-6 Mark Walsh |
|
Match Two |
Colin Osborne 4-6 Kevin Painter |
Denis Ovens 2-6 Adrian Lewis |
|
7.15pm |
Semi-Final 1 |
Semi-Final 2 |
|
8.00pm |
Final |
Latest Table
|
Group Four |
Pl |
W |
L |
Won |
Lost |
£Won |
Pts |
|
Terry Jenkins |
7 |
7 |
0 |
42 |
24 |
£2100 |
14 |
|
Kevin Painter |
7 |
5 |
2 |
39 |
27 |
£1950 |
10 |
|
Adrian Lewis |
7 |
4 |
3 |
35 |
28 |
£1750 |
8 |
|
Mark Walsh |
7 |
4 |
3 |
37 |
33 |
£1850 |
8 |
|
Colin Osborne |
7 |
3 |
4 |
32 |
33 |
£1600 |
6 |
|
Denis Ovens |
7 |
3 |
4 |
31 |
34 |
£1550 |
6 |
|
Colin Lloyd |
7 |
1 |
6 |
22 |
38 |
£1100 |
2 |
|
Vincent vd Voort |
7 |
1 |
6 |
20 |
41 |
£1000 |
2 |
Championship League Darts will be screened solely on the internet through the following bookmakers' websites:
Available Globally
Bet365 - www.bet365.com
Available in UK/Ireland
Ladbrokes - www.ladbrokes.com
Paddy Power - www.paddypower.com
Skybet - www.skybet.com
Betfair - www.betfair.com
Available in Europe (excluding UK)
Unibet - www.unibet.com
Sportingbet - www.sportingbet.com
Expekt - www.expekt.com
Betclick - www.betclick.com
Bet-at-home - www.bet-at-home.com
To view the Championship League Darts, users must be registered with the specific website but there is no commitment to placing bets. The stream will be available internationally, except in the United States of America, where for legal reasons it cannot be shown.
GROUP FOUR UPDATES
First Round of Matches
Terry Jenkins made a winning start to his bid in the 2009 Championship League Darts, defeating Adrian Lewis 6-4. Lewis, who competed in all three days last week, started well to take a 2-0 lead before being pegged back level, with Jenkins taking out a brilliant 170 finish. Lewis also led 3-2 but was punished for missed doubles in the next two as Jenkins edged in front, and the world number five then took the eighth to lead 5-3. Double top kept Lewis alive, but Jenkins hit a timely 180 to pull clear in the next before taking out double 12 for victory.
Denis Ovens overcame Vincent van der Voort 6-2 in their opener to Group Four. Ovens, who entered the event on Tuesday, took two breaks of throw in the opening three legs to lead 3-0, before the Dutchman won two to reduce the gap to 3-2. Ovens took a key sixth leg, and returned following a missed double 12 from his opponent to take a 5-2 lead, before sealing the win with a 91 finish.
Mark Walsh defeated Kevin Painter 6-4 to win their opening game of Group Four. Walsh topped the Group Three table last week before losing in the semi-finals, and made a strong opener to see off Painter. He took three of the first four legs to edge in front, before Painter landed a second maximum of the match and an 86 finish to win the fifth. A 161 finish put Walsh 4-2 up, and he landed a maximum in the eighth to move 5-3 ahead. Painter kicked off the ninth with a 174, taking the leg with an 87 finish, but missed doubles cost him dear as Walsh won the next on double five for victory.
Colin Osborne picked up two points in his Group Four opener with a 6-2 win over Colin Lloyd. Osborne took the game's first three legs before Lloyd, aided by two maximums in as many legs and a 12-darter which included a 121 finish, hit back to 3-2. But a timely 180 from Osborne helped him to take the sixth and misses from Lloyd were punished on double top as he moved 5-2 up, before taking out 86 on double 16 for the victory.
Second Round of Matches
Terry Jenkins picked up a second successive Group Four win with a 6-3 defeat of Denis Ovens. In a tight contest, the first six legs were shared before Jenkins took the first break of throw to move 4-3 up. Ovens saw two chances to level go begging as double ten moved Jenkins 5-3 up, and further wasted chances proved costly for Ovens as his opponent posted double top for both points.
Kevin Painter claimed his first victory of Group Four with a 6-1 defeat of Colin Lloyd. Painter made an ideal start with a 116 finish in the opening leg, and he also took two breaks of throw in winning the next four legs to move 5-0 ahead. A two-dart 76 finish from Lloyd got him off the mark, but Painter sealed the win on double 16.
Mark Walsh maintained his perfect start to the day with a 6-4 win over Colin Osborne. Walsh took out double top to break in the first leg, and 127 on double eight for a 2-0 lead. Osborne hit back to win the next three and move 3-2 up, only for Walsh to post a 180 on his way to levelling. A brave of double top finishes put him 5-3 up, and he also hit the same bed to seal the 6-4 win after Osborne took the ninth leg.
Adrian Lewis whitewashed Vincent van der Voort to pick up his first two points of Group Four. Lewis was ruthless in his demolition of the Dutchman, securing two immediate breaks of throw in leading 3-0 before punishing misses from van der Voort to take the fourth. Another break moved him 5-0 up, and he sealed the win on double top in leg six.
Third Round of Matches
Denis Ovens won a second game of the day with a 6-3 defeat of Colin Lloyd. Ovens took out finishes of 121 and 100 in opening up a 3-2 lead, before taking the sixth leg against the darts and then posting double four for a 5-2 lead. A 14-darter kept Lloyd in the contest, but Ovens took out 96 to secure victory.
Terry Jenkins remained unbeaten with a deciding leg victory against Kevin Painter in a see-saw battle. Jenkins took the game's first three legs and also led 4-1 before Painter battled back - winning four successive legs, including checkouts of 130 on the bull and 92. Jenkins posted six perfect darts with back-to-back 180s in leg ten, winning the leg in 11 darts before being too strong in the decider to take out double 18, with Painter waiting on 32.
Colin Osborne won a second game of Group Four with a 6-3 defeat of Vincent van der Voort. Osborne never looked back after opening up a 4-0 cushion with two breaks of throw, before the Dutch ace battled back with three in a row to cut the gap to 4-3. Crucially, Osborne took the eighth before posting a 180 in the next and sealing the win on double eight.
Adrian Lewis overcame Mark Walsh 6-3 to win a second game of the day. Lewis helped himself into a 3-1 lead with a break of throw in leg four, only for Walsh to take out 90 in two darts to hit back immediately. Lewis landed a 180 in taking the sixth and double top to lead 5-2 before missing two match darts as Walsh scrambled in double five for a third leg. However, Walsh's usual accuracy on double top eluded him in the next to allow Lewis back in to seal victory on double two.
Fourth Round of Matches
Terry Jenkins' brilliant start to Group Four continued with a 6-2 win over winless Colin Lloyd. Lloyd took the game's opening leg, but Jenkins hit back to take five in a row, including two breaks of throw and some fine finishing on double top. A 120 checkout kept Lloyd in the game, but Jenkins took the next two wrap up a comfortable win.
Kevin Painter won his second game of the day with a 6-4 win over Denis Ovens. Ovens edged the early exchanges to lead 2-1, only for Painter to win the next two and restore his edge at 3-2 and 4-2. He missed double 16 to break Ovens' throw in the eighth, with double top levelling the game. Painter took out tops for a 5-4 lead, and then claimed the key break on double 18 for the win.
Adrian Lewis snatched a dramatic 6-5 win against Colin Osborne in a thriller. Lewis cruised into a 2-0 lead before Osborne took out 124 and then double top to level, only to then miss seven darts for the fifth leg, which the Stoke youngster took with a fine double 16, having partially blocked the bed with his first two darts. Lewis then posted a 171 to leave double 18 in moving 4-2 up, but Osborne hit back to take out 68, 136 and then double top to lead 5-4. A 144 checkout from Lewis - of two treble 18's and double 18 - sent the game into a deciding leg, which Osborne held the advantage in when he was first to a finish. Having left 170 but with his opponent on 218, Osborne opted against the bullseye after landing two treble 20s, leaving 32 - but missing with three darts before Lewis, having hit a 180, took out double 19 to sneak victory.
Mark Walsh left Vincent van der Voort stranded at the foot of the table with a 6-4 win in their game. The Dutchman and Colin Lloyd sit four points adrift of the field with three games remaining, despite an improved showing from van der Voort, who hit back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3. However, Walsh finished the stronger, with double 12 levelling, double top breaking throw for a 5-4 lead and double 16 wrapping up the win.
Fifth Round of Games
Vincent van der Voort won his first game of the day in a final-leg shoot-out with Colin Lloyd. Both players entered the game without a victory so far in Group Four, but the Dutchman produced his best darts of the day in moving 5-1 up after Lloyd had won the opener, including finishes of 76, 81 and 126 in taking command of the game. Lloyd, though, won the seventh and also took the next three to battle back level and send the match into a decider. Van der Voort hit a timely 180 to push clear, but missed his chance for victory before returning - following one miss at double five from Lloyd on 95 - to land tops for the points.
Terry Jenkins' clash with Mark Walsh also went to a deciding leg, with the world number five prevailing in a decider. The pair enjoyed a tight contest, with Jenkins pulling from two-all to 4-2 thanks to double top and then a 161 finish against the throw - only for Walsh to hit back with a 116 checkout before levelling. Jenkins landed a 180 in edging 5-4 up, but double top ensured Walsh forced an 11th leg - only for Jenkins to produce the day's best leg so far in the decider, hitting two 180s in six perfect darts and taking the match with a ten-darter on double 12.
Kevin Painter ensured the race for play-off places in Group Four remains wide open following a 6-5 win over Adrian Lewis. The pair shared the opening six legs, with Painter twice missing chances to break throw. A further four legs also went with the throw as the game moved into a decider, with Lewis missing the bull and two darts at double eight to give Painter his chance against the darts, which he took with a tricky third dart at double ten.
Colin Osborne maintained his push for a semi-final place by seeing off Denis Ovens 6-4. Osborne included a 141 finish in taking a 2-0 lead only for Ovens to hit back and lead 3-2 and 4-3. Osborne levelled in the eighth and took out 65 in two darts to break in the ninth, before landing double top for the win.
Sixth Round of Games
Colin Lloyd gained his first victory of the day with a 6-2 victory over Adrian Lewis. Lloyd produced his best performance of Group Four so far to sweep past Lewis, who shared the first four legs but was punished in a strong second half to the game by the local star. Lloyd followed up an earlier 12-darter by taking the first break of throw, in leg six with a 94 finish, which was followed by an 88 checkout on the bull to lead 5-2. Lewis hit a 180 in the eighth, but three missed darts proved costly as Lloyd pounced on double 16 for the win.
Denis Ovens capped a remarkable comeback against Mark Walsh by taking out 138 in the deciding leg of their clash. Walsh included checkouts of 87 and 124 in taking a 4-1 lead before missed doubles in the next three allowed Ovens to level - and he then went in front on double 16. Walsh hit the same finish to take leg ten and ensure a decider, but was left of 70 as Ovens landed his brilliant 138 finish, hitting two treble 20s and double nine for the match.
Kevin Painter ensured Vincent van der Voort will be eliminated in Group Four with a 6-1 victory over the Dutchman. Painter's strong performance on the day continued, as he raced into a 5-0 lead, including an 11-darter and a 100 checkout. A missed bullseye for a 170 finish which would have earned victory allowed van der Voort to take the sixth leg on double seven, but Painter pulled clear in the next and sealed the win on double top.
Terry Jenkins' brilliant day continued with a sixth successive victory, defeating Colin Osborne 6-1. Jenkins took the first four legs before Osborne got off the mark on double 16. However, misses from the Derby-based player allowed Jenkins to win a scrappy sixth leg, and the story was repeated in the next as Jenkins sealed the win.
Seventh Round of Games
Terry Jenkins completed an unbeaten league phase with a 6-4 win over Vincent van der Voort. The Dutchman, bottom of the table, took the game's first two legs to lead 2-0, before Jenkins took the next three to edge in front. The next four legs were shared as Jenkins moved to the brink of victory, which he sealed on double top to claim the maximum prize money available of £2,100 in the league phase.
Mark Walsh finished the league campaign with a 6-3 win over eliminated Colin Lloyd, but faces a nervy wait for the final games to be played before he discovers if he will play in the semis. Walsh moved onto eight points, but could still miss the play-offs depending on the results of the final games. Lloyd held his own for the first four legs, but Walsh took an important break of throw with a 120 checkout in the sixth to go 4-2 up, following up an earlier 101 finish. Walsh then punised two missed doubles to lead 5-2 before Lloyd stepped in on double ten in the next. However, a superb 162 score from Walsh in leg nine left him 40, and he duly landed double top for the win.
Kevin Painter's 6-4 win over Colin Osborne ensured his semi-final spot and a second-placed finish in Group Four. The duo shared the opening six legs before Painter won the seventh with the first break of throw thanks to a tidy two-dart 96 finish. Osborne broke back, following six missed doubles from his opponent, but Painter regained his range on the doubles to win the ninth on double 16, and then landed a 180 and double top to ensure victory, with the loss meaning Osborne misses out on the play-offs but does compete in Group Five on Wednesday.
Adrian Lewis' 6-2 defeat of Denis Ovens secured third place in the Group Four league table. Lewis took charge early on by opening up a 2-0 lead, thanks to two double four finishes, and extended that to 3-1 before Ovens took the fifth on double eight. Double five restored Lewis' cushion, and he punished a miss from Ovens to move 5-2 up before sealing a fourth win of the day to go into the semi-finals in style.
Semi-Finals - 7.15pm
Mark Walsh toppled Group Four league leader Terry Jenkins to win through to the final with a 6-3 victory. The duo shared a tight opening six legs before Walsh stepped up a gear, winning the seventh in 11 darts, hitting a 180 in breaking throw to lead 5-3 and then double ten for victory.
Kevin Painter saw off Adrian Lewis 6-3 to earn his place in the Group Four final. Lewis took the game's opening leg, but Painter hit back with three in a row, twice hitting double 12, including a break of throw, and then landing double top for a 3-1 cushion. Double four gave Painter a 4-2 lead before Lewis took the seventh, but he missed three darts to level as double eight moved Painter to the brink of victory, which was sealed on double 12.