World Championship Day Six

REPORTS from Saturday's second round games at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The tournament resumes at Alexandra Palace with six matches on Saturday as the last 32 begin the battle for the £125,000 winner's cheque.

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Dennis Smith 4-3 Kevin McDine
Co Stompe 4-1 Alan Tabern
Kevin Painter 4-1 Carlos Rodriguez
Evening Session (7pm start)
Mark Dudbridge 4-1 Mensur Suljovic
Phil Taylor 4-0 Michael van Gerwen
Wayne Mardle 4-3 Robert Thornton

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DENNIS SMITH 4-3 KEVIN McDINE
(2-3, 2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-2, 3-1)
DENNIS SMITH produced an incredible comeback from three sets down to defeat Kevin McDine and reach the last last 16 of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

McDine had established a 3-0 lead and was on course for a last 16 berth before Smith, who had to qualify to play in the event, hit-back by winning the remaining four sets.

The opening set proved to be a tight affair with both players holding their own throws in the opening four legs.

In the decider, McDine missed three darts at double top to win the set, but returned to take the lead after four misses from Smith.

The second set followed a similar pattern with both players holding their throws to send the set into a deciding leg.

But it was the 23 year-old who broke throw for the first time in the match with an 11-dart finish, which included two timely maximums to double his advantage.

McDine then increased his lead to go one set away from the match by the winning the third set 3-1, taking out 110 in the opening leg and a superb 128 on the bull for the set.

Smith, who put out world number five Terry Jenkins last Saturday, built up a 2-1 lead in the fourth set before breaking his opponent's throw for the first time in the match, hitting double three to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and begin the comeback.

The man from Swindon continued the charge in the fifth set, taking it without reply with legs of 14, 14 and 15 darts.

Smith continued in the same vein in the sixth set, landing a 121 checkout in the first leg, followed by a two-dart 60 in the next.

McDine took the third, with his opponent waiting on a two-dart finish for the set, and took the fourth leg to keep the set going.

Despite a maximum from McDine, the deciding leg it was Smith to the double first, and he converted double two to bring the game back to three apiece and stun the youngster.

Smith, a semi-finalist in the 2000 World Championship, then opened up a 2-0 lead in the deciding set, including a fantastic 128 checkout of his own, to move to the brink of victory.

McDine won the third leg with the aid of his eighth maximum, but Smith was not to be denied and completed a memorable victory on double eight.

"I thought I was dead and buried but I kept digging in, and Kevin took his foot off the pedal," said Smith.

"I had a shot to win the first set but when I went 3-0 down I thought I was going home.

"I went off stage at 3-0 and backstage I had a think of my late Dad, who died earlier this year. I said 'come on Dad, get on my shoulder', came back out and everything was going right for me. I don't know why, but it just happened.

"I thought the longer the match went on, the more I could probably get to him and he tried to speed me up at one stage.

"I think I hit 31 140s in the last two sets I was hitting them consistently and then going out on the bullseye for a 128 was a cracker."

Smith, who has dropped out of the world's top 32 in the past two years, will meet Mervyn King or Mark Walsh in round three, and added: "It feels absolutely brilliant and great to be back in the big time.

"I thought I was going home but I have to come back on Tuesday now!"

McDine admitted: "To be 3-0 up and lose 4-3 is a joke. I played too well to lose.

"I seemed to ease off when I was 3-0 up and it was my own fault. Frustration isn't the word, but it's not the first time and won't be the last, but I hope to learn from it."

Match Reports

Dennis Smith	4-3	Kevin McDine
42	100+	30
31	140+	15
0	180	8
30.02	Ave1	30.39
90.05	Ave3	91.16
128,121	High Finish	128,110,100

CO STOMPE 4-1 ALAN TABERN
(3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-1)
CO STOMPE won a place in the last 16 of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship after defeating Alan Tabern 4-1 at the Alexandra Palace.

The former tram driver from Amsterdam, who moved onto the PDC circuit in June, will now play either Wayne Mardle or Robert Thornton on Tuesday in round three after claiming a notable scalp in the number nine seed.

Stompe won the game's opening leg with a 96 finish to break throw, and doubled his lead after six missed doubles in the next from Tabern.

The St Helens star managed put that disappointment behind him to win the next two legs and keep the set alive, but it was the Dutchman who took the lead by winning the decider against the throw on double top.

In the second set both players held their throws in the opening two legs, but Tabern put in an important surge to level the match.

He broke throw in the third leg by landing double top, and then hit his first maximum of the game followed by an 84 finish to win the set.

Tabern continued his good form at the start of the third with a fantastic 141 finish, with his opponent waiting on double ten.

But the Dutchman, making his debut in the PDC's World Championship this year, managed to take the next two legs, which included a two-dart 85 finish, to lead 2-1.

Tabern managed to win the fourth leg, and had a dart at double 12 for a 104 finish to give him the lead after Stompe had missed previous opportunities at doubles himself.

But he was off-target and Stompe stepped-up to convert double five and regain the lead.

From then on, Stompe was the dominant player and won six of the remaining seven legs to romp to victory.

He won the opening two legs of set four with finishes of 68 and 96 and then landed his sixth dart for the set at double two move 3-1 ahead.

Stompe broke throw at the beginning of the fifth set, but Tabern managed to stem the tide in the second with a 120 finish.

However, Stompe moved clear once again, hitting his fourth maximum of the game to move one leg away from victory, which was secured on double 12.

"The bookies never gave me a chance in the game and that motivated me," admitted Stompe. "Alan has beaten me before but I raised my game and it feels awesome.

"I feel more confident on this stage than any other I've played on and I'm determined to play well and be successful."

Tabern conceded: "I didn't turn up and didn't deserve to win. The first set cost me the match but Co took some good shots out.

"There were spells where I thought it would be my day but Co did the right things at the right time to hurt me.

"I'm disappointed and it's dented my belief but I've got to keep going. I've got to too good a position in the rankings to throw it away and I hope it can click again soon."

Match Reports

Alan Tabern	1-4	Co Stompe
28	100+	25
14	140+	18
4	180	4
29.94	Ave1	32.27
89.83	Ave3	96.82
141,120	High Finish	96 x2

KEVIN PAINTER 4-1 CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
(3-0, 3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 3-0)
KEVIN PAINTER ended the hopes of Carlos Rodriguez to march into the third round of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a convincing 4-1 win.

After needing a sudden-death leg to see off Matt Clark in the opening round, Painter powered past the Spanish newcomer to book a last 16 date with Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen.

Painter started the match confidently, breaking his opponent's throw with a two-dart 86 finish and went on the win the first set without reply.

The 2004 runner-up then hit his second maximum of the game in taking the first leg of the second set, before Rodriguez opened his account in the next leg, hitting a 180 of his own.

But Painter, who reached the semi-finals last year, stepped up the pace to lead 2-1 before converting a fantastic 136 finish to double his advantage.

Painter had opportunities to break throw at the start of the third set, but seven missed doubles allowed Rodriguez to lead and then double his advantage to 2-0 in the set with a bullseye finish on 95.

He missed four darts for the set in the third leg before Painter landed double four, but Rodriguez regained his composure to take the next and reduce the arrears.

Painter, though, replied in style to power through the next two sets for victory, with a 102 finish for a 12-darter at the start of the fourth set marking the start of a six-leg charge.

He followed that with a 13-darter and punished Rodriguez's misses in the third leg to take the set.

Painter then kicked off set five with a maximum and landed double 11 for the first leg, before winning the next two comfortably to seal victory.

"I'm pretty pleased with that," said Painter. "I expected more from Carlos but concentrated on my scoring.

"I thought he would wake up but he never did and I pushed through for the win."

Match Reports

Carlos Rodriguez	1-4	Kevin Painter
13	100+	24
5	140+	9
6	180	5
27.93	Ave1	30.78
83.80	Ave3	92.35
95	High Finish	136,102

MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-0 MENSUR SULJOVIC
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2)
MARK DUDBRIDGE moved into the last 16 of the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a powerful straight sets victory over Mensur Suljovic.

The scoreline did not the emerging Austrian justice, as he pushed Dudbridge in each set before going down to defeat.

Suljovic, who defeated Peter Manley in five sets in his opening match came out of the blocks quickly, taking the first two legs in 14 and 15 darts respectively.

But Dudbridge broke throw in the third leg, and won the fourth with a 116 checkout, with Suljovic waiting on double top for the set.

The man from Bristol then won the deciding leg, landing double top for an 80 finish and a 1-0 lead.

Dudbridge hit a 14-dart finish against the darts in the first leg of set two, before his opponent broke back immediately.

Dudbridge took the third leg, and Suljovic levelled again after the 2005 runner-up missed two darts at tops for the set.

But in the fifth leg, Dudbridge hit his second 14-darter of the set to nick it and secure firm control in the game.

Suljovic started the third set well, breaking throw in the opening leg and then following that with a 103 checkout to double the lead.

But Dudbridge took next two before holding throw in the decider to lead 3-0 and move a set away from the match.

The number 20 seed then took a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, courtesy of a 15-dart finish in the third leg.

He missed a dart at tops for 160 and the match in the fourth, and Suljovic kept his hopes alive by landing double ten.

Both players recorded maximums in the next, but Dudbridge won it with an 11-dart finish to take the match in fine style.

"It's a very good result for me and I'm very pleased to get through 4-0," said Dudbridge. "Maybe that's not a fair scoreline but I'm quite happy with that performance and feeling good.

"Against Kevin Painter in the World Grand Prix I was very nervous but I'm starting to relax on stage and enjoy it again.

"If I can go up on stage and let my darts go like I do in practice then anything could happen. I love this event and it's massive for me.

"I want to get back into the top 16 and push onto the next level, but I'm planning and preparing for a good 2009 anyway regardless of how the rest of this tournament pans out."

Match Reports

Mensur Suljovic	0-4	Mark Dudbridge
29	100+	23
12	140+	18
4	180	3
30.93	Ave1	31.99
92.80	Ave3	95.98
103	High Finish	116

PHIL TAYLOR 4-0 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
(3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1)
PHIL TAYLOR stormed past Dutch youngster Michael van Gerwen to reach the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The world number one and 13-time World Champion dropped just three legs in a superb performance at Alexandra Palace.

Taylor kicked off the game in brilliant style with a 103 finish against the throw, and doubled his lead before van Gerwen landed a 180 and an 88 finish in leg three.

Taylor wrapped up the set in 15 darts before hitting back-to-back 180s in the second set's opener.

A potential nine-darter went begging at the seventh dart, but he still went out in ten darts to lead, took out 105 to break and a 13-darter to seal the set without reply.

He also led 2-0 in the third before van Gerwen replied in 13 darts on double eight, but an assured 89 checkout gave Taylor a 3-0 cushion in the game.

Taylor landed another maximum in a 14-darter to open the fourth, with van Gerwen replying in 13 but paying for a missed double 14 for a 121 finish as Taylor took out 63 to lead 2-1.

The Stoke legend then secured victory with a bullseye finish for a 121 checkout to power into round three.

"I'm very pleased," said Taylor. "Every time he hit a big shot I wanted to match him and put him under pressure, and I did that.

"He's got a lot to learn yet but he was playing the Master! I'm here to win the World Championship and I really want this title.

"It will be another great tussle against Kevin and if he doesn't play well I'm going to trounce him, but it's going to be a great game."

Van Gerwen admitted: "He checked out everything and there's nothing you can do against that performance. He played really well and I think he will win the tournament."

Match Reports

Phil Taylor	4-0	Michael van Gerwen
17	100+	20
15	140+	12
4	180	2
34.19	Ave1	33.01
102.57	Ave3	99.03
121,105,103	High Finish	88

WAYNE MARDLE 4-3 ROBERT THORNTON
(1-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-1)
WAYNE MARDLE came through a pulsating seven-set encounter against Robert Thornton to set up a last 16 clash against Co Stompe at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The number eight seed had led 3-1, but was pegged back to three-all before coming through in a contest where both players hit ten maximums apiece.

Mardle started in incredible fashion, hitting a maximum with his first three darts of the match in taking the first leg.

But Thornton won the next three legs with superb legs of 14, 13 and 13 darts to take the early advantage.

The Romford man started the second set well, breaking throw with an 11-dart finish before Thornton hit back immediately to level the set.

Mardle, though, hit clinical finishes of 96 and 116 in the next two to take the set and square the game.

Mardle, who reached the semi-finals of July's World Matchplay, continued the superb finishing by recording a 140 checkout to take the opening leg of the third set.

The Scotsman took the next to level, but Mardle pushed away once again, and took the next two legs to lead for the first time in the contest.

Thornton hit a fantastic finish of his own with a 'party-piece' 100 checkout which included two double tops.

The Scotsman had two chances at double 18 to take command in the next leg, but missed and was punished with a 101 finish from Mardle.

In the third leg it was Mardle's turn to make errors on the doubles, and Thornton won it to take a 2-1 lead in the set.

Mardle won the next in 14 darts, and then won the decider to move into 3-1 lead, after both players had a dart to win the set.

Mardle converted an amazing 145 checkout to open up the fifth set, but missed chances to take second and allowed Thornton to level.

The Scotsman then broke throw after his opponent missed further opportunities to win the third leg, and took the set in the next with a 13-dart finish to reduce his arrears.

Thornton continued his good run by taking a 2-0 lead in the sixth set and go one leg away from taking the match into a deciding set.

But he managed to miss seven darts over the course of the next two legs, which Mardle pinched to go one leg away from victory.

The Scot put those disappointments behind him, hitting his eighth and ninth maximums of the game in the deciding leg, and went to win it in 11 darts to force a decider.

Mardle started the final set in amazing fashion and was on course for a nine-dart finish after back-to-back 180s, only to miss a seventh treble 20.

He went on to win the leg before Thornton levelled, but a brilliant double ten - in between two missed darts at the bed - took Mardle 2-1 ahead.

Mardle then took his tally of maximums into double figures to lead in the fourth leg, and landed double 16 for a famous win.

"I probably should have won that 4-1 but I was just relieved to get the win in the end," said Mardle. "After losing the fifth set I knew it would end up in a decider!

"He took confidence from that and was great, but that was probably my best performance on TV since last year's World Championship.

"I reached the semis here then and the semi-finals in the World Matchplay, but I seem to switch on when it's the World Championship."

He added: "The crowd were fantastic and without them I might have lost that game. They turned up and wanted me to win."

Match Reports