World Championship - Day Three

REPORTS from Sunday's play at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Play continues at Alexandra Palace with a further two sessions on Sunday, featuring two preliminary round contests and eight first round games.

WATCH LIVE!
PDCtv International Pass subscribers from outside the UK and Holland will be able to watch every game of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship LIVE, plus have access to all the Highlights too!

Sign up now to the Annual or Monthly International Pass and watch this highly anticipated event LIVE - click here

Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship
First Round (Preliminary Round games denoted by (P))
Ken MacNeil 4-2 Norman Madhoo (P)
Tony Eccles 1-3 Brendan Dolan
Mark Dudbridge 3-0 Andree Welge
Mark Walsh 2-3 Mark Webster
Alan Tabern 3-2 Ken MacNeil

Kevin Painter 3-1 Mensur Suljovic
Phillip Hazel 2-4 Osmann Kijamet (P)
Jamie Caven 2-3 Gary Anderson
Raymond van Barneveld 3-0 Warren Parry
Andy Hamilton 3-0 Osmann Kijamet

KEN MacNEIL 4-2 NORMAN MADHOO

CANADIAN Ken MacNeil booked a first round tie against Alan Tabern after defeating Norman Madhoo 4-2.

Both players held their throws in the opening two legs before MacNeil moved into the lead for a second time by hitting double one.

Madhoo, who appeared in the 2004 Ladbrokes.com World Championship at the Circus Tavern, recorded an 80 finish, landing double five with his last dart.

MacNeil, making his televised debut took a 3-2 lead and secured the only break of throw in the next leg, to win the match with a classy 119 finish to seal victory.

Match Stats

Ken MacNeil	4-2	Norman Madhoo
9	100+	11
2	140+	2
0	180s	0
25.84	Ave 1	25.42
77.52	Ave 3	76.25
119	High Finish	80
1	Legs Against Throw	0

BRENDAN DOLAN 3-1 TONY ECCLES
(3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1)
BRENDAN DOLAN ended the hopes of the 31st seed Tony Eccles with an impressive 3-1 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship first round victory at Alexandra Palace.

The Northern Irishman, who was defeated by James Wade in the first round of last year's event, will now take on either Raymond van Barneveld or Warren Parry in the second round after Christmas following a fine performance.

Dolan made a fast start to the match, breaking throw in the first leg and then taking the second to lead 2-0.

Eccles managed to hold throw to win the third leg but Dolan hit double 16 to wrap up the first set.

Dolan took a 2-0 advantage in the second set, breaking his opponent's throw in the second leg after Eccles missed an opportunity at double top, while a 64 finish gave Dolan the second set and put him in command of the match.

Eccles began the third set with a 101 checkout before Dolan took the second by hitting double eight, but the Hartlepool ace hit a maximum in the process of taking a 2-1 lead, and landed another in the fourth leg, winning it on double 16 to begin hopes of a comeback.

Dolan, who has enjoyed some good performances on the PDC Pro Tour this year, hit his first maximum of the game at the start of the fourth set, winning the leg in 13 darts.

That was followed by an excellent 121 checkout on the bullseye to go a leg away from the match, and a 14-dart finish in the third confirmed victory for Dolan.

"It's definitely the best performance I have produced on TV," said Dolan. "I had the experience of playing here last year and that was a huge benefit for me today."

Match Stats

Tony Eccles	1-3	Brendan Dolan
16	100+	17
16	140+	19
2	180s	1
31.45	Ave 1	31.65
94.36	Ave 3	94.96
101	High Finish	121
2	Legs Against Throw	3

MARK DUDBRIDGE 3-0 ANDREE WELGE
(3-1, 3-2, 3-0)
MARK DUDBRIDGE advanced to the last 32 of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a straight-sets victory over Germany's Andree Welge.

The Bristolian won the first leg of the match with a 68 finish, before Welge, making his second appearance in the World Championship, took the second by landing double 16.

Dudbridge converted an 85 finish on the bullseye to go 2-1 ahead, and then won the set in the fourth leg, breaking throw by hitting double 20.

The 2005 finalist continued his good finishing at the start of the second set with a 117 checkout, but the German won the second and third legs to go 2-1 up.

In the fourth, Welge had two darts at double four to win the set, but his misses allowed Dudbridge in the level before he then won the deciding leg of the set against the darts to go 2-0 ahead and pull further clear.

The 21st seed hit a fantastic 146 checkout to kick-off the third set, and broke Welge's throw again to go one leg away from the match.

Welge hit a maximum in the third leg, but hit the wrong bed when trying to land double five, and Dudbridge hit a 70 finish to record victory.

Match Stats

Mark Dudbridge	3-0	Andree Welge
13	100+	14
8	140+	5
0	180s	1
27.56	Ave 1	27.70
82.67	Ave 3	83.10
146,117	High Finish	48
4	Legs Against Throw	1

MARK WEBSTER 3-2 MARK WALSH
(1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 1-3, 3-1)
MARK WEBSTER edged out Mark Walsh in a five-set thriller in the first round of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The former Lakeside Champion, who switched to the PDC in February, will now take on Peter Manley in an eye-catching second round encounter after making a winning debut at Alexandra Palace.

Walsh started the match confidently with a 14-dart finish which included the first maximum of the game.

Webster won the second leg, but Walsh regained the lead with an 83 finish on the bullseye and then secured the opening set with 13-dart finish.

In the second set, Webster converted a 101 checkout and then broke throw by hitting double ten for a 2-0 lead.

Webster then won the set in the third leg to level the match, before kicking off the third set with a fantastic 130 checkout.

The Welshman won his fifth leg in a row with a two-dart 100 finish before Walsh managed to stop the rot to win the third.

Webster missed numerous chances to win the set in the fourth leg allowing Walsh to keep the set alive.

The deciding leg saw doubles missed by both players, but it was Webster who landed a pressure double one with his last dart to take a 2-1 advantage.

At the start of the fourth set Walsh managed break throw after his opponent missed two darts at double ten.

Walsh then doubled his advantage by winning the second leg despite Webster registering a maximum.

Webster won the third after Walsh missed a dart for a 160 checkout to take the set, but the Watford man landed double top in the fourth to send the match the full distance.

The final set began in superb fashion, as Walsh hit back-to-back maximums only to see Webster hit a 180 of his own and follow that with a 124 checkout to take the opening leg.

Walsh won the second, but missed two clear chances at double top to take the third leg and Webster stepped in to hit the same double.

That put Webster one leg away from the match and hit double top once again to seal a great win.

"I've been poor by my own standards this year and some people have criticised me," said Webster.

"But I've found some form in recent weeks and felt confident coming out on stage today. Hopefully I can kick on now after this win."

Match Stats

Mark Walsh	2-3	Mark Webster
30	100+	31
16	140+	12
4	180s	2
30.48	Ave 1	30.25
91.43	Ave 3	90.75
83	High Finish	130,124,101,100
3	Legs Against Throw	4

ALAN TABERN 3-2 KEN MACNEIL
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)
ALAN TABERN survived a major scare before overcoming the challenge of Ken MacNeil in the first round of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a 3-2 victory.

The Canadian defeated Guyana's Norman Madhoo earlier in the afternoon to win a first round spot and took the first set against Tabern, as well as having chances to take a 2-0 lead.

But those attempts went begging and Tabern managed to find a way through to win the match and book a place in the last 32 of the competition.

"Ken played fantastically but I hung in there and maybe I used my 'get out of jail free' card," said Tabern. "I was slow starting and I know I can improve but the important thing is that I'm through."

MacNeil won the opening leg but missed chances to double his lead and Tabern managed to level, only for the Canadian to win the third leg and land a 100 checkout in the fourth to take opening set in impressive fashion.

MacNeil established a 2-1 lead in the second set, breaking Tabern's throw in the third with a 78 finish.

MacNeil was in a position to wrap up the set in the next, but missed two darts at double top and Tabern made the Canadian pay by winning that leg and then the decider to level the match.

A 15-dart finish gave MacNeil the opening leg of the third set before Tabern won the second.

The next two legs were shared to take the set to a deciding, leg which should have been won by MacNeil, only for the Canadian to miss three darts at double nine and allow Tabern hit double ten to hit the front

The St Helens man led 2-0 in the fourth set, but MacNeil fought back to win the next two legs and then edged the decider on double eight to force a fifth set.

MacNeil hit a fabulous 124 checkout on the bullseye to take the early advantage in the final set.

Tabern won the second leg and then broke throw to go one leg away from the match by landing a pressure double six with his last dart.

And the 12th seed managed to hold throw in the fourth leg to close out the game with a 75 finish.

Match Stats

Alan Tabern	3-2	Ken MacNeil
39	100+	31
16	140+	14
5	180s	4
29.80	Ave 1	29.61
89.41	Ave 3	88.82
75	High Finish	124,100
4	Legs Against Throw	4

EVENING SESSION

KEVIN PAINTER 3-1 MENSUR SULJOVIC
(3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-1)
KEVIN PAINTER ended the hopes of Austria's Mensur Suljovic with a four-set victory at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The 16th seed, who reached the 2004 World Championship final only to lose in a sudden-death leg to Phil Taylor, will now take on either Vincent van der Voort or Dylan Duo in the second round after Christmas.

Painter started the game in superb fashion by taking out 145 finish to win the opening leg.

He then broke throw in the second, making Suljovic pay for three missed darts at double 17, before landing a sensational 164 checkout for the opening set.

Suljovic won his first leg of the match with a 13-dart finish at the start of the second set, before Painter won the second, which included his first maximum of the game.

The Austrian, who defeated Peter Manley in last year's competition, won the third leg, hitting a 180 of his own, but missed four darts at double to win the set in the fourth.

That allowed Painter to keep the set alive, but Suljovic won the deciding leg by landing double 12 to level the match.

Painter won the first leg of the third set after Suljovic missed a dart at double eight, and then won the second after the Austrian missed chances to level.

The Daventry-based thrower then won the third leg by hitting double eight to lead the contest for the second time.

Suljovic managed to take an early advantage at the start of the fourth set despite Painter hitting a maximum.

Painter hit another 180 in the process of taking the second leg, and then won the third by landing double top after Suljovic was of missing more double opportunities.

He then sealed the match in the fourth leg by taking out a two-dart 60 finish to book a place in the last 32.

"Mensur is a dangerous player and I knew I had a tough game on my hands," said Painter. "It wasn't my best performance but I'm happy to get through that and I can enjoy Christmas now."

Match Stats

Kevin Painter	3-1	Mensur Suljovic
14	100+	13
14	140+	14
4	180s	4
30.39	Ave 1	28.94
91.17	Ave 3	86.83
164,145	High Finish	40
3	Legs Against Throw	0

OSMANN KIJAMET 4-2 PHILLIP HAZEL
SLOVENIA'S Osmann Kijamet put in an impressive display to defeat Phillip Hazel and set up a first round tie with Andy Hamilton at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Kijamet, who won the Eastern European Qualifier to gain a spot at this year's World Championship, won the first leg against the darts.

Hazel broke back to win the second, but the Slovenian regained the lead in the third leg with a 60 finish, landing double top with his last dart.

Kijamet moved 3-1 ahead, hitting a maximum in a 15-dart leg but Hazel managed to win the fifth leg to keep his hopes alive.

Kijamet struggled to close out the match in the next leg but his opponent was unable to capitalise and the Slovenian landed double eight for an excellent win.

Match Stats

Phillip Hazel	2-4	Osmann Kijamet
7	100+	11
5	140+	3
1	180s	1
27.72	Ave 1	28.45
83.15	Ave 3	85.34
36	High Finish	60
1	Legs Against Throw	2

GARY ANDERSON 3-2 JAMIE CAVEN
(3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0)
GARY ANDERSON defeated 26th seed Jamie Caven 3-2 in a highly anticipated first round encounter at the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

The Scotsman, who is tipped by many to have a good run at the Alexandra Palace after reaching the edge of the top 32 in his first year with the PDC, could potentially play Ronnie Baxter in the last 32 after making a winning debut.

Anderson started well with a 15-dart finish and then broke Caven's throw after the Derby man missed three darts at double.

The first set was wrapped up in quick-time by the Scotsman as he hit double 12 to take an early lead.

Anderson hit a 180 at the start of the second set, but Caven won the leg by hitting double top.

Anderson, who has reached 34th in the Order of Merit since joining the PDC in March, levelled the set and then won the third against the darts by landing double ten.

Caven managed to break back with a 15-darter and won the deciding leg after Anderson was guilty of missing four chances for a 2-0 lead.

Caven, who has two titles on the Pro Tour this year, won the first leg of the third, but Anderson hit back with a crucial 121 checkout with his opponent waiting on tops.

Anderson won the third leg, hitting his second maximum of the game in the process, before Caven hit a 14-dart finish to keep the set alive.

But the Scotsman held his throw by landing double ten to regain the lead and move one set away from the match.

The opening two legs of the fourth set were shared but Anderson broke throw in the third by recording a 121 checkout for the second time in the game.

However, he wasted three darts for the match in the next, which allowed Caven to step in to win that leg and then the fifth to take the match to a deciding set.

Anderson put the disappointment of the fourth set behind him, breaking throw in the second leg for a 2-0 lead.

Caven missed a dart at double nine for 138 checkout to save the match in third and Anderson stepped up to the oche to hit double eight and get over the line.

"I really felt under pressure and I am glad it's over," said Anderson. "I knew it was going to be a hard game when I found out that I had drawn Jamie.

"I'm going to go away and try to work on a few things in my game over Christmas before my next match."

Match Stats

Jamie Caven	2-3	Gary Anderson
30	100+	35
13	140+	13
5	180s	5
31.06	Ave 1	31.04
93.17	Ave 3	93.11
80	High Finish	121 x2
3	Legs Against Throw	5

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 3-0 WARREN PARRY
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD began his bid a sixth World Championship title with a whitewash victory over New Zealand's Warren Parry at Alexandra Palace.

The 2007 World Champion will take on Brendan Dolan in the last 32 after Christmas, following a comfortable rout of the Oceanic Masters champion.

Van Barneveld, who hit a nine-dart finish in last year's competition, won the opening leg of the match despite his opponent hitting a maximum.

The Dutchman then broke throw with a 61 finish after Parry had missed three chances to level.

He wrapped up the opening set by hitting double top before taking the first leg of the second, which included a 180.

Van Barneveld hit back-to-back maximums in the process of recording a 12-dart finish to win the second and a 77 checkout confirmed a 2-0 lead in sets.

The Dutchman won the opening leg of the third set but missed three darts to win the second.

However, Parry was unable to capitalise on that by missing two clear darts at double 16 and van Barneveld returned to the oche to hit double two.

And a comfortable win was completed in the third leg by landing double top for a 14-dart finish.

"There was a lot of pressure of me for this first game," said the Dutchman. "Warren didn't play like he can but I am glad to have won.

"I still don't feel right coming into this tournament but I really want to win a sixth World Championship."

Match Stats

Raymond van Barneveld	3-0	Warren Parry
9	100+	7
8	140+	3
3	180s	2
30.88	Ave 1	26.30
92.65	Ave 3	78.89
77	High Finish	-
5	Legs Against Throw	-

ANDY HAMILTON 3-0 OSMANN KIJAMET
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
ANDY HAMILTON cruised into the second round of the 2010 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship with a straight sets victory over Osmann Kijamet.

Kijamet became the first Slovakian to compete in the World Championship when he defeated Kiwi Phillip Hazel 4-2 in the preliminary round earlier on Sunday night, but was out-classed by the former semi-finalist.

Hamilton won the opening leg and then broke throw in the next by hitting double four after Kijamet missed six chances to level.

Kijamet missed another dart at double to win the third leg and Hamilton stepped in to claim the opening set and take control of the game.

The Stoke star continued the winning run of legs by taking the opening two of the second set and then hit double four to extend his lead despite Kijamet registering the first maximum of the contest.

The Slovenian could not produce the type of form he showed earlier in the evening and Hamilton built up a 2-0 lead in the third set thanks to consecutive double two finishes.

And Hamiton completed the second whitewash of the night in the third leg thanks to a 13-dart finish to seal a place in the last 32, where he meets Steve Beaton or Carlos Rodriguez.

"It was a surprise when I was playing Osmann but I'd never seen him before and I probably expected Phillip to win their preliminary round game," said Hamilton.

"With respect to Osmann it was a nice draw but you take your hat off to him for getting through to the first round.

"I went out and started well but then relaxed and I was too comfortable in the end. I'm through and go home and enjoy Christmas now, and concentrate and come back for the second round in better form."

Match Stats