REPORTS from Tuesday's play at the 2009 PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
Groups A-D faced off in their crucial final group games at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts
Tuesday November 17
Groups A-D Final Games
Mervyn King 4-5 Darryl Fitton
Phil Taylor 1-5 Vincent van der Voort
Kevin Painter 5-0 Francis Hoenselaar
Tony O'Shea 5-2 Colin Lloyd
Steve Maish 3-5 Kirk Shepherd
Raymond van Barneveld 4-5 John Part
Mark Webster 5-2 Anastasia Dobromyslova
Colin Osborne 4-5 Brian Woods
Thursday November 19 (6pm-11pm)
Second Round - Groups A-D
Tony O'Shea v Mark Webster (Match 2)
Kevin Painter v Kirk Shepherd (Match 4)
Phil Taylor v (Match 1)
Mervyn King v Raymond van Barneveld (Match 3)
Final League Tables
DARRYL FITTON 5-4 MERVYN KING
DARRYL FITTON produced an 11-darter to edge past Mervyn King 5-4 and finish with a flourish in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
Fitton had only pride and prize money to play for in his final group game at the Wolverhampton Civic after losing his opening two games, and impressed in an exciting clash with King.
Fitton took the game's opener on double top, before King produced a 13-darter to level and then hit a 177 to set up double 12 in breaking throw to lead 2-1.
Fitton broke back to square the game, and double eight put him in front before the duo traded 180s in leg six.
The Stockport man missed double 13 to move two legs clear, though, and King posted double 16 to level.
The pair also both hit 180s in leg seven, with Fitton posting double top before King landed in the same bed to send the game into a deciding leg.
Both opened leg nine with 180s, with Fitton following up with scores of 140 and 165 to leave double eight, which he took out for an 11-darter and the win.
"It's nice to finish with a win," said Fitton. "I've not played badly this week but I missed a few doubles and had a bit of bad luck.
"It was playing on my mind a bit but this is a good win for me."
King, who was already assured of a second round spot, said: "We both started well, went to sleep a bit in the middle and woke up again at the end, but it was a good game.
"I'm not happy with the result but I'm into the second round and will start again on Thursday."
Match Stats
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 5-1 PHIL TAYLOR
REIGNING CHAMPION Phil Taylor was defeated 5-1 by Vincent van der Voort in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts last night - but still qualifies for Thursday's knockout stages.
Taylor had failed to drop a single leg in wins over Anastasia Dobromyslova and Mark Webster earlier in the group phase, only to slump to a shock loss to the Dutchman.
Van der Voort was defeated by former Womens World Champion Dobromyslova on Sunday, but bounced back with a thrilling display to defeat a below-par Taylor.
The Dutch star stepped in to take the opening leg after three missed doubles from Taylor, and finishes of double 16 and a pair of double top checkouts saw him take a surprise 4-0 lead.
Taylor returned from the break to land double eight to get off the mark, only for van der Voort to open leg six with scores of 180 and 140.
Taylor did have a chance at a double - but missed the bullseye for a 167 checkout and van der Voort returned to land double 16 for victory.
"I played the worst game of my life two days ago and I wanted to put it right," said van der Voort, who finishes third in Group A.
"This shows how fast things can change in darts, and I'm glad I've finished with a win - and the extra £2,500 for finishing third is important too!"
Taylor admitted: "I'm disappointed but Vincent was superb and he deserved the win.
"I didn't want to lose but he beat me fair and square. There was no pressure on him and he was playing for pride, and he produced a performance like he knows he can do.
"It was hard for me to get up for the match because I was already through and it's a bad day at the office, but I'll be back on the practice board on Wednesday and will be ready for the second round on Thursday."
Match Stats
KEVIN PAINTER 5-0 FRANCIS HOENSELAAR
KEVIN PAINTER secured a place in the last 16 of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a whitewash of Womens World Champion Francis Hoenselaar.
Painter produced a professional display to see off the Dutch star, who could have progressed to the last 16 herself with a big win but saw those hopes extinguished early on.
Painter took the first leg and then a 118 finish to double his lead.
A superb 148 checkout secured a 3-0 cushion, and double three moved him a leg away from the win, before he landed a 180 and double top to seal victory.
"There was a lot of pressure out there and the scoreline probably makes the game look easier than it was," said Painter.
"Francis has played well in this tournament and it will be great experience for her, but I'm just glad to have come through a tough group."
Hoenselaar said: "Kevin played solidly and deserved the win. It's been fantastic to play in the tournament and I'll look forward to playing again next year, and I'll be better for this experience."
Match Stats
TONY O'SHEA 5-2 COLIN LLOYD
TONY O'SHEA completed the league phase of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts unbeaten following a 5-2 defeat of Colin Lloyd.
O'Shea, the number eight seed, had been victorious in his opening two Group B, and another strong display ensured he will top his group.
The Stockport man broke throw in the first leg on double ten, after Lloyd missed the bullseye for a 130 finish, and then doubled his lead despite a 180 from his opponent.
Lloyd landed another 180 in the third leg, but missed six darts to win the leg before O'Shea, who had also landed a maximum, posted double ten.
He then moved 4-0 up with double top, before opting not to go for the bull in the next - with Lloyd punishing that by taking out 130 to keep the game alive.
Lloyd also punished seven missed match darts to win a second leg on double five, but was unable to take his chances in the next before O'Shea sealed the win on double 16.
"I'm really chuffed with that, especially the first four legs," said O'Shea. "I felt really good and the early legs were superb.
"Colin's a great competitor and even at 4-0 I couldn't take it for granted, but the important thing is I'm through."
Lloyd now needs Brian Woods to defeat Colin Osborne in their final game if he is to hang on to second place in Group B and progress.
"Tony was brilliant," said Lloyd. "He knew what he had to do and I didn't produce a good enough performance.
"Tony's a world class player and it was always going to be hard for me after I went 4-0 down."
Match Stats
KIRK SHEPHERD 5-3 STEVE MAISH
KIRK SHEPHERD dramatically secured his place in the second round of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 5-3 comeback win over Steve Maish in their Group C decider.
Shepherd, the 2008 PDC World Championship runner-up, seemed set to miss out on qualifying when the ITV Wildcard Qualifier took a 2-0 lead.
But he produced a sensational display of finishing to edge in front before holding his nerve to secure victory.
Maish made a brilliant start by taking out 140 to win the first leg, and landed double top to move 2-0 up.
Shepherd hit a 180 and double 16 to get off the mark, and landed another maximum in leg four to leave 145.
A missed double 16 from Maish gave him his chance at the finish, and he superbly took out 145 on double 14 to square the game.
A bullseye finish on 95 in leg five put him ahead for the first time, although a missed bull and two missed darts at double eight gave Maish a reprieve in the sixth as he landed double five to level.
But a double eight finish from Shepherd put him 4-3 up, and he landed double 16 at the first time of asking to secure victory and qualification for the knockout phase.
"I'm just happy to be through," said Shepherd. "I take a lot of stick and I have my doubters but I just want to be successful."
Shepherd's victory celebration saw him land awkwardly on his left foot, having gone into the Grand Slam with a broken bone in the foot after slipping at home recently.
"I hit the winning double and jumped up with joy, and I landed on it," he said. "It gave way and I'm in agony now but hopefully it will be okay on Thursday."
Maish had battled through 190 players just to win a spot at the Wolverhampton Civic in the ITV Wildcard Qualifer, and a win over Darryl Fitton had given him hope of progressing.
"I'm proud of what I did but disappointed that I've missed out now," admitted Maish. "The 145 was the key shot and it showed what a class player Kirk is.
"I could have gone 3-1 up there but he took it out and it turned the game."
Match Stats
JOHN PART 5-4 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
JOHN PART produced a superb finale to defeat Raymond van Barneveld in a deciding leg - but missed out on a place in the second round of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts to the Dutchman.
Both players went into the contest knowing they could both move through to Thursday's knockout stage, but Part knew he had to win 5-2 or better if he was to progress.
Van Barneveld earned the three legs he needed to ensure he would move into the last 16 in going 3-2 up, only for Part to edge a thrilling finale to take the win.
"I had a slow start but Raymond played well and deserved to go through," admitted Part afterwards.
He had allowed van Barneveld to break throw in the opening leg, on double five after landing a 180, before the Canadian hit back to level and landed double 16 to lead 2-1.
Van Barneveld hit scores of 180 and 140 in winning the fourth to square the game, before punishing a missed dart for the bull from Part to land double three and crucially win a third leg.
Perhaps with the pressure now off, the duo landed seven 180s in the final four legs, including three in the sixth.
Van Barneveld landed two of those, but missed his chance on double 11 as Part took out double top to level.
The Dutchman landed another 180 and double eight to lead 4-3, only for Part to hit a maximum in ensuring a decider.
The pair opened the final leg with 180s, but it was Part who provided the killer blow, hitting a 102 finish to secure a victory which proved immaterial in keeping him in the event.
"John deserved to win and it was a great final leg, but I'm happy I am in the second round," said a relieved van Barneveld.
"It's hard for him to win two games and go out, but that's darts sometimes. It was a great game of darts."
Match Stats
BRIAN WOODS 5-4 COLIN OSBORNE
BRIAN WOODS sensationally came from 4-1 down to defeat Colin Osborne in a deciding leg - knocking his opponent out of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts and sending Colin Lloyd into the second round.
Osborne entered the contest needing a victory to progress to the knockout phase of the tournament, and seemed on course when he took a 4-1 lead.
But the Derby ace failed to close out the win, with Woods hitting back to claim his first victory in two years of the Grand Slam.
Woods opened the game with double top to break throw, only for Osborne to reply in kind and then hit a 180 and double eight to lead.
Seven missed doubles from Woods in leg four allowed Osborne into the break with a 3-1 cushion, and he landed another 180 in a 12-darter to move a leg away from victory.
He opened the next leg with a 180, but Woods took out 92 to win a second leg, 75 in two darts to pull back to 4-3 and then punished one missed match dart with double 16 to ensure a decider.
Woods had the first chance at sealing victory, and hit double top at the first time of asking to claim the win and shatter Osborne's hopes.
Match Stats
Groups A-D faced off in their crucial final group games at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts
Tuesday November 17
Groups A-D Final Games
Mervyn King 4-5 Darryl Fitton
Phil Taylor 1-5 Vincent van der Voort
Kevin Painter 5-0 Francis Hoenselaar
Tony O'Shea 5-2 Colin Lloyd
Steve Maish 3-5 Kirk Shepherd
Raymond van Barneveld 4-5 John Part
Mark Webster 5-2 Anastasia Dobromyslova
Colin Osborne 4-5 Brian Woods
Thursday November 19 (6pm-11pm)
Second Round - Groups A-D
Tony O'Shea v Mark Webster (Match 2)
Kevin Painter v Kirk Shepherd (Match 4)
Phil Taylor v (Match 1)
Mervyn King v Raymond van Barneveld (Match 3)
Final League Tables
|
Group A |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Phil Taylor (Q) |
2 |
1 |
+6 |
4 |
|
Mark Webster (Q) |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Vincent van der Voort |
1 |
2 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Anastasia Dobromyslova |
1 |
2 |
-7 |
2 |
|
Group B |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Tony O'Shea (Q) |
3 |
0 |
+8 |
6 |
|
Colin Lloyd (Q) |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Colin Osborne |
1 |
2 |
-2 |
2 |
|
Brian Woods |
1 |
2 |
-6 |
2 |
|
Group C |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Mervyn King (Q) |
2 |
1 |
+5 |
4 |
|
Kirk Shepherd (Q) |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
4 |
|
Steve Maish |
1 |
2 |
+1 |
2 |
|
Darryl Fitton |
1 |
2 |
-5 |
2 |
|
Group D |
W |
L |
+/- |
Pts |
|
Kevin Painter (Q) |
2 |
1 |
+6 |
4 |
|
Raymond van Barneveld (Q) |
2 |
1 |
+4 |
4 |
|
John Part |
2 |
1 |
+1 |
4 |
|
Francis Hoenselaar |
0 |
3 |
-11 |
0 |
DARRYL FITTON 5-4 MERVYN KING
DARRYL FITTON produced an 11-darter to edge past Mervyn King 5-4 and finish with a flourish in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
Fitton had only pride and prize money to play for in his final group game at the Wolverhampton Civic after losing his opening two games, and impressed in an exciting clash with King.
Fitton took the game's opener on double top, before King produced a 13-darter to level and then hit a 177 to set up double 12 in breaking throw to lead 2-1.
Fitton broke back to square the game, and double eight put him in front before the duo traded 180s in leg six.
The Stockport man missed double 13 to move two legs clear, though, and King posted double 16 to level.
The pair also both hit 180s in leg seven, with Fitton posting double top before King landed in the same bed to send the game into a deciding leg.
Both opened leg nine with 180s, with Fitton following up with scores of 140 and 165 to leave double eight, which he took out for an 11-darter and the win.
"It's nice to finish with a win," said Fitton. "I've not played badly this week but I missed a few doubles and had a bit of bad luck.
"It was playing on my mind a bit but this is a good win for me."
King, who was already assured of a second round spot, said: "We both started well, went to sleep a bit in the middle and woke up again at the end, but it was a good game.
"I'm not happy with the result but I'm into the second round and will start again on Thursday."
Match Stats
|
Mervyn King |
4-5 |
Darryl Fitton |
|
7 |
100+ |
11 |
|
8 |
140+ |
10 |
|
5 |
180 |
3 |
|
32.05 |
Ave1 |
32.33 |
|
96.14 |
Ave3 |
96.98 |
|
47 |
High Finish |
55 |
|
1 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
VINCENT VAN DER VOORT 5-1 PHIL TAYLOR
REIGNING CHAMPION Phil Taylor was defeated 5-1 by Vincent van der Voort in the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts last night - but still qualifies for Thursday's knockout stages.
Taylor had failed to drop a single leg in wins over Anastasia Dobromyslova and Mark Webster earlier in the group phase, only to slump to a shock loss to the Dutchman.
Van der Voort was defeated by former Womens World Champion Dobromyslova on Sunday, but bounced back with a thrilling display to defeat a below-par Taylor.
The Dutch star stepped in to take the opening leg after three missed doubles from Taylor, and finishes of double 16 and a pair of double top checkouts saw him take a surprise 4-0 lead.
Taylor returned from the break to land double eight to get off the mark, only for van der Voort to open leg six with scores of 180 and 140.
Taylor did have a chance at a double - but missed the bullseye for a 167 checkout and van der Voort returned to land double 16 for victory.
"I played the worst game of my life two days ago and I wanted to put it right," said van der Voort, who finishes third in Group A.
"This shows how fast things can change in darts, and I'm glad I've finished with a win - and the extra £2,500 for finishing third is important too!"
Taylor admitted: "I'm disappointed but Vincent was superb and he deserved the win.
"I didn't want to lose but he beat me fair and square. There was no pressure on him and he was playing for pride, and he produced a performance like he knows he can do.
"It was hard for me to get up for the match because I was already through and it's a bad day at the office, but I'll be back on the practice board on Wednesday and will be ready for the second round on Thursday."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
1-5 |
Vincent van der Voort |
|
11 |
100+ |
11 |
|
3 |
140+ |
4 |
|
0 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.07 |
Ave1 |
31.20 |
|
90.20 |
Ave3 |
93.61 |
|
66 |
High Finish |
74 |
|
0 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |
KEVIN PAINTER 5-0 FRANCIS HOENSELAAR
KEVIN PAINTER secured a place in the last 16 of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a whitewash of Womens World Champion Francis Hoenselaar.
Painter produced a professional display to see off the Dutch star, who could have progressed to the last 16 herself with a big win but saw those hopes extinguished early on.
Painter took the first leg and then a 118 finish to double his lead.
A superb 148 checkout secured a 3-0 cushion, and double three moved him a leg away from the win, before he landed a 180 and double top to seal victory.
"There was a lot of pressure out there and the scoreline probably makes the game look easier than it was," said Painter.
"Francis has played well in this tournament and it will be great experience for her, but I'm just glad to have come through a tough group."
Hoenselaar said: "Kevin played solidly and deserved the win. It's been fantastic to play in the tournament and I'll look forward to playing again next year, and I'll be better for this experience."
Match Stats
|
Kevin Painter |
5-0 |
Francis Hoenselaar |
|
5 |
100+ |
8 |
|
2 |
140+ |
2 |
|
1 |
180 |
0 |
|
26.65 |
Ave1 |
24.71 |
|
79.95 |
Ave3 |
74.13 |
|
148,118 |
High Finish |
- |
|
2 |
Legs Against Throw |
- |
TONY O'SHEA 5-2 COLIN LLOYD
TONY O'SHEA completed the league phase of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts unbeaten following a 5-2 defeat of Colin Lloyd.
O'Shea, the number eight seed, had been victorious in his opening two Group B, and another strong display ensured he will top his group.
The Stockport man broke throw in the first leg on double ten, after Lloyd missed the bullseye for a 130 finish, and then doubled his lead despite a 180 from his opponent.
Lloyd landed another 180 in the third leg, but missed six darts to win the leg before O'Shea, who had also landed a maximum, posted double ten.
He then moved 4-0 up with double top, before opting not to go for the bull in the next - with Lloyd punishing that by taking out 130 to keep the game alive.
Lloyd also punished seven missed match darts to win a second leg on double five, but was unable to take his chances in the next before O'Shea sealed the win on double 16.
"I'm really chuffed with that, especially the first four legs," said O'Shea. "I felt really good and the early legs were superb.
"Colin's a great competitor and even at 4-0 I couldn't take it for granted, but the important thing is I'm through."
Lloyd now needs Brian Woods to defeat Colin Osborne in their final game if he is to hang on to second place in Group B and progress.
"Tony was brilliant," said Lloyd. "He knew what he had to do and I didn't produce a good enough performance.
"Tony's a world class player and it was always going to be hard for me after I went 4-0 down."
Match Stats
|
Tony O'Shea |
5-2 |
Colin Lloyd |
|
7 |
100+ |
10 |
|
11 |
140+ |
2 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.18 |
Ave1 |
28.29 |
|
90.55 |
Ave3 |
84.86 |
|
85 |
High Finish |
130 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |
KIRK SHEPHERD 5-3 STEVE MAISH
KIRK SHEPHERD dramatically secured his place in the second round of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts with a 5-3 comeback win over Steve Maish in their Group C decider.
Shepherd, the 2008 PDC World Championship runner-up, seemed set to miss out on qualifying when the ITV Wildcard Qualifier took a 2-0 lead.
But he produced a sensational display of finishing to edge in front before holding his nerve to secure victory.
Maish made a brilliant start by taking out 140 to win the first leg, and landed double top to move 2-0 up.
Shepherd hit a 180 and double 16 to get off the mark, and landed another maximum in leg four to leave 145.
A missed double 16 from Maish gave him his chance at the finish, and he superbly took out 145 on double 14 to square the game.
A bullseye finish on 95 in leg five put him ahead for the first time, although a missed bull and two missed darts at double eight gave Maish a reprieve in the sixth as he landed double five to level.
But a double eight finish from Shepherd put him 4-3 up, and he landed double 16 at the first time of asking to secure victory and qualification for the knockout phase.
"I'm just happy to be through," said Shepherd. "I take a lot of stick and I have my doubters but I just want to be successful."
Shepherd's victory celebration saw him land awkwardly on his left foot, having gone into the Grand Slam with a broken bone in the foot after slipping at home recently.
"I hit the winning double and jumped up with joy, and I landed on it," he said. "It gave way and I'm in agony now but hopefully it will be okay on Thursday."
Maish had battled through 190 players just to win a spot at the Wolverhampton Civic in the ITV Wildcard Qualifer, and a win over Darryl Fitton had given him hope of progressing.
"I'm proud of what I did but disappointed that I've missed out now," admitted Maish. "The 145 was the key shot and it showed what a class player Kirk is.
"I could have gone 3-1 up there but he took it out and it turned the game."
Match Stats
|
Steve Maish |
3-5 |
Kirk Shepherd |
|
16 |
100+ |
11 |
|
5 |
140+ |
1 |
|
0 |
180 |
3 |
|
28.45 |
Ave1 |
30.69 |
|
85.36 |
Ave3 |
92.06 |
|
140 |
High Finish |
145 |
|
1 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |
JOHN PART 5-4 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
JOHN PART produced a superb finale to defeat Raymond van Barneveld in a deciding leg - but missed out on a place in the second round of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts to the Dutchman.
Both players went into the contest knowing they could both move through to Thursday's knockout stage, but Part knew he had to win 5-2 or better if he was to progress.
Van Barneveld earned the three legs he needed to ensure he would move into the last 16 in going 3-2 up, only for Part to edge a thrilling finale to take the win.
"I had a slow start but Raymond played well and deserved to go through," admitted Part afterwards.
He had allowed van Barneveld to break throw in the opening leg, on double five after landing a 180, before the Canadian hit back to level and landed double 16 to lead 2-1.
Van Barneveld hit scores of 180 and 140 in winning the fourth to square the game, before punishing a missed dart for the bull from Part to land double three and crucially win a third leg.
Perhaps with the pressure now off, the duo landed seven 180s in the final four legs, including three in the sixth.
Van Barneveld landed two of those, but missed his chance on double 11 as Part took out double top to level.
The Dutchman landed another 180 and double eight to lead 4-3, only for Part to hit a maximum in ensuring a decider.
The pair opened the final leg with 180s, but it was Part who provided the killer blow, hitting a 102 finish to secure a victory which proved immaterial in keeping him in the event.
"John deserved to win and it was a great final leg, but I'm happy I am in the second round," said a relieved van Barneveld.
"It's hard for him to win two games and go out, but that's darts sometimes. It was a great game of darts."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
4-5 |
John Part |
|
10 |
100+ |
8 |
|
3 |
140+ |
6 |
|
6 |
180 |
3 |
|
33.11 |
Ave1 |
33.46 |
|
99.33 |
Ave3 |
100.38 |
|
32 |
High Finish |
102 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |
MARK WEBSTER 5-2 ANASTASIA DOBROMSYLOVA
MARK WEBSTER ended Anastasia Dobromyslova's PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts challenge with a 5-2 victory to book his own place in the tournament's second round.
Dobromyslova ensured a winner-takes-all shoot-out with Webster thanks to a victory over Vincent van der Voort, but failed to repeat the feat as the Welshman progressed.
Dobromyslova did lead 1-0 and 2-1, but Webster held his nerve to book a last 16 spot.
The Russian punished misses from Webster to win the first and third legs against the throw, on double 18 and double top respectively.
She had missed double top to win the second leg, with Webster taking that chance and trading 180s with the former Womens World Champion in the fourth before levelling.
A third-dart double ten edged him in front for the first time at 3-2, and he broke throw to move two legs clear before sealing the win on double top.
"It was a hard game," admitted Webster, who now meets Tony O'Shea in round two.
"I've played Anastasia a few times and I knew it would be tough. I fluffed some doubles early on but got through it and can look forward to playing Tony now."
Dobromyslova added: "I tried my best but it wasn't good enough this time, and I didn't have enough left after beating Vincent."
Match Stats
|
Mark Webster |
5-2 |
Anastasia Dobromyslova |
|
10 |
100+ |
12 |
|
7 |
140+ |
2 |
|
1 |
180 |
1 |
|
30.22 |
Ave1 |
27.64 |
|
90.65 |
Ave3 |
82.93 |
|
81 |
High Finish |
60 |
|
3 |
Legs Against Throw |
2 |
BRIAN WOODS 5-4 COLIN OSBORNE
BRIAN WOODS sensationally came from 4-1 down to defeat Colin Osborne in a deciding leg - knocking his opponent out of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts and sending Colin Lloyd into the second round.
Osborne entered the contest needing a victory to progress to the knockout phase of the tournament, and seemed on course when he took a 4-1 lead.
But the Derby ace failed to close out the win, with Woods hitting back to claim his first victory in two years of the Grand Slam.
Woods opened the game with double top to break throw, only for Osborne to reply in kind and then hit a 180 and double eight to lead.
Seven missed doubles from Woods in leg four allowed Osborne into the break with a 3-1 cushion, and he landed another 180 in a 12-darter to move a leg away from victory.
He opened the next leg with a 180, but Woods took out 92 to win a second leg, 75 in two darts to pull back to 4-3 and then punished one missed match dart with double 16 to ensure a decider.
Woods had the first chance at sealing victory, and hit double top at the first time of asking to claim the win and shatter Osborne's hopes.
Match Stats
|
Colin Osborne |
4-5 |
Brian Woods |
|
6 |
100+ |
18 |
|
4 |
140+ |
4 |
|
4 |
180 |
0 |
|
29.00 |
Ave1 |
28.34 |
|
87.00 |
Ave3 |
85.03 |
|
50 |
High Finish |
92 |
|
2 |
Legs Against Throw |
3 |