REPORTS from Wednesday's second round games at the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
Round two got underway at the Citywest Hotel with four matches, including 2004 champion Colin Lloyd and world number two Raymond van Barneveld.
Watch highlights in DartsTV from Thursday evening - click here to visit DartsTV
Wednesday October 8 2008 - Second Round (Best of Five Sets) - 7pm-11pm
Colin Lloyd 3-2 Kevin Painter
Mervyn King 3-2 Tony Eccles
Raymond van Barneveld 3-2 Adrian Lewis
Dennis Priestley 3-2 Wayne Mardle
Click here for Photo Gallery
COLIN LLOYD 3-2 KEVIN PAINTER
(1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
COLIN LLOYD came from two sets down to defeat Kevin Painter in a final-leg thriller to reach the quarter-finals of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The 2004 champion produced one of his most battling displays to push himself into the last eight, with Painter leading 2-0 in the deciding set before three successive legs put Lloyd through.
The 35-year-old celebrated the win with a huge outpouring of emotion, having struggled for two years with a string of early exits in major tournaments.
"It's been a long, hard road for me," said Lloyd. "I've battled with a lot of demons in my own head and it meant so much for me just to get through the first round.
"I've not been performing over the last 18 months and it has hurt me but I know what I'm capable of.
"Maybe I didn't deserve the victory against Kevin because I didn't play consistently well but I've got to look forward now.
"I don't care who I play next, I just want to get up on stage again because I'm digging in and battling again."
Lloyd certainly gave himself an uphill struggle after failing to contain a brilliant start from Painter.
Lloyd took the game's opening leg, but Painter took the next three with some inspired darts, with back-to-back 15-darters completed by a 130 finish before he landed successive 180s in a 12-darter to take the set.
He then opened the second set with another 12-darter, featuring a 124 checkout, before Lloyd replied with a 120 finish and double top to lead 2-1.
Painter took double 16 to level and then hit the same bed to take the set, with Lloyd waiting on a finish in both legs.
Lloyd won successive legs to open set three, before a fine 13-darter from Painter kept him in the set.
The former champion in the double-start format then hit his third 180 of the game in taking the third set, and led 2-0 in the next before misses at double top allowed Painter to level.
With Painter needing the deciding leg for victory, Lloyd produced a key 162 score to leave him on a double, and landed double ten to square the match.
Painter finished 94 to lead in the fifth set, and also led 2-0 on double top after Lloyd missed six darts at double top.
A 116 finish saw Lloyd save the match, with Painter waiting on 16 after a brilliant 174 set up a potential winning double.
Lloyd took the fourth leg to ensure the match went into a deciding leg, and two opening ton-plus scores pushed him clear before Lloyd landed double top to seal victory.
Match Stats
MERVYN KING 3-2 TONY ECCLES
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-0)
MERVYN KING powered through a deciding set to book his place in the last eight of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix with a 3-2 win over Tony Eccles.
King ensured his first quarter-final appearance in the double-start tournament with a strong finish to defeat emerging star Eccles.
Eccles began the game where he left off in a win over defending champion James Wade on Monday, coming from 1-0 down to take three successive legs and win the first set.
King came from behind to edge the second set, and also sneaked the third 3-2 to lead.
But a strong fourth set from Eccles saw him take it 3-1 and send the game into a decider.
But King found an extra gear, hitting scores of 180 and 134 to set up a double four finish, and he moved 2-0 up on double 16.
King kicked off the next with a 152 score before landing double top to seal the win.
"My starting doubles were fine but my trebles weren't going in," said King.
"I'm a bit up and down at the moment and not as consistent as I want to be - but I'm in the quarter-finals.
"I'm working hard on my game and Friday will be another day for me."
Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 3-2 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD produced his best performance of 2008 to defeat Adrian Lewis in a five-set thriller at the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The Dutchman reached the quarter-finals for a second successive year with a resolute display to see off the Stoke challenger in a deciding leg showdown.
Van Barneveld led 2-0 before Lewis hit back to square the match and then twice level in set five, before a fine 63 finish put him into the last eight.
"Maybe I was too laid back when I was two sets up and then I missed two darts for the match too, but Adrian let me back in," said van Barneveld.
"I had to slow Adrian down, it's not nice but I had to use tactics because he made a fantastic comeback."
There was little to slow either player in the early exchanges, with the opening set going with the throw and featuring three maximums from the Dutchman - including a crucial 180 in the decider which helped set up a double top finish.
Lewis took out 105 to lead in set two, but van Barneveld levelled on double five and then secured the game's first break of throw on double top.
He then left 24 with a superb 159 score before ensuring a two-set lead on double three.
Lewis came from 1-0 down to win set three 3-1, including two maximums in one leg as he began his comeback.
Van Barneveld took out 116 and a ten-darter to lead 2-1 in the fourth, but two missed darts for the match at double four gave Lewis the chance to hang in the set, and a two-dart 62 saw the Stoke star level matters.
Van Barneveld led in the final set before Lewis took out a 13-darter, with the Dutchman hitting his fifth maximum of the game to lead 2-1.
Lewis kicked off leg four with a 160 and took out double top to ensure the match went into a sudden-death leg.
Van Barneveld opened his scoring with a 152, and hit double 12 for a two-dart 63 finish which puts him into the quarter-finals against Colin Lloyd.
Match Stats
WAYNE MARDLE 2-3 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
DENNIS PRIESTLEY made one of his finest ever comebacks to edge past Wayne Mardle into the quarter-finals of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The two-time World Champion, 58, looked set to exit the tournament when he trailed by two sets, with Mardle missing one dart a 3-0 victory.
Priestley, producing a gritty display akin to a Geoffrey Boycott innings, took the third set to stay in the game, and took the match all the way to seal a remarkable win.
He took the game's first two legs, but Mardle hit back to level and then won the opening set with a 107 finish.
Mardle also hit a ton-plus checkout to edge the second set, this time taking out 144 to double the advantage.
He also led 2-1 in the third set, but missed one dart at double top to win the game in leg four, with Priestley levelling on double five and hitting double 18 to take the decider.
He then finished 101 on double eight to lead in set four, and took out two double top finishes to win the set without reply.
Mardle 1-0 in the decider, but was punished for a sloppy second leg to allow Priestley to claw back from only hitting an opening double at the 12th time of asking to win the leg.
Priestley failed to leave a double in the next as Mardle took out double five to ensure a sudden-death leg, but the Essex man was slow out of the blocks and the veteran landed double top for victory.
"I'm drained and can't believe I got the win!" said Priestley, who spent September undergoing radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer before returning to action this week.
"No matter how I feel I still want to keep fighting. I was poor at times but I've got away with it and am in the last eight.
"I'll rest and recover on Thursday and will prepare myself for the quarter-finals."
Match Stats
Round two got underway at the Citywest Hotel with four matches, including 2004 champion Colin Lloyd and world number two Raymond van Barneveld.
Watch highlights in DartsTV from Thursday evening - click here to visit DartsTV
Wednesday October 8 2008 - Second Round (Best of Five Sets) - 7pm-11pm
Colin Lloyd 3-2 Kevin Painter
Mervyn King 3-2 Tony Eccles
Raymond van Barneveld 3-2 Adrian Lewis
Dennis Priestley 3-2 Wayne Mardle
Click here for Photo Gallery
COLIN LLOYD 3-2 KEVIN PAINTER
(1-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
COLIN LLOYD came from two sets down to defeat Kevin Painter in a final-leg thriller to reach the quarter-finals of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The 2004 champion produced one of his most battling displays to push himself into the last eight, with Painter leading 2-0 in the deciding set before three successive legs put Lloyd through.
The 35-year-old celebrated the win with a huge outpouring of emotion, having struggled for two years with a string of early exits in major tournaments.
"It's been a long, hard road for me," said Lloyd. "I've battled with a lot of demons in my own head and it meant so much for me just to get through the first round.
"I've not been performing over the last 18 months and it has hurt me but I know what I'm capable of.
"Maybe I didn't deserve the victory against Kevin because I didn't play consistently well but I've got to look forward now.
"I don't care who I play next, I just want to get up on stage again because I'm digging in and battling again."
Lloyd certainly gave himself an uphill struggle after failing to contain a brilliant start from Painter.
Lloyd took the game's opening leg, but Painter took the next three with some inspired darts, with back-to-back 15-darters completed by a 130 finish before he landed successive 180s in a 12-darter to take the set.
He then opened the second set with another 12-darter, featuring a 124 checkout, before Lloyd replied with a 120 finish and double top to lead 2-1.
Painter took double 16 to level and then hit the same bed to take the set, with Lloyd waiting on a finish in both legs.
Lloyd won successive legs to open set three, before a fine 13-darter from Painter kept him in the set.
The former champion in the double-start format then hit his third 180 of the game in taking the third set, and led 2-0 in the next before misses at double top allowed Painter to level.
With Painter needing the deciding leg for victory, Lloyd produced a key 162 score to leave him on a double, and landed double ten to square the match.
Painter finished 94 to lead in the fifth set, and also led 2-0 on double top after Lloyd missed six darts at double top.
A 116 finish saw Lloyd save the match, with Painter waiting on 16 after a brilliant 174 set up a potential winning double.
Lloyd took the fourth leg to ensure the match went into a deciding leg, and two opening ton-plus scores pushed him clear before Lloyd landed double top to seal victory.
Match Stats
|
Colin Lloyd |
3-2 |
Kevin Painter |
|
27 |
100+ |
27 |
|
12 |
140+ |
14 |
|
4 |
180 |
5 |
|
26.97 |
Ave1 |
26.86 |
|
80.90 |
Ave3 |
80.57 |
|
120,116 |
High Finish |
130,124,101 |
MERVYN KING 3-2 TONY ECCLES
(1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-0)
MERVYN KING powered through a deciding set to book his place in the last eight of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix with a 3-2 win over Tony Eccles.
King ensured his first quarter-final appearance in the double-start tournament with a strong finish to defeat emerging star Eccles.
Eccles began the game where he left off in a win over defending champion James Wade on Monday, coming from 1-0 down to take three successive legs and win the first set.
King came from behind to edge the second set, and also sneaked the third 3-2 to lead.
But a strong fourth set from Eccles saw him take it 3-1 and send the game into a decider.
But King found an extra gear, hitting scores of 180 and 134 to set up a double four finish, and he moved 2-0 up on double 16.
King kicked off the next with a 152 score before landing double top to seal the win.
"My starting doubles were fine but my trebles weren't going in," said King.
"I'm a bit up and down at the moment and not as consistent as I want to be - but I'm in the quarter-finals.
"I'm working hard on my game and Friday will be another day for me."
Match Stats
|
Tony Eccles |
2-3 |
Mervyn King |
|
26 |
100+ |
26 |
|
13 |
140+ |
13 |
|
2 |
180 |
3 |
|
28.03 |
Ave1 |
27.78 |
|
84.10 |
Ave3 |
83.34 |
|
106 |
High Finish |
106 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 3-2 ADRIAN LEWIS
(3-2, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2)
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD produced his best performance of 2008 to defeat Adrian Lewis in a five-set thriller at the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The Dutchman reached the quarter-finals for a second successive year with a resolute display to see off the Stoke challenger in a deciding leg showdown.
Van Barneveld led 2-0 before Lewis hit back to square the match and then twice level in set five, before a fine 63 finish put him into the last eight.
"Maybe I was too laid back when I was two sets up and then I missed two darts for the match too, but Adrian let me back in," said van Barneveld.
"I had to slow Adrian down, it's not nice but I had to use tactics because he made a fantastic comeback."
There was little to slow either player in the early exchanges, with the opening set going with the throw and featuring three maximums from the Dutchman - including a crucial 180 in the decider which helped set up a double top finish.
Lewis took out 105 to lead in set two, but van Barneveld levelled on double five and then secured the game's first break of throw on double top.
He then left 24 with a superb 159 score before ensuring a two-set lead on double three.
Lewis came from 1-0 down to win set three 3-1, including two maximums in one leg as he began his comeback.
Van Barneveld took out 116 and a ten-darter to lead 2-1 in the fourth, but two missed darts for the match at double four gave Lewis the chance to hang in the set, and a two-dart 62 saw the Stoke star level matters.
Van Barneveld led in the final set before Lewis took out a 13-darter, with the Dutchman hitting his fifth maximum of the game to lead 2-1.
Lewis kicked off leg four with a 160 and took out double top to ensure the match went into a sudden-death leg.
Van Barneveld opened his scoring with a 152, and hit double 12 for a two-dart 63 finish which puts him into the quarter-finals against Colin Lloyd.
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
3-2 |
Adrian Lewis |
|
23 |
100+ |
34 |
|
22 |
140+ |
14 |
|
5 |
180 |
5 |
|
30.24 |
Ave1 |
29.46 |
|
90.72 |
Ave3 |
88.38 |
|
116 |
High Finish |
105 |
WAYNE MARDLE 2-3 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2)
DENNIS PRIESTLEY made one of his finest ever comebacks to edge past Wayne Mardle into the quarter-finals of the Sky Poker World Grand Prix.
The two-time World Champion, 58, looked set to exit the tournament when he trailed by two sets, with Mardle missing one dart a 3-0 victory.
Priestley, producing a gritty display akin to a Geoffrey Boycott innings, took the third set to stay in the game, and took the match all the way to seal a remarkable win.
He took the game's first two legs, but Mardle hit back to level and then won the opening set with a 107 finish.
Mardle also hit a ton-plus checkout to edge the second set, this time taking out 144 to double the advantage.
He also led 2-1 in the third set, but missed one dart at double top to win the game in leg four, with Priestley levelling on double five and hitting double 18 to take the decider.
He then finished 101 on double eight to lead in set four, and took out two double top finishes to win the set without reply.
Mardle 1-0 in the decider, but was punished for a sloppy second leg to allow Priestley to claw back from only hitting an opening double at the 12th time of asking to win the leg.
Priestley failed to leave a double in the next as Mardle took out double five to ensure a sudden-death leg, but the Essex man was slow out of the blocks and the veteran landed double top for victory.
"I'm drained and can't believe I got the win!" said Priestley, who spent September undergoing radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer before returning to action this week.
"No matter how I feel I still want to keep fighting. I was poor at times but I've got away with it and am in the last eight.
"I'll rest and recover on Thursday and will prepare myself for the quarter-finals."
Match Stats
|
Wayne Mardle |
2-3 |
Dennis Priestley |
|
30 |
100+ |
34 |
|
13 |
140+ |
15 |
|
3 |
180 |
2 |
|
25.70 |
Ave1 |
26.17 |
|
77.11 |
Ave3 |
78.52 |
|
144,107 |
High Finish |
120,101 |