REPORTS from the quarter-finals of the 2008 Stan James World Matchplay.
The last eight players face off at the Winter Gardens for spots in Friday's semi-finals.
Follow the action in DartsTV, with a free live scoreboard accompanied by live audio commentary and video highlights.
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Stan James World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Dennis Priestley 16-14 Alan Tabern
Matt Clark 12-16 James Wade
Evening Session
Raymond van Barneveld 16-18 Wayne Mardle
Phil Taylor 16-6 Kevin McDine
Best of 31 legs
Friday 25 July
7pm Start
Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
Phil Taylor v Dennis Priestley
Wayne Mardle v James Wade
Best of 33 legs
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 16-14 ALAN TABERN
VETERAN star Dennis Priestley reached his first Stan James World Matchplay semi-final since 1999 with a 16-14 win over Alan Tabern at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
The 58-year-old, who had prostate cancer surgery in January before returning to the top level of darts, edged a tight contest to condemn Tabern to a quarter-final defeat for a third successive major tournament.
The two could barely be separated in a thriller, but Priestley defied fatigue to sneak into the last four.
A runner-up in the first three World Matchplay events from 1994-1996, Priestley's last semi-final came with a 17-10 loss to Rod Harrington in 1999, but he now meets Phil Taylor or Kevin McDine in Friday's last-four contest.
Tabern secured the game's first break of throw in the fifth leg to lead 3-2, but Priestley then won five of the next six legs - including finishes of 100 and 111 - to take a 7-4 advantage.
Checkouts of 100 and 120 in successive legs from Tabern reduced the gap to one leg, and the St Helens man went on to level at eight-all after three missed doubles from Priestley.
Priestley included an 11-darter as the pair held throw for the next 11 legs, trading blows as the veteran Yorkshireman took a 14-13 lead.
And Priestley then landed a crucial double 16 to move two legs clear - and one away from the win.
Tabern replied on the same bed after Priestley missed one dart for the win, but the two-time World Champion held his nerve to take out 76 on double eight for the win.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be in the semi-final," said Priestley. "My aim is always just to play as well as I can, and if I win it's a bonus.
"When it was 8-8 I asked referee Bruce Spendley how many more legs I needed and nearly passed out when he said I needed eight more! I had a period where I was absolutely exhausted but I bucked myself up and got a second wind.
"I was playing really good darts and just couldn't break Alan late in the game. He was snapping at my heels all the time."
Priestley's deliberate style has become a trademark during over 20 years at the top level, but he admits he has speeded up his game in the Blackpool summer heat.
"I don't like playing slowly and taking methodical aim with each dart because it tires me out, so if I can get the first one working and the other two follow it in," he added.
"Darts is easy if you can do that, and it's me that makes it hard!
"But after this I'll relax, I'm going home to Mexborough tonight and will get some rest there and return for the semi-finals."
Tabern said: "I'm gutted but it was a really good game of darts and I enjoyed it. If I look back at the game, Dennis deserved to win.
"Early on he took out a double every time I had a chance of winning a leg, and full credit to him. It was close and he just edged me at the end.
"I'll probably learn more from that than Dennis because he's done everything in the game."
Tabern had been a quarter-finalist in the UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic earlier this summer, before matching that feat in Blackpool.
"If someone had said to me that I'd be in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay and it would come down to one dodgy leg as to whether I'd get into the semis, I'd have taken that.
"I'll focus on preparing for the World Grand Prix now, and it would be nice to have a good run.
"I'm on a roll at the moment having made the quarter-finals of the last three TV tournaments, thousands of players all over the world would love to be in my position."
Match Stats
JAMES WADE 16-12 MATT CLARK
JAMES WADE remains on course for a second successive Stan James World Matchplay victory following a 16-12 win over Matt Clark - but admitted that frustration almost cost him the win.
Wade was pushed all the way as Clark continued his most impressive run in a major PDC tournament to come close to knocking out the defending champion.
Clark had knocked out Roland Scholten and Peter Manley to reach the last eight, and was neck-and-neck with Wade for much of a compelling contest.
However, Wade crucially kept his cool to take three legs without reply at the end of the game to seal his place in the semi-finals.
Clark's accuracy on double top helped him to share the early legs, although a 13-darter from Wade secured the first break of throw to give him a 4-3 lead.
Clark took out 105 to break back in the tenth leg, only for Wade's heavy scoring, including 180s in three successive legs, to take a 9-7 cushion.
The Manchester-based qualifier produced the best two legs of the match to pull level, taking out 161 and 113 for back-to-back 12-darters in squaring the contest.
Wade replied with two of his own to move 11-9 up, with Clark taking three of the next five, including another 12-darter, to stay in the hunt at 13-12.
Wade showed his champion quality though, hitting a 14-darter to edge clear, breaking Clark's throw with an eighth 180 of the game before sealing the win on double two.
"I did get frustrated," admitted Wade. "I was missing doubles and Matt hit me with some shots that hurt me.
"I probably made it harder for myself than I needed to but I probably got affected by Matt's slow pace. I'm a fast player and don't have the best temperament when players do that against me.
"I'm still learning and this game's out of the way now, and I can look forward to playing in the semi-finals now."
Clark's £12,000 cheque will be the biggest of his career, and he admitted he was proud of reaching his first quarter-final in a major PDC event.
"It's been a long time coming but I think I deserved it," said Clark. "I should have been doing it sooner but I had a tough draw and managed to knock out two top ten players and run the world number three close.
"This takes me back to the edge of the top 32, which is a boost, and hopefully I can kick on from here.
"I had more than enough opportunities against James to win by the same scoreline but it wasn't to be."
Match Stats
WAYNE MARDLE 18-16 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
WAYNE MARDLE made one of the greatest comebacks of his career to edge out Raymond van Barneveld 18-16 and win a place in the semi-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay.
Mardle trailed the Dutchman 12-7 before a run of eight straight legs saw the 2003 runner-up move in front.
He then looked to have blown his chance when van Barneveld levelled, only to sneak home in a tie break.
"When I was five legs down I felt he wasn't playing well and I had to push him," said Mardle. "When I did he faltered, but he still came back to take me all the way.
"It was a battle and I've proved I can battle it out now in all three games I've played this week. You get more resilient from each game and it makes you stronger."
Van Barneveld took the game's opening two legs before Mardle levelled and then hit the front with a 120 'Shanghai' finish.
The Dutchman, aided by some fine finishing on double top, took four of the next five to hit the front, and a key break of throw in leg 15 put him 9-6 up.
Double 16 extended the lead to four legs before Mardle hit the first maximum of the match on his way to the 17th leg.
Double 12 and double eight put the Dutchman 12-7 up, before Mardle produced arguably his best spell of darts since a win over Phil Taylor in the World Championship last December.
A two-dart 80 finish saw him break van Barneveld's throw, and he took two more legs before misses from the Dutch ace allowed him to level.
The pair then missed a host of doubles before Mardle went 13-12 up on double two.
Two more legs gave Mardle a three-leg cushion and put him to the brink of an improbable win, only for van Barneveld to reignite his challenge with a 95 checkout.
A break of throw on double 18 was then followed by another maximum and a double 16 finish as he tied the game at 15-all.
However, four misses at double 16 allowed Mardle to edge back in front, and though the Dutchman levelled he also took a 17-16 lead.
Further misses from van Barneveld gave Mardle his chance in leg 24, and he took out double 18 with his final dart to seal a semi-final berth against James Wade on Friday.
"I'm in the semi-finals and it's my first one since the World Championship, so it's a huge boost," said Mardle.
"I was the favourite then and everyone expected me to beat Kirk Shepherd, but James is expected to beat me and I'm pretty dangerous in that situation.
"I'm loving it and there's no better feeling than winning - losing hurts and that's what's given me the fight.
"I want to win one big major tournament and who knows, this could be the first."
Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 16-6 KEVIN McDINE
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course for a ninth Stan James World Matchplay title following a 16-6 win over Kevin McDine - but insisted he has to improve if he is to reclaim the Blackpool trophy.
Taylor seemed on course for a comfortable win when he romped into an 8-0 lead against the 23-year-old.
However, McDine reduced the arrears to 13-6 to give the world number one some nervous moments before Taylor wrapped up the win.
Taylor landed 180s in the opening two legs, and also took out a 160 finish in moving 4-0 up.
Further checkouts of 110 and 158, with McDine sat on a finish, saw him extend the lead to 8-0 without his opponent having a shot at a double.
However, McDine landed a maximum on his way to winning leg nine on double four to get off the mark, and double top reduced the arrears to 11-2.
Although Taylor won the next, McDine took three successive legs - including two bullseye finishes for checkouts of 83 and 84 - to reduce the gap to 12-5.
McDine shared the next two, but Taylor restored his cushion on double 12, took advantage of two missed darts from McDine to move 15-6 up and then sealed the win on double eight.
"I saw Kevin was under pressure and felt weird for me to be so far ahead when I got 10-1 up," admitted Taylor.
"It put me off a bit and I did lose concentration, but tomorrow's a different game. I know I won't be able to do that against Dennis Priestley in the semis because he's a brilliant player.
"Everyone knows how good Dennis is, and he simply doesn't give in. Kevin didn't either but he gave himself too much to do at the start of the game."
McDine admitted: "It's disappointing because I felt great going into the match and it just didn't happen for me when I got on stage.
"But to reach the quarter-finals is a good achievement for me and it's all experience too - I'll be a better player for this."
Match Stats
The last eight players face off at the Winter Gardens for spots in Friday's semi-finals.
Follow the action in DartsTV, with a free live scoreboard accompanied by live audio commentary and video highlights.
Click here to visit DartsTV
Stan James World Matchplay
Quarter-Finals
Afternoon Session
Dennis Priestley 16-14 Alan Tabern
Matt Clark 12-16 James Wade
Evening Session
Raymond van Barneveld 16-18 Wayne Mardle
Phil Taylor 16-6 Kevin McDine
Best of 31 legs
Friday 25 July
7pm Start
Semi-Finals - Best of 33 legs
Phil Taylor v Dennis Priestley
Wayne Mardle v James Wade
Best of 33 legs
DENNIS PRIESTLEY 16-14 ALAN TABERN
VETERAN star Dennis Priestley reached his first Stan James World Matchplay semi-final since 1999 with a 16-14 win over Alan Tabern at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
The 58-year-old, who had prostate cancer surgery in January before returning to the top level of darts, edged a tight contest to condemn Tabern to a quarter-final defeat for a third successive major tournament.
The two could barely be separated in a thriller, but Priestley defied fatigue to sneak into the last four.
A runner-up in the first three World Matchplay events from 1994-1996, Priestley's last semi-final came with a 17-10 loss to Rod Harrington in 1999, but he now meets Phil Taylor or Kevin McDine in Friday's last-four contest.
Tabern secured the game's first break of throw in the fifth leg to lead 3-2, but Priestley then won five of the next six legs - including finishes of 100 and 111 - to take a 7-4 advantage.
Checkouts of 100 and 120 in successive legs from Tabern reduced the gap to one leg, and the St Helens man went on to level at eight-all after three missed doubles from Priestley.
Priestley included an 11-darter as the pair held throw for the next 11 legs, trading blows as the veteran Yorkshireman took a 14-13 lead.
And Priestley then landed a crucial double 16 to move two legs clear - and one away from the win.
Tabern replied on the same bed after Priestley missed one dart for the win, but the two-time World Champion held his nerve to take out 76 on double eight for the win.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be in the semi-final," said Priestley. "My aim is always just to play as well as I can, and if I win it's a bonus.
"When it was 8-8 I asked referee Bruce Spendley how many more legs I needed and nearly passed out when he said I needed eight more! I had a period where I was absolutely exhausted but I bucked myself up and got a second wind.
"I was playing really good darts and just couldn't break Alan late in the game. He was snapping at my heels all the time."
Priestley's deliberate style has become a trademark during over 20 years at the top level, but he admits he has speeded up his game in the Blackpool summer heat.
"I don't like playing slowly and taking methodical aim with each dart because it tires me out, so if I can get the first one working and the other two follow it in," he added.
"Darts is easy if you can do that, and it's me that makes it hard!
"But after this I'll relax, I'm going home to Mexborough tonight and will get some rest there and return for the semi-finals."
Tabern said: "I'm gutted but it was a really good game of darts and I enjoyed it. If I look back at the game, Dennis deserved to win.
"Early on he took out a double every time I had a chance of winning a leg, and full credit to him. It was close and he just edged me at the end.
"I'll probably learn more from that than Dennis because he's done everything in the game."
Tabern had been a quarter-finalist in the UK Open and Las Vegas Desert Classic earlier this summer, before matching that feat in Blackpool.
"If someone had said to me that I'd be in the quarter-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay and it would come down to one dodgy leg as to whether I'd get into the semis, I'd have taken that.
"I'll focus on preparing for the World Grand Prix now, and it would be nice to have a good run.
"I'm on a roll at the moment having made the quarter-finals of the last three TV tournaments, thousands of players all over the world would love to be in my position."
Match Stats
|
Dennis Priestley |
16-14 |
Alan Tabern |
|
44 |
100+ |
50 |
|
21 |
140+ |
19 |
|
4 |
180 |
5 |
|
31.37 |
Ave1 |
30.29 |
|
94.10 |
Ave3 |
90.86 |
|
111,110 |
High Finish |
120,100 x2 |
|
6 |
Legs Against Throw |
5 |
JAMES WADE 16-12 MATT CLARK
JAMES WADE remains on course for a second successive Stan James World Matchplay victory following a 16-12 win over Matt Clark - but admitted that frustration almost cost him the win.
Wade was pushed all the way as Clark continued his most impressive run in a major PDC tournament to come close to knocking out the defending champion.
Clark had knocked out Roland Scholten and Peter Manley to reach the last eight, and was neck-and-neck with Wade for much of a compelling contest.
However, Wade crucially kept his cool to take three legs without reply at the end of the game to seal his place in the semi-finals.
Clark's accuracy on double top helped him to share the early legs, although a 13-darter from Wade secured the first break of throw to give him a 4-3 lead.
Clark took out 105 to break back in the tenth leg, only for Wade's heavy scoring, including 180s in three successive legs, to take a 9-7 cushion.
The Manchester-based qualifier produced the best two legs of the match to pull level, taking out 161 and 113 for back-to-back 12-darters in squaring the contest.
Wade replied with two of his own to move 11-9 up, with Clark taking three of the next five, including another 12-darter, to stay in the hunt at 13-12.
Wade showed his champion quality though, hitting a 14-darter to edge clear, breaking Clark's throw with an eighth 180 of the game before sealing the win on double two.
"I did get frustrated," admitted Wade. "I was missing doubles and Matt hit me with some shots that hurt me.
"I probably made it harder for myself than I needed to but I probably got affected by Matt's slow pace. I'm a fast player and don't have the best temperament when players do that against me.
"I'm still learning and this game's out of the way now, and I can look forward to playing in the semi-finals now."
Clark's £12,000 cheque will be the biggest of his career, and he admitted he was proud of reaching his first quarter-final in a major PDC event.
"It's been a long time coming but I think I deserved it," said Clark. "I should have been doing it sooner but I had a tough draw and managed to knock out two top ten players and run the world number three close.
"This takes me back to the edge of the top 32, which is a boost, and hopefully I can kick on from here.
"I had more than enough opportunities against James to win by the same scoreline but it wasn't to be."
Match Stats
|
Matt Clark |
12-16 |
James Wade |
|
36 |
100+ |
38 |
|
16 |
140+ |
26 |
|
3 |
180 |
8 |
|
31.09 |
Ave1 |
32.19 |
|
93.27 |
Ave3 |
96.58 |
|
161,113,105 |
High Finish |
76 |
|
4 |
Legs Against Throw |
7 |
WAYNE MARDLE 18-16 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
WAYNE MARDLE made one of the greatest comebacks of his career to edge out Raymond van Barneveld 18-16 and win a place in the semi-finals of the Stan James World Matchplay.
Mardle trailed the Dutchman 12-7 before a run of eight straight legs saw the 2003 runner-up move in front.
He then looked to have blown his chance when van Barneveld levelled, only to sneak home in a tie break.
"When I was five legs down I felt he wasn't playing well and I had to push him," said Mardle. "When I did he faltered, but he still came back to take me all the way.
"It was a battle and I've proved I can battle it out now in all three games I've played this week. You get more resilient from each game and it makes you stronger."
Van Barneveld took the game's opening two legs before Mardle levelled and then hit the front with a 120 'Shanghai' finish.
The Dutchman, aided by some fine finishing on double top, took four of the next five to hit the front, and a key break of throw in leg 15 put him 9-6 up.
Double 16 extended the lead to four legs before Mardle hit the first maximum of the match on his way to the 17th leg.
Double 12 and double eight put the Dutchman 12-7 up, before Mardle produced arguably his best spell of darts since a win over Phil Taylor in the World Championship last December.
A two-dart 80 finish saw him break van Barneveld's throw, and he took two more legs before misses from the Dutch ace allowed him to level.
The pair then missed a host of doubles before Mardle went 13-12 up on double two.
Two more legs gave Mardle a three-leg cushion and put him to the brink of an improbable win, only for van Barneveld to reignite his challenge with a 95 checkout.
A break of throw on double 18 was then followed by another maximum and a double 16 finish as he tied the game at 15-all.
However, four misses at double 16 allowed Mardle to edge back in front, and though the Dutchman levelled he also took a 17-16 lead.
Further misses from van Barneveld gave Mardle his chance in leg 24, and he took out double 18 with his final dart to seal a semi-final berth against James Wade on Friday.
"I'm in the semi-finals and it's my first one since the World Championship, so it's a huge boost," said Mardle.
"I was the favourite then and everyone expected me to beat Kirk Shepherd, but James is expected to beat me and I'm pretty dangerous in that situation.
"I'm loving it and there's no better feeling than winning - losing hurts and that's what's given me the fight.
"I want to win one big major tournament and who knows, this could be the first."
Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
16-18 |
Wayne Mardle |
|
46 |
100+ |
46 |
|
16 |
140+ |
20 |
|
4 |
180 |
4 |
|
29.77 |
Ave1 |
29.09 |
|
89.32 |
Ave3 |
87.27 |
|
96 |
High Finish |
120 |
|
5 |
Legs Against Throw |
6 |
PHIL TAYLOR 16-6 KEVIN McDINE
PHIL TAYLOR remains on course for a ninth Stan James World Matchplay title following a 16-6 win over Kevin McDine - but insisted he has to improve if he is to reclaim the Blackpool trophy.
Taylor seemed on course for a comfortable win when he romped into an 8-0 lead against the 23-year-old.
However, McDine reduced the arrears to 13-6 to give the world number one some nervous moments before Taylor wrapped up the win.
Taylor landed 180s in the opening two legs, and also took out a 160 finish in moving 4-0 up.
Further checkouts of 110 and 158, with McDine sat on a finish, saw him extend the lead to 8-0 without his opponent having a shot at a double.
However, McDine landed a maximum on his way to winning leg nine on double four to get off the mark, and double top reduced the arrears to 11-2.
Although Taylor won the next, McDine took three successive legs - including two bullseye finishes for checkouts of 83 and 84 - to reduce the gap to 12-5.
McDine shared the next two, but Taylor restored his cushion on double 12, took advantage of two missed darts from McDine to move 15-6 up and then sealed the win on double eight.
"I saw Kevin was under pressure and felt weird for me to be so far ahead when I got 10-1 up," admitted Taylor.
"It put me off a bit and I did lose concentration, but tomorrow's a different game. I know I won't be able to do that against Dennis Priestley in the semis because he's a brilliant player.
"Everyone knows how good Dennis is, and he simply doesn't give in. Kevin didn't either but he gave himself too much to do at the start of the game."
McDine admitted: "It's disappointing because I felt great going into the match and it just didn't happen for me when I got on stage.
"But to reach the quarter-finals is a good achievement for me and it's all experience too - I'll be a better player for this."
Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
16-6 |
Kevin McDine |
|
36 |
100+ |
25 |
|
13 |
140+ |
9 |
|
5 |
180 |
5 |
|
31.93 |
Ave1 |
29.92 |
|
95.78 |
Ave3 |
89.76 |
|
160,158,110 |
High Finish |
90 |
|
6 |
Legs Against Throw |
1 |