Blue Square UK Open Semi-Finals

REPORTS from the semi-finals of the Blue Square UK Open at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton.

Raymond van Barneveld's bid for a third successive UK Open title came to an end against America's Gary Mawson, while James Wade overcame 2007 runner-up Vincent van der Voort.

Blue Square UK Open Semi-Finals
James Wade 10-4 Vincent van der Voort
Gary Mawson 10-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of 19 legs

DartsTV
Highlights will be available in DartsTV from Monday evening.
Click here to visit DartsTV

JAMES WADE 10-4 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT

JAMES WADE powered into the final of the Blue Square UK Open with a brilliant 10-4 win over Vincent van der Voort.

The Dutchman had been bidding to reach the Bolton decider for a second successive year, but was blown away by a sensational showing from Wade.

The world number three averaged over 101, and checked out 77 percent of his chances at a double to remain on course for the third major title of his career.

Wade started brilliantly, winning the first four legs without reply before van der Voort took the fifth on double four to get off the mark.

A 101 finish restored Wade's cushion, and he followed up a 12-darter with two more back-to-back legs to lead 8-1.

Van der Voort took three of the next four, including legs of 12 and 13 darts, to stay in the game at 9-4.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed by Wade, who landed a fifth maximum of the match in a 13-darter to seal the win.

"I'm delighted," said Wade. "This is the best run I've ever had at Bolton - I normally play rubbish here but this is the furthest I've got.

"That was better than I've played in other games in the event, so far. Vincent didn't play his best game and I took full advantage."

Match Stats

James Wade	10-4	Vincent van der Voort
18	100+	18
12	140+	10
5	180	3
33.80	Ave1	31.07
101.39	Ave3	93.20
101	High Finish	82
5	Legs Against Throw	2

GARY MAWSON 10-8 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD

GARY MAWSON sensationally ended Raymond van Barneveld's reign as the Blue Square UK Open champion with a 10-8 semi-final victory in Bolton.

The American star produced the performance of his life to send van Barneveld back to Holland without the title for the first time since his switch to the PDC in 2006.

Van Barneveld had knocked out Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals, but failed to repeat that performance against Mawson.

The duo shared the opening six legs before Mawson secured the first break of throw to move 4-3 up.

A 116 finish saw van Barneveld hit back, but Mawson took advantage of missed doubles from the Dutchman to go 6-4 up.

Van Barneveld won the next three to put himself 7-6 up, but was punished for further misses as Mawson levelled on double top and then hit the same bed to go 8-7 ahead.

He then followed up a 180 with a 111 finish to move a leg away from the win, and though van Barneveld took leg 17 the American would not be denied - hitting double 12 to reach the final.

The win repeated his victory over van Barneveld in last month's PDC US Open, and also secured himself a place in the Grand Slam of Darts in November and moves him into the world's top 50.

"I feel fantastic to be in the final," said Mawson. "I beaten Raymond last month and that warmed me up for this.

"He didn't play to his best but I showd how good I can be and it's great."

Match Stats