REPORTS, results and reaction from the day eight play at the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship as the second round concludes and third round begins.
The tournament returns from its Christmas break with six more round two fixtures at Alexandra Palace.
Watch Live Coverage on www.worldchampionshipdarts.tv
Follow the action in DartsTV with live audio commentary and a free live scoreboard - click here to visit DartsTV
Thursday 27th December 2007
Second Round
Steve Maish 3-4 Tony Eccles
Andy Hamilton 1-4 Alex Roy
Ronnie Baxter 2-4 Mark Dudbridge
Evening Session
Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Jason Clark
Third Round
Phil Taylor 4-3 Alan Tabern
Roland Scholten 3-4 Wayne Mardle
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
TONY ECCLES 4-3 STEVE MAISH
(2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
TONY ECCLES produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Steve Maish 4-3 and reach the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Maish, who defeated Dennis Priestley in the opening round, had established a 3-0 lead and was one leg away from the match in the fourth set, and he also had a dart at tops for match in the sixth before Eccles made a stunning comeback.
"At 3-0 down I thought I was out," admitted Eccles. "I had nothing to lose and started to feed off Steve, and it came from there."
Eccles started well at the beginning of the contest, taking the second leg in 14 darts and then breaking Maish's throw for a 2-1 lead.
But the Essex man hit back to take the fourth leg and then converted an 86 finish, with his opponent waiting on 32, to take the opening set.
Eccles took the first leg of the second set but Maish levelled up with a 110 checkout.
He then hit back-to-back 180s at the start of the third leg to leave a chance of a nine-dart finish. He was unable to hit the seventh treble, but went on take the leg for a 2-1 lead.
Maish missed three chances at double top to take the set, but Eccles could not make him pay for the error and he came back to take the leg for a 2-0 lead.
He then took the third set, which went to a deciding leg, completing a 76 finish for a 3-0 lead.
Maish took a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, landing a 110 finish for the second time in the match.
But Eccles levelled the set with a 13-dart leg and then hit a fantastic 156 checkout to turn the tide.
The man from Hartlepool, making his debut in this event, then reduced the deficit to 3-2, taking the set without reply, which included checkouts of 96 and 70.
He then completed the comeback in the sixth set, despite his opponent having one dart at tops to win the match in the decider.
Eccles was now the dominant force and broke throw at the beginning of the final set and then landed a 104 checkout to go one leg away from the match.
Maish managed to take the third leg but Eccles completed a stunning victory by hitting a 56 finish.
"At 3-0 down you think you're going home, and I was just waiting to get off the stage," said Eccles.
"Once he missed the match darts, I think that's where my comeback began and in the end I was thriving on the pressure.
"The more pressure on me, the better I play. Steve's a cracking player and he kicked my backside in those first three sets, but it's the best comeback of my career on TV.
"It will be another fast and furious game against Adrian Lewis next. I know I can't make as many mistakes against him!"
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Match Stats
MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-2 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0)
MARK DUDBRIDGE came through a tough contest against Ronnie Baxter to set up a last 16 clash against James Wade at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Dudbridge started the match in fantastic fashion, hitting two maximums on his opening two visits to the oche to set up a potential nine-dart finish in the first leg.
He failed to complete the perfect checkout, but went on to take the leg, and further finishes of 78 and 62 where enough to take the opening set without reply.
Baxter started well in the second set, building up a 2-0 lead, but Dudbridge hit back to take the next three legs to double his advantage.
Dudbridge broke throw at the start of the third set, but Baxter took the next two legs after the Bristolian failed to take his chances.
Baxter then had one dart at tops for the set but was unable to convert and Dudbridge hit double 16 to take the set to a deciding leg.
Baxter, though, made no mistake in the fifth leg, landing double eight to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The fourth set went the full distance too, and Baxter had one dart at tops to complete a 79 finish and take the set.
However, he failed with the attempt and Dudbridge stepped in with a 60 checkout to regain his two-set advantage.
Dudbridge opened up a 2-0 lead in the fifth and appeared to be closing in on victory before Baxter came back superbly to take next three legs, including a 137 finish, to keep his hopes alive.
Dudbridge again took the first two legs of the sixth set, breaking throw in the second with a two-dart 86 checkout.
This time he made no mistake and took the next leg in style, completing it in 15 darts to confirm victory.
"I came out in blistering form and was ready for a fight in that first set, but Ronnie didn't really react and my game dipped in the middle," he said.
"I need to be in a tough battle and that has shown in my games over the years - I need people to push me because otherwise I go to sleep a little bit.
"I showed a bit of strength towards the end to keep my arm straight and get over the finishing line, and I'm happy.
"I'm in the third round now and very much looking forward to performing to my potential.
"James Wade will go into the game as favourite, he has shown he can do it at the top level this year, but I'm a big game player and looking forward to it."
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Match Stats
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-1 JASON CLARK
(3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1)
DEFENDING Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld defied a bout of 'flu to reach the third round of this year's competition with a 4-1 victory over Jason Clark at Alexandra Palace.
The Dutchman has struggled over the Christmas period and spent much of his return to Holland, following a first round win over Anthony Forde, laid up in bed.
However, he managed to withstand the challenge of Clark, who was also battling illness, to book a last 16 date with Kevin Painter on Friday.
"You do everything you can to prepare properly for months leading up to the World Championship and then get the 'flu and it was hard," he admitted.
"I was in bed and there was no Christmas for me, but I hope to get better every day now and improve my performances."
The scoreline did not truly reflect the story of the match, with the opening two sets going to a deciding leg.
Clark had two darts at double top to take the first set, but failed to take his chance and Barneveld landed tops to take the lead.
Van Barneveld broke the throw at the start of the second set, but Clark came back with a fantastic 11-dart finish.
The Dutchman regained the lead before Clark hit back with an 96 finish, only for van Barneveld to double his advantage in the decider.
The reigning champion began to show some form in the third set, hitting two-dart checkouts of 92 and 96 in extending his advantage to 3-0.
Barneveld broke throw immediately at the beginning of the fourth set and appeared to be coasting towards victory, but Clark levelled up, breaking back to win his first leg in five.
Clark then took the next leg to lead, but van Barneveld hit a 63 checkout in the fourth leg.
He then had an opportunity of a 170 checkout but missed the bullseye, and missed five further darts for the match before Clark stepped in on double 16 to stay alive
The opening two legs of the fifth set where shared, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear, and romped to the finishing line, hitting three maximums in two legs and sealing victory with an 11-dart finish.
"I was 3-0 up but got a bit lucky in the first two sets," added the Dutchman. "I'm pleased to get through and it's a different day against Kevin.
"He's playing well and that's good to see. I'm really focused and I'll have to fight for my life against him."
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Match Stats
PHIL TAYLOR 4-3 ALAN TABERN
(3-1, 2-3, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 6-4)
PHIL TAYLOR came back from the brink of defeat for a third successive game to keep alive his Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship hopes with a tie-break defeat of Alan Tabern.
The 13-time World Champion has been pushed to a final set in his opening two matches at Alexandra Palace, against Michael van Gerwen and Mark Walsh, and again rode his luck against the world number 18.
Tabern led 2-1 and 3-2 before moving to the brink of victory, before seeing Taylor take four of the final five legs in the deciding set to move into the quarter-finals.
"If I go on to win this it will be the hardest World Championship I've ever had," said Taylor. "I used to cruise through games but the players are class now.
"I've had so many years doing this now and I had to draw on that experience at the end."
Taylor started the match well, hitting a 107 finish and a 12-darter in taking the first set 3-1.
Tabern hit back to the second set, despite Taylor having four opportunities to double his advantage.
The St Helens man then took the lead in the match, taking the third set without reply in legs of 17, 14 and 15 darts.
But Taylor hit back quickly, taking the fourth set in the same manner to level at 2-2, including a fabulous 137 checkout to win the set with Tabern waiting on 36 after nine darts.
The fifth set proved to be a replay of the second, with Taylor missing two darts to take it in the deciding leg, allowing Tabern to capitalise on double ten to take a 3-2 lead.
Taylor took an early advantage in the sixth set, taking a 2-0 lead, but Tabern hit back with a 12-dart finish and then landed double ten to level up.
The Stoke man had advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but had to produce a fantastic 171 to leave 16, which he converted, to take the contest to a decider after Tabern set up a 116 finish for victory.
Tabern led the final set 2-1, but Taylor hit a clinical 13-darter to level before the next four legs where shared, Tabern hitting a superb 160 checkout in the fifth leg and a clinical 13-darter leg in the seventh.
But the ninth proved to be vital leg of the match when Taylor broke Tabern's throw, and then landed back-to-back maximums in the tenth leg to record a memorable win.
"The guy is class," praised Tabern. "The players who have been playing him have been playing well and he's still beating them.
"If he can win throwing bad then that's half the battle of being a good dart player.
"I missed a few doubles in the first set but he gave me a few chances and I started to get belief when I took them.
"Once I had that I began to play my own game and it was like a war up there.
"Usually I don't feel pressure but I think it got in my head a little bit. There's a lot more to going up there and beating Phil than in a practice room; you're not just playing Phil but also the crowd at times, and also his enigma.
"You can play your own game in the practice room or at home and beat anyone in the world but when you get up there with the cameras, the lights and the crowd it's different.
"I don't take any solace in the fact that I lost but I made a good account of myself and gave it my best shot."
Taylor added: "Alan's a very good pressure player and when I missed the double eight to win the second set it seemed to play on my mind a little bit.
"But I'm still in and I'll get back on the practice board on Friday and get ready for the next game.
"I'm getting better with every round and a little bit more confident in my ability as well. I don't care about what's gone on - it's the next game I'm worried about now."
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Match Stats
WAYNE MARDLE 4-3 ROLAND SCHOLTEN
(3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1)
WAYNE MARDLE won a final-set thriller to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at the expense of Roland Scholten.
The Dutchman established a 3-2 lead, but Mardle managed to come through by winning the final two sets to set up a mouth-watering clash against Phil Taylor on Saturday.
The match will be a repeat of the dramatic semi-final the two played, back in 2006, when Taylor came through in the deciding set.
Mardle started well, taking the first set without reply and landing a 110 checkout among legs of 15, 15 and 14 darts.
Scholten quickly hit back to take the second set without reply.
He had an opportunity of a nine-dart finish in the second leg, but missed treble 15 after landing seven perfect darts, and then wrapped up the set with a superb 140 checkout.
Scholten opened up a 2-0 advantage in the third set, making it five legs in a row before Mardle came back to level and take the set to a fifth leg.
However, the Dutchman held throw to take the set, for a 2-1 lead, hitting a two dart 60 finish, with his opponent waiting on 28.
Both players missed a number of doubles in the fourth set, but it was Mardle who managed to take it 3-1 to level the game.
Scholten regained the lead for the second time in the match hitting checkouts of 76, 60, and 66, to go one set away from victory.
The opening four legs of the sixth set where shared, leaving Scholten one away from victory.
But Mardle took advantage of throwing first, holding his nerve to hit a 68 checkout, with Scholten waiting on an 80 finish, for the match.
Scholten started the deciding set well, completing the first leg in 11 darts.
The Romford man held throw to take the next leg with a 56 finish and then managed a vital break of throw in the third leg, landing double six for a 2-1 lead.
Scholten had an opportunity to break back, but missed a dart at double 16 for a 102 finish, and Mardle took out a superb two-dart 74 checkout to record victory.
"Roland scored more consistently than me but I took my chances when it mattered," said Mardle.
"I've got to straighten up my throwing but I can beat anyone when I play decently."
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Match Stats
The tournament returns from its Christmas break with six more round two fixtures at Alexandra Palace.
Watch Live Coverage on www.worldchampionshipdarts.tv
Follow the action in DartsTV with live audio commentary and a free live scoreboard - click here to visit DartsTV
Thursday 27th December 2007
Second Round
Steve Maish 3-4 Tony Eccles
Andy Hamilton 1-4 Alex Roy
Ronnie Baxter 2-4 Mark Dudbridge
Evening Session
Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 Jason Clark
Third Round
Phil Taylor 4-3 Alan Tabern
Roland Scholten 3-4 Wayne Mardle
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
TONY ECCLES 4-3 STEVE MAISH
(2-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
TONY ECCLES produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Steve Maish 4-3 and reach the last 16 of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Maish, who defeated Dennis Priestley in the opening round, had established a 3-0 lead and was one leg away from the match in the fourth set, and he also had a dart at tops for match in the sixth before Eccles made a stunning comeback.
"At 3-0 down I thought I was out," admitted Eccles. "I had nothing to lose and started to feed off Steve, and it came from there."
Eccles started well at the beginning of the contest, taking the second leg in 14 darts and then breaking Maish's throw for a 2-1 lead.
But the Essex man hit back to take the fourth leg and then converted an 86 finish, with his opponent waiting on 32, to take the opening set.
Eccles took the first leg of the second set but Maish levelled up with a 110 checkout.
He then hit back-to-back 180s at the start of the third leg to leave a chance of a nine-dart finish. He was unable to hit the seventh treble, but went on take the leg for a 2-1 lead.
Maish missed three chances at double top to take the set, but Eccles could not make him pay for the error and he came back to take the leg for a 2-0 lead.
He then took the third set, which went to a deciding leg, completing a 76 finish for a 3-0 lead.
Maish took a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, landing a 110 finish for the second time in the match.
But Eccles levelled the set with a 13-dart leg and then hit a fantastic 156 checkout to turn the tide.
The man from Hartlepool, making his debut in this event, then reduced the deficit to 3-2, taking the set without reply, which included checkouts of 96 and 70.
He then completed the comeback in the sixth set, despite his opponent having one dart at tops to win the match in the decider.
Eccles was now the dominant force and broke throw at the beginning of the final set and then landed a 104 checkout to go one leg away from the match.
Maish managed to take the third leg but Eccles completed a stunning victory by hitting a 56 finish.
"At 3-0 down you think you're going home, and I was just waiting to get off the stage," said Eccles.
"Once he missed the match darts, I think that's where my comeback began and in the end I was thriving on the pressure.
"The more pressure on me, the better I play. Steve's a cracking player and he kicked my backside in those first three sets, but it's the best comeback of my career on TV.
"It will be another fast and furious game against Adrian Lewis next. I know I can't make as many mistakes against him!"
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Match Stats
|
Steve Maish |
3-4 |
Tony Eccles |
|
45 |
100+ |
41 |
|
8 |
140+ |
27 |
|
5 |
180 |
0 |
|
29.31 |
Ave1 |
30.36 |
|
87.96 |
Ave3 |
91.08 |
|
110 x2 |
High Finish |
156,104 |
ALEX ROY 4-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(3-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
ALEX ROY marched into round three of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory over Andy Hamilton at Alexandra Palace.
The Watford star celebrated his return to form with a comprehensive victory over the number six seed.
Roy landed almost 60 percent of his doubles in a fine display as he set up a last 16 encounter with two-time World Champion John Part.
He set the tone for his performance by hitting a 180 to open the match and taking the first two legs along with winning the opening set 3-1.
He came back from 2-0 down in the second to level, before Hamilton showed his best finishing of the contest to take out 144 for the set.
Roy produced a superb third set to regain the lead, taking out 121 for the first leg and landing further legs of 11 and 14 darts to move 2-1 up.
The Watford man took the fourth set's opener, and punished Hamilton in the next, when last year's semi-finalist opened with back-to-back 180s only to miss the seventh dart of a possible nine-darter and then fail to close out the leg.
A 102 finish saw Hamilton hit back and he also took leg four to level, but Roy took the decider in 13 darter on double 16 to further extend his advantage.
Hamilton took the lead in the next set, but further missed doubles cost him dear as Roy swept the next three aside to complete the win.
"He didn't turn up and I just dug in," said Roy. "In the second leg he burst a 120 checkout and I took out 124, I knew that would hurt him and I had to keep playing well.
"I'm playing well at the moment anyway and I'm pleased to take that onto the stage.
"I've been around a long time and I've never done it in the World Championship - it would be nice to show everybody what I'm all about in a nice new venue."
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Match Stats
|
Andy Hamilton |
1-4 |
Alex Roy |
|
23 |
100+ |
38 |
|
11 |
140+ |
15 |
|
8 |
180 |
3 |
|
30.32 |
Ave1 |
30.44 |
|
90.97 |
Ave3 |
91.33 |
|
144,102 |
High Finish |
124,121 |
MARK DUDBRIDGE 4-2 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-0)
MARK DUDBRIDGE came through a tough contest against Ronnie Baxter to set up a last 16 clash against James Wade at the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.
Dudbridge started the match in fantastic fashion, hitting two maximums on his opening two visits to the oche to set up a potential nine-dart finish in the first leg.
He failed to complete the perfect checkout, but went on to take the leg, and further finishes of 78 and 62 where enough to take the opening set without reply.
Baxter started well in the second set, building up a 2-0 lead, but Dudbridge hit back to take the next three legs to double his advantage.
Dudbridge broke throw at the start of the third set, but Baxter took the next two legs after the Bristolian failed to take his chances.
Baxter then had one dart at tops for the set but was unable to convert and Dudbridge hit double 16 to take the set to a deciding leg.
Baxter, though, made no mistake in the fifth leg, landing double eight to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The fourth set went the full distance too, and Baxter had one dart at tops to complete a 79 finish and take the set.
However, he failed with the attempt and Dudbridge stepped in with a 60 checkout to regain his two-set advantage.
Dudbridge opened up a 2-0 lead in the fifth and appeared to be closing in on victory before Baxter came back superbly to take next three legs, including a 137 finish, to keep his hopes alive.
Dudbridge again took the first two legs of the sixth set, breaking throw in the second with a two-dart 86 checkout.
This time he made no mistake and took the next leg in style, completing it in 15 darts to confirm victory.
"I came out in blistering form and was ready for a fight in that first set, but Ronnie didn't really react and my game dipped in the middle," he said.
"I need to be in a tough battle and that has shown in my games over the years - I need people to push me because otherwise I go to sleep a little bit.
"I showed a bit of strength towards the end to keep my arm straight and get over the finishing line, and I'm happy.
"I'm in the third round now and very much looking forward to performing to my potential.
"James Wade will go into the game as favourite, he has shown he can do it at the top level this year, but I'm a big game player and looking forward to it."
Listen to player reaction in DartsTV
Match Stats
|
Ronnie Baxter |
2-4 |
Mark Dudbridge |
|
36 |
100+ |
38 |
|
14 |
140+ |
11 |
|
5 |
180 |
5 |
|
30.61 |
Ave1 |
29.31 |
|
91.82 |
Ave3 |
87.92 |
|
137 |
High Finish |
86 |
RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 4-1 JASON CLARK
(3-2, 3-2, 3-0, 2-3, 3-1)
DEFENDING Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld defied a bout of 'flu to reach the third round of this year's competition with a 4-1 victory over Jason Clark at Alexandra Palace.
The Dutchman has struggled over the Christmas period and spent much of his return to Holland, following a first round win over Anthony Forde, laid up in bed.
However, he managed to withstand the challenge of Clark, who was also battling illness, to book a last 16 date with Kevin Painter on Friday.
"You do everything you can to prepare properly for months leading up to the World Championship and then get the 'flu and it was hard," he admitted.
"I was in bed and there was no Christmas for me, but I hope to get better every day now and improve my performances."
The scoreline did not truly reflect the story of the match, with the opening two sets going to a deciding leg.
Clark had two darts at double top to take the first set, but failed to take his chance and Barneveld landed tops to take the lead.
Van Barneveld broke the throw at the start of the second set, but Clark came back with a fantastic 11-dart finish.
The Dutchman regained the lead before Clark hit back with an 96 finish, only for van Barneveld to double his advantage in the decider.
The reigning champion began to show some form in the third set, hitting two-dart checkouts of 92 and 96 in extending his advantage to 3-0.
Barneveld broke throw immediately at the beginning of the fourth set and appeared to be coasting towards victory, but Clark levelled up, breaking back to win his first leg in five.
Clark then took the next leg to lead, but van Barneveld hit a 63 checkout in the fourth leg.
He then had an opportunity of a 170 checkout but missed the bullseye, and missed five further darts for the match before Clark stepped in on double 16 to stay alive
The opening two legs of the fifth set where shared, but van Barneveld stepped up a gear, and romped to the finishing line, hitting three maximums in two legs and sealing victory with an 11-dart finish.
"I was 3-0 up but got a bit lucky in the first two sets," added the Dutchman. "I'm pleased to get through and it's a different day against Kevin.
"He's playing well and that's good to see. I'm really focused and I'll have to fight for my life against him."
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Match Stats
|
Raymond van Barneveld |
4-1 |
Jason Clark |
|
25 |
100+ |
27 |
|
15 |
140+ |
14 |
|
7 |
180 |
4 |
|
30.77 |
Ave1 |
29.32 |
|
92.31 |
Ave3 |
87.96 |
|
112 |
High Finish |
104 |
PHIL TAYLOR 4-3 ALAN TABERN
(3-1, 2-3, 0-3, 3-0, 2-3, 3-2, 6-4)
PHIL TAYLOR came back from the brink of defeat for a third successive game to keep alive his Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship hopes with a tie-break defeat of Alan Tabern.
The 13-time World Champion has been pushed to a final set in his opening two matches at Alexandra Palace, against Michael van Gerwen and Mark Walsh, and again rode his luck against the world number 18.
Tabern led 2-1 and 3-2 before moving to the brink of victory, before seeing Taylor take four of the final five legs in the deciding set to move into the quarter-finals.
"If I go on to win this it will be the hardest World Championship I've ever had," said Taylor. "I used to cruise through games but the players are class now.
"I've had so many years doing this now and I had to draw on that experience at the end."
Taylor started the match well, hitting a 107 finish and a 12-darter in taking the first set 3-1.
Tabern hit back to the second set, despite Taylor having four opportunities to double his advantage.
The St Helens man then took the lead in the match, taking the third set without reply in legs of 17, 14 and 15 darts.
But Taylor hit back quickly, taking the fourth set in the same manner to level at 2-2, including a fabulous 137 checkout to win the set with Tabern waiting on 36 after nine darts.
The fifth set proved to be a replay of the second, with Taylor missing two darts to take it in the deciding leg, allowing Tabern to capitalise on double ten to take a 3-2 lead.
Taylor took an early advantage in the sixth set, taking a 2-0 lead, but Tabern hit back with a 12-dart finish and then landed double ten to level up.
The Stoke man had advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but had to produce a fantastic 171 to leave 16, which he converted, to take the contest to a decider after Tabern set up a 116 finish for victory.
Tabern led the final set 2-1, but Taylor hit a clinical 13-darter to level before the next four legs where shared, Tabern hitting a superb 160 checkout in the fifth leg and a clinical 13-darter leg in the seventh.
But the ninth proved to be vital leg of the match when Taylor broke Tabern's throw, and then landed back-to-back maximums in the tenth leg to record a memorable win.
"The guy is class," praised Tabern. "The players who have been playing him have been playing well and he's still beating them.
"If he can win throwing bad then that's half the battle of being a good dart player.
"I missed a few doubles in the first set but he gave me a few chances and I started to get belief when I took them.
"Once I had that I began to play my own game and it was like a war up there.
"Usually I don't feel pressure but I think it got in my head a little bit. There's a lot more to going up there and beating Phil than in a practice room; you're not just playing Phil but also the crowd at times, and also his enigma.
"You can play your own game in the practice room or at home and beat anyone in the world but when you get up there with the cameras, the lights and the crowd it's different.
"I don't take any solace in the fact that I lost but I made a good account of myself and gave it my best shot."
Taylor added: "Alan's a very good pressure player and when I missed the double eight to win the second set it seemed to play on my mind a little bit.
"But I'm still in and I'll get back on the practice board on Friday and get ready for the next game.
"I'm getting better with every round and a little bit more confident in my ability as well. I don't care about what's gone on - it's the next game I'm worried about now."
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Match Stats
|
Phil Taylor |
4-3 |
Alan Tabern |
|
48 |
100+ |
62 |
|
22 |
140+ |
25 |
|
5 |
180 |
4 |
|
32.24 |
Ave1 |
31.14 |
|
96.71 |
Ave3 |
93.42 |
|
137,110,107 |
High Finish |
160 |
WAYNE MARDLE 4-3 ROLAND SCHOLTEN
(3-0, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1)
WAYNE MARDLE won a final-set thriller to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship at the expense of Roland Scholten.
The Dutchman established a 3-2 lead, but Mardle managed to come through by winning the final two sets to set up a mouth-watering clash against Phil Taylor on Saturday.
The match will be a repeat of the dramatic semi-final the two played, back in 2006, when Taylor came through in the deciding set.
Mardle started well, taking the first set without reply and landing a 110 checkout among legs of 15, 15 and 14 darts.
Scholten quickly hit back to take the second set without reply.
He had an opportunity of a nine-dart finish in the second leg, but missed treble 15 after landing seven perfect darts, and then wrapped up the set with a superb 140 checkout.
Scholten opened up a 2-0 advantage in the third set, making it five legs in a row before Mardle came back to level and take the set to a fifth leg.
However, the Dutchman held throw to take the set, for a 2-1 lead, hitting a two dart 60 finish, with his opponent waiting on 28.
Both players missed a number of doubles in the fourth set, but it was Mardle who managed to take it 3-1 to level the game.
Scholten regained the lead for the second time in the match hitting checkouts of 76, 60, and 66, to go one set away from victory.
The opening four legs of the sixth set where shared, leaving Scholten one away from victory.
But Mardle took advantage of throwing first, holding his nerve to hit a 68 checkout, with Scholten waiting on an 80 finish, for the match.
Scholten started the deciding set well, completing the first leg in 11 darts.
The Romford man held throw to take the next leg with a 56 finish and then managed a vital break of throw in the third leg, landing double six for a 2-1 lead.
Scholten had an opportunity to break back, but missed a dart at double 16 for a 102 finish, and Mardle took out a superb two-dart 74 checkout to record victory.
"Roland scored more consistently than me but I took my chances when it mattered," said Mardle.
"I've got to straighten up my throwing but I can beat anyone when I play decently."
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Match Stats
|
Roland Scholten |
3-4 |
Wayne Mardle |
|
39 |
100+ |
35 |
|
20 |
140+ |
21 |
|
6 |
180 |
4 |
|
30.62 |
Ave1 |
29.76 |
|
91.86 |
Ave3 |
89.28 |
|
140 |
High Finish |
110 |