Lewis Takes Out Priestley

ADRIAN LEWIS 4-2 DENNIS PRIESTLEY
(3-0, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-1)

ADRIAN LEWIS' quest to win the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship continued with a 4-2 win over Dennis Priestley at the Circus Tavern.

The 20-year-old has risen to 20^th in the world rankings inside 18 months, and added 1994 World Champion Priestley to his list of scalps with a gutsy display.

After bouncing out of the blocks to win the opening two sets with some superb darts, Lewis became distracted by Priestley's deliberate and considered style as the Yorkshireman levelled matters.

But the youngster regained his calm to win the fifth set 3-0, and then hit a third 11-dart leg of the match to level the next, before taking the next two legs to seal a precious win.

He opened the game by winning the opening set without reply, hitting two 11-dart legs and an 83 finish to move 1-0 up.

Priestley hit a 116 checkout to open the next set, and led 2-1 before Lewis reeled off two successive legs to double his advantage.

Double World Champion Priestley took out a 110 finish to win the third set 3-2, and then came from behind to take the fourth 3-1.

But a 129 finish settled Lewis' nerves to kick off the fifth set, before he won five of the next six legs to end Priestley's Purfleet hopes.

"I'm pleased," said Lewis. "I walked off with a 90-odd average and it was a tough match.

"I scored well but I wasn't happy with my consistency and that's something to work on but I learned a hell of a lot from the game.

"He's a really slow thrower and I don't think any player can get a rhythm against Dennis, even Phil Taylor, and that's why he's so tough.

"He's also consistent and can finish well, he's a brilliant player."

Priestley was full of praise for Lewis' display, and tipped the Stoke youngster as a potential successor as World Champion to his practice partner Phil Taylor.

"I'm pig sick because I haven't played anything like I expected to but Adrian stuck in there when he looked like he was wavering, and he came back," said Priestley. "I think he could be the next Phil Taylor, the next World Champion.

"He was awesome in the first set and Phil would have struggled to live with him there, but that's partly my fault because I didn't follow his scores and put pressure on him."

Match Stats