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James Wade is joining forces with tyre manufacturing giants KENDA after the prestigious company agreed a sponsorship deal with ‘The Machine’.

Founded in 1962, Kenda is one of the world’s leading tyre and tube manufacture for automotive, motorcycle, ATV, bicycle, lawn care equipment, trailer, and agricultural vehicles. With factories all over the world, the company is able to provide quality products to suit a wide variety of applications.

Wade, a car mechanic by trade and currently ranked in the top six in the world, was seen proudly sporting the KENDA logo on his shirt during his run to the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in Dublin, which was broadcast live on SKY Sports and on various platforms worldwide. (more…)

Michael van Gerwen made it third time lucky as he won Group Five of Championship League Darts on Wednesday, after falling at the final hurdle on two previous occasions.

The sensational Dutch darter saved his best performance of the day for a high quality decider, where he defeated Peter Wright 6-4. (more…)

Simon Whitlock and James Wade will meet in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay after the pair claimed second round victories at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Whitlock claimed a hard fought win against Kevin Painter, who he defeated 13-10 on Tuesday evening, before Wade saw off Gary Anderson 13-9.

Michael van Gerwen also won through to the last eight after he completing a 13-3 drubbing of Peter Wright on Wednesday.

Click below links for full match reports.

SIMON WHITLOCK 13-10 Kevin Painter

JAMES WADE 13-9 Gary Anderson

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 13-3 Peter Wright

James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld all won through to the second round of the World Matchplay after an entertaining opening round in Blackpool.

Wade, who won the Blackpool tournament in 2007, defeated John Part 10-8, while Whitlock saw off Jelle Klaasen by the same scoreline and ‘Barney’ beat Mensur Suljovic 10-4 on Saturday.

van Gerwen joined them in the last 16 when he defeated Colin Lloyd on Sunday.

For full match reports click the links below.

JAMES WADE 10-8 John Part

SIMON WHITLOCK 10-8 Jelle Klaasen

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 10-7 Colin Lloyd

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD 10-4 Mensur Suljovic

The 20th staging of the World Matchplay gets underway at Blackpool’s Winter Garden’s on Saturday evening, with James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Raymond van Barneveld all in opening night action.

Wade returns to the seaside town having reached the final of the prestigious tournament five times in seven visits, including 2007 when he won his first major title.

Now a seven-time major winner, ‘The Machine’ begins his quest for further Matchplay success against John Part in round one.

“I know what John can do and he knows what I can do,” said Wade, the world number four.

“If we both do it then it should be a great game on Saturday and that is the only one I am thinking about right now.

“I have done well here so far and I think that is because I feel very comfortable. The venue is fantastic and so are the crowd. It is my favourite tournament.”

Whitlock takes on Dutchman Jelle Klaasen on Saturday night in round one.

The Australian reached the final of the European Championships in Germany a fortnight ago and is determined to take his good form to Blackpool.

“I have been playing very well recently,” said ‘The Wizard’, a former World Matchplay semi-finalist.

“It will be a tough game on Saturday but if I can play like I have been in the last few weeks then I’m confident of coming through it.”

van Barneveld takes on Austrian Mensur Suljovic.

Mark Webster is in action on the first of two sessions on Sunday, when he meets Justin Pipe in the afternoon.

Paul Nicholson takes on Dave Chisnall in the evening session, before world number two Michael van Gerwen plays Colin Lloyd.

Monday evening sees the conclusion of the first round matches as Robert Thornton faces Ian White.

By Chris Murphy

Andy Jenkins and James Hubbard will compete in the PDC’s seventh European Tour Event of the year after winning through qualifiers in Barnsley on Friday evening.

The pair will take part in September’s German Darts Masters after a successful night’s work in South Yorkshire.

Former World Championship semi-finalist Jenkins qualified for a European Tour event for the first time in 2013 with two fine performances, dropping just one leg in victories over Sam Hill (6-0) and Jim Walker (6-1).

“I played well tonight and I’m over the moon to have qualified,” said Jenkins.

“I’m looking forward to getting out to Germany and I’ll be working hard to put a run together. The European Tour is very important. It has a massive impact on rankings.

“I’m still enjoying my darts and I know I can still beat the best. So it’s onwards and upwards for me from now on.”

2012 World Youth Champion Hubbard also produced some encouraging performances, defeating Chris Aubrey 6-3 before edging out Prakash Jiwa in a last leg decider.

The Norfolk ace then sealed his spot in Sindelfingen with a 6-1 victory against Ricky Sudale.

“I’m happy with how I played,” said the 20-year-old.

“It was probably the best I have played in a long time. If I’m honest, I’ve had a bad year so far so it is pleasing to come into a little bit of form. Hopefully, qualifying for this can be the start of a better second half of the year.”

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock came close to successfully defending his European Championship title but lost out to Adrian Lewis in the final on Sunday.

‘The Wizard’ produced a fantastic run to the tournament decider, defeating Kim Huybrechts and Colin Lloyd before a sensational fightback in his quarter-final.

Whitlock trailed Jamie Caven 9-3 in the last eight but hit back, incredibly taking seven straight legs to seal a 10-9 victory, which he completed with a brilliant 146 finish.

He then saw off Ronny Huybrechts in the semi-finals but ran into a classy display from world number three Lewis, who took the title with a 10-6 victory.

Lewis also ended the hopes of Michael van Gerwen, who bowed out after a brilliant semi-final clash, in which the Dutch star hit nine 180s and took out a 150 finish.

van Gerwen had produced a majestic display in Sunday afternoon’s quarter-final, averaging 105 in his victory over Jelle Klaasen.

Robert Thornton missed out on a place in the last four when he lost a last leg decider against Ronny Huybrechts.