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SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 5 Kevin Painter

Simon Whitlock moved a step closer to sealing a semi-final spot with victory over Kevin Painter on night ten of the McCoy’s Premier League in Sheffield.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

The Australian posted an average of over 100 for the second week running, as he exacted revenge for the defeat he suffered against Painter in Belfast on week three.

Despite moving onto twelve points with four weeks of the league stage to play, Whitlock doesn’t believe he has booked his place in the last four just yet.

“I’m definitely not there yet. I need 15 points at least in my head but there’s no reason why I won’t go on and get that,” said Whitlock, who is up against Raymond van Barneveld next week.

“I’m happy, I’m playing good darts and I’m looking forward to playing ‘Barney’. We have put on some good shows in the last few years and hopefully it will be another good one. I still think I need another couple of wins to qualify, hopefully I can get the first of those in Bournemouth.”

Painter won the first two legs before ‘The Wizard’ hit tops to pull a leg back. The Australian then broke his opponent’s throw to restore parity, hitting his first 180 in the process.

‘The Artist’ broke straight back to edge ahead again before ‘The Beard to be feared’ did the same, hitting another maximum before hitting double six, to go into the break with three legs apiece.

Whitlock hit his third 180 in the seventh leg, which he won by hitting double ten. ‘The Wizard’ then grabbed a break of throw with a neat 66 checkout, before holding to take a 6-3 lead.

Painter pulled a leg back but Whitlock responded in style with a brilliant eleven darter. ‘The Artist’ hit double top to keep the match alive but Whitlock got the job done, hitting double ten to move himself clear  of the chasing pack in second place.

By Chris Murphy