Author: chrism
One of the world’s leading darters has taken the chance to brush up on his painting skills – after being inspired by having a colour named after him.
Ayrshire ace Robert Thornton is one of five oche favourites to feature on the ‘Colours of the Darts Scene’ colour card created by Leyland Paints along with Simon Whitlock, Mark Webster, Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen and James Wade. (more…)
Four of the world’s greatest darts players will lock horns in an exclusive event at the Guildford Spectrum in October.
The venue is set to hold its first ever professional darts event when Phil Taylor, Raymond van Barneveld, James Wade and Dennis Priestley appear in ‘A Night of Champions’ on Friday 18 October.
The night sees four of the best players on the planet, all of which are major title winners, go head to head, with 16-times World Champion Taylor topping the bill.
Taylor or ‘The Power’ is one of the most successful men in any sport and is undisputedly the best darts player ever to pick up an arrow, having dominated the sport for the best two decades.
The world number one is joined by perhaps his three biggest challengers historically.
Wade has amassed seven major titles, making him the second most successful player in the PDC, while van Barneveld has won the World Championship five times and Priestley twice.
And world number four Wade is delighted to be heading to Guildford.
He said: “I’m really excited about this event. It is area that hasn’t really been visited by top professional darts player so hopefully we will be well received.
“The line-up is fantastic and I’m looking forward to competing on what should be a fantastic night of top quality darts.
“We are all very competitive and will all be doing our very best to take the title of ‘Champion of Champions’.”
Tickets for the inaugural ‘A Night of Champions’ at the Guildford Spectrum are available now from the Spectrum reception (01483 443333), www.dartshop.tv (08450 180 180) or from www.ticketmasters.co.uk (0844 844 0444).
The PDC’s second most successful player James Wade has agreed a new three-year-deal with leading darts manufacturers Unicorn.
The announcement follows Wade’s recent runs to the semi-finals of the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay.
And the seven-time major title winner hopes that the extension of his fruitful partnership with the big name in darts will help him continue his success. (more…)
James Wade and Michael van Gerwen produced some fantastic performances in the World Matchplay at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens before both being denied places in the final by Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis respectively.
Wade followed up his opening round defeat of John Part with a fine performance in seeing off Gary Anderson to reach the quarter-finals.
There, he edged out Simon Whitlock in a thrilling encounter before losing out in his semi-final clash against Taylor, who went on to win the title.
van Gerwen defeated Colin Lloyd in round one before producing a fabulous display to demolish Peter Wright 13-3.
He then saw off Dave Chisnall to reach the semi-final, where he suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Lewis.
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 16 – 11 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen moved into the last four of the World Matchplay with victory over Dave Chisnall at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Friday evening.
The world number two completed a line-up of the PDC’s four highest ranked players for Saturday’s semi-finals.
van Gerwen will face Adrian Lewis, who he lost out to at the same stage in the European Championship almost three weeks ago. (more…)
James Wade came out on top in an incredible quarter-final clash against Simon Whitlock to set up a World Matchplay semi-final with Phil Taylor in Blackpool.
Wade edged the Australian ace 18-16 in a tie-break after a sensational display of darts from both players on Thursday evening.
The pair both averaged just shy of 100 in a marvellous match, which saw the lead change hands seven times. (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, 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.
SIMON WHITLOCK 10-8 Jelle Klaasen
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
