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Wade denied glory by Power – 2012 Betfair World Matchplay Round-Up
James Wade produced a brilliant run to his fifth Blackpool final in seven attempts, before eventually being edged out by Phil Taylor in the Betfair World Matchplay on Sunday evening.
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
‘The Machine’ pushed Taylor hard in a close run affair but was unable to prevent ‘The Power’ from clinching the £100,000 title for the thirteenth time, with the world number one running out an 18-15 winner.
“I have practised hard for weeks but I wasn’t in full flow tonight,” said Wade, who triumphed at The Winter Gardens in 2007.
“Getting 15 legs off Phil in the final is massive but I don’t see coming second as a good week’s work.
“I will continue to work hard and put more into this game though. I’m old enough now to realise that it’s what I’ll have to do to be the best.”
Wade showed some fantastic form throughout the tournament, defeating Richie Burnett and Mark Walsh with apparent ease in the first two rounds.
The world number three saw off the challenge of nine-dart hero Michael van Gerwen in the last eight before sealing victory over Terry Jenkins with six ton-plus finishes to reach the final, where he battled hard but was unable to topple Taylor.
‘The Power’ admitted that it could have been a different story after Wade was denied checkouts of 140 and 144 by the width of the wire in crucial legs.
“James was fantastic and has been all week,” said Taylor
“If those shots had gone in, he would have won.
“That was the nerveiest final I have ever played in.”
By Chris Murphy
Matchplay Machine Wade reaches fifth final
JAMES WADE 17 – 15 Terry Jenkins
James Wade secured his fifth final appearance in seven visits to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens with a well earned victory over Terry Jenkins in the semi-finals of the Betfair World Matchplay on Saturday night.
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
‘The Machine’, who won the tournament in 2007, fired in no less than six three figure checkouts as he dumped out the man that he beat in the final five years ago.
“The Bull” played his part in a real battle in Blackpool but it was Wade who continued his love affair with the prestigious tournament.
“Terry was amazing,” said Wade, who also reached the final in 2006, 2008 & 2011.
“He probably should have won that game but I managed to dig in and get a result.
“The crowd were on his side which made it harder and a lot of the big shots I took out were born out of desperation really.
“I couldn’t get settled tonight and I struggled to concentrate at times but that won’t happen tomorrow.
“I have been putting in the practise and hopefully that will pay off in the final.”
Wade hit four 180’s in the first session but was only rewarded with a solitary leg to his name, with Jenkins going into the break with a 4-1 lead.
‘The Machine’ halved the deficit before Jenkins restored it, but Wade pulled it back to 5-3 with a stunning 164 checkout.
‘The Bull’ made it 6-3 before world number three Wade reeled off six consecutive legs, which included clinical checkouts of 103, 107 & 127.
Jenkins then hit back, taking five legs in a row to go 11-9 in front before ‘The Machine’ produced a sublime 130 checkout to spark another run of consecutive legs, this time taking a quick-fire four, with a sensational 144 finish in amongst the game shots.
Jenkins took the next two to restore parity at 13 apiece before Wade split 26 and then hit double top to move two legs clear.
‘The Bull’ wasn’t finished though and won the next two to leave the match finely poised at 15 all.
But Wade grabbed a crucial break of throw before getting the job done on double six, to move into Sunday evening’s £100,000 final, where he meets Phil Taylor.
By Chris Murphy
