Summer is heating up at Rileys Darts Zones across the country with a host of darts events to get you hot under the collar.

Kicking off this month, Rileys Sports Bar is bringing darts to the people in style, with the help of some of the finest legends in darts.

Committed to propelling darts to new heights in the UK, big names such as Paul Nicholson, Mark Webster, Tony O’Shea, Robert Thornton and John Henderson will make up a list of not-to-be-missed events throughout the Summer, where lucky competition winners will get the opportunity to go up against these legends.  They will also take the time to answer questions from the crowd, as well as signing autographs.

Maurice Kelly, Chief Executive of Rileys Sports Bars, said: “We are delighted to have so many big names visit our clubs this summer, proving that we have always been serious about our darts.  Darts is a great social sport that gets everyone involved but it has been difficult for people to find high quality facilities to play, as pubs across the country are closing daily.”

Rileys will also be hosting Phil Taylor as the Rileys UK Roadshow hits the Darts Zones this month.  The Roadshow will be touching down at Darts Zones in Wolverhampton, Solihull, Burton and to launch the new Darts Zone in Nottingham.

Following the success of existing Darts Zones clubs, former professional player Wayne ‘Hawaii 501’ will also be heading up several of the launch events for new Darts Zones across the country.
Events will be taking place at the following clubs:

• Wolverhampton (01942 233 248) – Phil Taylor – 7^th May
• South Benfleet (01268 792 233) – Mark Webster – 14^th May
• Notthingham (0115 947 0620) – Phil Taylor – 14^th May
• Colchester (01206 368 026) – Mark Webster – 15^th May
• Taunton (01823 254 627) – Mark Webster – 16^th May
• Chesterfield (01246 207 211) – Paul Nicholson – 21^st May
• Solihull (0121 742 6068) – Phil Taylor – 21^st May
• Lincoln, Silver St (01522 546 883) – Paul Nicholson – 22^nd May
• Burton-On-Trent (01283 569 518) – Phil Taylor – 22^nd May
• Leicester Rileys (0116 254 9944) – Paul Nicholson – 23^rd May
• Plymouth (01752 222 836) – Tony O’Shea – 27^th May
• Torquay (01803 295 529) – Tony O’Shea – 28^th May
• Aberdeen (01224 591 542) – Thorton & Henderson – 28^th May
• Stirling (01786 446 363) – Thornton & Henderson – 29^th May
• Northampton (01604 662 766) – Wayne Mardle – 30^th May
• Scunthorpe (01724 852 593) – Mark Webster – 31^st May
• Moseley (0121 449 9388) – Wayne Mardle – 6^th June
• Hastings (01424 421 607) – Wayne Mardle – 13^th June
• Lincoln, Crofton Rd (01522 548 635) – Wayne Mardle – 28^th June
• Cannock (01543 504 220) – Wayne Mardle – 5^th July
• Crewe (01270 213 253) – Wayne Mardle – 11^th July
• Erdington (0121 730 302) – Wayne Mardle – 13^th July
• Harlow (01279 430 302) – Wayne Mardle – 8^th August
• Altrincham (0161 928 7053) – Wayne Mardle – 18^th August
• Derby, Babington Lane (01332 347 307) – Wayne Mardle – 19^th August
• Leicester Q Bar (0116 253 9624) – Wayne Mardle – 20^th August

For more information on all events, visit www.rileys.co.uk

James Wade sealed a semi-final spot on a dramatic night of McCoy’s Premier League Darts in Newcastle, while Simon Whitlock clinched second place with a win on the final night of the league stage.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

Wade grabbed the last available Play-Off place after winning a crucial last leg against Raymond van Barneveld.

‘The Machine’ needed a draw to book his place at London’s O2 next Thursday, but trailed the Dutchman 7-6, meaning the winner of the final leg would qualify.

Wade held his nerve under pressure to get the draw he required from a tense but terrific tie, in which ‘Barney’ produced a fabulous 161 finish.

“It was a hard game and Raymond played well, so there’s a massive sense of satisfaction to be in the Play-Offs again,” said Wade.

“I know what I’ve got to do next week in the Play-Offs; to win two games. I’ve done it before and I’m just glad to be there, because a couple of weeks ago it was looking bad for me and seven weeks ago it was looking even worse.”

Wade will take on Phil Taylor in the semi-final, while Whitlock’s victory over Adrian Lewis set up a last four clash against Andy Hamilton, who qualified in third place after beating Kevin Painter.

‘The Wizard’ produced a brilliant fight back from 5-2 down to beat the World Champion 8-6, hitting five 180’s and two ton-plus finishes in the process.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

“I was already in the semi-finals but I wanted to win tonight to make sure that I avoided Phil Taylor in the semi-finals, so I’m over the moon to have done that,” said Whitlock.

“Adrian was fantastic early on but I hung in there and when I was 5-2 down it took a lot of bottle to come back from there. I dug deep and the darts went in for me.

“The McCoy’s Premier League this year has been the hardest ever, so I’m delighted to have finished second but I’ve got two steps left now; to reach the final and then go on and win it.”

Last year’s champion Gary Anderson ended his season by claiming a draw against table-topping Taylor.

By Chris Murphy

Final League Table

See Simon Whitlock, James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in action in Grimsby on Friday 1st June / Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 2nd June