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Robert Thornton set up a last 16 showdown with Phil Taylor, while Mervyn King and Vincent van der Voort also claimed victories on the opening night of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix in Dublin.

Thornton continued his impressive form at the Citywest Hotel, as he progressed into the second round with a commanding victory over Mark Walsh.

The Scotsman, who won a Players Championship event on Sunday, hit back from a set down to triumph, winning six legs in a row.

Thornton will now face ten-time winner Taylor in a repeat of June’s UK Open final, which saw ‘The Thorn’ clinch his first PDC major title.

King progressed to round two after coming out on top in a thrilling match against Terry Jenkins, which went to a last leg decider.

‘The King’ will take on Dave Chisnall on Wednesday evening for a place in the quarter-finals.

van der Voort also triumphed in a final leg shootout. The Dutchman saw off the valiant challenge of home favourite William O’Connor, to set up a last 16 tie against 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan.

Recently-crowned European Champion Simon Whitlock had to put his quest for another major title on hold. ‘The Wizard’ suffered a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Justin Pipe.

Tuesday evening sees the completion of the first round, with James Wade beginning his bid to win the prestigious title for a third time.

‘The Machine’, who lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2010, faces Colin Osborne, while in-form Michael van Gerwen plays 2004 winner Colin Lloyd.

Mark Webster is up against 2012 World Championship runner-up Andy Hamilton, with Raymond van Barneveld and Paul Nicholson taking on Ian White and Michael Mansell respectively.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Robert Thornton completed a brilliant weekend by taking victory in Sunday’s Players Championship 14 in Dublin, having been runner-up in Saturday’s event.

The reigning UK Open champion defeated fellow Scotsman Gary Anderson 6-5 in the final to clinch the £6,000 first prize at the Citywest Hotel, averaging over 103 in a high quality battle.

‘The Thorn’, who had been edged out by Michael van Gerwen in a last leg decider 24 hours earlier, is hoping to continue his good form when he faces Mark Walsh in the first round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix on Monday evening.

He told the Official PDC Website: “I felt I was due a win as I’ve been there or thereabouts a fair few times recently.

“I’m over the moon. I was beaten yesterday against probably the most in-form player at the moment, but I should have won so I’m chuffed to bits to put it right today.

“I’m looking forward to my match tomorrow night. I’m definitely going to enjoy it up on that big stage again.”

Thornton began his route to victory with wins against Darren Johnson, Vincent van der voort and Scott Rand.

He then defeated Mervyn King 6-3 in the quarter-finals, before hitting six 180s in his last four success against Wez Newton.

The Scotsman then saw off Anderson in the final, which went to a deciding leg for the second consecutive day.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen clinched his fourth Pro Tour title of 2012, as he defeated Robert Thornton in the final of Players Championship 13 at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Saturday.

‘Mighty Mike’ continued his impressive form to claim the £6,000 first prize, edging past Thornton in an exciting deciding leg.

The Dutch youngster, who faces Colin Lloyd in the first round of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix on Tuesday evening, kicked off with victories over Andrew Gilding and Dennis Smith, before defeating Paul Nicholson.

He then beat Joe Cullen in the quarter-finals before seeing off Arron Monk in the last four, producing a 170 checkout in the process.

van Gerwen came back from 4-1 and 5-3 down to snatch victory from Thornton in the final.

‘The Thorn’, who sensationally won the UK Open in June, had seen off Kevin McDine, Mike Veitch and Mervyn King to reach the last 16.

There he defeated Ian White 6-1 before hitting back from 5-2 down to triumph 6-5 against Denis Ovens.

The Scotsman again found himself 5-2 behind in the semi-final, but launched another brilliant comeback to reach the final at the expense of Scott Rand.

Former Under-21 World Champion Monk enjoyed his best Pro Tour performance to date, with a run to the last four.

The Hampshire youngster defeated Dennis Priestley and Mark Webster on his way to the semi-finals, where he lost out to eventual winner van Gerwen.

Webster enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals ahead of his World Grand Prix first round clash against Andy Hamilton on Tuesday evening.

Sunday sees the 14th Players Championship event take place at the Citywest Hotel, with the £350,000 World Grand Prix commencing on Monday.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

James Hubbard, Arron Monk and Andy Jenkins booked their places at the fifth European Tour event, after winning through the UK qualifier at Dublin’s Citywest hotel on Friday night.

The trio were amongst the 20 qualifiers for the Dutch Darts Masters, which takes place in Holland later this month.

PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion Hubbard came through a tough draw to progress.

The Norfolk ace saw off Michael Mansell 6-2 before defeating local rival Darren Webster to qualify.

Monk, who currently tops the Youth Tour Order of Merit, triumphed over Shaun Griffiths and Joe Cullen to win his place in Holland, while Andy Jenkins sealed his spot with a 6-1 victory over Jamie Lewis.

The top 32 players from the PDC Order of Merit who entered are placed directly into the first round draw, with the 20 UK Qualifiers joined by four players from a Home Nation Qualifier to be held on Rosmalen on Friday October 12 and eight players who will come from the European Qualifier in Bielefeld on Saturday October 13.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen hopes to build on a good year of progress when he plays in next week’s PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix in Dublin.

The young Dutch sensation, who burst onto the professional scene by winning the 2006 Winmau World Masters when he was just 17, has managed to find some consistency in his game in 2012.

‘Mighty Mike’ has won three ProTour titles this year and, after hitting a nine-darter en route to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay in July, he is pleased to be finally taking his floor form onto the big stage.

“I’m playing very well at the moment,” said the 23-year-old, who was knocked out of last month’s European Championships by compatriot Raymond van Barneveld in a thrilling match.

“I’m feeling very confident because I’m having a good year. I had a good couple of floor tournaments in Barnsley recently and I played well against Raymond in Germany.

“I lost 10-9 but I played really well in what was a great game.

“My TV form is getting better. It’s all to do with confidence. If your confidence is good then you play well. Mine is good and I’m playing well.

“I know that I can do even better but I need to do it step by step.”

van Gerwen faces 2004 winner Colin Lloyd in the opening round of the World Grand Prix on Tuesday, and the Dutchman is expecting a tough start to the tournament.

He said: “You never know with Colin. He’s a great player, who has won a lot more than I have but it doesn’t matter who I play really.

“There are so many good players. Everyone in the tournament is capable of winning it but you have to concentrate and play your best game from the first dart to the last, which is very hard.

“I need to play my own game and I know that, if I play well, I can beat Colin and then go on to do very well in this tournament.”

The £350,000 tournament, which takes place at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel from Monday 8 October, is unique for its double-start format, where players have to begin and end each leg with a double.

van Gerwen, who is currently ranked 25th in the PDC Order of Merit, believes that concentration could be the key to success.

He added: “I think it is the most difficult tournament of the year. The double-in, double-out rules mean that you must keep your concentration in every leg and every throw.

“It will be difficult but I hope to reach the quarter-finals again and then we will see how it goes from there.

“With a good run here and at the rest of the TV tournaments this year, there is a chance of me reaching the top 16, which is a big target of mine.”

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock claimed his first PDC major title, defeating Wez Newton 11-5 to be crowned as European Champion in Germany.

‘The Wizard’, who had been a losing finalist in three different tournaments previously, ended his wait for a televised triumph, as he clinched the £50,000 first prize at the Sporthalle in Mulheim.

The Australian, who defeated Mark Walsh and Dave Chisnall to reach the quarter-finals, had to win three games on Sunday, beating Colin Lloyd, Kim Huybrechts and Newton to win the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

“I’m over the moon,” said an emotional Whitlock, who had clinched his first ProTour victory for almost two years just seven days earlier.

“I’ve been so close for a couple of years so I’m absolutely ecstatic to win.

“I got some great confidence from winning the floor event last week and I’ve managed to bring that to the stage. I’ve got tears in my eyes. I’m just so overwhelmed.”

Both players hit 180s in the opening leg, which Whitlock won, posting double eight to hold his throw.

Newton levelled before ‘The Wizard’ hit double seven to edge back in front, but Newton held again to restore parity.

A second maximum helped Whitlock take a 3-2 lead into the first break.

The Premier League runner-up hit double ten to take the next leg against the throw, before holding on double six to move three legs in front.

Newton pulled a leg back, before Whitlock’s third 180 helped him go 6-3 up.

‘The Warrior’ responded with an eleven dart leg to reduce the deficit to two at the second break.

‘The Wizard’ almost brought the house down, just missing the bull for a 170 before tidying up the remaining 25 to restore his three leg cushion.

He did produce a magical finish in the very next leg though, hitting a show-stopping 167 checkout for another break of throw.

The Australian ace then moved five legs clear, taking out 58 to make it 9-4, before Newton hit double top to pull one back.

Whitlock moved a leg away from the title, going bull, 12 double 16 to clean up 94 and moved into a 10-5 lead.

‘The Wizard’ wasted no time in sealing victory, hitting double eight for another break of throw, to take is maiden major success.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

(Report from www.simonwhitlock.tv)

The draw for the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix was made on Sunday evening after Simon Whitlock won the PartyPoker.net European Championship.

The 32 man field includes nine MODUS associated players, including ‘The Wizard’, who has been handed a first round tie against Justin Pipe.

James Wade, who is bidding to win the £100,000 title for the third time, has been drawn against Colin Osborne, while UK Open champion Robert Thornton will take on Mark Walsh.

Raymond van Barneveld, twice a runner-up in the Dublin tournament, will face Ian White, Mark Webster takes on Andy Hamilton and Michael van Gerwen will play 2004 winner Colin Lloyd.

Paul Nicholson has been drawn against Michael Mansell, Vincent van der Voort will take on William O’Connor and Mervyn King has been pitted against Terry Jenkins.

The PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix will be held from October 8-14 at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.

PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix Draw Bracket – MODUS associated players in bold
Phil Taylor (1) v Michael Smith
Mark Walsh v Robert Thornton
Terry Jenkins (8) v Mervyn King
Dean Winstanley v Dave Chisnall
Simon Whitlock (5) v Justin Pipe
Kevin Painter v Kim Huybrechts
Gary Anderson (4) v Brendan Dolan
Vincent van der Voort v William O’Connor
Adrian Lewis (2) v Richie Burnett
Michael van Gerwen v Colin Lloyd
Andy Hamilton (7) v Mark Webster
Steve Beaton v Andy Smith
Wes Newton (6) v Ronnie Baxter
Raymond van Barneveld v Ian White
James Wade (3) v Colin Osborne
Michael Mansell v Paul Nicholson

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock won through to the final of the PartyPoker.net European Darts Championship with a 11-9 triumph over Kim Huybrechts in Germany.

‘The Wizard’ held his nerve to take victory in a terrific battle and will now face Wez Newton for the £50,000 title.

“That was an absolutley brilliant match,” said Whitlock, who moved a giant step closer to clinching his first PDC major.

“Kim played absolutely brilliantly and I had to sneak a bull in to beat him. I’m going to enjoy the final now and I’ll be going all out to win it.”

‘The Wizard’ hit a maximum in the opening leg, which he won against the throw before holding, hitting double top on both occasions.

He slotted in his second 180 on the way to another break, winning the third leg with a 92 checkout.

Huybrechts stopped the rot with back to back checkouts of 104 & 102, to pull the score back to 3-2 at the first break.

The Belgian hit double ten to break Whitlock’s throw and draw level, before taking out 86 to take the lead for the first time.

‘The Wizard’ ended a run of four consecutive legs for his opponent by taking out 58, but ‘The Hurricane’ took out 122 on the bull to restore his lead.

The players exchanged 180s in the tenth leg, which Whitlock won on double ten to make it five legs apiece.

Huybrechts held to regain the lead but ‘The Wizard’ responded with a 180 before hitting double eight to level.

Both players held their throw in the next three legs, meaning Whitlock went into the second break trailing his opponent by eight legs to seven.

The Australian star came back out fighting, opening the 16th leg with a 180, before hitting double ten to go level once more.

Whitlock also kicked off the next leg with a 180, and he grabbed a vital break of throw on double four.

The world number seven hit another 180 before hitting double four again to move just a leg away from the final.

Huybrechts kept himself in the match with a brilliant bull, bull, double 16 combination to finish 132.

But it was a Whitlock’s shot at the bull that won the match, as ‘The Wizard’ held his nerve to take out 95.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Simon Whitlock remains on course to win his first PDC major title, after defeating Colin Lloyd 10-7 in the quarter-finals of the European Darts Championship in Germany.

‘The Wizard’ hit five maximums in a high quality tussle with the former world number one, and will now face Kim Huybrechts this evening.

“It was a very tough game,” admitted Whitlock, who is bidding to reach his third televised final of 2012.

“Colin played very well and I’m expecting the same from Kim tonight but I’m feeling good for this. I’m playing well and I believe I can go all the way.”

Whitlock won the opening leg with a neat 64 checkout and he quickly doubled his lead, following up a 171 with another tidy finish, this time 94.

The Australian ace continued his sharp finishing as he checked out 121 for a third leg on the spin.

Lloyd got off the mark by hitting double top, before a 105 checkout reduced Whitlock’s lead to a solitary leg.

‘Jaws’ levelled up with a brilliant 164 checkout, which ‘The Wizard’ responded to by hitting his first 180, before cleaning up 52 to edge back in front.

Lloyd took the eighth leg before Whitlock made the perfect start to the ninth, hitting a second maximum on the way to taking a 5-4 lead.

The pair went into the second break all square though, after Lloyd posted double four to hold his throw once more.

‘The Wizard’ retook the lead by hitting a 114 checkout with his opponent waiting on 25 to break.

The Australian then just missed double top for a 148 finish, before eventually finding the double ten bed to grab a break of his own.

And he increased his advantage to 8-5 by hitting tops, before Lloyd held despite a third 180 from ‘The Wizard’.

‘Jaws’ hit double top to reduce Whitlock’s lead to 8-7 but another maximum helped the Premier League finalist break straight back, to move within a leg of victory.

‘The Wizard’ kicked off the 17th leg with his fifth 180, before posting double top again, to book his place in the last four.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

(Report from www.simonwhitlock.tv)

Simon Whitlock produced a strong performance to defeat Dave Chisnall for the first time, while Raymond van Barneveld also reached the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.net European Championship after triumphing in a terrific match against Michael van Gerwen in Germany. 

Whitlock overcame the challenge of Chisnall, taking a 10-5 victory thanks to some clinical finishing.

‘The Wizard’ hit ten out of 13 double attempts to set up a last eight clash against Colin Lloyd.

“I played really well again,” said Whitlock. “I have struggled against Dave in the past so I’m thrilled to get that monkey off of my back.

“I’m feeling good, throwing well and I’m really confident. I can’t wait to be back on that stage tomorrow.”

van Barneveld came out on top in a sensational battle with fellow Dutchman van Gerwen, taking a 10-9 victory in the match of the tournament so far.

Both players averaged over 100 and produced some fabulous two and three dart finishes, before ‘Barney’ prevailed in the deciding leg.

“It was a fantastic match,” said van Barneveld, who faces Kim Huybrechts in Sunday’s quarter-finals.

“Michael played awesome but there can only be one winner and I’m happy that it was me.

“The confidence is coming back and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m very happy with the way I’m playing.”

The PartyPoker.net European Championship concludes on Sunday with the quarter-finals taking place in the afternoon, before the semi-finals and final are played in the evening.

By Chris Murphy

See some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Untouchables,Eastbourne on Friday 19 October.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC