8th December 2012

Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade
Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen
Co Stompe
Andy Jenkins
Arron Monk
Ted Hankey
Rod Harrington as VIP Host

Doors Open 6pm – Event Starts 7:30pm

Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
Clarence Parade
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO5 3ST

Ticket Options

Standing – £12.50* – BUY TICKETS

Silver – £20.00* – BUY TICKETS

Gold – £40.00* – BUY TICKETS

Platinum VIP – £75.00* – BUY TICKETS

Includes access to the after show party!

Tickets will be sent out 2-3 weeks before the event
* Plus Booking fee

The draw for the the Betfair World Matchplay took place on Sunday evening, with Speedy Services UK Open winner Robert Thornton handed a first round clash against World Champion Adrian Lewis.

James Hubbard’s reward for qualifying for the £400,000 tournament is a round one tie against world number five Wes Newton, while James Wade, who won the title in 2007 faces ‘The Prince of Wales’ Richie Burnett, whose compatriot Mark Webster takes on Colin Lloyd.

McCoy’s Premier League runner-up Simon Whitlock will face Michael van Gerwen in a repeat of their 2012 Ladbrokes World Championship quarter-final, which ‘The Wizard’ won.

Raymond van Barneveld, who heads to The Winter Gardens fresh from victory in the European Darts Open, takes on Michael Smith, while World Cup finalist Paul Nicholson is pitted against Andy Smith.

Vincent van der Voort, who returned to the top 16 at the weekend, meets Ian White in round one, with Mervyn King facing the task of toppling number one seed Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor.

The Betfair World Matchplay will be played from July 21-29 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, when 32 players will compete for the £100,000 title.

By Chris Murphy

Betfair World Matchplay
First Round Draw & Tournament Bracket*
Adrian Lewis (2) v Robert Thornton
Paul Nicholson (15) v Andy Smith
Raymond van Barneveld (7) v Michael Smith
Terry Jenkins (10) v Kim Huybrechts
Simon Whitlock (6) v Michael van Gerwen
Kevin Painter (11) v Steve Beaton
James Wade (3) v Richie Burnett
Mark Walsh (14) v Colin Osborne
Phil Taylor (1) v Mervyn King
Vincent van der Voort (16) v Ian White
Andy Hamilton (8) v Brendan Dolan
Mark Webster (9) v Colin Lloyd
Wes Newton (5) v James Hubbard
Justin Pipe (12) v Joe Cullen
Gary Anderson (4) v Dean Winstanley
Dave Chisnall (13) v Ronnie Baxter

* Bold text denotes MODUS associated players

The schedule of play is likely to be confirmed on Tuesday July 10.

Raymond van Barneveld took victory in the PDC’s third European Tour Event, beating Dave Chisnall 6-4 in the final to seal the £15,000 title on the day that James Hubbard secured qualification for the Betfair World Matchplay.

‘Barney’ saw off Chisnall on Sunday evening in Germany, after victories against James Wade and Richie Burnett had booked his place in the final.

“Maybe this is the sign of a new Raymond,” said the Dutchman who also beat Ian White, Brendan Dolan and Gino Vos en route to victory.

“I had some tough games but I kept fighting and never gave in and this is where it has got me.”

Hubbard earned an army of Germans fans by putting together a brilliant run to the quarter-finals of the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf, to seal qualification for the World Matchplay in his first year as a professional.

The 19-year-old sensation followed up victories over Andy Hamilton and Steve Brown with a 6-3 triumph over Mark Walsh, sealing a spot at the Blackpool tournament.

“I’m over the moon to achieve something that I would have laughed at this time last year, ” said Hubbard, whose brilliant run in Dusseldorf was ended by a quarter-final defeat to Richie Burnett.

Photo: Carsten Arlt/PDC Europe

“I’m looking forward to playing in a venue that I’ve never been to but heard so many brilliant things about.”

Mervyn King continued his return to form with a run to the semi-finals.

‘The King’ reached the last four with a resounding 6-2 defeat of Colin Osborne, in which he posted an average of over 105, before losing out to Chisnall, who had edged past Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals.

King’s World Matchplay place was also confirmed during the course of the tournament, with Robert Thornton, Paul Nicholson and Vincent van der Voort also qualifying for the prestigious tournament.

By Chris Murphy

The 32 players competing in the Betfair World Matchplay later this month have been confirmed following the third round of the European Darts Open.

PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion James Hubbard sealed his spot with victory in Dusseldorf on Sunday afternoon, after Robert Thornton and Mervyn King had guaranteed their places in the Blackpool tournament with good runs in Germany.

Michael van Gerwen had already qualifed through the Pro-Tour order of merit before reaching the last 16 of the PDC’s third European Tour event.

The top 16 Pro-Tour qualifiers are joined by the top 16 in the PDC order of merit, which includes MODUS stars James Wade, Simon Whitlock, Raymond van Barneveld, Mark Webster, Paul Nicholson and Vincent van der Voort.

Qualification is confirmed for all of the players listed below, however seeding positions may change in accordance with the prize money won in the European Darts Open on Sunday evening.

The top 16 from the PDC Order of Merit who will qualify are as follows (in current seeding order) *
1 Phil Taylor
2 Adrian Lewis
3 James Wade
4 Gary Anderson
5 Wes Newton
6 Simon Whitlock
7 Raymond van Barneveld
8 Andy Hamilton
9 Mark Webster
10 Terry Jenkins
11 Kevin Painter
12 Justin Pipe
13 Dave Chisnall
14 Mark Walsh
15 Paul Nicholson
16 Vincent van der Voort

The 16 ProTour Order of Merit Qualifiers (in current order) are *
Kim Huybrechts
Michael van Gerwen
Ronnie Baxter
Colin Lloyd
Andy Smith
Ian White
Brendan Dolan
Michael Smith
Richie Burnett
Mervyn King
Robert Thornton
James Hubbard
Colin Osborne
Dean Winstanley
Steve Beaton
Joe Cullen

By Chris Murphy

* Bold text indicates MODUS associated players

James Hubbard completed the remarkable feat of qualifying for the Betfair World Matchplay in his first year as a professional, when the 19-year-old defeated Mark Walsh in the third round of the European Darts Open.

James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock and Mervyn King also claimed victories on Sunday afternoon, to join Hubbard in the quarter-finals of the PDC’s third European Tour Event.

Photo: Carsten Arlt/PDC Europe

Hubbard, who won the PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship in May, continued a fantastic debut year by booking his place in the Blackpool tournament with a 6-3 triumph over Walsh.

The youngster was overcome with emotion as he received a standing ovation from the 1,800 strong Dusseldorf crowd, after finishing the match in style by taking out 110 for a 12 darter.

Hubbard faces Richie Burnett on Sunday evening after the Welshman defeated Michael van Gerwen, as the last eight participants battle it out for the £15,000 title.

Wade eased past Andy Smith to book his place in quarter-finals, claiming a 6-2 triumph over ‘The Pieman’.

“Andy’s a very difficult player to beat so I’m happy to have won that.,” said The Machine, who sealed the win with a 120 checkout.

“I’ve been practising hard for the last couple of weeks and I’m trying hard to take that up onto stage.”

Wade will take on van Barneveld on Sunday evening after the Dutchman beat compatriot Gino Vos 6-2, posting an impressive 103.68 average.

“It’s special for me to play Gino,” said Barney, whose victory included a brilliant 156 checkout. ”

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

“I practiced with him last year and he is a very talented player. He’s done very well in this event and was awesome in the first three or four legs, but I stayed calm and to average nearly 104 is fantastic for me.

“I’m looking forward to playing James as we always have cracking matches.”

Whitlock enjoyed a 6-3 victory over Speedy Services UK Open winner Robert Thornton, whose run in Germany has guaranteed his place in Blackpool later this month.

“Robert’s a fantastic player and that was a great game,” said ‘The Wizard’ who faces Dave Chisnall in the last eight.

“I’ve been blown away by the support of the crowd here and it’s brilliant to be in the quarter-finals now.”

King was the first man through to the quarter-finals, after running out a 6-5 winner against Steve Beaton.

“I had two nine-darters in practice today but it didn’t quite happen on stage,” said King, who will play Colin Osborne on Sunday evening for place in the last four.

“I’ve a little bit to work on and I want to improve in the next game.”

The quarters, semis and final will all take place on Sunday evening.

By Chris Murphy

SEE WADE. WHITLOCK, WEBSTER & BARNEY AT THE CHARLTON MASTERS ON THURSDAY 19 JULY. ***Special offer – quote CAFC 180 when booking tickets and get silver tickets for just £20*** Click for more details.

PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion James Hubbard moved a step closer to sealing a place at Blackpool’s Betfair World Matchplay by winning a dramatic last-leg decider against Steve Brown in Dusseldorf, while James Wade and Simon Whitlock produced impressive performances in round two of the European Darts Open.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

There were also victories for Robert Thornton, Raymond van Barneveld, Mervyn King and Michael van Gerwen, who will all return to the Maritim Hotel on Sunday, when the final 16 players will battle it out for the £15,000 title.

Hubbard held his nerve to win 6-5 for the second consecutive day, as he broke Brown’s throw in the deciding leg to seal victory.

The 19-year-old now occupies a provisional qualifying place for the World Matchplay, ahead of what is likely to be a crucial third round match against Mark Walsh on Sunday afternoon.

Wade produced checkouts of 151 and 107 in a 6-3 triumph over Jelle Klaasen. ‘The Machine’ faces Andy Smith in the last 16.

Whitlock stormed past Ronny Huybrechts, winning five consecutive legs to take a 6-1 victory, which included a brilliant 160 finish.

He said: “The crowds have been amazing for me and I’ve been so impressed because I’ve never had support like this anywhere else in the world. Tomorrow’s a big day for me and I can’t wait. My form’s improving game on game.”

‘The Wizard’ will take on Thornton on Sunday afternoon, after the Speedy services UK Open winner defeated Vincent van der Voort 6-4, despite the Dutchman hitting five 180s.

Thornton said: “I’m feeling confident and hopefully my darts will continue to get better and better as the weekend goes on.”

van Barneveld defeated Brendan Dolan 6-2 to book his place in the third round.

“The result looks so solid but I was 4-0 up and blew what could have been a fantastic leg when I missed all those doubles,” said the Dutchman, who hit four maximums in his victory.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

“I had to work hard from there to win the match. But I’m feeling comfortable and I’m looking forward to playing Gino Vos on Sunday.”

King won a last leg decider against Ronnie Baxter, to set up a last 16 clash against Steve Beaton.

van Gerwen saw off the challenge of Brian Woods, claiming a 6-4  victory to reach the last 16.

“It was difficult but winning was the most important thing,” said ‘Mighty Mike’, who will play Richie Burnett on Sunday afternoon.

“It doesn’t matter how you win as long as you win, so I’m very happy. I missed too many doubles but I’m through.”

There was also positive news for Paul Nicholson, when other results meant that ‘The Asset’ would keep his place inside the world’s top 16, guaranteeing him a place in Blackpool.

By Chris Murphy

SEE WADE. WHITLOCK, WEBSTER & BARNEY AT THE CHARLTON MASTERS ON THURSDAY 19 JULY. ***Special offer – quote CAFC 180 when booking tickets and get silver tickets for just £20*** Click for more details.

James Hubbard kept his World Matchplay dream alive with a hard fought victory over World Championship finalist Andy Hamilton in Dusseldorf, while Simon Whitlock, James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Robert Thornton, Mervyn King, Michael van Gerwen and Vincent van der Voort all enjoyed first round victories in the European Darts Open.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Hubbard, who is perched just outside the 16 available qualifying places from the Pro-Tour order of merit, clinched victory over Premier League star Hamilton by holding his nerve to take a last leg decider.

The 19-year-old PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion will now face Steve Brown in round two, as he bids to move a step closer claiming to a place in Blackpool later this month.

Thornton, King and van der Voort all sealed spots in the World Matchplay with respective first round victories over Maik Langendorf, Stuart Kellet and Jamie Lewis.

Whitlock was forced to produce a stunning comeback, when he trailed Ross Smith 4-1 and 5-2 before winning four consecutive legs to reach round two.

Wade, who was runner up in the first European Tour Event in Austria, began the third with a 6-3 triumph over Magnus Caris, while van Barneveld swept past Ian White 6-2, with a hundred-plus average to boot.

Fellow Dutchman van Gerwen defeated Wayne Jones 6-3 to set up a second round tie with Brian Woods on Saturday afternoon, with King up against Ronnie Baxter in the same session.

Saturday evening sees van der Voort and Thornton go head to head before Wade takes on Jelle Klaasen.

Whitlock faces Ronny Huybrechts, with van Barneveld pitted against Brendan Dolan.

There was disappointment for Co Stompe, Arron Monk and Paul Nicholson, however. They all suffered first round defeats, as did Andy Jenkins, who was on the receiving end of a brilliant performance from Richie Burnett, with the Welshman posting an incredible 121.67 average.

By Chris Murphy

See four of the world’s top professional darts players go head to head in the Charlton Masters on Thursday 19 July.

Robert Thornton hailed the support of his family as he reflected on how his sensational charge to glory in the Speedy Services UK Open signalled the end of his long battle with serious illness.

The 44-year-old former World Master broke his hand before being diagnosed with pnuemonia in a disastrous 2011, but turned his nightmare into a dream when he beat the great Phil Taylor in the final at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium last month, to complete one of the biggest shocks in the history of darts.

“After all I’ve been through in the last 18 months, winning that was a piece of cake,” joked the Scotsman, who swept past a string of big-name opponents to clinch his first PDC major title, despite entering the tournament as a 250-1 long shot.

“My hand actually got broken by my granddaughter, who had a bit of a tendency to slam doors and she slammed one when my hand was in the way. Not deliberately of course, but that set me back.”

“It affected me big time really. It didn’t take too long to heal, but once it did I still struggled with it.

“It was probably more of a psychological problem than anything. It took me a long time to be able to practice often enough again and then it took me even longer to overcome the problem in my head.

“The pneumonia came from nowhere. I flew out to Canada when I was a little bit unwell, but not to the extent that it prevented me from doing anything. I thought I just had one of those bugs that you can shake off in a day or two.

“But I must have caught another cold while I was out there, and that is what the doctors thought must have caused the pneumonia.

“That just put me completely out of action. I had a lot of support during all the time I was sick though. My family kept me going. Darts was the last thing on my mind.

“It was a case of trying to keep strong and stay positive. The doctors told me to take my time, and with the brilliant support of my family and the people around me, I got through it.

“Now when I’m playing I don’t take anything too seriously. It definitely changed my outlook on life and reminded me that a career isn’t the be all and end all.”

GO TO ROBERT THORNTON’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO READ AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THIS INTERVIEW.

A Milestone for Champions

• · The Money Shop celebrates 500^th store with Ronnie O’Sullivan, James Wade and Simon Whitlock

The Money Shop is preparing to give customers a sporting welcome during the opening of its 500^th UK store at 215 Telford Shopping Centre, in Thetford Chase, Telford, on Tuesday June 26, 2012.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Store staff will be joined by snooker world champion Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan and darts aces, world number three James Wade and world number six Simon Whitlock, to officially mark the opening of the financial services company’s 500^th store.

The players will be at the store from 2pm where members of the public will have the chance to meet Ronnie and play against Professional Darts Corporation players Simon and James in a challenge for the chance to win a set of branded darts.

To mark the 500^th store milestone, the first ten people to score a bullseye will receive a cash prize* and the highest scorer on the day will win £500.

Headed by store manager Kate Wall, the new Money Shop store will offer professional short-term financial solutions, including payday loans, pawnbroking, cash for gold, pre-paid cash cards and Western Union money transfers. The store will also offer a range of holiday money products and services including foreign exchange and holiday cash cards.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Kate said: “It’s a going to be a fantastic day with lots going on in-store and a great opportunity for our customers to meet some of the stars from the world of darts and snooker. We hope the celebrations will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about The Money Shop.”

Andrew Bryan, marketing director, UK, The Money Shop, said: “We are delighted to be opening our 500^th store in Telford. Reaching 500 stores is a huge milestone for us so it is fitting that we’re celebrating with not just one but three sporting pros and we hope that it will be a fun day for everyone.

“Managing finances is important at any time, but is especially hard in the current climate. The new store in Telford will offer a range of convenient short-term financial solutions including unsecured short-term loans, cheque cashing, secured pawnbroking loans, money transfer, foreign exchange, Titanium Cashplus prepaid Mastercard, and gold buying services.”

The Money Shop is a leading member of the Consumer Finance Association, which operates to maintain high standards of responsible lending across the short-term credit industry, and is licensed and regulated by the Office of Fair Trading.

The second European Tour event, which took place between Friday and Sunday in Berlin, saw plenty of highlights for MODUS before a brilliant Phil Taylor took victory in the German Darts Championship.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

James Hubbard produced the shock of the weekend when he triumphed 6-4 over back-to-back World Champion Adrian Lewis in the first round on Friday.

The PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion went on to beat Peter Wright in round two, before missing out on a quarter-final spot when he was beaten by Mervyn King.

“The win against Adrian was the biggest of my professional career,” said Hubbard, who only joined the Pro-Tour in January.

“I had an excellent tournament and gave myself an outside chance of qualifying for the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

“I was pleased with how I played, apart from against Mervyn, but he is a great player and he has really helped my game so I don’t begrudge him the win.”

A last eight spot signalled a return to form for King, who enjoyed victories over Peter Hudson, Wayne Jones and Hubbard, before losing out to eventual runner-up Dave Chisnall.

Simon Whitlock put together a brilliant run to semi-finals, before being denied the chance to take on Taylor, in a repeat of the McCoy’s Premier League final, by Chisnall.

‘The Wizard’ began his campaign by whitewashing Daniel Starkey 6-0, before defeating Brendan Dolan in round two.

He then posted a brilliant average of 106.83 in a 6-2 third round success over Kevin Painter, before victory over Kim Huybrechts saw him reach the last four.

Raymond van Barneveld beat Mareno Michels, Alan Tabern and Mark Webster before meeting Taylor in the quarter-finals.

‘Barney’ ran ‘The Power’ closer than anyone, forcing a deciding leg in their quarter-final clash.

But Taylor snatched victory and left Berlin as a deserved winner, after posting multiple hundred-plus averages on the way to landing the £15,000 title.

By Chris Murphy

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