World Cup of Darts: Round 2: Wales v Croatia

MARK WEBSTER 4 – 0 Tonci Restovic

Mark Webster started the World Cup in style, completing a 4 – 0 whitewash over Tonci Restovic in double quick time.

He reached the final of the inaugural tournament in 2010 and looks set to continue that stunning form 14 months on, as he put in a polished second round performance.

Webster said: “I’m really happy with my performance, I felt quite relaxed up there and I got the job done. Now we have to finish it off tomorrow.”

Webster took the first two legs, hitting a 180 in the process. ‘Spider’ then hit two more maximums in leg three, before hitting double ten to race into a three leg lead.

The Welshman took out 80 to complete the rout in the blink of an eye.

Webster’s teammate Richie Burnett won his game 4-3 to give Wales a 2-0 lead going into the doubles matches on Saturday. Victory in the pairs will book their place in the quarter finals.

Webster added: “It’s a format that we are not used to but Richie and I are playing really well, we are in great form and it was a shame that we ran into each other at the World Championship. We  are expecting to do really well in the tournament but we have to make sure we see the job through in the pairs. We don’t want to be going to a sudden death leg if we can help it, tonight was comfortable and we need to make sure tomorrow afternoon is the same.”

By Chris Murphy

World Cup of Darts: Round 2: Australia v Republic of Ireland

Australia moved a step closer to the last eight of the World Cup of Darts with two comprehensive singles victories over the Republic of Ireland in Hamburg.

SIMON WHITLOCK 4 – 1 Mick McGowan

Simon Whitlock cruised through his first singles game at the World Cup of Darts in Hamburg. The World Championship semi-finalist put on a stylish display to sweep aside Irishman Mick McGowan.

Whitlock said: “It was good out there tonight. The crowd were really noisy and they got behind me, which was great. It’s good to get off to a winning start, even though I wasn’t at my best.”

The Wizard hit double four to win the first leg and then quickly doubled his lead, hitting the first maximum of the match in the process. Mcgowan pulled a leg back before Whitlock took out 50 to leave himself within a leg of victory.

The Australian wasted no time in wrapping up the match, taking out 90 to get the job done in style.

PAUL NICHOLSON 4 – 0 William O’Connor

Paul Nicholson was in typically ruthless form in his first singles match at the World Cup. He completed a 4-0 whitewash over Irishman William O’Connor in Hamburg, winning every single leg against the throw.

The win gave Australia a 2-0 lead ahead of tomorrows pairs match. The Asset believes that him and his partner got their preparation right before their individual games and will need to do the same tomorrow.

He said: “We had a bit of a practise together today but also did some on our own. Tomorrow we will do all our practising together because it’s pairs. We need to make sure we leave the right doubles for each other, get a rhythm between us and get some camaraderie going. We have to beat what is put in front of us before we start to worry about the quarter-finals. I think the fact that we’ve played together before is a massive advantage over other pairs.”

Nicholson punished his opponent for missed doubles in the opening leg by checking out 64 in two darts. The Asset hammered in his first 180 in leg two before doubling his advantage. He then surged into a three leg lead by hitting double four. Nicholson completed the rout when he hit double eight.

Nicholson and Whitlock more than justified Australia’s tag as one of the front-runners for the tournament. They will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they take on the same opponents in the pairs. Victory will see them progress into the quarter-finals.

Whitlock said: “I’m actually more of a pairs person so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. Paul played really well tonight. I think we can make it through to the final.”

Nicholson added: “Tonight we have done half of the job, and the format means that we have to go and finish it tomorrow. From a confidence point of view it’s fantastic that we both won. Simon and I are quite happy with how we played and are really looking forward to tomorrow.”

By Chris Murphy

24 nations are ready to battle for the World Cup of Darts in Hamburg later today, and some of MODUS’ superstars are widely expected to be challenging for the title.

Seven players from the MODUS stable are in action over the three day event, including three all-MODUS pairings in the Dutch, Australian and Spanish teams.

Raymond van Barneveld won the inaugural tournament with Co Stompe, and he is aiming to defend his title for the Netherlands. ‘Barney’ will be partnered by Vincent van der Voort for this year’s event.

That win in 2010 remains the Dutchman’s only televised title in over four years but he is sure he will add to his impressive haul of 15 majors, starting in Germany this weekend.

He said: “I haven’t practised enough recently and that’s why I haven’t been winning. I’m practising everyday now and I feel fantastic. I think some people have written me off prematurely but I know I haven’t lost my ability. I’m not far from being back to the old ‘Barney’, trust me. I was very proud to win a title for my country when I won it with Co last time, so I hope that Vincent and I can do it again.”

Van der Voort is delighted to be representing his homeland with five-time world champion van Barneveld. He said: “Raymond is the reason why darts is so big in Holland and he is a great friend of mine, which is important when playing as a pair. It is a new tournament for me and I’m sure we can win it.”

The Netherlands are seeded third for the tournament, one seed below the Australian pairing of Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson.

‘The Wizard’ and ‘The Asset’ return to the tournament after reaching the semi-final in 2010 and are aiming to go all the way this time around.

Whitlock reached the semi-final of the world championship to cap off another solid year but he is desperate to win his first major title this weekend.

He said: “I want to win a major this year; hopefully it will happen in Hamburg. I have reached a lot of semi’s but not enough finals so we will be looking to go two steps further than last time and win the World Cup. Paul is great player, he has been playing consistently well for a while now. I feel good too so I’m sure we can win it.”

Australia’s seeding of second means they could meet an England team consisting of the two highest ranked players in the world in an ‘Ashes’ style final. Nicholson is excited at that prospect.

He said: “Everybody wants to see an Australia versus England final, including me, but we will have to work very hard to get there. There are some brilliant teams in the competition this year, none more so than Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis but Simon and I have a great relationship and I think we have both got the attributes to go all the way.”

Australia lost out in the 2010 semi-final when they ran into Wales and a rampant Mark Webster. ‘Spider’ was in blistering form throughout the tournament but lost in the final despite winning both of his singles matches. He believes that he and his new teammate Richie Burnett can help Wales upset the odds once again.

He said: “Barrie Bates and I surprised a few people in 2010 and achieved a lot more than was expected of us. I’m really looking forward to playing with Richie and I think we have a really good chance. Everyone will be expecting England to win but if we get a chance we will we take it.”

England had been expected to win the first World Cup tournament but were subjected to a shock exit at the hands of Spain. Antonio Alcinas and Carlos Rodriguez reached the semi-final in 2010 and the pair will be back in action this afternoon when they take on South Africa for the chance to play Scotland in the second round.

The seeded countries will begin their respective campaigns in round two, which will be spread across this evening and tomorrow afternoon’s sessions. The Netherlands will face the winners of Austria versus New Zealand, Australia will play either Malaysia or Republic of Ireland, and Wales will take on Finland or Croatia.

The quarter-finals will be played on Saturday afternoon, with the semis and final taking place on Sunday.

MODUS.darts.tv will provide updates and reports throughout the tournament.

By Chris Murphy

Former World Champion Andy Fordham turns 50 today and all at MODUS would like to wish ‘The Viking’ many happy returns.

Fordham will be playing in PDC events in 2012 as an associate member of the Professional Darts Players Association.

PDPA associate members can enter UK Open qualifiers, qualifiers for European Tour events and non-UK Players Championships.

‘The Viking’ won the BDO World Championship at Lakeside in 2004. He was also crowned as World Master in 1999.

Once again, all at MODUS would like to wish Fordham a very happy 50^th birthday and all the best for his efforts in 2012.

By Chris Murphy

Simon Whitlock is travelling to Germany for the World Cup of Darts with every intention of claiming his first major title.

The Wizard will team up with Paul Nicholson to represent Australia in Hamburg. The pair reached the semi-finals in 2010 and Whitlock believes that they have what it takes to go even further this weekend.

He said: “Hopefully we won’t go just one better than last time, but two. We want to win it and that’s what we are aiming for. Paul has been playing consistently well for a while now. He is a great player. I like playing in pairs tournaments, having played a lot of them back home. If anything it’s less pressure because it’s not all down to one person. My form is picking up nicely too, so I’m sure we can go all the way.”

The world number five refused to let a broken ankle prevent him from reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship and is happy to be on the mend.

He said: “My leg is getting better slowly; everything is starting feel more comfortable. It did ache a little bit after playing in Benidorm last weekend but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was in December. I got through that quite well though so I’m not worried about that anymore, I know I can go up there and play well despite my injury.”

Australia are seeded second for the tournament behind an England team consisting of the two highest ranked players in the world, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. The Wizard would be happy to take them on in an ‘Ashes’ style showdown in the final.

He said: “It would be nice if it pans out that way, as long as we beat them but there are a lot of good teams and anything can happen in a knockout format. I’m very proud to pull on the Australian shirt and represent my country and I’ll be giving everything I’ve got against whoever we play.”

Whitlock hopes that a good performance in Hamburg, followed by a winning start in the Premier League next week will be the catalyst for a fantastic year ahead.

He added: “I want to win a major this year, hopefully that will happen this weekend. I also want to win a few floor tournaments and do well in the Premier League. I didn’t do too bad last year but I lost in a lot of semi-finals. I need to make more finals in 2012 and win some tournaments. I’m delighted to have been selected to play in the Premier League again. It means everything to me and I’m really looking forward to the season.”

By Chris Murphy

Friday 2nd March 2012

ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA

James Wade & Terry Jenkins   Vs    Simon Whitlock & Paul Nicholson

Tickets:

Standing £12.50 plus (2.45 booking fee)
Seating £20.00 plus (2.95 booking fee)

Hoburne Bashley – Forest Room – Sway Road
New Milton – Hampshire – BH25 5QS

Doors Open 6pm

Raymond van Barneveld hopes to bounce back from a disappointing World Championship by retaining the World Cup of Darts for The Netherlands.

‘Barney’ won the inaugural tournament in 2010 with Co Stompe, and believes that he can repeat the feat this weekend with Vincent van der Voort.

He said: “I think it will be harder this year because it is a straight knockout now. If you lose a game you’re out so we will have to be very focused and keep our concentration, but I’m sure we can do well. There are a lot of great teams but I think we are one of the pairs that are in with a great chance.”

The five-time World Champion wants to recover from his first round exit at the Ally Pally in style by claiming the first major title of 2012.

He said: “I probably didn’t practise enough in the last month or so before the World Championship. I played in a lot of exhibitions but not enough floor tournaments. I’m now practising every day again because it’s important for me to come back with a bang. It’s unfortunate that you can’t get ranking points for the World Cup but it’s still a televised tournament and I would love to win it again. I’m so proud to play for my country and to win a title for Holland is a fantastic achievement so I hope we can do it again.”

The Dutchman doesn’t feel that a change in partner will have any bearing on his chances of winning the tournament and he believes that teamwork is the key to success.

He said: “I’ve played with Vincent many times and we get along well, which is important. We will go there together and practise together. We are a team and that is how we will approach the competition. Our preparation is good, I know which doubles he likes to be left on and he knows which ones I like. We are not going as individuals, we will do everything together, talk a lot and hopefully that will show in our performances. Vincent is an ideal teammate.”

Van Barneveld is confident that he will return to his brilliant best, and hopes he can prove his critics wrong in the World Cup and the upcoming Premier League.

He added: “I feel fantastic at the moment. To retain the World Cup would be a fantastic start to the year and I am over the moon to be given a wildcard for the Premier League. I’m working hard to get in top shape. I played quite well in Benidorm last weekend, my scoring was fantastic.

“With a good performance at the World Cup I can get my confidence back, and then within a couple of weeks of the Premier League the old ‘Barney’ will be back. Some people may have written me off after the World Championship, but I believe in my own ability. Trust me, it’s still there, it hasn’t gone and I will make the ‘Barney Army’ proud of me again.”

By Chris Murphy

James Wade performed consistently well in the first two Players Championship events of the year, showing encouraging form ahead of the 2012 Premier League.

The Machine stormed through to the semi-final of Sunday’s Spanish Darts Classic before being edged out by eventual winner Michael Smith. The world number Three also reached the last 16 of the Spanish Darts Trophy on Saturday.

Wade produced two 6-0 whitewashes en route to the last four on Sunday. He also claimed an impressive 6-1 victory over reigning Players Champion Kevin Painter.

The seven-time major winner hit a brilliant 161 finish in the semi-final, but was unable to see off in-form youngster Smith, who won 6-4 before beating Justin Pipe in the final.

The Machine will now focus his attention on preparing for the opening night of the Premier League in Manchester on Thursday 9^th February.

By Chris Murphy

Paul Nicholson carried his excellent floor form into 2012 with a run to the final of the Spanish Darts Trophy on Saturday.

The Asset saw off Co Stompe, Steve Beaton and Mark Walsh before losing out to Justin Pipe in the final.

The world number 17 was again denied by the eventual winner on Sunday, as Michael Smith overcame the Aussie on his way to victory in the Spanish Darts Classic.

Nicholson’s form in the first two Players Championship events of the year was encouraging and excellent preparation for the World Cup of Darts, which starts next Friday.

The Asset, who is in pursuit of his second major title, will represent Australia with Simon Whitlock in Hamburg.

By Chris Murphy