Tag: Darts Players

Andover darts fans are in for a treat when some of the best players in the world appear in the town on November 7.

The PDC stars, including 2013 Premier League Darts winner Michael van Gerwen, are appearing at an exclusive event at Andover Leisure Centre. (more…)

James Wade moved into the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix in Dublin after defeating Simon Whitlock in a thrilling match on Friday evening.

The two-time winner of the double-start tournament took out a brilliant 101 finish to win a last leg decider, edging an exciting encounter to progress to the last four.

Wade continues his pursuit of an eighth major title when he meets Phil Taylor in the semi-finals on Saturday.

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Michael van Gerwen will meet Raymond van Barneveld in the second round of the World Grand Prix after the Dutch pair both claimed comfortable victories in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Defending champion van Gerwen averaged over 104 in a two nil defeat of John Part, while ‘Barney’ saw off Stuart Kellett by the same scoreline.

The World Cup team-mates will go head to head on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals. (more…)

James Wade and Simon Whitlock both claimed dramatic deciding leg victories in round one of of the World Grand Prix in Dublin, where Paul Nicholson produced one of the top performances of the opening night.

Two-time champion Wade and Australian star Whitlock were both taken to last-leg deciders by Steve Beaton and Michael Mansell respectively, with both surviving missed match-darts by their opponents before winning through to the second round.

Nicholson produced what he went on to describe as his ‘best ever performance on TV’ to defeat Robert Thornton, as ‘The Asset’ averaged just under 100 in a 2-1 sucess. (more…)

The groups for the 2013 Championship League Darts have been announced, with James Wade, Michael van Gerwen and Simon Whitlock featuring in Group One, which takes place on Tuesday September 24.

The internet-streamed event will see play across nine days, with the eight individual Group Winners going on to contest the title in the Winners Group on Thursday October 24.

In-form Michael van Gerwen and two-time UK Open champion James Wade stormed into the last 16 with comfortable wins on Saturday afternoon, while Scottish pair Robert Thornton and John Henderson also reached the fifth round in Bolton.

Wade swept past Dave Chisnall, winning 9-2 to keep alive his hopes of winning a third UK Open title.

But the 2008 and 2011 winner, who has won five games to reach the last 16, insisted he is not thinking that far ahead.

He said: “I’m looking forward to my next game, whoever it is against, and that is all I’m going to concentrate on at the moment.

“It’s not about this tournament or any individual tournament for me. It is all about getting things right for a good future in the modern era of darts.

“I’m happy with my results so far and if I step my performance levels up a little bit I can beat anyone.”

Wade will take on Henderson in the evening session for a place in Sunday’s quarter-finals after the Scotsman fought back from 8-6 down to defeat Kevin McDine in a deciding leg.

“It’s a massive win for me,” said Henderson.

“It was very tense at the end and we both missed darts for the match but I was over moon when the last one went in.

“I’m really enjoying this tournament and it is onwards an upwards for me now.”

van Gerwen will face Terry Jenkins in round five after the Dutchman saw off Northern Ireland’s Michael Mansell 9-3.

And the world number two is targeting an improved performance.

“I’m not too happy with how I played in the first two games,” said van Gerwen, who had beaten Mervyn King on Friday.

“I have to concentrate better tonight. Terry is a great player and hopefully that will bring out the best in me.”

Defending champion Robert Thornton won the last four legs to claim a 9-5 win over Kirk Shepherd.

The Premier League star, who will face Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night admitted he had to work hard for the win.

Thornton said: “Kirk is one of those players who will throw a brilliant leg and then a bad leg so when he puts a run together you can be in trouble.

“I dug in and got the job done though. I played fairly well and I’m happy to be through.

“My game is there and so is my confidence and I’m actually playing better than I did when I won it last year.”

van Barneveld won his fourth round match comfortably, defeating Joey Palfreyman 9-3.

 

By Chris Murphy

SEE JAMES WADE, RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD, SIMON WHITLOCK AND TED HANKEY LIVE IN SUNDERLAND ON JUNE 15 – TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

The visit of top PDC darts stars to Millwall Football Club has been moved to a new date.

Premier League Darts aces James Wade and Michael van Gerwen are still heading to do battle in Millwall, but will appear a couple of weeks later than originally planned.

The Millwall Masters will now take place on 12 September, and will feature world number two van Gerwen and Wade, who is ranked fourth, alongside three more top players.

Also on show are the charismatic trio of former World Champions Ted Hankey and Andy Fordham and former Players Champion Paul Nicholson.

Wade is the second most successful player in PDC history, having won seven major titles, while van Gerwen, the 2013 Premier League champion, is widely tipped to be a dominant force in darts for years to come.

The event will see four local qualifiers given the chance to take on the professionals. Details of how to qualify will be announced in due course.

World Grand Prix winner van Gerwen, who was a guest of honour at a Millwall home game last season, said: “I’m really looking forward to this event.

“I’m a big football fan and enjoyed visiting the club. I’m looking forward to coming back to show everyone what I do best in what is going to be a great night.

“The line-up for the event is fantastic. We are all players that would expect to meet in the quarters and semi-finals of major tournaments so fans are in for a treat.

“We will put on a good show and I hope the qualifiers will be ready because we will all be out to win!”

The date change is due to unforeseen professional commitments. Customers that have already purchased tickets are advised to contact MODUS Sports Management on 08450 180 180 or original place of purchase.

Tickets for the Millwall Masters are available from www.dartshop.tv / 08450 180 180 or from the box office 0207 740 0504.

Michael van Gerwen won the first ever Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters, completing an amazing week with an excellent 11-7 final victory over Raymond van Barneveld on Thursday evening.

‘Mighty Mike’, who has also triumphed in the Premier League and European Masters in the last eight days, produced stunning finishes of 164 and 170 to cap a fine string of performances.

The Dutch ace had defeated Wes Newton and Andy Hamilton to set up a last two clash with compatriot van Barneveld.

“There was a little payback there because Raymond beat me in the Grand Slam, but I always enjoy playing him and it was a great final,” van Gerwen told the PDC’s official website.

“I think, with all the conditions, I played very well and put in some great averages and hit the 170 finish and 164 finish at good moments in the final so that was important to make me the champion.”

James Wade had become the first PDC player to win a professional game outdoors when he defeated Simon Whitlock in a thrilling quarter-final match on Thursday.

But ‘The Machine’ was denied a place in the final by ‘Barney’.

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn has revealed that the tournament will return to Dubai in 2014.

He said: “We’re looking forward to building on this because the crowd have created a fantastic atmosphere.

“We’ve had over 5,000 fans visit the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium for the tournament and millions watching around the world, and I’m sure we can sell out next year’s event.”

By Chris Murphy

THE STARS OF WORLD DARTS ARE HEADING TO NORTH WALES NEXT MONTH – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Michael van Gerwen can secure his place at the McCoy’s Premier League play-off finals with a positive result in Birmingham, where James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld will be looking to move closer to cementing their places inside the top four.

Simon Whitlock and Robert Thornton are also in the race to compete in the tournament’s finale in May ahead of the twelfth night of action on Thursday.

League leader van Gerwen is hoping to celebrate his 24th birthday by obtaining the point that would guarantee his place at London’s O2 in next month’s finals night but his opponent Simon Whitlock knows the importance of securing victory to keep his own bid alive.

Whitlock, who hit a nine-dart finish in last year’s play-offs and finished as runner-up, faces a double-header against world number two van Gerwen and the highest ranked player, Phil Taylor. But ‘The Wizard’ insisted that he is not daunted by the challenge.

“I’ve got the top two players in the world rankings but I’ll be looking to do some damage,” warned Whitlock, who has claimed back-to-back victories since surviving relegation.

“I know that I can beat both of these guys but you’ve got to play one match at a time. I need to get at least six points out of my next five matches to have a chance of reaching the play-offs but I’m going in the right direction.”

Second and third place will go head to head in Birmingham as Wade and van Barneveld clash at the NIA.

After the pair shared a draw in their previous meeting, Wade is confident of getting a result against the Dutch star.

“I won’t lose to him,” said ‘The Machine’, speaking to www.pdc.tv

“We drew the last time we played and I was awful. I had gastroenteritis and hadn’t slept for two days and I still got a draw.

“He has been getting good results but I don’t think he is at his very best and I’m starting to get closer to mine so I look forward to playing him.”

Thornton takes on Stoke pair Andy Hamilton and Adrian Lewis and is looking to close the gap on the top four, or even climb back into it, after falling two points behind fourth-placed Taylor.

“My focus is on the reaching the play-offs now,” said the Scottish ace.

“That can only be achieved one game at a time though and it starts again with a tough match on Thursday.

“A win against Andy started what has been an amazing first season in the McCoy’s Premier League for me and hopefully another one can kick-start my play-off push.

“Whatever happens then I have to prepare for Adrian Lewis. It will be a difficult night but it could be a very sweet one if it goes right.”

Taylor and Lewis face each other in the evening’s other match.

By Chris Murphy

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Latest League Table

P W D L +/- LWAT Ave Pts
Michael van Gerwen 13 9 2 2 +27 32 99.25 20
James Wade 12 7 2 3 +19 28 96.78 16
Raymond van Barneveld 12 6 3 3 +10 31 98.50 15
Phil Taylor 12 5 3 4 +9 30 99.60 13
Robert Thornton 11 4 3 4 +2 25 98.48 11
Andy Hamilton 12 5 0 7 -8 23 94.56 10
Simon Whitlock 11 5 0 6 -8 23 93.94 10
Adrian Lewis 11 3 1 7 -19 18 91.46 7

 

See some of the stars of Premier League in action at the Allstars of Andover in August – Tickets now on sale – BUY NOW 

 


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