Wade sinks Klaasen with a 170 and tops the table

JAMES WADE returned to the top of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts table with an 8-4 win over Jelle Klaasen - piling the pressure on Phil Taylor.

Wade completed his league fixtures for the 2009 season in impressive style at the Sheffield Arena, taking out a 170 checkout to seal victory against the Dutchman.

That leaves Taylor needing to win or draw against Mervyn King in Cardiff next week when the pair clash if he is to finish top going into the play-offs.

Wade looked on course to wrap up a comfortable win when he moved 3-0 up against Klaasen before the young Dutchman got off the mark on double 16.

Checkouts of 103 and 76 moved Wade 5-1 up, and he responded to Klaasen taking the seventh with legs of 11 and 13 darts to move to the brink of victory.

Picture courtesy Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Klaasen took out 104 and then 70 to win the next two legs and give hope of a comeback, but Wade wrapped up the victory in style with a 170 checkout to seal two points and a £1,000 bonus as the night's highest finish.

"Jelle didn't start well but I took advantage but he came back well and started taking his shots out," said Wade.

"To finish with a 170 was fantastic and it's good to be back top of the table. Phil has a game in hand but my work's done now and I can look ahead to the play-offs."

Hampshire Darts and Hill Park MWMC renew Agreement

To cap off a tense but ultimately brilliant season it was a great pleasure for Hampshire to be invited to renew their Agreement with the Hill Park Memorial Working Men's Club for the staging of the British Inter County Adult and Youth Matches for at least the next 5 years

Since 2002 the Hill Park MWM Club and HCDO have enjoyed a mutually beneficial association and with the signing of this new agreement comes the confidence that this will continue to the advantage of all concerned

It is a privilege for Hampshire to be able to use the tremendous facilities the club provides and enjoy the excellent support of the Officers, Staff and Members of this great club and this excellent working relationship was even more apparent at this last fixture where at their own request all Bar Staff were wearing specially crafted Hampshire shirts as a much appreciated gesture of their support for the Hampshire Teams

It is a great honour for Hampshire that The Hill Park Memorial Working Men's Club allows itself to be known as the 'Home of Hampshire Darts' and in turn we are proud to be able to regard the Club as a place where we are made to feel so very much 'at home'

The photograph depicts the actual signing of the Agreement by the Club and HCDO which took place on Sunday 26th April and those in attendance included [from left to right]

Steve Ballard [Hampshire Men's Team Manager], Norman Taylor [President - Hill Park MWMC ]

Chris Wilcox [ President - HCDO ] Brenda Cummings [Ladies Team Manager]

Hampshire Ladies 'A' - Premier Division Champions

Congratulations to the Hampshire Ladies 'A' Team who by virtue of a tremendous season capped by a marvelous 5 - 1 victory over Cheshire in the last fixture secured the BICC Premier Division Ladies 'A' Title

This is the first time that Hampshire have won this title in the Premier Division but it follows on from the title wins in 1975-1976, 1978-1979 and 1979-1980 when in Division One South

It i also serves as a fitting accolade to Brenda Cummings in the season where she celebrated 250 consecutive matces as Ladies Team Manager

The photograph shows from left to right

Sue Smee, Wendy Reinstadtler, Sue Lowther, Brenda Cummings [Manager] Maria Agozzino, Wendy Truran [Captain] Elaine Harty and Steffi Smee

An an interesting fact is that Sue Smee was a member of the Ladies 'A' when the last title was won

Well done to Brenda and her Ladies - Hampshire are so very proud of you all

Hampshire v Cheshire British Inter-County Fixture

Get in there Hampshire!!!! Not only have the mighty blues secured Premiership status, they have also picked up the Ladies A title after a superb result against Cheshire at the weekend.

With the general consensus outside the team seeming to be that Hampshire were going to get battered by Cheshire, and subsequently find themselves relegated to Division One, it was great to see the side dig in and produce a fantastic result. Credit has to go to the Ladies teams who walked away with 10 points from a possible 12, but there were also some great performances from the men.

Graham Hardy kicked off Saturdays B Team matches with a 3-0 win and 24.35 average. Troy Butler was then unfortunate to lose 3-2, but Steve Musson stepped up to win the next match 3-0 with a MOM 25.05. With Kev Murrell unable to follow suit, the score stood at 2-2 after the first four matches.
The Ladies then took to the stage with Tara Power (3-1 18.06) and Carole Shinar (3-1 15.76) both winning their games, before Charlotte Burgess produced a cracking Lady of the Match performance, winning 3-0 with an impressive 24.24 average.
With the score standing at 5-2 to Hampshire, the next four men took to the stage. Dave Bonnett, Paul Reidy and Sam Rooney were all unable to post a win, but Phil Harty kept their noses in front with a hard fought 3-2 win and 24.76 average. Up stepped the Ladies again to take two of the next three matches, courtesy of Jane Monaghan (3-0 18.56) and Pennie Lewis (3-0 20.04). Gemma Hayter was the unlucky loser. Only Tony Hutchinson managed a point from the final four Men’s matches, winning 3-1 with a 24.25 average, with Ricky Williams, Colin Philpott and Kev Ede all left disappointed. The final score at the halfway point stood at 9-9, leaving everything to play for on the Sunday.

The Men’s A knew they had a tough game on their hands against a team consisting of Gary Welding, Tony O’Shea, Daryll Fitton, Davy Richardson, Steve Coote and Stephen Bunting, but gave it their best shot. Roy Brown started the ball rolling with a 3-2 win and 28.24 average, but the next three players (Graham Huggett, Graham Hardy & Dennis Murrell) were unable to follow suit, and all lost out to their opponents.
The Ladies A knew exactly what they needed to do in order to clinch the Ladies A title, and didn’t disappoint. The first three games were all five leg nail biters, with Steffi Smee (3-2 20.83) and Wendy Reinstadler (3-2 22.39) both securing wins. Sue Smee was the unlucky loser after missing her double in the final leg.
With the score 13-12 to Cheshire, the next four men took to the stage. Mark Smith (3-1 22.96) and Danny Ballard (3-0 26.37) both won and Rick Lowther took the Man of the Match award with a 3-2 win and 28.55 average. Danny Smith played some great darts in his game against Darryl Fitton but lost out 3-1 with a 29.82.
Back came the final three Ladies, and there was no messing about with Sue Lowther (3-0 19.78), Elaine Harty (3-1 16.66) and Maria Aggozino (3-2 18.01) all winning their games, to leave the score at 18-14 to Hampshire.
With Hampshire only needing a point from the final four games to win the match, it was Nillson Pritchard (3-2 25.23) who stepped up to take the honour, after Mick Cookman and Andy Mitchell both failed to win their games. Mark Thorne played the last game of the season, but he too was unable to win.
Final score was 19-17 to Hampshire and Premiership status was secured by 12 points. A great result after a tough season. Congratulations to the Ladies A side on winning the title. It meant an awful lot to them, and nobody can say they didn’t deserve it. We are all proud of you girls!!

Anyway, roll on next season. UP THE HAMPSHIRE!

Alex Brindley

Hampshire v Cheshire

British Inter Counties Championships

Final fixture result
Hampshire v Cheshire
MEN 'A' Hampshire 5 Cheshire 7
MEN 'B' Hampshire 4 Cheshire 8
LADIES 'A' Hampshire 5 Cheshire 1
LADIES 'B' Hampshire 5 Cheshire 1

Giving a total of 19 points plus 3 x bonus points to Hampshire
=22 to Cheshire 17

also
HAMPSHIRE LADIES 'A' WIN THE PREMIER DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHOP
Well done girls

Hampshire v Cheshire

Saturday results

Ladies 'B' Hampshire 5 Cheshire 1
Men 'B' Hampshire 4 Cheshire 8

Hampshire v Cheshire - Crucial Match

This weekend of 25th – 26th April sees possibly the most crucial match that Hampshire have ever played in their 22 years in the Premier Division of the BDO British Inter Counties Championship as with the relegation positions so very tight there are several Counties including Hampshire with tremendous battles on their hands
To be sure of staying in the top flight regardless of what other Counties do Hampshire need to reap at least a 14 point tally over the weekend [that is a win of 14 individual matches] and any less than this then we will be reliant on other Counties in a similar position doing badly and thus helping our own cause

Full results and reports will be posted over the weekend

For England and St. George!

JAMES WADE maintained his good run of form with a 7-2 victory over Robert Thornton in a Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts Challenge Match in Aberdeen.

The absence of Wayne Mardle saw Scottish star Thornton drafted in to face Wade, who had hit a 108 average, the highest of this year's event so far, in a win over Terry Jenkins last week.

And he continued that form at the AECC, hitting seven maximums and a 105 average to hand Thornton a Premier League lesson.

Wade silenced the Scottish crowd by opening the game with a 180, and took the first leg in 12 darts with an 81 finish.

Thornton levelled in the second, but Wade edged in front with a 116 finish to win the next and hit two maximums in a 13-darter to break throw and leade 3-1.

He hit another 180 in a second successive 13-dart finish to pull three legs clear, although Thornton hit back to reduce the gap to 4-2 at the break, with a 168 score setting up a double four finish.

Wade returned from the break with a second 116 checkout of the game, and another 180 set up a double 18 finish as he went 6-2 up.

Three missed doubles from Thornton came back to haunt him in the next, as Wade sealed the win on double ten.

Blue Square UK Open East Midlands Regional Final

JAMES WADE had a run to the last sixteen of the latest Blue Square UK Open Regional Final at Derby but was beaten by Raymond van Barneveld.

Andy Jenkins went down to Ken Dobson in the previous round and Robbie Newland and Colin Monk made the last 64, losing out to Richie Burnett and Andy Hamilton respectively.

Mark Walsh beat Raymond van Barneveld in the final to collect the £6,000 top prize.

East Midlands Players Championship

JAMES WADE beat Colin Lloyd 6-4 in the final at the Moorways Leisure Centre, Derby to take the East Midlands Players Championship.

Colin Monk reached the last 32 before going down to the former World Champion Raymond van Barneveld.

Wade banked £6,000 and Gary Anderson picked up the rolling £1,200 prize fund for a nine dart leg earlier in the afternoon.

The second event of the weekend takes place at the same venue tomorrow.

Wade held by Taylor but still tops Premier League

PHIL TAYLOR battled from 7-3 behind to claim a draw with James Wade in a scintillating battle of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts' top two in Nottingham.

Wade had leap-frogged Taylor to head the table with his 8-1 win over Terry Jenkins earlier in the evening, and looked set to take a three-point advantage into the final three weeks of the league campaign.

But Taylor showed his class to take the final four legs without reply in grabbing a point.

As well as Wade had played against Jenkins, hitting eight maximums in a 108 average to win 8-1, the world number two struggled to regain the form in the early stages of the clash with Taylor.

Taylor took the first and third legs in 12 darts with the throw - but failed to take advantage against the throw as Wade took two to level.

Taylor landed scores of 140 and 180 in winning the fifth, but Wade followed up a 14-darter in the next with a 12-darter to break throw and lead 4-3.

A superb 145 checkout saw him move clear, and also ensure a £1,000 bonus as the night's highest finish, before another break of throw and double top put him 7-3 up.

The pair traded maximums in the next, with Taylor hitting double eight to cut the gap.

Both left a double with 180s in leg 12, but Wade was left waiting on 12 when Taylor checked out tops to reduce the arrears to 7-5.

Double 16 from Taylor sent the match into a deciding leg, but two misses from the defending champion gave Wade his chance to complete a Premier League double over his great rival.

But misses at double four and two gave Taylor a second chance, which he took on double top to claim a point.

"James' scoring and finishing was superb," said Taylor. "I was leaving doubles and he was finishing on me and he was brilliant.

"His first game was awesome and I knew I was up against a tough game but I kept battling and noticed a chink in him towards the end.

"I thought I'd blown my chance but he let me back in."

Wade admitted: "I've only got myself to blame for being 7-3 up and not finishing the job.

"I let myself down in the last few legs and Phil was better than me there."

Wade in imperious form at Nottingham

JAMES WADE produced one of the greatest ever Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts displays with an 8-1 defeat of Terry Jenkins.

Wade powered in a 108 average to deal Jenkins' play-off hopes a hammer blow, hitting eight 180s in a ruthless performance.

Double ten gave Wade the first leg, and the players traded 180s before Jenkins took the second to level with a 13-darter on double 18.

Wade kicked off the third with back-to-back 180s to set up a potential nine-darter, and though that slipped through his fingers he landed double 18 for an 11-darter,

He also landed two maximums in taking the fourth with another 11-darter to break throw, and matched a Jenkins 180 with his sixth of the match in going 4-1 up.

Wade posted another 180 in taking leg six on double ten, and a 120 finish put the world number two into a 6-1 lead without Jenkins having a dart at a double since the second leg.

Scores of 140 and 180 pushed Jenkins clear in the next leg, but he missed five darts at a double before Wade stepped in on double ten.

Jenkins hit his fourth 180 of the match in opening leg nine, but Wade replied in kind to hit a 13-darter in sealing a comprehensive victory and setting up a top-of-the-table clash with Phil Taylor later in the evening.

"Sometimes the game is that easy and other times I make it look really awkward," said Wade. "In this game it looked easy and the 180s flowed.

"It's very pleased to get such a win and I'll look forward to playing Phil next!"

Andover Darts Academy Events

May Event
Saturday 9th May 2009
Micky Collins Memorial Classic Ranking Singles
Sponsored by: South West Taverns
Venue: The Entertainer – Andover.
Winner £200 – Runner Up £100 – paying down to last 8 – Over £500 in prize money!!
Plus ranking points for 2010 Transplus Classic

Open to all players entry fee £5 per player – Cheques payable to Andover Invitation Darts
c/o: the Entertainer – King Arthurs Way Andover SP10 4BS

Registration by 11.30 am – toe the oche 12.15pm.
Semi finals and finals on stage
Format best of 7 legs 501.
First 64 entrants’ only – Closing date – 3rd May 2009
Further information contact Glen Dawkins on 01264 395 246 or visit www.andoverdarts.org

June Event
Saturday 6th June 2009
Johnny Woodman Classic Ranking Singles
Sponsored by: JB Motors & West Portway MOT
Venue: The Entertainer – Andover.
Winners £200 – Runners Up £100 – paying down to last 8 – Over £500 in prize money!!
Plus ranking points for 2010 Transplus Classic

Open to all players entry fee £5 per player – Cheques payable to Andover Invitation Darts
c/o: the Entertainer – King Arthurs Way Andover SP10 4BS

Registration by 11.30 am – toe the oche 12.15pm.
First 64 entrants’ only – Closing date – 2nd June 2009
Format best of 7 legs 501.

Further information contact Glen Dawkins on 01264 395 246 or visit www.andoverdarts.org


July Event
Saturday 4th July 2009
John Taylor Memorial ‘2-Player-Team’ Event
Sponsored by: Transplus Ltd.
Venue: The Entertainer – Andover.
Winners £200 – Runners Up £100 – paying down to last 8 – Over £500 in prize money!!
Plus ranking points for 2010 Transplus Classic

Open to all players entry fee £10 per team – Cheques payable to Andover Invitation Darts
c/o: the Entertainer – King Arthurs Way Andover SP10 4BS
Format: 2 singles best of 5x501 plus 1 x pairs 3x601.
Registration by 11.30 am – toe the oche 12.15pm.
First 64 entrants’ only – Closing date – 1st July 2009
Further information contact Glen Dawkins on 01264 395 246 or visit www.andoverdarts.org

Blue Square UK Open South West Regional Final

ANDY JENKINS had a great run to the quarter-finals at Taunton before yesterday's runner-up Vincent van der Voort halted his progress.

Aldershot pair James Wade and Ian Jopling made the last 32 before losing out to Colin Lloyd and Darren Johnson.

Colin Monk reached the last 64 but was edged out in the last leg by Andy Jenkins.

Phil Taylor took his third consecutive UK Open regional title beating Andy Hamilton 6-0 in the final, averaging over 120 a throw.

South West Players Championship

RICKY WILLIAMS lasted longest of the Hampshiremen at Taunton's Wellsprings Centre in the first of two £30,000 events this weekend.

Wins over former World Champion Andy Fordham and Team Modus stablemate Andy Jenkins saw him into the last 32 but Denis Ovens ended his run.

Also in the last 64 with Andy Jenkins were James Wade who lost to Martyn Turner, and Steve Musson who went down to Adrian Lewis.

Michael van Gerwen beat Vincent van der Voort in an all Dutch final to take the £6,000 first prize.

Another Premier League win for Wade in Exeter

JAMES WADE bounced back to winning ways in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts with an 8-5 victory over Raymond van Barneveld.

The world number two completed a Premier League double over the Dutchman with a much-improved display, following his 8-3 drubbing to Mervyn King a week ago.

Van Barneveld hit back from 1-0 down to take out 78 in the second leg and double eight to break in the third.

Wade hit back to lead with checkouts of 65 and 80, only for van Barneveld to power home a 135 finish.

Wade took out 101 to lead 4-3 before taking another break of throw with a 61 finish, despite a 180 from the Dutchman, to push two legs clear.

Finishes of double 18 and double top saw van Barneveld, but crucially he missed three darts at tops and double ten in the 11th leg.

Wade stepped in on double top, and punished further missed doubles to go 7-5 up in the next.

A 180, for the third successive leg, pushed Wade ahead in the 13th leg, and an 81 checkout for a 12-darter sealed an important two points.

"I've been blowing hot and cold recently and was embarrassed with how I played against Mervyn last week, so it was important to get the win tonight," said Wade.

"I'm pleased with the display and happy to get the win, but I still know I can play better and want to do that next week.

"Raymomd missed some doubles and let me in, and I was there to take my chances."

9 Dart Leg - STEVE MUSSON

At Hampshire Super League on Friday 3rd April 2009 Hampshire player STEVE MUSSON achieved a brilliant 9 dart leg with scores of:

180 – 180 - 141 (T20 – T15 – D18)

Congratulations to Steve who now joins
MICK COOKMAN,
LES WALLACE
TONY WHITCHER
in this very exclusive Hampshire Club

Dutch Darts Trophy - Sunday

ANDY JENKINS reached the quarter finals of the second £30,000 Pro Tour event of the weekend at the van der Valk Hotel, Nuland.

He was beaten by Adrian Lewis but banked £800 towards his Order of Merit totals and reclaimed his place in the Top 32.

Colin Monk picked up £300 for his run to the last 32 where he was beaten by Colin Lloyd.

Both are relying on good Pro Tour performances to qualify for the Stan James World Matchplay at Blackpool in the summer.

Vincent van der Voort hit a 9 darter in his opening match but Phil Taylor took the £6,000 first prize defeating Gary Anderson for the second day running.

Dutch Darts Trophy - Saturday

COLIN MONK lost to Steve Brown in the last 16 of the first of two £30,000 Pro Tour events at the van der Valk Hotel, Nuland.

He had earlier eliminated Vincent van der Voort and Alex Roy.

Andy Jenkins was beaten in the first round by Mensur Suljovic.

Phil Taylor edged out Gary Anderson by 6-5 in a spectacular final. Taylor averaged over 116 and Anderson over 108. At 5-4 down Taylor missed a double eighteen for a nine dart game, clearing up in 11 and winning the title with 12 further darts.

A second event takes place at the same venue tomorrow afternoon.

Wade loses to King at Glasgow SECC

MERVYN KING climbed above James Wade to second in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts table with an 8-3 victory in Glasgow.

King completed a Premier League double over Wade with another big win, following up his 8-1 triumph in Edinburgh in February with another strong display.

The Premier League debutant was not at his best throughout the contest, but found Wade unable to hit top gear in a frustrating performance.

King stormed into a 4-0 lead, taking out finishes of 119 and 104 to secure two early breaks of throw, and then extended his cushion to five legs on double two after both players missed chances in the next.

Wade took out double ten for a 67 finish to get off the mark, but King returned from the break to take the next two legs on double ten and double eight for a 7-1 advantage.

King missed match darts in the next two legs as Wade briefly threatened a comeback in reducing the arrears to 7-3.

But King ensured the victory on double eight to pick up his sixth win of the season.

"It wasn't my best performance but James didn't turn up and I was a little better than him," said King.

"That's probably the worst I've ever seen him play and I don't know why, but that wasn't the real him. In the practice room he was hitting everything and I thought I was in for a real tussle.

"I should have finished him off earlier and had some chances, but he did battle to stay in there. I did enough to get the win and it's two more points for me."