REIGNING Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts champion James Wade claimed his second victory of the 2010 season with an 8-5 win over Terry Jenkins in Birmingham.
Wade had picked up his maiden win of the year in Brighton last week, and backed that up with a strong victory over the 2007 finalist.
Wade pulled clear from two-all to lead 7-3 before closing out victory with a fine 11-dart finish.
Jenkins took advantage of a missed double ten from Wade - for a 140 finish - to win the opening leg on double top against the darts, only for the left-hander to his a 180 and double five to break back.
Wade took the third on double one before missing two darts to take the next, with Jenkins finishing 94 on double 13 to square the game.
The pair traded double top finishes to leave the scores tied at the break, before Wade found another gear.
He followed a double top checkout with a 13-darter to lead 5-3, before hitting a 180 and double five to take the ninth and double ten for a four-leg cushion.
Jenkins produced his best darts of the game to stay in the contest, with finishes of 14 and 13 darts giving him two more legs to pull back to 7-5.
He also hit a 180 in the next, but Wade matched that to leave 41 after nine darts before landing double top to complete the win.
"It was a strange game because my scoring in patches was so good that the doubles I was missing didn't matter," said Wade.
"If I'd finished as well as I scored then I'd have played a really good game but I was fortunate to catch Terry on the back foot.
"I've won two games but I'm not getting carried away. I've not played good enough darts for six months but I'm starting to play good darts again.
"I'm working harder and hopefully the results will keep coming now."
Thursday 25 March 2010
Sunday 21 March 2010
UK Open Qualifier 4 Crawley
JAMES WADE is beaten 6-5 by Wes Newton in the semi-final at the K2 Centre.
Colin Monk reaches the last 32.
Gary Anderson sneaks past Newton 6-5 in the final.
Colin Monk reaches the last 32.
Gary Anderson sneaks past Newton 6-5 in the final.
Saturday 20 March 2010
Players Championship 8 Crawley
JAMES WADE is narrowly beaten in the sem-finals at the K2 Centre by Denis Ovens.
Rick Lowther has his best run in a PDC Pro Tour event making the last 16 before taking Ovens to the full 11 legs.
Ian Jopling and Colin Monk both reach the last 64.
Barrie Bates beats Ovens in the final and Andy Hamilton hits a nine-darter during the afternoon,
Rick Lowther has his best run in a PDC Pro Tour event making the last 16 before taking Ovens to the full 11 legs.
Ian Jopling and Colin Monk both reach the last 64.
Barrie Bates beats Ovens in the final and Andy Hamilton hits a nine-darter during the afternoon,
Thursday 18 March 2010
Revenge over Whitlock at Brighton for Wade
DEFENDING Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts champion James Wade picked up his first win of the 2010 season with an 8-4 win over Simon Whitlock at The Brighton Centre - overturning a 4-1 deficit in a classy display.
Wade looked on course to suffer a fourth defeat in the opening six weeks when Whitlock powered into an early lead.
But the world number three gradually clawed back level before pulling away for victory with a run of seven successive legs.
Wade missed double ten to take the game's opening leg as Whitlock stepped in on double top, and the left-hander also struggled to close out the second leg before hitting double two to square the game.
Whitlock posted a 180 and double 18 to win the third, and a sensational 170 checkout - the highest of the night to earn him a £1,000 bonus - put him 3-1 up.
Wade's miss at double four in the next allowed Whitlock to hit double eight and lead 4-1 as the pressure mounted once more on the reigning champion.
Wade settled his nerves on double 16 and finally found his range on double top to win the next two legs, including a 14-darter to level the match.
He then punished missed darts for the bullseye and double four from Whitlock to edge a scrappy ninth leg on double one and take the lead for the first time.
Wade then landed three successive 140s in the next, hitting double five to move two legs clear despite a maximum from the Australian.
Double ten put Wade a leg away from the match, and he hit his second 180 of the contest and double top to seal his maiden win of the season.
"It's a relief to get the two points because I've been putting myself under a lot of pressure to get that first win but now I hope that the relaxed and fluent James Wade will come out," said Wade.
"I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me now if I'm going to get into the play-offs and it's a huge mountain to climb but I'll do everything I can to get in there.
"Now hopefully I can play like I know I can. I've been making it hard work but it's not that hard sometimes.
"When Simon dipped off I managed to step in and it wasn't as much of a comeback because I had chances early on but let Simon off."
Wade looked on course to suffer a fourth defeat in the opening six weeks when Whitlock powered into an early lead.
But the world number three gradually clawed back level before pulling away for victory with a run of seven successive legs.
Wade missed double ten to take the game's opening leg as Whitlock stepped in on double top, and the left-hander also struggled to close out the second leg before hitting double two to square the game.
Whitlock posted a 180 and double 18 to win the third, and a sensational 170 checkout - the highest of the night to earn him a £1,000 bonus - put him 3-1 up.
Wade's miss at double four in the next allowed Whitlock to hit double eight and lead 4-1 as the pressure mounted once more on the reigning champion.
Wade settled his nerves on double 16 and finally found his range on double top to win the next two legs, including a 14-darter to level the match.
He then punished missed darts for the bullseye and double four from Whitlock to edge a scrappy ninth leg on double one and take the lead for the first time.
Wade then landed three successive 140s in the next, hitting double five to move two legs clear despite a maximum from the Australian.
Double ten put Wade a leg away from the match, and he hit his second 180 of the contest and double top to seal his maiden win of the season.
"It's a relief to get the two points because I've been putting myself under a lot of pressure to get that first win but now I hope that the relaxed and fluent James Wade will come out," said Wade.
"I've got a lot of hard work ahead of me now if I'm going to get into the play-offs and it's a huge mountain to climb but I'll do everything I can to get in there.
"Now hopefully I can play like I know I can. I've been making it hard work but it's not that hard sometimes.
"When Simon dipped off I managed to step in and it wasn't as much of a comeback because I had chances early on but let Simon off."
Sunday 14 March 2010
UK Open Qualifier 3 Wigan
COLIN MONK makes it to the last 64 before being edged out by Kevin Painter while James Wade loses in the same round to Phil Taylor.
Taylor goes on to win the final 6-0 against Jamie Caven averaging almost 122 each visit to the board.
Taylor goes on to win the final 6-0 against Jamie Caven averaging almost 122 each visit to the board.
Saturday 13 March 2010
Players Championship 7 Wigan
STEVE MUSSON reaches the last 32 at Robin Park Tennis Centre but is beaten by Stuart Bousfield.
Colin Monk, Arron Monk, Rick Lowther and Robbie Newland all make the last 64.
Phil Taylor beats Mark Dudbridge 6-0 in the final averaging over 114 a throw.
Colin Monk, Arron Monk, Rick Lowther and Robbie Newland all make the last 64.
Phil Taylor beats Mark Dudbridge 6-0 in the final averaging over 114 a throw.
Thursday 11 March 2010
Another draw for Wade at Manchester
RONNIE BAXTER battled back from three legs down to grab a draw with James Wade and deny the reigning Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts champion his first victory of 2010.
Wade picked up his first point of the season a week ago with a draw against Adrian Lewis in Exeter, but was again punished for failing to close out the win at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.
The left-hander led 4-1 and 6-3 but crucially missed three darts for a 7-4 cushion in the 11th leg before Baxter hit back to claim a point.
"I've been practising hard and am trying turn it around, but the results aren't quite coming for me," said Wade. "For the last couple of weeks I've been playing some good darts and my form is coming back."
Wade took out double top to win the opening leg, but Baxter responded in style with a 121 checkout in the second to level.
Wade moved 2-1 up with a 13-darter and hit a 180 and a 100 checkout in breaking Baxter's throw, while a double five finish saw him take a three-leg cushion at 4-1.
Baxter landed a 180 in a 14-darter to pull back the sixth leg, and landed a 13-dart finish in the eighth after Wade posted a sparking 11-dart leg.
A 127 checkout from Wade saw him take a 6-3 lead, but Baxter finished 83 in two darts to take a fourth leg of the match and then stepped in to win a crucial 11th leg, when the world number three missed three darts at double ten and five before the Blackpool man took out 64.
Baxter then hit double 16 to level the game, although Wade regained his composure to take out 85 in two darts for a 14-darter to secure a minimum of a draw.
His hopes of claiming a first win of the year, though, were ended when Baxter opened the deciding leg with two 180s, and although a potential nine-darter went begging he took the leg in 11 darts to take a point.
"I'm happy to get a draw and it's another step towards the play-offs, which is where I want to be," said Baxter. "My average of nearly 104 shows that my hard work in practice is paying off.
"I'm focused and happy with how it's going so far this season."
Wade picked up his first point of the season a week ago with a draw against Adrian Lewis in Exeter, but was again punished for failing to close out the win at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester.
The left-hander led 4-1 and 6-3 but crucially missed three darts for a 7-4 cushion in the 11th leg before Baxter hit back to claim a point.
"I've been practising hard and am trying turn it around, but the results aren't quite coming for me," said Wade. "For the last couple of weeks I've been playing some good darts and my form is coming back."
Wade took out double top to win the opening leg, but Baxter responded in style with a 121 checkout in the second to level.
Wade moved 2-1 up with a 13-darter and hit a 180 and a 100 checkout in breaking Baxter's throw, while a double five finish saw him take a three-leg cushion at 4-1.
Baxter landed a 180 in a 14-darter to pull back the sixth leg, and landed a 13-dart finish in the eighth after Wade posted a sparking 11-dart leg.
A 127 checkout from Wade saw him take a 6-3 lead, but Baxter finished 83 in two darts to take a fourth leg of the match and then stepped in to win a crucial 11th leg, when the world number three missed three darts at double ten and five before the Blackpool man took out 64.
Baxter then hit double 16 to level the game, although Wade regained his composure to take out 85 in two darts for a 14-darter to secure a minimum of a draw.
His hopes of claiming a first win of the year, though, were ended when Baxter opened the deciding leg with two 180s, and although a potential nine-darter went begging he took the leg in 11 darts to take a point.
"I'm happy to get a draw and it's another step towards the play-offs, which is where I want to be," said Baxter. "My average of nearly 104 shows that my hard work in practice is paying off.
"I'm focused and happy with how it's going so far this season."
Sunday 7 March 2010
Players Championship 6 Gladbeck
JAMES WADE makes the quarter-finals but is beaten by Gary Anderson.
Adrian Lewis beats Mark Walsh in the final.
Adrian Lewis beats Mark Walsh in the final.
Saturday 6 March 2010
Players Championship 5 Gladbeck
JAMES WADE is beaten in the last 32 by Peter Hudson and Colin Monk reaches the last 64.
Vincent van der Voort beats Wayne Jones in the final at the van der Valk Hotel.
Vincent van der Voort beats Wayne Jones in the final at the van der Valk Hotel.
Thursday 4 March 2010
First point at Westpoint for Wade
JAMES WADE was denied his first win of the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts season as Adrian Lewis snatched a point from a thriller in Exeter.
Reigning champion Wade hit three ton-plus finishes in taking a 7-4 cushion against Lewis, but failed to close out victory as the Stoke youngster grabbed a draw.
Wade shook of his below-par form of the opening three weeks with a blistering start to the contest at the Westpoint Arena, bringing the 4,000-strong crowd to its feet in the opening two legs with checkouts of 148 and 104.
He then hit a 180 to set up a double 12 finish for a 13-darter in the third leg as he took a 3-0 lead, only for Lewis to hit back in style.
Lewis landed his first 180 of the game in taking the fourth leg, and punished two missed doubles from Wade in taking out a 13-dart finish of his own to pull back to 3-2.
Lewis then levelled the game by taking the sixth leg, and returned from the break to open the next leg with a maximum - which was matched by Wade before the left-hander landed double ten to regain the lead.
Lewis took out a brilliant 134 checkout to take leg eight, only for double six to edge Wade back in front before the world number three produced a brilliant 132 checkout of bull, bull and double 16 in moving 6-4 up.
A missed bullseye from Lewis, for a 161 finish, was then punished in leg 11 as Wade followed up a 171 score with double 18 to ensure his first point of the season.
Lewis fired in a fifth 180 of the game in taking the next leg, and a 14-darter against the throw ensured the game would go to a decider.
Wade kicked off with a maximum, but Lewis hit a 180 of his own to take him to the finish first, and he returned from a missed bullseye to land double four and secure a draw.
"I gave myself enough opportunities to win the game but 18 months ago I would have killed the game off and I'm not doing that at the moment," said Wade.
"It's my own fault because I didn't play well enough to finish the game off, but hopefully this was a glimmer of the James Wade that is there.
"Perhaps this is a building block for me, and I'm not as negative as I have been for the past three weeks and I know if I turn up and play I can beat anybody on my day."
Lewis said: "I knew James would be determined to get his first win tonight but I went out there and dealt with it.
"Other players have been hitting big finishes against me recently and he did a few against me - the 132 finish was fantastic - and when I went 7-4 down I hit the scores and put the pressure on.
"If I'd been 7-4 up and in James' shoes, I'd have been so relaxed that I'd have won but he hadn't got a point on the board and it's different for him."
Reigning champion Wade hit three ton-plus finishes in taking a 7-4 cushion against Lewis, but failed to close out victory as the Stoke youngster grabbed a draw.
Wade shook of his below-par form of the opening three weeks with a blistering start to the contest at the Westpoint Arena, bringing the 4,000-strong crowd to its feet in the opening two legs with checkouts of 148 and 104.
He then hit a 180 to set up a double 12 finish for a 13-darter in the third leg as he took a 3-0 lead, only for Lewis to hit back in style.
Lewis landed his first 180 of the game in taking the fourth leg, and punished two missed doubles from Wade in taking out a 13-dart finish of his own to pull back to 3-2.
Lewis then levelled the game by taking the sixth leg, and returned from the break to open the next leg with a maximum - which was matched by Wade before the left-hander landed double ten to regain the lead.
Lewis took out a brilliant 134 checkout to take leg eight, only for double six to edge Wade back in front before the world number three produced a brilliant 132 checkout of bull, bull and double 16 in moving 6-4 up.
A missed bullseye from Lewis, for a 161 finish, was then punished in leg 11 as Wade followed up a 171 score with double 18 to ensure his first point of the season.
Lewis fired in a fifth 180 of the game in taking the next leg, and a 14-darter against the throw ensured the game would go to a decider.
Wade kicked off with a maximum, but Lewis hit a 180 of his own to take him to the finish first, and he returned from a missed bullseye to land double four and secure a draw.
"I gave myself enough opportunities to win the game but 18 months ago I would have killed the game off and I'm not doing that at the moment," said Wade.
"It's my own fault because I didn't play well enough to finish the game off, but hopefully this was a glimmer of the James Wade that is there.
"Perhaps this is a building block for me, and I'm not as negative as I have been for the past three weeks and I know if I turn up and play I can beat anybody on my day."
Lewis said: "I knew James would be determined to get his first win tonight but I went out there and dealt with it.
"Other players have been hitting big finishes against me recently and he did a few against me - the 132 finish was fantastic - and when I went 7-4 down I hit the scores and put the pressure on.
"If I'd been 7-4 up and in James' shoes, I'd have been so relaxed that I'd have won but he hadn't got a point on the board and it's different for him."
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