Wade crushes King in Glasgow

REIGNING champion James Wade reignited his Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts challenge with an 8-4 win over Mervyn King at Glasgow's S.E.C.C..

The left-hander had picked up only two wins from his opening eight matches this season, but remains a point behind play-off challengers Simon Whitlock and Adrian Lewis following his most clinical performance of the year.

Wade hit seven 180s in the contest and checked out 42 percent of his attempts at a double in powering past second-placed King.

The opening three legs saw Wade produce some almost identical darts, hitting a 180 in each leg, which was won on double ten - with the third including a 131 checkout.

King landed a maximum in the fourth, but was left waiting on 40 when Wade finished 81 in two darts in extending the lead to 4-0.

Wade landed a fourth 180 of the game in the next leg, but King got off the mark on double eight, and punished missed doubles from the world number three to hit the same bed in halving the gap.

Wade posted another maximum on his way to a 5-2 cushion, and then took out 106 on double 14 for a 12-darter to lead by four legs.

King replied with a 13-darter, but double ten from Wade ensured that he would at least take a point from the game.

King landed the night's highest finish, taking out 161 in leg 11 to pull back to 7-4, but his hopes of a comeback were extinguished in style by Wade, who wrapped up a confident win with an 11-dart finish.

"I'm really pleased to win," said Wade. "My scoring was patchy but it was probably the best I've finished so far this season.

"I'm still in the running for the top four but it's no secret that I've made it hard work for myself this year by losing the first three games. I shouldn't have got myself in this situation but I've still got a chance."