Dinslaken defeat for Wade

COLIN LLOYD sent world number three James Wade packing in the PartyPoker.net European Championship with a 6-4 victory at the Stadthalle in Dinslaken.

Lloyd put his World Matchplay nightmare, where Kevin Painter came from 8-2 down to defeat him 11-9 ten days ago in Blackpool, behind him with a gritty display against Wade.

Left-hander Wade had battled back from 4-2 down to level as Lloyd's doubles deserted him, but he regained his cool to win the next two and set up a tasty second round clash with Michael van Gerwen.

Wade hit a 180 in the opening leg, which he won on double top, but Lloyd posted double five to level and double 18 to break throw in the third leg.

A 100 finish saw the Essex man move 3-1 up, although Wade replied in 11 darts with a superb fifth leg, which featured two 180s amongst seven perfect darts to open the leg.

Double 16 saw Lloyd edge 4-2 ahead, and he hit scores of 140 and 180 to leave 42 in the seventh, only to miss eight darts for the leg as Wade took out double two to pull back into the game.

Two further misses from Lloyd, at double top and double ten, gave Wade the chance to level in the eighth, and he took out 61 on double ten to square the game.

Lloyd, though, kicked off the ninth with a maximum, and he regained his range on double top to move a leg away from the win before posting another 180 and double 14 - at the fourth time of asking - to ensure progression.