Darts 2012

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1613/10-01-2...ng_in_thriller

Fourth seed Robbie Green crashed sensationally 4-1 out of the tournament, short-circuited by the talented electrician Wesley Harms from the Netherlands.

Debutant Harms, a 28/1 outsider, followed up his dismissal of experienced Welsh international Martin Phillips, producing an electrifying performance to sweep aside the 14/1 sixth favourite in 46 minutes.

Sparky produced a 30.24 per dart average as he fired out an 11 and 12 darter and four 180s to topple Kong.

It was workmanlike performance from the fourth seed in the opening set as he santched the second leg against the throw, despite a 180 from Harms, who narrowly missed double 16 for 94. In the next Green missed double tops for a 120 to take the set, returning to the board to snap up double tops with his second dart.

But the Dutch newcomer threw down his gauntlet in the next exiting on 60 with the darts and then taking the second against the throw with double eight, coolly hitting the same double in the next to level the match.

Harm stormed into the third set hitting 180, 140, 145 but missing double 18 for a 11 darter, eventually taking the opening leg against the throw with his fifth double, adding the next with 12 darts after narrowly missing double 16 for a 132 finish after hitting double bullseyes. He romped to the third, including a 180 to take a 2-1 match lead.

An 11-darter, including his fourth 180, paved the way for a 3-2 success in the fourth set for the remarkable Dutchman after Kong missed double 16 for what would have been a crucial 112 finish in the third leg.

The opening legs of the fifth set went with the throw, Harms turning on the power in the next as he nicked double tops after Green failed to hit bull for an 84 finish.

In the tense fourth leg Harms missed double 12 for a 104 winning flourish, as Green fluffed double tops for 62. The fourth seed missed a further eight doubles to save his title hopes, the Dutchman eventually clinching victory on with his 11th double attempt, hitting double one – the same double that won him his first round match!

http://www.bdodarts.com/1614/10-01-2...hing_Stone_4-0

Defending champ Martin Adams delivered a superclass in darts, pile-driving Scots fence erector Gary Stone out of the championship 4-0.

It took Adams the joint favourite 44-minutes to dismiss the playoff qualifier and move into the last eight.

Adams is bidding to equal Eric Bristow’s three-in-a-row success achieved between 1984-86, the only player to record three successive title wins in the championship.

Wolfie was steady, consistent ,dependable but pressurised when it was needed. It was the kind of bullying that Adams had referred to after his opening round victory over Scott Mitchell.

And it was the same bullying tactics employed by the great Crafty Cockney in his heyday to flatten his opponents.

Experience has taught the 55-year-old Peterborough grandfather how to graft , not get flustered and let your opponents do the worrying.

He bullied his way through the opening set taking the third leg against the throw and then holding his throw in the next after the Scot missed two attempts for double 16 to lay out his intention, just as a wolf will mark out its territory...

Stone hit a 180 in the opening leg of the second set but Adams matched it and exited on 85, adding second maximum to take the third leg, the Scot taking the match into a deciding fifth leg after hitting double 20 with his second dart. Wolfie hit his third maximum of the set to motor ahead and finish on 13 for a 2-0 match lead.

Stone took the opening leg of the third with the throw and unleashed a 180 but was bullied into submission with a faultless 102 checkout from Adams who followed up exiting on 76 against the throw. Stoney missed bull for a 161 finish but recovered to exit on 25 to level.

Bespectacled Stone stepped up the pressure with a 180 in the deciding fifth leg, missed double tops for 78 and three further attempts for double 10 as Wolfie screamed in with 74 completed on double 16 to leave the man from Larkhall pondering on what might have been.

Adams hit his favourite double 16 with the throw to start the fourth set, Stone sweeping back to take out 120 on double tops and then in the next he missed tops for 110, a further dart for double tops and two thwarted attempts for double 10. Adams nipped in to finish on double 10.

The world champ held his nerve in the next to power in the killer double – his favourite double tops.


Delighted Adams said after his victory: “I am still on course to win three titles on the spin. Only one other player has done that – Eric Bristow.

“I want to equal his record and then perhaps I can try to get four on the trot,” declared Wolfie, who confirmed that he had the longest winning sequence in the tournament since the Crafty Cockney back in the 1980s.

The England skipper said that preparation for this year was no different from the past two years.

“Same thing but on a different day,” he smiled

---------- Post added at 05:18 ---------- Previous post was at 05:16 ----------

Originally Posted by Bulky

I have played darts against both Tony O'Shea and Darryl Fitton (and got whacked both times) a couple of years ago , they used to play in our local pub league, needless to say the pub 'The Pineapple' used to win every year !! ,

Yes l see from your profile that you are from the same area and yes it would be nice for O'Shea to win it this year or Silverback as they call him.

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1615/11-01-2...ach_last_eight

Stockport sharpshooter and former green keeper Tony O’Shea drove Scot Ross Montgomery out of the championship with a speedy 35-minute 4-1 demolition.

With 99 years of experience on the stage, the clash between between the eighth (O’Shea) and ninth (Montgomery) seeds and the spice of an England versus Scotland clash, the ingredients were there for a tasty encounter.

Montgomery added his own blend of ingredient entertaining the capacity Lakeside venue with an impromptu spell of dancing to his theme music, sporting a new pair of eye-catching white spectacles but he was crushed into submission by Silverback.

The opening set went with the throw to O’Shea, the Stockport sharpshooter then snatched the opening leg of the second set against the throw and then defended his throw, Montgomery missing bull for an 86 finish but recovering to exit on double eight after Silverback missed doubles. The Cheshire ace held his throw in the fourth leg to move ominously 2-0 ahead.

O’Shea surged through the third set unchallenged firing out a couple of 180s and an 81 finish completed on bull to extend his match lead.

And then in the fourth he fought back from 1-0 down to level and jettison a 102 leg winning checkout finished on double tops. The Scot leapt in to exit on double six after Silverback failed to clinch a match-winning 141. And then the former American footballer with the Glasgow Diamonds touched down with 96, finished on double nine to pull back a set.

In the fifth Montgomery hit double tops for an eye-catching 120 finish, O’Shea replying with a 104 checkout finished on double 16, adding a 92 finish completed with bull in the next to move within one leg of victory.

Leaving himself on 36, O’Shea agonised as the Scot, who needed 160 hit the two 60s, Montgomery breaking into a broad smile as his third dart failed to find double tops. Silverback fired in double 18 with his first dart.

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1618/11-01-2...an_Van_de_Wiel

Martin “The Assassin” gunned down 10th seed Willy van de Wiel 4-2 after almost being squeezed out of the championship by the man in orange.

The Dutchman staged a massive comeback from 3-0 down, pulling back to 3-2, Atkins scrambling through on his favourite double tops.

“I thought of the game three years ago when I missed a double to win 4-0 and went out. Willy is such a good player. I got to 3-0 by the skin of my teeth and then he started to come back at me and I thought, oh no, not again!

“But I have broken my duck. This is the furthest I have been in the tournament, I never did anything as a seed. Perhaps next year I should come back as a qualifier!”

The Assassin found his range in the opening set unleashing a volley of precision doubles for a 3-0 success against the throwing advantage.

A maximum steered the Dutchman into a 2-0 in the next and despite his second maximum he conceded the third leg, Atkins himself hitting a maximum in the fourth. Van de Wiel notched his third 180 of the set but confident Atkins replied with a 137 and moved into a 2-0 match lead with an 88 finish, completed on double seven.

“Free Willy” missed bull for a 90 finish in the opening leg of the next set, Atkins swooping to pick off double eight and then on target with a maximum in the next as he moved 2-0 ahead in the set. The Leeds man captured his sixth successive leg for a surprise 3-0 match lead over the 10th seed.

Twice Atkins had darts for doubles in the opening legs of the fourth set, double 10 for the first and then double 2-0 for a 117 finish, Van de Wiel capturing both with double 16. Atkins raced to the third, exiting on 136 with double 16 but the Dutchman replied with a maximum and clinched the set on his favourite double 16.

Van de Wiel suffered more double trouble in the opening leg of the fifth set but pounced after Atkins fluffed bull for 83 and then the Yorkshireman missed double tops for 151, the man in orange nipping out on double four.

Atkins coasted to double 20, taking the match into a fifth leg and Atkins seized the initiative with a maximum but Van de Wiel pinched the set with 70, completed on that double 16, pulling the score back to 3-2.

As the Dutchman grimaced and constantly chastised his flyaway darts, Atkins defended his throw in the opening leg of the sixth set, missed double 10 for a showpiece 120 exit in the next, recovering to hit double 10 and a 2-0 set lead. Van de Wiel missed double 14 for a match-saving 107 in the third leg, Atkins - who had left 40 after hitting 138 - made no mistake this time to end the gripping 50-minute encounter

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1619/11-01-2...laim_for_title

Ted Hankey staked his claim for a third world title, burying second seed Scott Waites 4-3 in a gripping 74-minute encounter.

Both players uncharacteristically missed doubles in a match dripping with tension but it was “The Count” who swooped back from 2-1 and 3-2 down to win through on a blood curdling 144 match-winning checkout.

“The breaks in the match came at the wrong time for me. I decided to speed up my game and Scott couldn’t handle it. At one point in the match I thought Scott was trying to slow me down. Scott is naturally fast thrower and I practised with another fast thrower – Dutchman Willie van de Wiel so that I was ready for the match,” said the 43-year-old 15th seed.

Defeated Waites declared: “I could have won 4-0 if I had hit my doubles. I lost this match, although Ted played well at the back end of the game.”

Both players served up some tasty darts in the opening set, fast-throwing Waites surging into a 2-0 lead but then missing two darts for the set in the third as The Count nailed double 10. Hankey swooped to notch a brace of 180s to level. Waites agonised as he missed a further five doubles for the set, Hankey pouncing for a set-winning checkout against the throw, with double five.

Hankey drilled in his fifth maximum to take the opening leg of the second set but costly bull misses for 121 and 90 in the following legs let in Waites for a 2-1 lead and despite missing double 16 for 86 and a further five doubles, he levelled the match with double two.

Remarkably the Halifax player missed 11 darts as he moved into a 2-1 lead with the throw in the next including a 100 checkout, finished with single 20, two double tops. He held his nerve in the next after Hankey failed to exit on 76, taking 2-1 match lead with double 18.

The crucial fourth set saw the Count edge 2-0 in front but it was Waite who clinched the third against the throw and the fourth after missing two doubles before grabbing double five. In the deciding fifth leg the Telford player missed 66 for double tops, Waites missing double 18 and then double nine for a set winning 50. Not believing his luck Hankey missed two double and gratefully slotted the third in double five to level the match.

The fifth also went the full distance, both players still trying to reproduce their best form, Waites hitting the solitary 180 and then missing tops for 120, Hankey repeating the feat and watching on helpless as the Halifax man exited on double 10.

The Count fired in a maximum and 12-darter at the start of a 3-0 rout in the sixth set to plunge the match into a nail-biting deciding set.

And then he added his fourth successive leg, taking the throwing advantage in the seventh set, nervously missing three double attempts before striking double 10 to move within a leg of victory. As Waites grimaced and snatched his darts, Hankey fluffed five match-winning doubles, the gritty Yorkshireman scrambling to double four.

A fallen dart in the next leg failed to deter Hankey as he eyed up a place in the last eight, producing a match-winning 144 checkout finished on double 12.

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1620/12-01-2...of_the_Benelux

Dutch roadworker Christian Kist won the battle of Benelux, steamrolling Belgian Geert de Vos 4-2 to reach the quarter finals in his first championship.

It took the fast-throwing confident newcomer to world darts just 54 minutes to win through to the last eight and further reduce his betting odds. He started the week as a 66/1 outsider and saw his odds reduced to 12/1 after toppling fellow countryman and sixth seed Jan Dekker in his opener.

And he produced a sky-high standard, finishing the match with a 32.17 per dart average, firing out two 12 and four 13 dart checkouts as he battled back from 2-1 down.

A man of few words he said after the match: “I am very happy and my girlfriend Kirsten is very happy. That game was harder than my first match.”

He took the opening set against the throw unchallenged, including two 13 darters but the Belg raced back to take the next two, which went the distance.

The Dutchman replied by taking the fourth and fifth legs including 12 and 13 darters, including a 92 checkout.

With the momentum behind him, Kist had clear road in the match-winning sixth set, which included a brace of 180s and 14 and 13 dart checkouts.

http://www.bdodarts.com/1621/12-01-2...eed_Winstanley

Battling Alan Norris provided one of the great Lakeside comebacks to topple Frimley Green favourite and third seed Dean Winstanley 4-3 in a 63-minute

Remarkably, the 39-year-old stockily-built Somerset-born sharpshooter had been playing darts for more than 14 hours!

Although focused Norris had been practising since 7.30am and didn’t start his match until 9.38pm he showed no signs of tiredness as he put in a terrier-like challenge, repeatedly pressurising the third seed, battling back from 3-1 down.

Nice guy Winstanley, who retained a beaming smile on his face throughout the match and even after defeat had notched seven maximums and a 30.64 average as he dipped out.

He signalled his intentions in the first leg, narrowly missing bull for the game’s highest checkout -170. He took the leg and five of the next six to open up a solid 2-0 match lead.

Norris led the third 2-0 despite a 180 from Deano, who then followed up with a further maximum to pull back a leg, the Doncaster man then swooping to take double five after Norris failed to nail double 16 for a 143 set-winning finish. Yeovil-born Norris held his nerve to clinch double nine to pull the match back to 2-1.

The opening legs of the fourth set went against the throwing advantage, the next two going with the darts , Winstanley missing two attempts at double tops for the set. But he made amends in the next, clinching 94 with double six.

Norris motored into the fifth set, taking the opening leg with 130 finished on bull, Winstanley hitting his sixth 180 as he levelled the set. Norris, with the throw, held his nerve in the fifth leg driving in 86 completed on double 16 to pull the match back to 3-2.

Punishing a lack-lustre spell from the South Yorkshire player, Norris swept through the sixth set unchallenged and finished off with an eye-catching 100 checkout.

Norris, with the throwing advantage, took the opening leg of the deciding seventh set with double 12, amazingly the first time he had led the match. Winstanley defended his throw and Norris replied with a maximum and a 116 finished on double tops.

Another maximum followed a leg later, adding 140 and then Norris clinched victory coolly clinching victory with 84, finished on double 12 to capture the scalp of the ninth seed of the week.

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1626/12-01-2...ory_over_Jenno

Tournament sensation and Dutch electrician Wesley Harms continued to shock as he fused Paul Jennings title aspirations 5-3, to coast into the semi finals.

But the 13th seed was made to fight all the way by the Hartlepool hotshot who just didn’t know when to give up in the 88-minute clash.

Harms from north west Holland, who started the tournament as a 50/1 outsider had his odds slashed to 10/1 before the game and now they are likely to be further revised.

The opening sets went with the throw, although Harms after hitting a maximum in the deciding leg of the first set missed two darts to finish 58 and then in his next throw he bust 20, which would have given him the advantage.

After the opening legs of the second set went with the throw the Dutchman pounced to take the third on double tops. He raced into a commanding lead in the fourth but needed eight double attempts and double one to clinch the set.

Jenno seized the initiative in the next opening up a 2-0 lead, against the throw, Sparky clinching the third in 13 darts but then missing double 14 for a set-levelling 121 checkout as Jennnings coolly fired in double 19 to level the match with a 115 finish.

A 15-darter paved the way for a 3-0 rout for the Dutchman in the fifth for a 3-2 match lead, who then turned the power up to hit consecutive doubles (five and 15) after he missed double tops with his first dart to lead the set 2-1.

Sparky fired in a spectacular 107 checkout, finished on double 16, sending the orange-clad supporters in the crowd into fits of ecstasy as he took control of the match with a 4-2 interval lead.

He stole the opening leg of the sixth with a 15 dart checkout but then bust an attempt to take the next with 98, Jennings nipping in to exit on double tops, repeating the feat in the next leg against the throw. He held his nerve in the tense fourth to smash in an 11-dart checkout to pull back a set.

The opening three legs of the eighth set went with the darts, Jennings hitting a mere 27 as he suffered a bounce-out in the crucial leg, Harms powering in a 133, which left him 59. A single 19 left him his favourite double tops but nerves forced the dart below the double ring as he confidently steered his third dart into the match-winning double 10 for a place in the last four.

http://www.bdodarts.com/1627/12-01-2...k_slays_Wolfie

Stockport’s eight seed Tony O’Shea ended defending champion Martin Adams’ hopes of a record-equalling third successive world title, dumping him out 5-2.

Adams, top seed and 2/1 title favourite never settled in the clash between darts two elder statesmen – both in their 50s and both grandfathers – as they battled for a place in the last four in the 63-minute encounter.

Silverback’s victory ends near three-year unbeaten spell at Frimley Green for the England skipper and newly appointed BDO director.

He had suffered a pre-match scare when one of the lens dropped out of his only set of glasses. He managed to replace and tighten the frame in time for the match start.

The defending champ dropped his first set of the week as Silverback powered in two maximums and clinched the fourth leg on double six, Adams having missing double tops for a 117 finish in the previous leg for the opening set.

Despite a second maximum from Wolfie, rampant O’Shea clinched victory in the second with a three dart 81 finish to edge into a surprise 2-0 lead.

Taking the opening leg of the third set with his favourite double 16, O’Shea fired out a maximum but was stunned when the defending champ pulled off a 161, finished on bull to put himself in line for the £3000 highest checkout award. Silverback replied taking the third leg against the throw on double 16.

But not to be outdone Wolfie sent his fans into howls of excitement as he nailed 118 finished with double tops to pull back a set.

O’Shea took the opening leg of the fourth with the throw, Adams missing double tops for 160 and the Stockport man immediately producing the game’s top finish of 170 to steal Adams’ prizemoney for the top shot-out but more importantly move 2-0 ahead in the set. Wolfie missed double 16 for a set-saving 56, the eighth seed pouncing to finish the same required score on double tops for a 3-1 match lead.

Adams is renowned for being a scrapper and he surged through the fifth set unchallenged but O’Shea notched another maximum to defend his throw in the opening leg of the next set and pouncing for double 16 after Adams missed four attempts for doubles. With Adams trailing in the next the Cheshire county player exited on double 16 with his third dart for a comfortable 4-2 match lead.

He rushed into the seventh set, hitting a maximum and notching a two dart 81 finish completed on double 12 against the throw, stunned Adams watching on is disbelief. In the next Wolfie missed tops for 80 and O’Shea again jumped in to exit on double 10.

Adams defended his throw in the third leg, nervously needing four darts but Silverback swept in his third 180 of the set to set up a memorable 52 checkout, completed on his favourite double 16.

[Dave42]

live women final

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/darts/16426441.stm

---------- Post added at 18:02 ---------- Previous post was at 17:12 ----------

well done to Anastasia Dobromyslova womens world champion again beating Deta Hedman 2-1 in sets

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Dave42

live women final

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/darts/16426441.stm

---------- Post added at 18:02 ---------- Previous post was at 17:12 ----------

well done to Anastasia Dobromyslova womens world champion again beating Deta Hedman 2-1 in sets

Yes l watched some of it online and there was some excellent darts played by both players.

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by denphone

Yes l watched some of it online and there was some excellent darts played by both players.

yes was a good game

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Dave42

yes was a good game

Spoilt by the ref giving Deta the wrong total to finish on. Kist match was really good and Hankey did a good job against an opponent who never really got going, I had a quick chat with Martin after the match and he's a pretty nice chap.

[denphone]

http://www.bdodarts.com/1628/13-01-2...World_Champion

Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova was crowned champion of the world for a second time after toppling top seed Deta Hedman 2-1.

The 27-year-old had to comeback from losing the opening set against the throw and finished the final with a 90 checkout finished on bull, ending the 46 minute encounter.

The East European practised with men’s quarter finalist Alan Norris ahead of the final, adding the title she won back in 2008.

But for Hedman will be the memory of miscounting in the second set, losing the throwing advantage to the former champ.

Dobromyslova won the race to the double in the first leg, with the throw but suffered final jitters, finally exiting on double five after Hedman powered in 118 to pressure the shot. The Russian had the chance to extend her lead after Hedman missed a bull finish but missed three doubles, the Witham ace shooting out on double nine.

Hedman powered in a 125 to take the advantage in the next leaving herself 25 but hitting treble five but recovering to clinch double three and a 2-1 lead against the throw. She missed bull for an 86 set winner in the next, the Russian pouncing to capture double 10, against the throw to level the set.

With both players giving each other the utmost respect the big scores were missing as the two protagonists vied for supremacy, the Ellesmere Port player missing four attempts for double tops and one for double 10 to defend the throwing advantage.

Needing 82, Hedman hit single 11 but recovered brilliantly with treble 13 and pierced the double 16 for a set-winning 82 checkout – against the advantage.

She blasted in a maximum in the opening leg of the second set and powered in double 18 after former world champ failed to finish 141. The Russian set the pace in the next but missed two double 16s, Hedman missing bull for a 122 checkout, Dobromyslova missing a further three doubles. The Essex player miss double eight and then double four, the confident Russian wading in to level the set on double four.

In the third with 42 left Hedman threw for double 16 thinking she needed 32, realising her mistake and missing the remaining double 13, her opponent seizing the opportunity to take a 2-1 set lead against the throw, turning to acknowledge her husband in the crowd.

But Hedman recovered immediately to hit a two-dart 100 checkout to steal the fourth and nullify her opponent’s previous leg, Dobromyslova missing tops for a 120 but having time to exit on double five.

Both players missed doubles to take the crucial opening leg of the third set, the former champ holding her throw to finish on double eight. Hedman fluffed bull for 84 in the next as the Russian made no mistake with double tops for a 78 checkout clinching the impressive silver trophy and the £10,000 first prize.

Afterwards she wiped away the tears of emotion and said: “I never give up, that is my problem. I have a lot of respect for Deta and did think after beating her, oh not again! It was hard playing against my friend. When I got back to 1-1 it gave me a break.

“I cannot describe what it means winning the world title again, it’s just amazing.

“I could have split the shot at the end but went for the bull because Deta was not far behind, so I just had to take it,” said the jubilant champion.

http://www.bdodarts.com/1630/13-01-2...itle_hopes_die

Tournament sensation and road worker Christian Kist continued his giant-killing to drive out fancied Alan Norris 5-1.

Norris who had floored third seed Dean Winstanley in the second round simply had nothing in his extensive armoury to cope with the robotic Kist, who showed no trace of tension in his first quarter final appearance in his debut tournament.

Yeovil-born Norris blasted in nine maximums in the 46-minute game and recorded a 30 plus average but simply could not match the firepower of the new kid on the block.

The two fast throwing players, who are good friends off the oche, set an amazingly quick pace in a match that had almost everything – including a nine darter...

The flying Dutchman swooped into the match capturing the first set against the throw unchallenged with a show-stopping 110 checkout finished on double 18. He wrapped up the second set by the same score with only 12 minutes play, clinching the winning leg with a 120 finish, completed on double tops.

And Kist had four darts to make it 3-0, Norris nipping in for a sparkling 11 dart checkout finished on double 16 and then he took the opening leg of the fourth against the throw after the Dutch road worker motored into the leg with back-to-back 180s but missed the crucial seventh to set up a possible nine darter.

Kist scrambled to the next leg after missing doubles, Chuck blazing into the third with seven consecutive 60s, striking a perfect treble 19 but agonising as the ninth finished outside double 12 for what would have been the perfect game. Double trouble saw him gift the leg to Kist who hit 96, finished on double 18. Both players hit 180s in the next, Kist hitting a two-dart 47 to restore a two set lead at 3-1.

Norris sped into a 2-0 lead in the fifth, Kist replying with 121 finished on bull, 98 on double 12 in the next and then in the deciding fifth leg against the throw he grabbed double 18 after Norris missed bull for 121 for the set.

Norris fired out a further maximum in the opening leg of the sixth but grimaced as he missed bull for 125, cool Kist picking off 54 on double tops. Despite another 180 from Norris in the next, the astonishing Dutchman exited on double eight, wrapping up the match with a two-dart 60 checkout, completed on double tops in the next leg.

http://www.bdodarts.com/1631/13-01-2...h_to_last_four

Super Ted Hankey edged into the last four after toppling Martin Atkins 5-1 in a scrappy 58-minute quarter final encounter.

Neither player managed to reach the heights of their game, struggling to find the treble 20 bed and missing countless doubles.

But the double world champion and 15th seed from Telford was able to call on his vast experience at Frimley Green to peg back The Assassin who simply lacked the firepower.

The legs went with the throw in the opening set, Hankey missing bull for a blockbusting 170 checkout, finally exiting on double three.

The opening four legs of the second set went with the throw, both players missing to take the advantage. In the deciding fifth leg Hankey reached the double first but missed double two and one with Atkins also missing opportunities before The Count hit appropriately the “mad house” – double one for a 2-0 match lead.

In a scrappy third set Hankey hit a maximum as he annexed three of the four legs, winning the set on 52, finished on double 20 after both players struggled to find consistency on the 60 bed.

Twice The Count led in the next set after stealing the throw in the opening leg with a 90 finish completed with double 10. He fired a 180 and 41 checkout for the 11 dart third leg and followed p with double five after Atkins failed with a bull shot for a set-winning 121.

The Shropshire player blazed into the opening leg of the fifth with a 180, following up with double 10 only to see the gritty Yorkshireman annex the next three as he hit a brace of maximums, driving the stake into The Count to pull a set back.

Hankey stole the opening leg of the sixth against the throw after Atkins missed double tops for 109, The Count hitting a maximum and clinching double 10 for the second leg.

He wrapped up the match with a 64, finished on double eight to sweep into the last four.

Afterwards the double world champ admitted: “I played absolute garbage, terrible and need to go away and learn how to play darts overnight or Christian will destroy me.”

[pillz]

http://i41.tinypic.com/aln4ew.jpg

[denphone]

Well l have seen some players throw the dummy out of the pram but Ted Hankey has done that in spades again this afternoon leading 5-3 only to lose 6-5.

[pillz]

Originally Posted by denphone

Well l have seen some players throw the dummy out of the pram but Ted Hankey has done that in spades again this afternoon leading 5-3 only to lose 6-5.

lol click my image >.< he was moaning about a draft on stage

http://i41.tinypic.com/aln4ew.jpg

[denphone]

Originally Posted by pillz

lol click my image >.< he was moaning about a draft on stage

http://i41.tinypic.com/aln4ew.jpg

But its the same for both players and he is just using it as a excuse for his collapse.