SkyBet World Grand Prix - Night One Reports

MATCH REPORTS and stats from Monday's opening first round games at the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Audio interviews from all games are available in DartsTV

SkyBet World Grand Prix - Round One
Andy Smith 2-1 Ronnie Baxter
John Part 2-0 Billy Matthews
Terry Jenkins 2-1 Wayne Jones
Wayne Mardle 2-1 Andy Hamilton
Adrian Gray 2-0 Phil Taylor
Chris Mason 2-0 Colin Osborne
Mark Dudbridge 2-1 Peter Manley
Andy Jenkins 2-1 Jason Barry

Pictures courtesy Chris Sargeant/PDPA

ANDY SMITH 2-1 RONNIE BAXTER
(3-1, 2-3, 3-2)

ANDY SMITH won a three-set thriller with Ronnie Baxter to kick off the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Smith benefitted from some superb opening in the double-start tournament - with his accuracy on double 18 proving key in the final outcome.

He won the first set of the game at a canter, taking a 2-0 lead before missing double top for a whitewash before Baxter landed double four.

Smith, though, took out 105 in leg four to wrap up the set and take a 1-0 advantage.

Baxter punished missed doubles at the end of the leg from Smith to win the first two legs of set two, before being pegged back to 2-2.

Smith, however, trailed in the decider and Baxter landed double 12 to level the match.

Smith won the first leg of the final set with a neat 83 finish, following up a 180, but paid for misses in the next as Baxter levelled.

The duo traded maximums in the third leg before a 134 shot from Smith left him double top for a 2-1 lead.

Baxter hit back on double eight to send the game into the decisive final leg - and Smith's accuracy on double 18 once again proved crucial.

He got away with his first dart, with Baxter needing nine to land a double and finding himself way back as Smith wrapped up the win on double 16.

"I'm pleased with that," said Smith. "I started well but my scoring wasn't great so I'll hope to improve that.

"I've missed a few doubles recently so I knew I had to tighten up there but I'm just happy to be through."

Ronnie Baxter	1-2	Andy Smith
17	100+	19
4	140+	5
2	180	3
22.98	Ave1	26.00
68.94	Ave3	78.00
25	High Finish	105

JOHN PART 2-0 BILLY MATTHEWS
(3-2, 3-1)

JOHN PART overcame a nervy start to book his place in round two of the SkyBet World Grand Prix with a 2-0 defeat of Billy Matthews.

The double World Champion found himself behind in the first set to the Irish qualifier, who showed just why he battled through a field of over 500 players to win a place in the tournament with a strong start.

Matthews began well to take the first leg against little opposition, and also led 2-1 after stepping in to win the third after Part missed double top with three darts.

Part landed double nine to win leg four before then taking the decider to sneak the opening set.

Part began well in set two, taking the first two legs without reply before Matthews won the third with a neat 80 finish on double ten.

But the Canadian matched that in the next to progress to the last 16.

"I gave him a couple of chances early on and had to earn the win," he said. "I had to lift myself and managed to do that."

John Part	2-0	Billy Matthews
12	100+	8
5	140+	4
0	180	1
26.84	Ave1	24.35
80.51	Ave3	73.06
80	High Finish	80

TERRY JENKINS 2-1 WAYNE JONES
(2-3, 3-2, 3-1)

TERRY JENKINS came back from a set down to defeat Wayne Jones 2-1 in the first round of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

The 2006 World Grand Prix runner-up struggled into the last 16, suffering on his opening doubles against a determined Jones display.

The world number 22 from Wolverhampton came from a leg down to win the first set 3-2 against the darts.

He also led 2-1 in the next to put himself within touching distance of a fine win.

However, Jenkins produced a crucial 180 in leg four before taking out double nine with his last dart to level at 2-2 - with Jones sat on 36.

Jenkins then took out 64 on double top in the next, with Jones once more sat on a double for the match.

They were telling blows, with Jenkins also moving in front in the third set only for missed doubles in leg two to allow Jones to level.

But double top put the world number four to the brink of victory, and a 160 start was part of five perfect darts to begin the next leg before he took out 120 to progress.

"I think that's my first win against Wayne and he's a tough competitor," said Jenkins. "I'm pleased to get through that.

"I did well here last year and hopefully I can again, but I'll take each game at a time."

Terry Jenkins	2-1	Wayne Jones
22	100+	27
9	140+	6
3	180	0
27.82	Ave1	27.68
83.45	Ave3	83.05
120	High Finish	88

WAYNE MARDLE 2-1 ANDY HAMILTON
(1-3, 3-2, 3-0)

WAYNE MARDLE came from a set down to knock out number eight seed Andy Hamilton in the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Mardle has endured some disappointing defeats in major tournaments over the past year, but made amends with a strong fightback against Hamilton.

The Essex star was punished for missed doubles at the end of the leg as Hamilton moved 2-0 up in the first set, kicking off with a 102 finish and then landing double four after six misses of his own in the second leg.

Mardle stepped in to take the third on double 18, but a fantastic 138 from Hamilton gave him the opening set.

Hamilton paid the price in the second set for some unsteady starting on his favoured double 16, although a superb 156 finish - with Mardle waiting on 46 - pulled him level in set two.

However, Mardle was stronger when the set went to a decider and took out double ten to level matters.

Hamilton's double trouble continued in set three, with Mardle opening up a 2-0 lead against little resistance before taking out 86 on the bullseye for the win.

"It was a hard first round draw but I've been playing well recently," said Mardle.

"It was nice to get through a blip like I had in the first set and beat a player of Andy's calibre. I tried to relax when I lost the first set and it worked for me.

"It gives you confidence and I've got John Part now. I'm happy to get through and can focus on John."

Andy Hamilton	1-2	Wayne Mardle
16	100+	18
3	140+	9
2	180	0
24.82	Ave1	27.63
74.45	Ave3	82.88
156,138,102	High Finish	86

ADRIAN GRAY 2-0 PHIL TAYLOR
(3-2, 3-1)

ADRIAN GRAY produced a sensational display to knock out defending SkyBet World Grand Prix champion Phil Taylor with a 2-0 victory at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

The 26-year-old carpet fitter from Sussex - ranked 44th in the world and one of four qualifiers for the tournament - became only the third player in the ten-year history of the double-start event to defeat Taylor.

He came from 2-1 down to win the first set, and then took the second 3-1 to write his name into the record books.

"It's amazing," said Gray. "I was shaking but the crowd were telling me to relax!

"Phil's not at his best and everyone knows he's lost in the first round here twice before, and that does give you belief."

Taylor took the first two legs of the match with Gray twice sat on a double, before the youngster landed double top and then double 16 to level.

He then stepped up in the deciding leg, with Taylor's only chance being at the bullseye for a 126 finish before Gray stepped in to hit double 12 for the set.

A fine 107 finish, with Taylor waiting on 16, put Gray ahead in set two with a break of throw before a brilliant 14-darter saw him double his advantage.

Taylor took advantage of a rare slip from Gray in starting leg three, hitting double top to stay in the game.

But Gray kicked off the next on 52 and then hit back-to-back 180s to set up a finish, and he landed double seven to seal a remarkable triumph.

Taylor's only two other defeats in World Grand Prix history came in round one - to Kevin Painter in 2001 and Andy Callaby three years ago.

Gray will now play Andy Smith in Wednesday's second round, following the Warwickshire player's 2-1 win over Ronnie Baxter.

Phil Taylor	0-2	Adrian Gray
5	100+	9
6	140+	4
2	180	3
29.23	Ave1	29.71
87.69	Ave3	89.14
63	High Finish	107

CHRIS MASON 2-0 COLIN OSBORNE
(3-1, 3-2)

CHRIS MASON continued his sensational form with a straight sets victory against Colin Osborne in the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

Mason won through to the PartyBets.com Grand Slam of Darts last weekend at the ITV Wildcard Qualifier, and also reached the semi-finals of Saturday's Irish Players Championship.

That continued with some brilliant finishing to see off rising star Osborne in a tight contest.

Mason took the first set 3-1, with the first three legs going with the throw before Mason took out double top to move ahead in the match.

Osborne responded superbly to take a 2-0 lead in the second, following up a double top finish after Mason had missed doubles in leg one with a fine 13-darter to take leg two.

Mason took out leg three to stay in the set, but Osborne held the advantage in the next before missing two darts at double top for the set.

Mason crucially took out 66 in two darts, and then sensationally hit a 154 checkout with Osborne sat on a finish to push himself into the second round.

Chris Mason	2-0	Colin Osborne
12	100+	12
6	140+	7
2	180	1
28.52	Ave1	29.00
85.57	Ave3	87.00
154	High Finish	40

MARK DUDBRIDGE 2-1 PETER MANLEY
(3-2, 2-3, 3-2)

MARK DUDBRIDGE sneaked past Peter Manley in a deciding leg to progress to round two of the SkyBet World Grand Prix.

In the tightest contest seen so far in this year's tournament, Dudbridge took a topsy-turvey win after appearing to have thrown away his chance.

He missed doubles to win the match 2-0, before seeing Manley miss seven darts to take the deciding set without reply.

Dudbridge then took three legs in a row to move into the last 16.

A remarkable game began with all five legs in the first set going against the throw, with Manley missing two darts to win the deciding leg before Dudbridge took out double top.

Dudbridge then stepped in to take a 2-1 lead in set two after Manley missed double top for a 111 finish.

Manley hit back to level, but saw Dudbridge miss four darts in the deciding leg to take victory, before the former Las Vegas Desert Classic champion hit double four to stay in the contest and send the game into the third set.

Manley hit double top to lead in the third, and then took out 118 on tops with Dudbridge sat on 52 to lead 2-0.

He paid, though, for seven misses in the third leg as Dudbridge scrambled home double ten to stay alive and then double top to push the game into the deciding leg.

The pair traded scores down to a finish, with Manley sat on double top as Dudbridge took his second attempt at double 18 to progress.

Peter Manley	1-2	Mark Dudbridge
12	100+	17
11	140+	5
2	180	2
26.69	Ave1	25.41
80.07	Ave3	76.22
118	High Finish	74

ANDY JENKINS 2-1 JASON BARRY
(1-3, 3-0, 3-2)

ANDY JENKINS battled past the challenge of Irish qualifier Jason Barry in a three-set thriller at the Citywest Hotel.

Jenkins has struggled for form since reaching the World Championship final last Christmas, but showed superb spirit to come from a set down against the home favourite.

Dublin-based Barry, supported by hundreds of supporters, stunned Jenkins by coming from a leg down to win the first set 3-1.

Jenkins hit back to win the second without reply with some clinical finishing, but then found himself a leg down in the decider.

A superb 110 finish of 20, bull and double top saw him level, and double two edged the Englishman ahead.

But an 88 finish on double 14 saw Barry send the game into a decider only for Jenkins' superior scoring to give him the edge and set him up for double six to take him into the second round.