Ladbrokes World Championship Day Eight

PHIL TAYLOR came from a set down to defeat Dutch youngster Jerry Hendriks in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship on Friday night, as Robert Thornton knocked out Paul Nicholson in a sudden-death leg at Alexandra Palace.

Taylor, the 15-time World Champion, erased the memory of his defeat to Dave Chisnall at the same stage last year by seeing off debutant Hendriks, although it was not plain sailing for the world number one.

Hendriks, who knocked out Wayne Jones in the first round, took the game's first set 3-1 but was unable to answer Taylor's reply, as the Stoke star took 12 successive legs to sweep to victory.

"I'm through but I'm not happy with my performance because I'm not consistent enough," admitted Taylor.

"I can remember when it was my first World Championship, and the more he tried, the more he struggled - and the more it put me off, and it was hard work."

Taylor will now play Robert Thornton in the third round on Sunday night, after the UK Open champion defeated Paul Nicholson in a sudden-death leg to end a seven-set thriller which lasted for almost two hours.

Nicholson led 1-0 and 2-1 before Thornton edged the fourth set with a 130 checkout and took the fifth to lead for the first time in the game, but was punished for missing four darts to win the game in the sixth set as the former Players Championship Finals winner levelled.

Nicholson then led 4-3 in the seventh set, but Thornton saved the match with a 130 checkout and the pair shared the next two to force a sudden-death leg, which the Scot took on double ten for a famous victory.

"I'm completely shattered after that but I’m just delighted to have got the win after I very nearly threw it away," said Thornton, who hit four ton-plus checkouts and 13 maximums in the game.

"I felt absolutely sick after missing all those chances to win 4-2 and it was a tough blow to overcome, but I managed to do it and to be still involved is a great feeling."

Terry Jenkins was the night's other winner as he claimed an impressive 4-1 win over three-time World Champion John Part, hitting six 180s and three ton-plus checkouts.

"I felt very comfortable all the way through that match," said Jenkins, who averaged 98.18. "I'm very pleased with the way I played, and particularly with my finishing.

"I knew that area of my game had to be good tonight because John usually takes the chances that are given to him. I’m feeling very confident at the moment and I feel my game is in good shape for another good run this year."

Jenkins now plays Andy Hamilton in the third round on Sunday, after the 2012 runner-up came from a set down to defeat Richie Burnett 4-1 in their last 32 clash.

Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall also booked their places in the third round on Friday afternoon in heavy-scoring contests against debutants John Bowles and Daryl Gurney.

Anderson hit a stunning 19 maximums - a record for a game outside of the World Championship final - in his 4-3 win over Bowles, a former rugby league player who only turned professional in January.

Bowles missed a match dart at double top on three separate occasions in another thriller, before Anderson, the 2011 finalist, edged the deciding set 6-4.

Chisnall, meanwhile, was outscored for 180s by Northern Irish newcomer Gurney by 11 to ten in their contest, but emerged a 4-1 winner in a game which was closer than the scoreline suggested.

The number 12 seed won the first three sets in a deciding leg before Gurney won the fourth to keep his hopes alive, but Chisnall came from 2-0 down in the fifth set to claim victory.

The second round continues on Saturday, with a further six games to be played across two sessions at Alexandra Palace.

2004 finalist Kevin Painter opens up against Ronnie Baxter in the afternoon session before Mark Webster plays Colin Lloyd, and five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld then meets Brendan Dolan.

World Champion Adrian Lewis will headline the evening session when he faces three-time UK Open semi-finalist Denis Ovens, while 2010 finalist Simon Whitlock meets Colin Osborne and number six seed Wes Newton plays Scott Rand.

Watch Live!
The Ladbrokes World Darts Championship will be live in its entirety on Sky Sports HD, with the semi-finals and final also on Sky 3D.

Fans can also watch live coverage through the following international broadcasters:
RTL7 Netherlands
Sport1 Germany
Fox Sports Australia
Sky New Zealand
OSN across Middle East
Sport1 Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary
LIVEPDC.TV - fans outside of the UK, Ireland and Holland can watch the entire tournament live through LIVEPDC.TV with an International Pass subscription - and there's currently a special two-for-one offer for fans to sign up to LIVEPDC.TV !

Highlights from every game are also available in LIVEPDC.TV on a 24-hour delay basis.

Get Involved!
Join the conversation on Twitter throughout the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship by using #Ladbrokesdarts.

Don't forget to follow the PDC's @OfficialPDC Twitter page and our OfficialPDC Facebook page , as well as see video interviews throughout the event on our YouTube channel .

Live Stats
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Ladbrokes World Darts Championship
Friday December 21
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Andy Hamilton 4-1 Richie Burnett
Dave Chisnall 4-1 Daryl Gurney
Gary Anderson 4-3 John Bowles

Evening Session
Terry Jenkins 4-1 John Part
Paul Nicholson 3-4 Robert Thornton
Phil Taylor 4-1 Jerry Hendriks

Match Reports
Andy Hamilton 4-1 Richie Burnett
(2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-0)
ANDY HAMILTON defeated Richie Burnett 4-1 to become the first player through to the last 16 of the 2013 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

The 2012 finalist, though, was pushed all the way by the Welshman, who capitalied on four misses by Hamilton to win the first set by edging into the lead only to miss five darts to double his lead.

The proved the turning point as Hamilton levelled and then took the next three sets to progress to the last 16, dropping only four legs in the process.

"My finishing was very good towards the end of the match and that was the key to my win," said Hamilton, who registered four ton-plus checkouts and ten 180s during the contest.

"I was disappointed to lose the first set in the way that I did but I didn’t let it get me down, and I’m pleased with how I recovered.

"I reached the final last year and I would love to go one step further this time around. Not many people are talking about me and I’m regarded as the underdog, but I'm still there fighting and I'm going to be tough to beat."

Hamilton hit a 180 in the opening leg but Burnett took the lead on tops before the Stoke ace levelled in the second by landing double 16.

Hamilton, who defeated James Richardson in his opening match, won the third leg against the darts with a confident 14-darter, only for Burnett to take out a 121 checkout on the bullseye to win the fourth.

The Welshman held advantage of throw in the deciding leg, but failed to land a big treble with his first six to hand the initiative to his opponent - only for Hamilton to let four chances to win the set slip away as Burnett landed double four with a vital third dart to edge ahead.

Hamilton made a good start to the second set as he won the opening leg with the aid of a maximum, and then took the second against the darts on double top.

Hamilton missed one dart at tops to win the set in the next, and Burnett took out 83 in two darts to punish his opponent.

Burnett hit double eight to force a deciding leg, but then let five chances to win the set go begging and Hamilton accepted the reprieve by posting double top to level the match.

Hamilton fired in a fifth 180 at the start of the third set, but Burnett hit a second 121 finish of the contest, again finishing on the bullseye, to lead.

Hamilton hit back with consecutive 13-darters to take the next two legs but a missed dart at double 16 allowed Burnett to hit double top to set up another deciding leg.

The fifth leg proved to be a tense affair before Hamilton broke the deadlock with a 174 to leave 24, which he duly converted by hitting double 12 at the first attempt for another 13-dart finish.

That put Hamilton ahead for the first time in the match and the number eight seed began the fourth set in fine fashion as he recorded a 120 checkout to win the first leg, followed by an accurate attempt at the bullseye, for a 86 finish, in the next.

Hamilton slipped up in the next leg as he wasted four opportunities to end the set and Burnett capitalised by taking out 64 in two darts.

Burnett hit double top in the fourth leg after Hamilton was off-target with another chance to win the set on tops, but the Stoke ace recovered as he kicked off the fifth with scores of 140 and 180 and won the set in style thanks to a 138 checkout.

Hamilton hit double 16 to break throw at the start of the fifth set and hit the same double in the next, to complete a 108 finish, as he moved a leg away from triumph.

Hamilton recorded a tenth a 180 in the third leg and wrapped up the match in clinical fashion with a 110 checkout.

Match Stats

Dave Chisnall 4-1 Daryl Gurney
(3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2)
DAVE CHISNALL overcame a fine display from Northern Irish newcomer Daryl Gurney with a 4-1 victory in the last 32 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

In a match which saw 21 maximums hit between the two players, Gurney missed chances to win the second and third sets, as Chisnall built a 3-0 lead.

Gurney won the fourth set, but a missed dart at double 16 in the fifth proved costly as Chisnall closed out the game to move into the last 16.

"I'm very relieved to get through that match as Daryl played some great darts,” said Chisnall, who will now face Simon Whitlock or Colin Osborne for a place in the quarter-finals.

"Daryl was scoring so well but he let me in a few times and I managed to take the chances that were on offer to me."

Gurney, who recorded a fine victory over Andy Smith in the first round, started the match brightly with a 13-dart finish before Chisnall hit back to take the second leg in just 11 darts.

Gurney edged ahead again thanks to an accurate third dart at double ten before Chisnall took the fourth on tops.

The St Helens ace then hit a timely 180 in the fifth leg before going on to win the set with a 15-dart finish to establish an early lead.

Gurney hit a 180 in the process of taking the first leg of the second set before Chisnall posted double ten to level.

The Irish Matchplay champion hit back-to-back 180s in the next leg before posting double eight, but one missed dart at double 19 in the fourth allowed Chisnall an opportunity at double top, which he duly took.

The fifth leg saw Chisnall hit a fourth maximum, and last year’s conqueror of Phil Taylor hit double ten to move two-sets clear.

Gurney broke his opponent's throw at the beginning of the third set and continued the good form in the second leg as he hit scores of 180 and a 145 in an 11-darter.

Chisnall took out 72 to win the third leg after Gurney missed a dart at double 16 to win the set, and in the next the 26-year-old from Northern Ireland was guilty of three more wasted opportunities to win the set.

Chisnall capitalised on those errors by hitting double top to force a deciding leg for the third successive set, which he won with another successful attempt at tops.

The St Helens ace hit double top for a third leg on the spin to make a winning start to the fourth set before Gurney won the second with the aid of back-to-back maximums.

Gurney took out 68 to claim the third leg but Chisnall moved a leg away from victory as he took the fourth with a clinical 107 finish.

The fifth leg saw Gurney miss one dart at the bullseye, but Chisnall was unable to convert 112 and the Northern Irishman returned to hit double eight.

Gurney won the first leg of the fifth set against the darts on double 16, and hit the same bed to win the next after both players had kicked off with 180s.

Chisnall converted a two-dart 72 finish to win the third leg and took the fourth with a 64 checkout, completed on double top after Gurney missed a dart at double 16 to wrap up the set.

Gurney hit a 180 in the fifth leg, but Chisnall completed a 13-dart finish to win the match and end Gurney's brave challenge.

After the match, the Northern Irish newcomer admitted: "It's disappointing to miss the opportunities I had to win those sets and make a real game of it. I put that down to a lack of experience on big stages such as this.

"I'm intending to play the Qualifying School in January, so hopefully I can gain a Tour Card and give myself the chance to play in more competitions like this."

Match Stats

Gary Anderson 4-3 John Bowles
(3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 2-3, 2-3, 3-2, 6-4)
GARY ANDERSON survived a major scare before defeating Widnes' John Bowles in the final set tie-breaker to reach the third round of the 2013 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

The Scot led the match 2-1 but fell 3-2 down to the highly impressive qualifier, who won the fourth and fifth sets in a deciding leg to take command.

Anderson edged the sixth set before taking the decider 6-4, after Bowles missed three separate opportunities at double top to secure a famous victory.

"I don’t know how I've managed to win that match," said a relieved Anderson, who hit a total of 19 maximums during the match.

"John was so tough to play and he really should have sent me on my way home, but he gave me the chance and I somehow managed to do it.

"I know I scored well and hit 19 180s, but I wish I could hit my doubles with more regularity so it would stop me becoming involved in these epic matches!"

Anderson started the match superbly with a 142 checkout, before Bowles levelled by taking out 74 to win the second leg.

The third leg saw Anderson miss two darts at double eight, and Bowles punished those errors by landing double 18.

Anderson hit a 180 in the fourth leg and took out a 118 finish before taking the decider with a 14-dart finish to win the set.

Both players hit maximums at the start of the second set before Bowles won the opening leg on tops, after Anderson had missed a host of opportunities to win it for himself.

Bowles hit double ten to complete a 78 finish and won the set on the same double, in the next leg, to square the game at one apiece.

Bowles continued his good run at the start of the third set as he landed double 12 to win a fourth leg in a row before Anderson converted a 14-darter to take the second.

The third leg saw Bowles miss a dart at the bullseye, and Anderson capitalised as he hit the bull to take out a 124 finish.

The Scot, who defeated Finland's Jani Haavisto in the first round, hit double six to win the set and move 2-1 up before taking the opening leg of the fourth set with the aid of his sixth 180 of the game.

Bowles held throw to win the second leg before Anderson edged ahead by landing double five, and scores of 180, 140 and 165 pushed Anderson cleared in the fourth.

However, Anderson let seven chances to win the set slip away and Bowles made Anderson pay as he hit double five to edge the leg before posting double top in the deciding leg to leave the match finely balanced at two-all.

The fifth set began with both players hitting 180s before Bowles added another maximum to win the opening leg in just 12 darts.

Bowles, who defeated Jamie Caven in five sets in the opening round, won the second leg on double 18 before Anderson needed just two darts to convert a 98 finish to win the third.

Anderson hit a fabulous 11-darter to win the fourth leg and in the fifth the number four seed left 64 after 12-darts, only for the former rugby league player to take out a superb 120 finish to lead the game for the first time.

Anderson held throw at the start of the sixth set before Bowles levelled up by taking the second leg on double eight, with Anderson waiting on 40.

Anderson hit a 116 finish to win the third leg but Bowles landed double 12 to take the fourth, after jhis opponent missed the same double for a 141 checkout.

The deciding leg saw Anderson kick-off with back-to-back 180s to ignite hopes of a nine-darter, adding a seventh treble 20 before his attempt at treble 19 fell below the target.

Anderson went on to win the leg in 11 darts to force a deciding set, which began with Bowles holding throw, after both players landed 180s.

Bowles won the second on double 18 to move a leg away from victory, as he capitalised on five missed darts at doubles from his opponent.

The Widnes man then missed one dart at tops to win the match, and Anderson hit the same bed to keep his hopes alive.

Anderson missed three chances to win the fourth leg, but Bowles was unable to take a second opportunity to win the match and Anderson held his nerve to hit double four.

Bowles managed to hit double top to win the fifth leg but - for a third time - could not land the same double to win the match in the next, and Anderson hit double five to stay in the game.

Bowles won the seventh leg on double ten after Anderson missed one chance at the same double, before the Scot held throw to win the eighth and increase the tension.

Anderson fired in a 19th 180 at the start of the next leg and won it just 12 darts to break his opponent's throw and move a leg away from victory.

The former Premier League champion then closed out an enthralling contest as he hit double four with his third dart to secure a narrow win.

A dejected Bowles said: "I’m really gutted to lose as I worked so hard to get the opportunity to win.

"Gary played really well in the early stages to lead 2-1, but I’m never beaten and I fought hard to get back into the match. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the chances to win, and Gary responded to the pressure situation at the end better than I did."

Match Stats

Evening Session
Terry Jenkins 4-1 John Part
(3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-1)
TERRY JENKINS cruised through to the last 16 of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with an impressive 4-1 victory over Canadian legend John Part.

Jenkins won nine of the opening 11 legs of the contest in the process of moving three sets up with some brilliant darts.

The three-time World Champion won the fourth set to raise his hopes of mounting a comeback, but Jenkins took the fifth set to progress to a third round clash with Andy Hamilton on Sunday evening.

"I felt very comfortable all the way through that match," said Jenkins, who averaged over 98. "I'm very pleased with the way I played, and particularly with my finishing.

"I knew that area of my game had to be good tonight because John usually takes the chances that are given to him. I’m feeling very confident at the moment and I feel my game is in good shape for another good run this year."

Jenkins, who defeated Steve Brown in straight sets in the first round, started the match in fine style as he won the first set without reply, kicking off the game with a 14-darter before breaking throw on double four and taking out 96 for the set.

The number nine seed then won a fourth successive leg at the start of the second set as he converted a 110 finish, which was bettered with a 116 checkout in leg two before Part hit double four to win his first leg of the game.

However, that only stemmed the tide briefly as Jenkins hit a clinical two-dart 98 finish to establish a two-set advantage.

Jenkins hit a 180 in the process of taking the opening leg of set three, but a missed dart at double 12 in the next allowed a Part a shot at 52, which he took out in two darts to level.

Jenkins won the third leg with a 14-dart finish and then won the set in style as he completed a showpiece 100 checkout with two double tops to leave Part with an uphill task.

Part won just his third leg of the match at the start of the fourth set, by hitting double ten, before taking out 107 to win the second leg after Jenkins was just off-target with a dart at double 18.

Both players fired in maximums in the next leg, but the duo also missed two chances at doubles before Part landed double eight to win the set.

Jenkins took out a 99 finish to begin the fifth set before Part claimed the second leg with a 13-darter, which included his third 180 of the game.

Part hit another 180 in the next, but six missed darts at doubles proved costly as Jenkins hit double ten to move a leg away from winning the contest.

Jenkins surged ahead in the fourth leg as he hit his sixth 180 to leave 81, which he took out on double top to end Part's challenge.

Match Stats

Robert Thornton 4-3 Paul Nicholson
(1-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3, 6-5)
ROBERT THORNTON overcame Paul Nicholson in an epic second round encounter in the Ladbrokes World Darts Championship by winning a sudden death shoot-out at Alexandra Palace.

A thrilling contest saw Nicholson and Thornton, seeded 16th and 17th respectively, uphold their ranking in style as they could barely be separated in almost two hours on stage.

Thornton missed four chances to claim a 4-2 victory in sets and another chance went begging in the decider, before the UK Open champion finally crossed the finishing line in a sudden-death leg.

"I'm completely shattered after that but I’m just delighted to have got the win after I very nearly threw it away," said Thornton.

"I felt absolutely sick after missing all those chances to win 4-2 and it was a tough blow to overcome, but I managed to do it and to be still involved is a great feeling."

Both players hit 180s at the start of the match before Thornton won the opening leg on double two, after Nicholson missed a dart at the bullseye.

The Scot, who overcame Magnus Caris in the opening match of the competition a week ago, kicked off the second leg with consecutive 140s, but three missed darts at doubles allowed Nicholson to level on tops.

Nicholson won the third leg on double eight, despite a 180 from his opponent, and the world number 16 hit double two in the next leg to draw first blood.

Nicholson won a fourth leg in a row in at the start of the second set as he took out a 79 finish to complete a 15-darter, before Thornton hit back with a superb 11-darter and then hit his fourth 180 in the process of taking leg three.

The fourth leg saw Thornton miss two chances to win the set, but Nicholson was unable to capitalise as he was off-target with three darts at doubles, and Thornton returned to hit double five and level the match.

Nicholson broke throw at the start of the third set by taking out a two-dart 65 finish, and the second leg also fell in favour of the former Players Championship Finals winner, who landed his fourth 180 in the process.

The third leg saw Thornton hit double eight after Nicholson missed one dart at tops to win the set, but the 16th seed made no mistake in the next as he hit double eight to move ahead for a second time.

Nicholson began the fourth set in style as he took out a party-piece 100 finish, comprising of single 20 and two double tops.

Thornton hit a fifth 180 as he won the second leg with a 14-dart finish but Nicholson took out an excellent 107 checkout to take the next, with his opponent waiting on 40.

Thornton hit double two to win the fourth, and an eighth 180 from this year's UK Open winner, followed by a clinical 130 checkout, helped him win the set with a 12-darter.

Nicholson fired in a fifth maximum at the start of the fifth set, but a total of seven missed darts at doubles proved costly as Thornton landed double top.

Thornton repeated the trick in the second leg after Nicholson was off-target with an attempt at double 16 before Nicholson took out a 91 finish to win the third.

Nicholson won the fourth leg on double eight before Thornton kicked-off the fifth with a timely 180, and he went on to take the leg in 13 darts to lead the match for the first time.

Nicholson, who overcame the challenge of Dutchman Co Stompe in the first round, began the sixth set with a 13-dart finish before Thornton took the second leg by hitting double top at the first attempt.

Thornton hit a 180 with his first three darts in the next leg and hit a fantastic 136 checkout to move a leg away from a place in the last 16.

The Scot looked assured of victory in the next leg as he hit scores of 180, 140 and 125 to leave 56 after 12 darts, but he missed four match darts to allow Nicholson in to finish 62 to keep his hopes alive.

Nicholson then took out a 78 finish, completed on double six, to send a dramatic match into the deciding set, which had seemed unlikely only moments earlier.

Thornton hit double 12 to win the first leg of the final set before Nicholson began the second with scores of 134 and 140 before hitting double 16 to level.

The third leg saw Nicholson miss two opportunities on double top to break, and Thornton took out a pressure 82 in two darts to hold throw.

Nicholson hit double top at the first time of asking to win the fourth before Thornton edged ahead by taking the fifth leg in style with a superb 124 checkout, finishing on the bullseye.

For the second time, Thornton found himself a leg away from victory, but a dart at double 15 to end the contest was off-target and Nicholson showed his nerve to land double 16 at the first attempt.

The seventh leg saw Thornton guilty of missing three darts at doubles and Nicholson hit double 16, for the second leg running, to break throw and lead 4-3.

Throwing for the match, Nicholson then left 58 following 12 darts only to see Thornton show his class with a brilliant 130 finish, ending on the bullseye, to break back and deny his opponent a match dart.

Thornton hit double 18 to win the ninth leg and lead 5-4 before Nicholson hit scores of 140, 180 and 140 in the tenth, winning the leg in 13 darts to force a sudden-death deciding leg - the first of this year's event.

Thornton hit the bullseye to claim the right to throw first, and opened up with back-to-back 140s to pull away as Nicholson threw nine darts in mid-leg without hitting a treble, and double ten saw the Scot claim a remarkable victory.

Nicholson admitted: "It's obviously very disappointing to go out of this year's World Championship, but I feel privileged to be involved in a game like that.

"I felt like I had got my chance in the eighth leg of the final set, when I had left myself 58, but the 130 that Robert took out showed his class, and I hope he has a good run now."

Match Stats

Phil Taylor 4-1 Jerry Hendriks
(1-3, 3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
PHIL TAYLOR came from a set down to end Jerry Hendriks' participation at the 2013 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a 4-1 victory.

Hendriks stunned Taylor to win the first set 3-1, but the world number one proceeded to win the next 12 legs without reply to ease to a comfortable win.

Taylor will now face Robert Thornton in the third round on Sunday night, but he admitted: "I'm through but I'm not happy with my performance because I'm not consistent enough.

"I can remember when it was my first World Championship, and the more he tried, the more he struggled - and the more it put me off. It was hard work."

Taylor missed three chances for an early break of throw in the game's opening leg as Hendriks landed tops to hold throw before starting the second leg with a 180.

Taylor, though, responded with back-to-back maximums and followed that by taking out 69 to complete a 12-dart finish and level.

Hendriks hit double top to win the third leg, and the 24-year-old Dutchman then hit double ten in the next, after Taylor missed one dart at double 16, to establish an early advantage.

Taylor recovered from that setback as he won the second set without reply to level the match, winning the opening leg on double eight, breaking on double ten and landing double 16 to square the contest.

The Stoke great continued his charge by opening the third set with double 16 to break throw and landed double five to win leg two before a 14-darter gave him a sixth successive leg and a 2-1 cushion.

Double five gave Taylor the fourth set's opener before he landed a 177 in another 14-darter to break throw and lead 2-0.

Hendriks landed his third maximum of the game in the next leg, but it was not enough as Taylor hit double top to move two sets clear.

Hendriks let two chances to hit back go begging at the beginning of the fifth set as Taylor broke again to extend his winning run to ten successive legs, before landing double ten to move a leg away from victory.

He saved his best finish of the game for the next leg as he sealed victory in style with a 120 checkout, ensuring his progression to a round three clash with number 17 seed Robert Thornton.

Taylor has lost out to Thornton in the UK Open final and World Grand Prix second round this year, but said: "This is a different kettle of fish.

"It's the last 16 of the World Championship and it's going to be a good battle."

Match Stats