Nine-Dart Taylor's Group One Win

REIGNING CHAMPION Phil Taylor opened the 2013 Championship League Darts season with a nine-dart finish and victory in Group One of the internet-streamed event, defeating Adrian Lewis 6-2 in Tuesday's final.

The World Champion returned from a three-week break since his triumph in the Sydney Darts Masters in winning form to book his place in next month's Winners Group of the £200,000 event.

Taylor topped the league table following the eight-man round-robin phase, edging out Adrian Lewis on Leg Difference after the pair both won five of their seven games.

Taylor also hit a nine-dart finish - his third in this competition, 12th in a broadcasted event and 16th in a PDC tournament - in his league clash with Lewis, who missed double 18 for a nine-darter of his own before going on to win that showdown 6-5.

However, it was Taylor who took the spoils when they met in the final with an unstoppable display, as he followed up a 109 average in his 6-2 semi-final win with a 102 mean score for his win by the same scoreline against the European Champion.

Taylor finished 80 on tops to win the opening leg, and the pair traded 180s in the next three only for the 53-year-old to win each as he moved 4-0 up, producing some clinical finishing on double 16.

Lewis took out 143 to hit back, but missed double top for a 145 checkout in the next as Taylor hit double eight to move 5-1 up.

Lewis produced a superb 11-dart leg as he kept his hopes alive with a 180 and an 81 finish to pull back a second leg, but he was unable to land double 12 for a 144 finish in the next as Taylor stepped in to finish 76 to seal his spot in October's Winners Group.

"It's fantastic," said Taylor. "I'm pleased to get through because Wes reminded me at the start of our semi-final that he won Group One last year,

"I enjoy this tournament and especially today. I played steady darts and it was a tough challenge because I've not been practising as hard as I should do. I've taken a holiday [in Tenerife] and relaxed a bit, so I'm pleased.

"Adrian played superbly and he missed double 18 for a nine-darter against me but his energy seemed to drop a little bit during the final. I got to 4-0 up and he started to come back at me, and he showed some class."

Lewis had produced a brilliant display of his own to win his semi-final with Dave Chisnall 6-2, with the pair sharing the opening four legs before the Stoke ace hit seven perfect darts in successive legs - twice missing double 19 on a 141 finish for a nine-dart leg, settling instead for a pair of 11-darters as he went on to reach the final.

Chisnall produced some exceptional darts on the day, hitting an immense 39 180s in eight matches, while Newton joined him in reaching the last four by the narrowest of margins ahead of Andy Hamilton, who missed out on Legs Won Against Throw.

Hamilton had won his opening three games before then losing a trio of contests, and his 6-4 win over Simon Whitlock in their final league game was just not enough to see him secure a semi-final place.

Michael van Gerwen joined Hamilton in winning four games on the day only to miss out on the Play-Offs, but they return for Group Two as Whitlock and 2010 champion James Wade were eliminated.

Wade lost his opening six matches before gaining a consolation win over Lewis in his final game, paying the price for some agonisingly close missed doubles earlier in the day, while Whitlock's only victory came against the left-hander.

Justin Pipe, Robert Thornton and Kevin Painter all come in to join the five survivors from Group One in Wednesday's Group Two at Crondon Park GC in Essex.

Championship League Darts is screened exclusively live online, with coverage through www.LIVEPDC.TV and a series of bookmakers' websites worldwide which are listed below.

Prize money is paid at £50 per leg won in the league phase as the eight players meet each other once, before prize money rises to £100 per leg in the Play-Offs.

Play will commence at 10.30am (BST) on Tuesday September 24, and all games will be the best of 11 legs.

Follow Live Scores from Championship League Darts matches through the PDC Live Scores Website.

2013 Championship League Darts
Group One Results

Final League Table
 

League placings determined as follows:
Points Won
Leg Difference (+/-)
Legs Won
Legs Won Against Throw

MATCH INFORMATION
First Set of Matches
Phil Taylor made a superb opening with a 107 average and six doubles from seven attempts in his 6-2 win over Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 101 in reply. Van Gerwen missed the bull to finish 81 in the opening leg as Taylor took out the same total on double six, before finishing double 16 to move 2-0 up. Van Gerwen hit a 180 and finished 68 to hit back, but Taylor restored his cushion with a 13-dart finish. Tops gave van Gerwen the fifth leg, but Taylor hit the same bed for a 70 finish to lead 4-2, took out 121 on double 14 and sealed an imperious win over the world number two with another 13-dart finish.
Wes Newton was in strong form as he defeated Dave Chisnall 6-3, despite the world number seven hitting eight 180s in the contest. Newton took out 146 and 100 to win the opening two legs, only for Chisnall to land two maximums and a pair of double four finishes as he levelled. However, Chisnall burst his score needing 84 in the fifth - miscounting and finishing 88 on double seven - as Newton regained the lead on double top and then hit double eight to move 4-2 up. Chisnall hit an 11-darter to reduce the gap to one leg and hit two 180s in leg eight, only to be punished for missed doubles to level the game as Newton pinned double three for a 5-3 lead and hit double 16 to seal the win.
Andy Hamilton kicked off Group One with a 6-4 victory over former Championship League Darts winner James Wade. Hamilton kicked off the game with a 180 and hit double 12 and double 16 to win the opening two legs, and though Wade finished 78 to hit back, Hamilton took the fourth in 14 darts for a 3-1 cushion. Wade replied in kind to pull back to 3-2 before levelling with a 100 checkout, and then hit the front by landing double ten. Wade also left 32 in the eighth leg, only for Hamilton to finish a key 155 to square the contest, and landed double 19 again for a 5-4 lead after the left-hander missed two darts at tops, before sealing the win on double 16 in the next.
Adrian Lewis raced past Simon Whitlock with a 6-1 triumph to make a winning start to Group One. Whitlock won the game's opening leg on double 16, but after Lewis levelled on tops, the Australian was punished for a string of missed doubles as the Stoke ace broke on double five. Lewis then hit a 180 in a 13-darter and moved 4-1 up with a 14-dart finish, before taking out 124 on the bull and 68 for another 14 darter as he swept to victory.

Second Set of Matches
Phil Taylor picked up his second successive victory, defeating Wes Newton 6-2. Newton hit a 180 in a 13-darter to kick off the game, before Taylor replied on double four and took a pivotal third, punishing a string of misses from the Fleetwood ace by landing double one to move 2-1 up. He then finished double 15, 66 and double 16 to move 5-1 up, and though Newton replied on double six, Taylor responded to a 180 from his opponent with a 177 and took out 68 on the bull for the win.
Dave Chisnall bounced back from his opening defeat with a 6-2 win over Michael van Gerwen. Chisnall finished 114 to win the opening leg, before van Gerwen levelled on double six, but the world number seven raced through the next four legs to take a 5-1 cushion, finishing double five, 78, tops and double eight to move to the brink of a big win. Van Gerwen hit two 180s in an 11-darter to hit back, but Chisnall replied with a brace of maximums as he sealed the win with a 13-dart leg.
Simon Whitlock averaged almost 102 as he picked up his opening win of Group One with a 6-1 defeat of James Wade, who scored well but was punished for missed doubles during a frustrating performance. Whitlock took out 125 and 96 to win the opening leg and then took out a superb ten-darter for a 3-0 lead, with Wade landing a 177 only to see his opponent score 180, 140 and 145 before landing double 18. Misses from Wade in the next two allowed Whitlock to finish double ten and 78 to lead 5-0 before, but the Australian missed five match darts in the next as Wade posted double ten to get off the mark, but his fightback was short-lived as the world number four sealed the win with a 14-darter.
Andy Hamilton maintained his strong start to Group One with a 6-4 defeat of Adrian Lewis. The pair shared the opening two legs before Hamilton took three in a row to move 4-1 up, with Lewis twice being punished for missed doubles. Lewis then opened the sixth with two 180s, and though he missed the treble 19 for a possible nine-dart leg, he returned to take the leg on double 16 for a ten-darter. Hamilton finished 76 to move 5-2 up, but Lewis hit tops to reply and punished two missed match darts in the ninth by landing double five to cut the gap to 5-4. Hamilton landed a 180 in the tenth, and when Lewis missed his chance to force a deciding leg, the Stoke ace posted double eight to seal the win.

Third Set of Matches
Adrian Lewis hit back from behind to edge an 11-leg clash with Wes Newton 6-5. Newton took the opener before the pair traded 180s in the second, with Lewis finishing 77 on tops to level before Newton won the third and broke in the fourth, finishing 124 on the bull to lead 3-1. Lewis then seized the initiative, winning the next three legs with double eight, double two and tops to move ahead, only for Newton to level in the eighth on double 18 after a miss at tops from the Stoke ace. Newton then hit double ten to move 5-4 up, but Lewis levelled and opened the deciding leg the better - with a 180 from Newton coming too late as double five gave the European Champion victory.
Andy Hamilton won the clash of the two day's unbeaten players 6-4 against Phil Taylor. The game's opening eight legs all went with the throw, with Taylor landing an 11-darter in the opener and Hamilton having a 140 finish for a 12-dart leg in the sixth. Hamilton secured the game's first break in leg nine, finishing 124 on the bull, and posted double ten in the next to secure the win.
Dave Chisnall hit a superb nine 180s and averaged 106.50 in a fine 6-4 win over Simon Whitlock to win his second game of Group One. Whitlock took out a tricky 139 finish to win the opening leg, before Chisnall hit four maximums in back-to-back 11-darters as he took the next two and another 180 in the fourth leg as he took a 3-1 lead on double 18. Whitlock replied with an 11-darter of his own, hitting a 180 and taking out 82 with a bullseye, double 16 combination, before levelling on double 16 with a break of throw. He was then punished for two missed doubles as Chisnall hit a 180 and double 12 to break back, and the pair traded maximums in the eighth as the world number seven hit double 16 for  5-3 cushion. Chisnall added another maximum in leg nine, but missed two match darts as Whitlock kept the game alive with tops, but even a 180 from the Australian was not enough in leg ten as Chisnall finished double top for the win.
Michael van Gerwen picked up his first win of Group One with a 6-4 win over James Wade, which leaves the 2010 champion rooted to the foot of the table. The pair shared the opening two legs before Wade, aided by three 180s, a brace of double top finishes and double two, moved 4-1 up. Van Gerwen landed a 180 before finishing 61 to hit back, posted double eight for a 14-dart leg and finished tops for a 13-darter to level the game. He then hit a 180 and tops for an 11-dart finish to move 5-4 up, and though Wade hit two 180s in the tenth, he paid for missing five doubles to force a deciding leg as van Gerwen - who also hit a maximum - took out double eight to win a fifth successive leg in taking the points.

Fourth Set of Matches
Phil Taylor hit a nine-darter in the fifth leg of his contest with Adrian Lewis, but went on to lose 6-5 as the world number three missed double 18 to achieve the same feat in a superb contest! Taylor took out 121 on the bull to win the opening leg, held in the second and then finished double 11 to take the third, following two misses from Lewis. The European Champion then landed a 180 as he got off the mark in leg four, only to see Taylor hit his nine-darter in the fifth, hitting two 180s and finishing 141 on double 12 for a 4-1 lead with his third Championship League Darts perfect leg. Lewis took the next two to pull back to 4-3, and then scored 180 and 174 in the eighth, hitting the treble 20 and treble 17 but missing double 18 for a nine-darter of his own - although he did take the leg in 11 darts. Lewis then hit a 180 in a 14-darter to move 5-1 up, with Taylor defying another maximum from the youngster by taking out 94 to force a decider, but Lewis hit a 180 to set up double top as he edged the win.
Wes Newton ended Andy Hamilton's unbeaten start with a 6-5 victory from their fourth game of the day. Hamilton took the game's opening leg before Newton won three in a row to take control at 3-1. Hamilton won leg five, but was denied a chance to level as Newton took out 107, and the pair traded 180s in the next before Newton capitalised on misses from the Stoke ace to finish 80 for a 5-2 cushion. Newton missed three match darts in the next, with one at double 11 and two at double eight, as Hamilton hit double ten to reply and then land 180s in the next two legs as he levelled, but Newton produced a timely maximum and edged the win on double ten.
Michael van Gerwen averaged 110 and came from 5-3 down to claim a narrow win over Simon Whitlock, who average 103 himself in a game of the highest quality. The first four legs were shared before van Gerwen defied a 180 from Whitlock in the fifth by landing a 177 in an 11-darter to move 3-2 up, only for Whitlock, aided by 180s in the next two legs, to move 4-3 ahead by finishing tops and 94. The Australian then finished 121 to move a leg away from victory, only for van Gerwen to keep the game alive with a brilliant 164 finish. He then forced a decider and, after the pair again traded 180s, sealed victory on double five - after Whitlock wired one dart at tops for victory.
Dave Chisnall hit another seven 180s and averaged 108.65 in a fine 6-1 win over James Wade, who averaged 103 but was unable to claim his first win of the day. Chisnall took the opening leg on double 16, returning from two earlier misses at double 18, before finishing legs of 14 and 11 darts to take command at 3-0. Wade missed two darts on the double ten wire in the fourth as Chisnall capitalised, before an 11-darter moved him into a 5-0 lead. Wade landed two 180s and a 100 finish in a brilliant 12-darter to reply, but another maximum was not enough in the next as Chisnall sealed victory with a 13-darter on double seven.

Fifth Set of Matches
Adrian Lewis was at his brilliant best to defeat Dave Chisnall 6-3, averaging over 108 to 102 from the world number seven in another high-quality contest. Lewis made a stunning start, finishing 167 in the opening leg, hitting two 180s in the second and 96 for a 3-0 lead, before Chisnall landed a 180 and 177 in the fourth as he took out double ten to get off the mark. Lewis pinned double eight for a 70 finish to lead 4-1, but Chisnall finished double two to win a second leg and 121 on the bull to reduce the gap to 4-3. Lewis, though, took the eighth and then sealed victory on double eight in the next for another superb display.
Phil Taylor came from 4-3 down to claim a 6-4 win over James Wade in a game which saw both players average over 101. Wade took out 100 for a 14-darter in the opening leg, before Taylor levelled on tops and then took out 128 and 164 in successive legs to move 3-1 up. Wade, though, traded 180s with the World Champion to hit back in the fifth and landed tops to level, before hitting double eight to lead 4-3. However, Wade missed three darts to move two legs clear in the next, allowing Taylor to level on double ten before the Stoke ace finished 64 to move back ahead and double 16 to take the win.
Michael van Gerwen won a third game of Group One as he hit back from behind to win 6-4 against Andy Hamilton. Hamilton made the stronger start, finishing double 16 in the opening leg and 94 to double his lead before van Gerwen hit back with his second 180 of the game as he took leg three. Hamilton replied with a maximum and a 100 checkout to take a 3-1 lead, only for van Gerwen to reply on double 16, hit a 180 and take out 88 on the bull to level with a 12-darter and double eight to move 4-3 up. Hamilton levelled again with a 14-darter, only for van Gerwen to take out 106 to move 5-4 up and then seal victory on double eight, after the Stoke ace missed tops to forec a decider.
Wes Newton also won his third game of the day, coming from 3-1 down to defeat Simon Whitlock 6-4. Whitlock edged the opener before Newton replied with a 13-darter, but the Australian broke back and then finished 78 for a 3-1 lead - hitting two 171 scores in the leg - only for Newton to take out 105 and double 18 to level. Newton then added a 180 and a 77 finish to move 4-3 up, and after Whitlock hit double nine to square the game again, the Fleetwood ace hit two 180s in a 13-darter to move 5-4 up and another maximum in a 12-darter as he sealed the win on double 16.

After Five Games
James Wade unable to avoid elimination and Simon Whitlock needing to win both of his remaining games if he is to remain in the tournament.

Sixth Set of Matches
Wes Newton secured his fourth Group One win with a 6-4 defeat of winless James Wade. Newton took out 71 and 68 to take the opening two legs in 15 and 14 darts, adding a 180 in the second, before Wade finished 75 to hit back in the third. Newton then landed two maximums in leg four, only for Wade to follow a 180 of his own with tops to level the game, before he hit a 177 to leave 24 in the next as double 12 put him 3-2 up. Newton then hit two more 180s in an 11-darter to level, and defied a 180 from the 2010 champion with a 13-darter as he regained the lead. A miss from Newton at double 16 allowed Wade in to finish 82 on tops to square the game again, but Newton took out 121 on the bull to move 5-4 up and punished three misses from the left-hander to seal the win in the next, after hitting a sixth maximum.
Adrian Lewis won his fifth match of Group One to retain his spot at the head of the league table with a 6-4 defeat of Michael van Gerwen. Lewis hit a 180 as he took the opener, before the Dutch ace hit a maximum and finished 167 for a 12-darter to level, and the next two legs also went with the throw before Lewis hit a 13-darter to take leg five and broke on double 16 in the next, before a 14-darter put him 5-2 up. Van Gerwen finished tops for a 14-darter and double ten to pull back to within a leg, but Lewis went on to seal the win on double five.
Dave Chisnall continued his play-off push with a 6-0 whitewash of Andy Hamilton, who suffered a third straight loss after winning his opening three games. Chisnall won the opening leg by finishing 96 for a 12-darter, took out 86 to double his lead and double 16 to win the third leg. He then hit a 180 in the fourth and another in leg five, which he took on tops for a 12-darter, before adding another maximum and double ten to seal a comprehensive triumph and jump into the top four places.
Phil Taylor eliminated 2012 runner-up Simon Whitlock from Group One with a 6-3 victory in their clash, a repeat of last October's final. Whitlock kicked off the game with a 180, but Taylor took out 90 to break in the opening leg, double four to win the second and double 16 for a 12-darter in the third, after the pair traded 180s. Whitlock won three of the next four to pull back to 4-3, but Taylor took a key eighth on tops and punished the Australian for five missed doubles in the next by landing double eight for the two points, which ends Whitlock's hopes on the day.

Final Set of Matches
Phil Taylor moved to the top of the Group One table with a narrow 6-5 win over Dave Chisnall in their final league game. Taylor took the opener on double 16, but Chisnall landed a 180 as he levelled and took the third before Taylor levelled. Chisnall then too three of the next four to lead 5-3, but Taylor edged the ninth and, after the pair traded 180s in the tenth, punished five missed match darts from Chisnall to post double four and force a decider. Chisnall hit a 180 in the 11th leg, with Taylor missing the bull for a 164 finish only for Chisnall to miss two darts at double 12 to finish 81, allowing the World Champion to snatch the win on double eight.
Michael van Gerwen ended the league campaign with a 6-2 win over Wes Newton - but misses out on a semi-final spot despite the victory. Van Gerwen broke in the opening leg on double 14, only for Newton to reply with two 180s in a 12-darter to break back. Van Gerwen took out double 12 to win the third, again against the throw, before finishing double 13 for an 81 finish to lead 3-1. Newton hit a 177 and double eight to reply, but missed top to level in the sixth as van Gerwen posted double four to lead 4-2. Newton was punished for four misses at double 19 in the next as van Gerwen hit tops, before the Dutchman landed a 180 as he sealed victory in style with a 12-darter.
Andy Hamilton ended the league campaign with a victory as he saw off Simon Whitlock 6-4 - but he missed out on a play-off place to Wes Newton on Legs Won Against Throw! Hamilton took the opening leg with a 100 finish, before Whitlock took the next three to move two legs up. However, the Australian was punished for misses in the fifth as Hamilton hit back, before levelling and winning the seventh to move 4-3 up. Whitlock missed further doubles in the eighth as Hamilton took out double two for a 5-3 lead, and though Whitlock replied in the ninth, Hamilton took the next to seal victory.
James Wade picked up a consolation victory in Group One with a 6-4 defeat of Adrian Lewis, who finishes second in the league table.Wade finished 116 to take the opening leg and traded 180s with Lewis as he took a 2-0 lead, before the pair both hit maximums as Lewis got off the mark. Lewis took out double 12 to win the fourth and finished a 14-darter for a 3-2 lead, only for Wade to finish tops and 122, on the bullseye, to move back ahead at 4-3. He landed a 180 in moving one leg away from victory, and though Lewis took out 115 to stay in the game, Wade sealed his only win of the day on tops.

Semi-Finals
Phil Taylor overcame Wes Newton 6-2 to book his place in the Group One final with a sensational 109.38 average. Taylor hit tops to win the opener and then hit the same bed to win the second with a 100 finish, which followed an earlier 180. Newton hit a maximum and finished 75 on tops to get off the mark in the third, but Taylor punished him for missing his chance to level in the fourth, before double 16 put the World Champion 4-1 up. Newton posted a 180 as he pulled back a second leg, but Taylor hit tops for a 5-2 cushion and double 16 to seal his spot in the decider.
Adrian Lewis booked his place in the Group One final with a superb 6-2 win over Dave Chisnall in their last four clash. Chisnall kicked off the game with a 13-darter, after Lewis missed the bull for a 122 finish, before the world number three levelled on double ten - after his opponent missed tops for a 148 checkout - and moved ahead with a 71 finish. Chisnall levelled, before Lewis moved 4-2 up by winning the next two legs in scintillating style - hitting seven perfect darts in both legs before missing the treble 19 on the 141 combination, although he recovered to claim both legs. Lewis added another 180 and tops as he moved 5-2 up, and he then finished 81 to seal victory - this time landing the treble 19 and double 12.

Final
Phil Taylor claimed victory in the Group One final with an imperious display to defeat Adrian Lewis 6-2, averaging 102.82 to Lewis' 105.09 but doing all the damage early on. Taylor finished 80 on tops to win the opening leg, and the pair traded 180s in the next three only for the 53-year-old to win each as he moved 4-0 up, producing some clinical finishing on double 16. Lewis took out 143 to hit back, but missed double top for a 145 checkout in the next as Taylor hit double eight to move 5-1 up. Lewis produced a superb 11-dart leg as he kept his hopes alive with a 180 and an 81 finish to pull back a second leg, but he was unable to land double 12 for a 144 finish in the next as Taylor stepped in to finish 76 to seal his spot in October's Winners Group.

Match Stats

Group One Stats (players in ranking order)

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