William Hill Grand Slam Day Three

REIGNING William Hill Grand Slam of Darts champion Raymond van Barneveld crashed out of the tournament with a group stage defeat to Mervyn King on Monday night, as Mark Webster won a Nine-Dart Shoot-Out against Wes Newton to qualify for the knockout stages in Wolverhampton.

A dramatic night of third round-robin matches for Groups E-H saw Dutch star van Barneveld eliminated despite victories in his opening two games.

His 5-3 defeat to King saw his opponent leapfrog him in the Group E table, and with Tony O'Shea winning 5-1 against Ricky Evans earlier in the night, van Barneveld's reign as Wolves Civic champion was ended.

"Raymond's a great player and a great friend, but I a job to do tonight and I managed to win and get myself through," said King. "It was a hard match.

"The objective was to hit him hard and early on I managed to do that - only to let him back in again! Raymond missed a couple of doubles in the middle of the game and I was in the mood to take my opportunity.

"I hope that this is the kick up the backside I need to get my career back to the way it was when I reached the Premier League Final in 2009.

"I've been working so hard for the past three years and I know I've not had the greatest of times since I lost my father, and it is a big factor in my life. It's been so hard to try and recapture the form that I had when I was in the Premier League and it's coming back slowly."

O'Shea had seen off King 5-4 in their group game, with that result meaning that he topped Group E as the pair progressed to the knockout second round on Wednesday - with the Stockport ace in clinical form as he dropped only one leg against Evans.

"I'm quite impressed with the way I performed tonight considering what was at stake," said O'Shea. "I forgot all the different possibilities, and I just got up there and did the job.

"Ricky's a cracking little player and a big star for the future. This week can be of benefit to him playing in front of big crowds like this at a tender age.

"After this win I can focus on the second round now, but I'm really chuffed to be in the last 16 again."

Wes Newton's 5-4 win over Simon Whitlock, coupled with a 5-3 win for Mark Webster against Ross Smith earlier in the night, meant that the Australian topped Group G to leave Newton and Webster in a Nine-Dart Shoot-Out.

Webster won the bullseye and allowed Newton to throw first, with the Fleetwood ace's 40 followed by a 135 from the Welsh left-hander, while a ton edged the world number eight back in front.

Webster, though, hit a 137 with his second throw to move his total to 272, and when Newton hit 59 with his third throw to total 199, the former Lakeside Champion celebrated progression to the knockout stage.

"It's been a rollercoaster night for me but I've got through to the last 16 and I was hoping for that," said Webster. "I've done the job and I can look forward to the next round now.

"I played a number of different formats over my darts career but that Nine-Dart Shoot-Out was the strangest thing I've experienced in the game! Wes did great to beat Whitlock 5-4 and set up the Nine-Dart Shoot-Out, and he was very gracious afterwards.

"It's a big game on Wednesday against a big player in Scott Waites - he's the BDO World Champion and a former winner of this competition, but I'm looking forward to it and he'll have a game on his hands.

"I've been pretty poor this year and had some rotten luck at times, but I keep trying and you've got to tell yourself that things will turn around. I love this game and I want to win, I want to be successful and that inspires me."

2010 Grand Slam champion Waites, who had already qualified following his two big Group H wins at the weekend, ended the league stage unbeaten as he defeated Dave Chisnall 5-1.

"I'm very pleased with the way the last few days have gone," said Waites. "I didn't expect to get three straight wins from this kind of group when you think of the calibre of Dave, Ted and Michael.

"I'm taking my chances and that's what you have to do at this level. That will show now in the latter stages of the competition because one chance can win you a game.

"These three games show that I'm in good form and I can definitely be a threat this week and who knows, I might walk away with this trophy for a second time!

"I don't think I've got to change much. My scoring hasn't been fantastic but my finishing has been pulling me through and I've been quite good with one dart at a double."

Waites was joined in qualifying by Ted Hankey, who bounced back from his opening defeat to the Lakeside Champion on Saturday by following up a victory over Chisnall with a 5-1 triumph in his decider with Michael Smith.

"I'm happy with the win but Michael missed a few doubles and I took my chances," said Hankey. "It was difficult - I hit a 180 with my first three darts and didn't seem to find that rhythm again, but I got the win.

"I think I've lost my first group game every time I've played here. I put myself under pressure once again but I've managed to come through and qualify and I'm very proud of that.

"It's a longer format now and that definitely suits me better. I'm looking forward to playing Simon Whitlock on Wednesday night; we've a few good battles over the years and he's a good mate of mine, so it should be a good match between us."

Scotland's Robert Thornton celebrated the birth of a grandson - who has also been named Robert - in Scotland earlier on Monday with progression from Group F, despite suffering a narrow 5-4 defeat to 2007 finalist Andy Hamilton, who also qualifies for the second round.

"I would have liked to have gone through the group with three straight wins but it wasn't to be," said Thornton. "To win my first two games was great and although this game wasn't the
greatest, I'll be ready and prepared for the second round.

"My head's been a bit elsewhere with my daughter Jodie giving birth today, but I went up there and concentrated the best I could."

Hamilton added: "I went up on stage knowing that I needed two legs to qualify - and I was trying too hard early on to get those two legs!

"Once I relaxed a bit and got the two legs, the win was a bonus. The groups are so hard to get through because it's the best of nine legs, but now it's a longer format and I can relax."

Hamilton's victory meant that Justin Pipe, a Wildcard Qualifier a week ago, was knocked out as he went down 5-2 to Mark Walsh, who had lost his first two matches but hit five doubles from as many attempts on double top to claim a consolation win.

"It's a nice way to finish the tournament beating a quality player like Justin after a disappointing couple of games," said Walsh. "There was no pressure on me tonight and it was all on Justin.

"I really feel for him as he's a good friend but it was important to try and get a win and build some confidence.

"It was nice to play my proper darts, which was good enough, and this performance is what I can do. I've not been having a good season and I am struggling, but when the pressure's off I seem to do it.

"I need to it when the pressure's on and I'm gearing myself up for the World Championship now - I just need a bit of confidence and I believe that will improve my results. Players like Wayne Jones have shown a resurgence in recent months and there's no reason why I can't do that either."

Groups A-D complete their round-robin games on Tuesday night, with Phil Taylor, James Wade and Ronny Huybrechts already assured of their spots in the last 16.

Paul Nicholson plays Stuart Kellett in a game which decides who qualifies alongside Taylor in Group A, Gary Anderson faces Peter Wright in their Group B decider and Adrian Lewis takes on Christian Kist in their Group C battle.

Group D sees Michael van Gerwen in a strong position, following two victories, as he plays Kim Huybrechts and Dean Winstanley meets Vincent van der Voort in the other contest.

Tickets for the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts are still available, either on the night at the Wolves Civic, by calling 0870 320 7000 or by visiting www.wolvescivic.co.uk.

Watch Live
The William Hill Grand Slam of Darts is live on Sky Sports HD.
Coverage is also live through RTL7 in the Netherlands, Sport1 in Germany, OSN across the Middle East, Fox Sports Australia and Sky New Zealand.
LIVEPDC.TV International Pass subscribers can also watch live at www.LIVEPDC.TV, with highlights available 24 hours after the relevant session.

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Join in the fun online with the PDC's social media channels:
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Merchandise
PDC Merchandise is available from the PDC Merchandise Stand inside the main foyer of the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, or online through www.burghleydarts.com.

Tickets
Tickets for some sessions are still available - for latest availability call the Wolves Civic Box Office on 0870 320 7000 or visit www.wolvescivic.co.uk.

William Hill Grand Slam of Darts
Monday November 11
Groups E-H Final Games
Mark Walsh 5-2 Justin Pipe (F) - Mark Walsh Video
Scott Waites 5-1 Dave Chisnall (H)
Tony O'Shea 5-1 Ricky Evans (E) - Tony O'Shea Video
Mark Webster 5-3 Ross Smith (G)
Andy Hamilton 5-4 Robert Thornton (F) - Hamilton & Thornton Video
Raymond van Barneveld 3-5 Mervyn King (E) - Mervyn King Video
Simon Whitlock 4-5 Wes Newton (G)
Michael Smith 1-5 Ted Hankey (H) - Ted Hankey Video
Nine-Dart Shoot-Out: Mark Webster 272-199 Wes Newton - Mark Webster Video

Wednesday November 13 (7pm-11pm)
Second Round
Scott Waites v Mark Webster
Tony O'Shea v Andy Hamilton
Robert Thornton v Mervyn King
Simon Whitlock v Ted Hankey

Final League Tables
Group E

Group F

Group G

* Mark Webster wins Nine-Dart Shoot-Out with Wes Newton

Group H

Match Information
Mark Walsh v Justin Pipe
1-0 - Walsh makes a fine start as he hits double top to complete a 71 finish.
1-1 - Walsh hits a maximum to leave 41 but Pipe wins the leg on double 16.
2-1 - Pipe misses the bullseye for a 161 checkout and Walsh regains the lead thanks a successful attempt at his favourite double top.
2-2 - The Taunton ace hits a 180 before winning the leg on double 12 for a 14-darter.
3-2 - Walsh continues his excellent accuracy on double top as he takes out 61 to edge ahead for the third time.
4-2 - Pipe is off-target with a dart at bullseye for a 161 checkout and Walsh hits a 101 finish completed once again on tops.
5-2 - Pipe misses one dart at tops for a 117 finish and Walsh hits tops at the first time of asking for a confidence boosting win.

Match Stats

Scott Waites v Dave Chisnall
1-0 - Waties takes out a clinical two-dart 72 finish to break Chisnall's throw.
1-1 - Chisnall hits back brilliantly with a 12-dart-finish which features a maximum.
2-1 - Waites takes out 83 on the bullseye with Chisnall waiting on 36.
3-1 - The 2010 Champion hits double ten to pull two legs clear of his opponent.
4-1 - Chisnall hits a maximum but wastes seven opportunities at double over three visits and Waites takes advantage by converting a 94 finish.
5-1 - Waites wins the match on double 15 to progress to the knockout phases with a 100% record from Group H.

Match Stats

Tony O'Shea v Ricky Evans
1-0 - Evans hits a 180 with his first three darts of the match only for O'Shea to hit a maximum of his own and he takes out 70 on tops to win the leg.
2-0 - Evans wastes four opportunities to level as O'Shea capitalises as he hits double 18 at the first time of asking.
3-0 - O'Shea pulls further clear of his young opponent as takes out a 68 finish in just two-darts. 
3-1 - Evans holds throw to get a leg on the board and reduce the deficit.
4-1 - O'Shea restores his three leg advantage as he hits double top with his third dart with Evans waiting on double eight.
5-1 - Evans just misses bullseye for an 82 finish and O'Shea lands double 12 to secure his place in the second round.

Match Stats

Mark Webster v Ross Smith
1-0 - The Welshman starts confidently with a 13-darter which includes a 180.
1-1 - Smith hits double ten with his third dart to draw level.
2-1 - Webster regains the lead thanks to a clinical two-dart 83 finish.
2-2 - Smith is off-target with five attempts at double 16 but Webster is unable to hits tops and Smith returns to hit double 16.
3-2 - Webster hits double top to record his second 13-dart-finish of the game.
3-3 - Both players miss a dart at double for a ton plus finish before Smith hits double five with his third dart to square the game.
4-3 - Webster hits double 16 to complete a 13-darter and move a leg away from victory.
5-3 - Webster hits double ten with his last dart to break Smith's throw and win the match.

Match Stats

Andy Hamilton v Robert Thornton
0-1 - Hamilton misses a dart at double 16 to break and Thornton hits tops for an early lead.
0-2 - Thornton takes out 78 in just two-darts to break his opponent's throw.
1-2 - Hamilton hits back-to-back 180s before landing double two with a pressure third dart after Thornton missed tops for a 3-0 lead.
2-2 - Tension mounts as Hamilton is off-target with four darts at doubles only for Thornton to miss six of his own and the Stoke ace lands double nine to secure his place in round two.
2-3 - Thornton fires a second 180 in as many legs and hits double five with Hamilton waiting on tops.
3-3 - The pair hit maximums before Hamilton levels on double 16 after Thornton wastes four chances for a two leg lead.
4-3 - Hamilton hits a 180 before landing double four with his third dart to lead for the first time.
4-4 - Thornton forces a deciding leg as he hits double seven to complete a 13-dart-finish.
5-4 - The Scotsman is off-target with one dart at tops for a 104 finish and Hamilton hits double 16 to edge a tight contest.

Match Stats

Raymond van Barneveld v Mervyn King
0-1 - King starts the match brilliantly as he breaks throw courtesy of a 114 finish.
0-2 - King kicks-off with a 180 before hitting double 16 to complete an excellent 12-dart-finish.
1-2 - van Barneveld hits double ten with a pressure third dart to reduce the deficit. 
2-2 - King wastes five chances to restore his two leg lead as van Barneveld levels by taking out 48 in two-darts.
2-3 - King hits double 18 at the first time of asking after van Barneveld misses four opportunities to lead the match.
2-4 - King takes out a 63 finish on double 12 to leave the Dutchman under immense pressure.
3-4 - van Barneveld holds his nerve to hit double 16 with King waiting on 32 to win the match.
3-5 - King seals the match with a two-dart 62 finish to complete a 14-darter and knockout the reigning champion to qualify for the last 16.
*With Tony O'Shea and Mervyn King holding the same points and same leg difference O'Shea is determined the group winner courtesy of winning their Group E encounter*

Match Stats

Simon Whitlock v Wes Newton
0-1 - Newton hits a 180 with his first three darts and goes to dominate the leg to break throw on tops.
0-2 - The Fleetwood man hits double three for a 14-darter to increase his lead.
1-2 - Whitlock breaks Newton's throw by taking out 52 in two-darts in a leg that included a 180 from the Australian.
2-2 - The world number four hits a 95 finish to square the game.
2-3 - Newton holds throw to stop Whitlock's winning run and regain the lead thanks to an accurate dart at double 12.
3-3 - Newton just misses double top for a 107 finish and Whitlock lands the same double with a pressure third dart.
3-4 - The world number eight hits a 180 and goes on to win the leg on double two.
4-4 - Whitlock takes out 65 to send the match into a deciding leg.
4-5 - Newton produces a trio of 140 scores and goes on to win the leg on tops for a 13-darter to set up a nine-dart shoot-out against Mark Webster to decide the runner-up spot in Group G!

Match Stats

Michael Smith v Ted Hankey
1-0 - Hankey registers a 180 in the opening leg but Smith hits double ten to hold throw.
1-1 - The two-time Lakeside champion hits double ten with his third dart to level.
1-2 - Smith lets four chances to regain the lead slip away and Hankey takes the opportunity to nick the leg on double top.
1-3 - Smith fires in a 180 but four missed darts at doubles prove expensive as Hankey lands double ten with an accurate third dart.
1-4 - Two more missed darts from Smith allow Hankey a chance to move three legs clear which he does by hitting tops.
1-5 - Hankey seals the match in brilliant style by converting a 115 finish to confirm his place in the last 16.

Match Stats

NINE-DART SHOOT-OUT
Mark Webster v Wes Newton
Webster wins the bullseye and elects to throw second.
First Throws - Newton only scores 40 while Webster records a 135 score
Second Throws - Newton hits 100 but Webster hits 137 to move onto 272 to his opponent's 140.
Third Throws - Newton can only hit a score of 59, meaning that Webster qualifies for the second round without needing his third visit to the oche.
Scores: Mark Webster 272-199 Wes Newton