Cash Converters PCF Second Round

VAN GERWEN COMEBACK STUNS LEWIS AS TAYLOR POWERS PAST WRIGHT
 

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Adrian Lewis 9-6 in the second round of Cash Converters Players Championship Finals on Saturday night, as Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld set up another Anglo-Dutch clash in the quarter-finals at the Butlins Minehead Resort.

Van Gerwen and Lewis produced yet another thrilling contest as the Dutch ace showed a return to his brilliant best by averaging 107 and winning the game's final six legs without reply.

Lewis, who hit seven 180s in the game and average led 2-0 and 6-3 as he put himself in pole position, only for a miss at double top in the tenth leg to prove crucial.

Van Gerwen stepped in to finish 77 on the same bed, hit double ten, levelled with an 11-darter and then moved ahead for the first time with double top, before taking out 124 and 112 in the next two legs to complete a superb fightback.

"It was a great game to play in and it was fantastic for the crowd, but it was also very important for me to win this match," admitted van Gerwen, who has not won a tournament since June despite being a regular in the latter stages of events.

"This performance showed that I'm back to my best and I needed this after the last couple of months, so it's good for my confidence.

"Adrian played really well but the tenth leg was massive because to be 7-3 or 6-4 behind is a big difference, and from there I played really well and hit some great finishes.

"I'm really looking forward to Sunday now and if I can keep playing like this then I could beat anyone."

Raymond van Barneveld will hope to replicate van Gerwen's success in a great Anglo-Dutch rivalry when he plays Phil Taylor in Sunday afternoon's quarter-finals, after they both progressed through the last 16 to thrill a capacity crowd in Minehead.

Van Barneveld was again taken all the way to a deciding leg before he prevailed against Robert Thornton - although the Scot almost produced a dramatic comeback of his own.

Van Barneveld led 6-4 and 8-6 only to miss three match darts in each of the next two legs as Thornton took the game all the way, but the Scot missed three match darts of his own in the decider as tops put the Dutchman through.

"It always seems to be exciting with me," admitted van Barneveld. "Last night it was 6-5 with Mervyn King and tonight was 9-8 with Robert - I'd love to have a comfortable win but I never make it easy for myself.

"I got the win and that's what you want, even though I wasn't at my best again tonight. I thought I'd lost my chance in the final leg but I was so determined to win and I'm glad I did."

Reigning champion Taylor, meanwhile, was back to his imperious best as he defeated number three seed Peter Wright 9-3, averaging 107.85 and dominating the game from the start.

He won the first three legs without reply, and thought Wright hit back to trail just 4-2 at one stage, Taylor pulled clear before sealing victory with a sensational 143 checkout.

"I'm really pleased with that and I'm happy with my average and my performance - but I had no choice but to do that because Peter's a tough cookie to beat and playing really well at the moment," said Taylor.

"He let me in early on and I took advantage, but it was a battle and that's set me up for the rest of the tournament now.

"I'm excited about tomorrow and I'd love to win the title again, but I'm not looking past the quarter-final with Raymond because it will be a good scrap.

"I love playing against him and it will be a tough game. He's not in the best place at the moment because he's struggling and experimenting with his darts, but he's got to go out there and do a job on me.

"I'm enjoying everything at the moment and not putting myself under pressure, and it's a great place to be."

Gary Anderson was the night's other winner as he defeated Jelle Klaasen 9-5 to win through to the quarter-finals in Minehead for a second successive year, where he will play Justin Pipe on Sunday afternoon.

The Scot opened up a 2-0 lead early on and never relinquished the advantage, with Klaasen cutting the gap to one leg with a 135 checkout in the seventh leg, but Somerset-based Anderson pulled away to progress to a clash with his Taunton rival.

"My darts weren't quite right tonight so I'm pleased to get through," said Anderson. "I'd rather play well and lose than play shabby darts and win, and it annoys me but I've got a chance to put it right on Sunday.

"It will be a good game against Justin and we'll have a laugh and make a good game of it. We know each other so well and have practiced together a lot, and he's come on leaps and bounds in the last two years."

Pipe, the world number 11, remains on course to at least match last year's run to the semi-finals in Minehead following his 9-4 win over Jamie Caven earlier on Saturday.

Pipe led 2-0 before Caven hit an 11-darter to get off the mark, but the world number 11 led 4-1 and 7-2 as he defied a 127 bullseye finish from the Derby ace with a 120 checkout of his own in taking command.

A 76 finish on the bullseye from Pipe was sandwiched between legs for Caven as he fought to stay in the game, but the local favourite landed a fourth 180 before double eight sealed the win.

"I love it here and the venue's being pretty good to me," admitted Pipe. "Jamie missed a few doubles and let me off the hook, but I had to do my job and I'm really pleased.

"It's a great venue and I'm fortunate enough to have the home comforts of staying in my own bed - but able to come here and enjoy the atmosphere and the crowd, and hopefully give them something to cheer about.

"My finishing wasn't brilliant there but it was enough and I know I can improve that in the quarter-finals - but any losing player would take this result so I'm delighted to be in the last eight."

Newton continued a memorable week, following the home birth of his second son in the early hours of Monday, by claiming a 9-3 win over Steve Beaton in their second round clash in Somerset.

The Fleetwood ace hit five 180s and took out a 141 finish on his way to victory in a game he dominated, with a 145 finish from Beaton his brightest moment in the clash.

"It's a good win and it's great to be through to the quarter-finals," said Newton. "It was a tricky game so I'm glad to come through it. Steve took a couple of good finishes out, but I was in command for most of the match and I knew it wasn't him at his best there.

"It's been an amazing week and I'm so happy with everything at the moment, and I'd love to go all the way on Sunday. I've got to up my game but I know I've got it in me to do it and I'm not just here to make up the numbers."

Stoke's Andy Hamilton followed up Friday's miracle comeback - as he hit back from 5-1 down to defeat John Part 6-5 with a 158 checkout in the deciding leg - with a 9-3 win over Brendan Dolan.

Dolan was punished for missing 19 darts at a double in the contest, with 12 coming in the first three legs as Hamilton took leads of 3-1 and 8-2 before completing victory with a sensational 160 finish.

"I had to put yesterday's performance behind me and focus on this game, and I want to keep improving on Sunday now," said Hamilton, whose win continues his amazing record of reaching the last eight in major events.

"I can look forward to the quarter-finals now and I want to go onwards and upwards from here. Sometimes you need a bit of luck and I had that in my first game, so maybe my name is on the trophy."

Hamilton will play his local rival Ian White in the last eight in Sunday's afternoon session, after the 43-year-old raced past Terry Jenkins 9-2 to reach the first major quarter-final of his professional career.

White took the game's first six legs without Jenkins having a dart at a double, and capitalised on two misses from the seven-time major winner to move 7-0 up.

Jenkins hit 180s in taking two of the next three legs, but double ten saw White complete a comprehensive victory.

"I'm very happy with that," admitted the two-time Players Championship winner. "I'm playing some steady darts at the moment and it's taken me two years to get used to playing on the big stage, but it's starting to pay off now.

"This is a great win because Terry's one of the greatest players on the tour, but I didn't give him a chance early on and I hit my doubles well. I couldn't have asked for a better start and I wanted to stay of top of Terry.

"I hope I've got some more in the tank and I can improve on my double 16 and double eight hitting, but I'm enjoying the weekend. I'm looking forward to playing Andy because he knocked me out of the World Matchplay this summer so I want to turn that around."

Sunday afternoon's quarter-finals will be followed by the semi-finals and final at the Butlins Minehead Resort on Sunday evening, as the winner of the event's £60,000 first prize is found.

The Cash Converters Players Championship Finals will be shown live on ITV4, as well as on RTL7 in the Netherlands, Sport1 in Germany, Fox Sports Australia, OSN across the Middle East and on www.LIVEPDC.TV for International Pass Subscribers.

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Cash Converters Players Championship Finals
Saturday November 30
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Brendan Dolan 3-9 Andy Hamilton
Terry Jenkins 2-9 Ian White
Jamie Caven 4-9 Justin Pipe
Steve Beaton 3-9 Wes Newton
Best of 17 legs

Evening Session
Jelle Klaasen 5-9 Gary Anderson
Robert Thornton 8-9 Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright 3-9 Phil Taylor
Michael van Gerwen 9-6 Adrian Lewis
Best of 17 legs

Sunday December 1
Afternoon Session (12.45pm)
Michael van Gerwen v Wes Newton
Ian White v Andy Hamilton
Gary Anderson v Justin Pipe
Raymond van Barneveld v Phil Taylor
Best of 17 legs

MATCH INFORMATION
Brendan Dolan v Andy Hamilton
0-1 - Dolan misses three darts at double 14, and Hamilton capitalises to break by finishing 90 on double five.
0-2 - Dolan misses a further eight darts at doubles, and Hamilton returns on tops to double his lead.
1-2 - Dolan finally gets off the mark, hitting double four at the second time of asking - his 13th dart at a double in the match.
1-3 - Hamilton finishes 80 on double five to regain his cushion.
2-3 - Dolan hits double eight to cut the gap once again.
2-4 - Hamilton takes out 63 on double 16 to hold throw.
2-5 - Hamilton misses double top and ten, but Dolan is off-target on double 16 to allow him back in to finish double five and move three legs clear.
2-6 - Double 16 sees Hamilton extend his advantage further.
2-7 - Hamilton posts the game's first 180, and lands double 16 to win a fourth successive leg and move two legs from victory.
2-8 - Hamilton takes out 56 on tops to move to the brink of a semi-final spot.
3-8 - Dolan finishes 70 on the bull to keep his hopes alive.
3-9 - Dolan hits his first 180, but Hamilton seals another victory in superb style, taking out a sensational 160 finish to follow up Friday's 158 to seal victory against John Part.

Match Stats

Terry Jenkins v Ian White
0-1 - Double four sees White win the opening leg.
0-2 - White takes out 82 on tops to break throw and double his lead.
0-3 - Double 16 gives White a third successive leg, without Jenkins having a dart at a double.
0-4 - White finishes 54 on tops for another break of throw.
0-5 - White hits a 159 score to set up 32, and lands double 16 to win a fifth successive leg, holding an average of 101.55.
0-6 - Double ten sees White win a sixth leg.
0-7 - The pair trade 180s and White adds a 177 score, but initially misses three doubles to win the leg to allow Jenkins his first sight of a double - only for the Ledbury ace to miss double 16 and eight to allow his opponent back in on double five.
1-7 - Jenkins finally gets off the mark, finishing 60 in improvised style on double ten after hitting double top with his first dart.
1-8 - Double 16 moves White one leg away from the quarter-finals.
2-8 - Jenkins lands a 180, his third of the game, and finishes double six to continue his revival in the contest with a 13-darter.
2-9 - White finishes double ten to seal victory and his place in the quarter-finals of a PDC major for the first time in his professional career.

Match Stats

Jamie Caven v Justin Pipe
0-1 - Caven misses the bull for a 170 finish and is unable to punish Pipe for three misses as the Taunton ace lands double ten to win the opening leg.
0-2 - Caven opens the leg with a 177 score but misses tops to punish a missed bullseye from his opponent, and Pipe again capitalises by landing double eight.
1-2 - Caven opens with a 180 and finishes 81 for an 11-darter to get off the mark.
1-3 - Pipe finishes 79 on double 11 to win his third leg.
1-4 - Pipe misses tops for a 160 finish, but Caven misses the same bed to finish 72 - and both players doubles in two further visits before Pipe hits double five to edge the leg and take a three-leg cushion.
2-4 - Caven finishes 127 on the bull to hit back.
2-5 - Caven misses double top for a 160 finish, and Pipe capitalises with a 120 checkout to regain his three-leg lead.
2-6 - Pipe opens with leg with his second 180 of the game, and though he misses the bull for an 81 finish, he returns to eventually take the leg on double four following two more missed doubles by Caven.
2-7 - Pipe - a semi-finalist last year - finishes 70 on double 16 to move two legs away from the last eight.
3-7 - Caven lands a 177 to leave 24, and when Pipe misses the bull for a 124 finish, the Derby ace hits double six to reply.
3-8 - Caven opens with a 180, but misses double 16 as Pipe takes out 76 on the bullseye to move to the brink of victory.
4-8 - The pair trade 180s before Caven finishes 81 on double 12 to keep his hopes alive.
4-9 - Pipe hits his fourth 180 of the game, and finishes double eight to win through to the quarter-finals for a second successive year.

Match Stats

Steve Beaton v Wes Newton
0-1 - Newton makes a fine start to win the opening leg with a 13-darter, finishing double 14.
0-2 - Beaton misses double top and ten, and Newton steps in to land double 16 to win a second leg.
1-2 - Newton leaves 56, but Beaton wins his opening leg of the game in style with a fantastic 145 finish.
1-3 - Newton regains his two-leg lead.
2-3 - Beaton lands the bull to finish 74 as he hits back.
2-4 - Newton hits a 180 and finishes double five to regain his edge.
2-5 - Newton moves three legs clear by finishing double two with a break of throw.
2-6 - Beaton misses five darts at double top, ten and five, and Newton steps in to finish 65 on double six to move four legs away from his opponent.
2-7 - Newton opens with a 180 and finishes a 14-darter on double two to break throw once more.
2-8 - Newton takes out a stunning 141 checkout as he moves to the brink of a quarter-final spot.
3-8 - Double top from Beaton sees him keep his hopes alive.
3-9 - Newton hits tops himself to complete a comprehensive win.

Match Stats

Jelle Klaasen v Gary Anderson
0-1 - Anderson hits a 162 score to leave 32, and hits a nerve-settling double 16 at the first time of asking.
0-2 - The Scot takes out 60 on tops to double his advantage.
1-2 - Klaasen hits tops with his third dart to get off the mark.
1-3 - Anderson wins a key leg as Klaasen makes a meal of finishing 74, missing six darts at doubles to allow the Scot back on double eight.
2-3 - Klaasen takes out 71 on tops to hit back.
2-4 - Anderson regains his cushion by hitting tops.
3-4 - Klaasen hits a 180 and finishes 135 on the bullseye to win a sparkling leg.
3-5 - Anderson lands his first maximum of the game to leave 58, and hits tops at the first time of asking to win the eighth leg.
3-6 - The Scot breaks throw on double top.
4-6 - Klaasen breaks back immediately, capitalising on misses at double eight and four from Anderson by finishing 86 with a bullseye, double 18 combination.
4-7 - A third successive leg goes against the darts as Anderson hits another 180 and takes out 61 on double 18.
5-7 - Anderson opens with a 180 but pays the price for missing five darts at doubles as Klaasen steps in to post double 18 to break back again.
5-8 - Anderson initially misses tops for a 114 finish, before punishing
5-9 - Double 16 sees Anderson win through to the quarter-finals for a second successive year in Minehead.

Match Stats

Robert Thornton v Raymond van Barneveld
1-0 - Thornton hits tops to win the game's opening leg.
1-1 - van Barneveld wins the second to level.
1-2 - The Dutch ace breaks throw on double eight to move ahead.
1-3 - van Barneveld lands his first 180 and takes out 28 to win a third straight leg.
2-3 - Thornton wins his first leg in four by pinning double 16.
2-4 - van Barneveld finishes double 16 to regain his two-leg advantage.
3-4 - van Barneveld is off-target on double 12 and Thornton reduces the gap to one leg once again on tops.
4-4 - Thornton breaks by taking out 80 on tops to level.
4-5 - The pair trade 180s, but Thornton misses two darts at double 13 and van Barneveld finishes 74 on double 16 to break back to regain the lead.
4-6 - van Barneveld takes out 86 with a single four, bullseye, double 16 combination.
5-6 - Thornton hits double ten to reply once more.
6-6 - Thornton breaks by hitting double ten to level the game.
6-7 - van Barneveld edges a dramatic leg on double four, with both players missing doubles before the Dutchman breaks to move back in front.
6-8 - Both players are initially unable to finish 76, with van Barneveld returning to land double 18 to move to the brink of victory.
7-8 - van Barneveld misses three match darts at double 19, and tops keeps Thornton in the contest.
8-8 - Thornton hits a 180 to leave 86, but misses the bullseye to allow van Barneveld back in - only for the Dutchman to miss three darts at tops as double four sends the game into a decider.
8-9 - van Barneveld snatches victory from the jaws of defeat in a dramatic decider, hitting a 180 to leave 97 only to see Thornton miss the bull for a 126 finish, and the Scot returns to miss further darts at double 16 and eight to complete his comeback before van Barneveld hits tops to move into the quarter-finals.

Match Stats

Peter Wright v Phil Taylor
0-1 - Taylor opens the game with two 140s and a 180 before landing double 16 for an 11-darter to take the first leg.
0-2 - Wright misses two darts at double eight to hold throw as Taylor initially misses his chance to break, before landing double four for a two-leg lead.
0-3 - Tops sees Taylor win a third successive leg.
1-3 - Taylor opens with a 180, but misses the bull for a 167 finish and two further darts at double eight as Wright lands double four with his third dart as he gets off the mark.
1-4 - Taylor takes out 41 to regain his three-leg cushion.
2-4 - Taylor misses the bull for a 161 finish, and Wright hits tops to respond.
2-5 - The reigning champion pins double 16 to move three legs clear again.
3-5 - Wright is first to a finish, hitting a 180, and a 177 from Taylor comes in vain as he watches the Scot hit double eight.
3-6 - Taylor scores 180 and 171 in successive throws before landing double two for a 14-darter.
3-7 - Taylor pins double 19 to move two legs away from the quarter-finals.
3-8 - Double ten moves Taylor to the brink of victory.
3-9 - Taylor seals victory in brilliant style with a 143 checkout, ending the game with a 107.85 average.

Match Stats

Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
0-1 - Lewis hits tops to secure an immediate break of throw.
0-2 - Lewis finishes 88 on double seven to double his lead.
1-2 - van Gerwen holds throw to win his first leg.
1-3 - Lewis opens with a 180 and finishes 84 on double 12.
2-3 - Tops sees van Gerwen pull back to within a leg of his rival.
2-4 - van Gerwen misses the bull for a 121 finish to break as Lewis moevs two legs clear again.
3-4 - van Gerwen lands a 180 and takes out 130 to hit back.
3-5 - Lewis edges away, hitting two 180s in the leg and being given a reprieve when van Gerwen fails to punish his three misses at tops.
3-6 - Lewis hits a 180 and finishes 53 for a three-leg lead.
4-6 - Lewis misses tops, and van Gerwen hits the same bed to complete a 77 combination.
5-6 - van Gerwen hits double ten to reduce the gap to one leg.
6-6 - The pair trade 180s as van Gerwen breaks on tops to level.
7-6 - Double top sees the Dutchman win a fourth successive leg as he moves ahead for the first time.
8-6 - The pair again land a maximum apiece, with Lewis missing double 16 to take out 121 only to see van Gerwen take out 124 on the bull to move to the edge of victory.
9-6 - Both players hit 180s, and Lewis sets up tops only for van Gerwen to take out 112 on double 16 to seal a superb comeback.

Match Stats