Mardle Completes Hat-Trick Over Sams

Wayne Mardle 2-0 Lionel Sams (3-1, 3-0)
Sky Bet World Grand Prix First Round


WAYNE MARDLE produced an impressive display to book his place in round two of the Sky Bet World Grand Prix with a 2-0 win over Lionel Sams.

Mardle has defeated Sams in the first round at the last two PDC televised tournaments, and was in no mood to let that record slip.

The flamboyant Essex favourite lost to Gary Welding at the first hurdle last year, but never looked back after opening up a 2-0 lead inside the first set.

Sams hit a pressure double 20 to pull back a leg, but Mardle checked out 126 to take the set.

He then won the second set without reply, with his accuracy on the double start ensuring a place in the last 16.

"If I'm honest I didn't feel under pressure," said Mardle.

"I've been playing really well and I showed what I thought was good darts when I needed to tonight.

"I can't express how important it is to get straight off when it's the best of three sets.

"I was three or four darts in front in a lot of legs, but that's not going to happen throughout the tournament.

"Lionel played okay but not all that well and I know I've got to up my game."

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