Group E: Mervyn King kept his hopes of qualification with a hard fought victory over James Hubbard. The game went to 3-3 before King went onto take the match 5-3. Hubbard isn't quite out yet, he needs a big win over Steve Beaton with Phil Taylor beating King convincingly.
The Power is almost through to the next stage after securing his second win over Steve Beaton. This match also went to 3-3 before Taylor took the following two legs to go through. Beaton needs to beat Hubbard and hope Taylor beats King to progress.
Group F: The shock of the night probably saw Magnus Caris comprehensively beat Barrie Bates. Bates has only won leg in his two games and will now face the exit after his final match against Paul Nicholson. Caris must better Wes Newton in the final game to progress.
Paul Nicholson is almost through after an exciting match against Wes Newton. The match see-sawed between the two them with each player taking the lead at points. But Nicholson came out on top in the deciding leg to put a foot in the next round. Newton just needs to beat Caris' scoreline to progress.
Group G: Jan Dekker convincingly beat Aaron Monk in the battle of the 21 year olds. Dekker stormed into a 3-0 lead before Monk posted a leg on the board. Dekker then went onto win 5-1 to help his legs difference immensely. Monk is almost certainly out with no points in either game, Dekker will have to beat John Part's scoreline to progress.
Mark Webster should also be in knock-out phase after his second win over John Part by the same scoreline. Webster also took a 3-0 lead before taking the match 5-1.
Group H: Vincent Van Der Voort is out of the competition after suffering his second defeat. Martin Phillips took a 4-1 lead before the Dutchman pulled a leg back. But Phillips wasn't going to be denied and will now face Co Stompe in the final game where the winner takes all.
Adrian Lewis booked his place in the last sixteen with a darting master-class against Stompe. Lewis hit countless 180s and had a three dart average of 109 after winning the match 5-1 from 1-1.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Sunday, 13 November 2011
2011 World Grand Slam Darts: Groups A-D Game 2
Group A: Tony O'Shea secured his first victory of the campaign against fellow BDO man Scott Waites. Waites almost produced a comeback yesterday against Michael Van Gerwen but this time was on the receiving end of one. Waites had taken a 4-1 lead but O'Shea rescued the match and his tournament by winning it 5-4. This result should see the reigning champion, Waites, get knocked out from this group stage after not winning either of his first two games.
Mark Walsh, on the other hand, sealed his place in the knock-out phase with a win over Van Gerwen. The match went to 3-3 before Walsh took the next two legs to win the match. O'Shea and Van Gerwen meet in the final group game to join Walsh into the next phase.
Group B: Dean Winstanley also booked his place in the last sixteen in a tense win over Ian White. Winstanley had the opposite match to the whitewash against Ted Hankey yesterday. Ian White did lead 3-1 and then 4-3 but ultimately lost the match 5-4.
Ian White will now face Hankey in the final group game with the winner going through with Winstanley. This means that Raymond Van Barneveld has been knocked out after losing to Hankey. Van Barneveld was out of sorts again tonight and Hankey took full advantage and won the game 5-2. Unfortunately his celebrations throughout the match were a little over the top and Barney looked have taken offence.
Group C: Brendan Dolan also looks to have fallen at the group stage after failing to win either of his opening two matches. Gary Anderson has publicly said that his head isn't in the right place at the moment but he still managed to convincingly beat his Irish opponent. Anderson went 3-0 ahead before Dolan avoided the whitewash, but the Scot went onto win 5-1. But Dolan could still qualify if Wayne Jones beats Anderson and he beats Nigel Heydon with convincing scorelines.
The same goes for Wayne Jones who is almost through but could still go out depending on certain results. He secured his second win in two games over Nigel Heydon. The match was level at 3-3 before Jones kicked up a gear and took the match 5-3.
Group D: Dave Chisnall will struggle to qualify after losing his second match of the group against Terry Jenkins. Jenkins took a 3-1 lead and allowed Chisnall to get back to 4-3 before he finally finished the job with one of four three figure checkouts. This gives Jenkins a good chance to qualify but his final game is against James Wade.
Wade should now qualify after winning his second match of the group against Justin Pipe. Wade beat Chisnall 5-4 yesterday and repeated the close scoreline today. Wade did take a 4-3 lead before Pipe levelled but The Machine was able to cross the finish line.
Mark Walsh, on the other hand, sealed his place in the knock-out phase with a win over Van Gerwen. The match went to 3-3 before Walsh took the next two legs to win the match. O'Shea and Van Gerwen meet in the final group game to join Walsh into the next phase.
Group B: Dean Winstanley also booked his place in the last sixteen in a tense win over Ian White. Winstanley had the opposite match to the whitewash against Ted Hankey yesterday. Ian White did lead 3-1 and then 4-3 but ultimately lost the match 5-4.
Ian White will now face Hankey in the final group game with the winner going through with Winstanley. This means that Raymond Van Barneveld has been knocked out after losing to Hankey. Van Barneveld was out of sorts again tonight and Hankey took full advantage and won the game 5-2. Unfortunately his celebrations throughout the match were a little over the top and Barney looked have taken offence.
Group C: Brendan Dolan also looks to have fallen at the group stage after failing to win either of his opening two matches. Gary Anderson has publicly said that his head isn't in the right place at the moment but he still managed to convincingly beat his Irish opponent. Anderson went 3-0 ahead before Dolan avoided the whitewash, but the Scot went onto win 5-1. But Dolan could still qualify if Wayne Jones beats Anderson and he beats Nigel Heydon with convincing scorelines.
The same goes for Wayne Jones who is almost through but could still go out depending on certain results. He secured his second win in two games over Nigel Heydon. The match was level at 3-3 before Jones kicked up a gear and took the match 5-3.
Group D: Dave Chisnall will struggle to qualify after losing his second match of the group against Terry Jenkins. Jenkins took a 3-1 lead and allowed Chisnall to get back to 4-3 before he finally finished the job with one of four three figure checkouts. This gives Jenkins a good chance to qualify but his final game is against James Wade.
Wade should now qualify after winning his second match of the group against Justin Pipe. Wade beat Chisnall 5-4 yesterday and repeated the close scoreline today. Wade did take a 4-3 lead before Pipe levelled but The Machine was able to cross the finish line.
2011 World Grand Slam Darts: Groups E-H Game 1
Group E: Last year's semi-finalist, Steve Beaton, kicked his campaign off with a win against Mervyn King. King took a 3-2 lead before Beaton fought back and took the opening match 5-3.
Phil Taylor kicked off his campaign against nineteen year old James Hubbard who was making his television début. It was relatively easy for Taylor despite Hubbard producing some decent darts, the veteran took a 3-0 lead before Hubbard prevented the whitewash. But Taylor went onto win 5-1.
Group F: Paul Nicholson produced the second whitewash of the tournament. Dispatching Welshman Barrie Bates 5-0.
Wes Newton recovered from 2-0 down to get his campaign off to the start he desired. Sweden's Magnus Caris took the ealry lead before Newton showed his class to win 5-2.
Group G: Mark Webster got off to a shaky start against PDC's rank 84, 21 year old Aaron Monk. Webster took a 3-1 lead before being pegged back. It then went to 4-4 before Webster took the deciding leg to win the game 5-4.
John Part secured victory against a nervous Jan Dekker. Dekkker, a 21 year old from Holland and currently a BDO representative soon found himself 3-0 down to the three time World Champion. Dekker managed to fight back to 3-2 but Part kicked on and finished with a 115 checkout to win the match 5-2.
Group H: There was an all Dutch affair as Vincent Van Der Voort took on Co Stompe. Despite taking the first leg, Van Der Voort soon found himself 3-1 and was unable to close the deficit. Stompe went onto win the game 5-3.
Adrian Lewis was fought tooth and nail by BDO's Martin Phllips. Phillips did beat Lewis in this tournament last year and took a 3-2 lead after going behind. The World Champion was a little it and miss throughout and Phillips almost took advantage. It went to a deciding leg, but Lewis had the throw and made it count to secure the 5-4 win.
Phil Taylor kicked off his campaign against nineteen year old James Hubbard who was making his television début. It was relatively easy for Taylor despite Hubbard producing some decent darts, the veteran took a 3-0 lead before Hubbard prevented the whitewash. But Taylor went onto win 5-1.
Group F: Paul Nicholson produced the second whitewash of the tournament. Dispatching Welshman Barrie Bates 5-0.
Wes Newton recovered from 2-0 down to get his campaign off to the start he desired. Sweden's Magnus Caris took the ealry lead before Newton showed his class to win 5-2.
Group G: Mark Webster got off to a shaky start against PDC's rank 84, 21 year old Aaron Monk. Webster took a 3-1 lead before being pegged back. It then went to 4-4 before Webster took the deciding leg to win the game 5-4.
John Part secured victory against a nervous Jan Dekker. Dekkker, a 21 year old from Holland and currently a BDO representative soon found himself 3-0 down to the three time World Champion. Dekker managed to fight back to 3-2 but Part kicked on and finished with a 115 checkout to win the match 5-2.
Group H: There was an all Dutch affair as Vincent Van Der Voort took on Co Stompe. Despite taking the first leg, Van Der Voort soon found himself 3-1 and was unable to close the deficit. Stompe went onto win the game 5-3.
Adrian Lewis was fought tooth and nail by BDO's Martin Phllips. Phillips did beat Lewis in this tournament last year and took a 3-2 lead after going behind. The World Champion was a little it and miss throughout and Phillips almost took advantage. It went to a deciding leg, but Lewis had the throw and made it count to secure the 5-4 win.
It Wasn't An Abu Dhabi Ding Dong
As many of the drivers expected, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix didn't deliver much overtaking and the main drama took place on the first corner. For the first time this season, Sebastian Vettel didn't finish on the podium or finish the race. The Pole sitter made a good start, maintaining his lead but suffered a right rear puncture after the first corner and his wheel was too damaged to continue out of the pits. Fernando Alonso had also made a good start, overtaking both Mark Webber and Jenson Button to fit neatly into second place behind Lewis Hamilton.
There was a recurring theme throughout the race, people overtaking but then losing that place almost instantly on the DRS zone. It started on lap four with Webber overtaking Button before the activation point and Button easily regained his place with his rear wing open. Webber's race got worse as a poor pit stop on lap eighteen allowed Felipe Massa into fourth place.
Sebastian Buemi became the second retirement on lap twenty with a rear suspension failure and Jerome D'Ambrosio followed him three laps later to make it three retirements. As the race progressed, the only 'racing' incidents that were inquired were drivers ignoring blue flags. Pastor Maldonado was the first culprit as he was redeeming himself after his engine penalty on lap 30. Webber overtook Massa on the same lap but again Massa immediately regained the place in the DRS zone. Bruno Senna was also guilty of ignoring blue flags seven laps later and was also issued a drive through penalty.
Massa slipped to fifth during the pit stops and Webber was also finally able to overtake Button into fourth on lap 42, Nico Rosberg hadn't pitted at that point. Webber was the only one not to have pitted onto the compulsory hard tyre and needed a sufficient time gap to be able to keep his place. He was guaranteed fourth place on lap 49 when Massa span out but was able to continue despite losing a lot of time. Daniel Ricciardo was the fourth retirement on lap 52 when found himself beached in the gravel. Webber left it until the final lap to come onto the harder tyre but he didn't gain a big enough gap to retain third, allowing Button to stand on the podium. Race result:
1.Hamilton (McLaren), 2.Alonso (Ferrari), 3.Button (McLaren), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Massa (Ferrari), 6.Rosberg (Mercedes), 7.Schumacher (Mercedes), 8.Sutil (Force India), 9.Di Resta (Force India), 10.Kobayashi (Sauber), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Barrichello (Williams), 13.Petrov (Renault), 14.Maldonado (Williams), 15.Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), 16.Senna (Renault), 17.Kovalainen (Lotus), 18.Trulli (Lotus), 19.Glock (Virgin), 20.Liuzzi (Hispania) DNF: Vettel (Red Bull), Buemi (Toro Rosso), D'Ambrosio (Virgin), Ricciardo (Hispania).
There was a recurring theme throughout the race, people overtaking but then losing that place almost instantly on the DRS zone. It started on lap four with Webber overtaking Button before the activation point and Button easily regained his place with his rear wing open. Webber's race got worse as a poor pit stop on lap eighteen allowed Felipe Massa into fourth place.
Sebastian Buemi became the second retirement on lap twenty with a rear suspension failure and Jerome D'Ambrosio followed him three laps later to make it three retirements. As the race progressed, the only 'racing' incidents that were inquired were drivers ignoring blue flags. Pastor Maldonado was the first culprit as he was redeeming himself after his engine penalty on lap 30. Webber overtook Massa on the same lap but again Massa immediately regained the place in the DRS zone. Bruno Senna was also guilty of ignoring blue flags seven laps later and was also issued a drive through penalty.
Massa slipped to fifth during the pit stops and Webber was also finally able to overtake Button into fourth on lap 42, Nico Rosberg hadn't pitted at that point. Webber was the only one not to have pitted onto the compulsory hard tyre and needed a sufficient time gap to be able to keep his place. He was guaranteed fourth place on lap 49 when Massa span out but was able to continue despite losing a lot of time. Daniel Ricciardo was the fourth retirement on lap 52 when found himself beached in the gravel. Webber left it until the final lap to come onto the harder tyre but he didn't gain a big enough gap to retain third, allowing Button to stand on the podium. Race result:
1.Hamilton (McLaren), 2.Alonso (Ferrari), 3.Button (McLaren), 4.Webber (Red Bull), 5.Massa (Ferrari), 6.Rosberg (Mercedes), 7.Schumacher (Mercedes), 8.Sutil (Force India), 9.Di Resta (Force India), 10.Kobayashi (Sauber), 11.Perez (Sauber), 12.Barrichello (Williams), 13.Petrov (Renault), 14.Maldonado (Williams), 15.Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), 16.Senna (Renault), 17.Kovalainen (Lotus), 18.Trulli (Lotus), 19.Glock (Virgin), 20.Liuzzi (Hispania) DNF: Vettel (Red Bull), Buemi (Toro Rosso), D'Ambrosio (Virgin), Ricciardo (Hispania).
Saturday, 12 November 2011
2011 Grand Slam of Darts Begins
The dartboard and oche returned to the TV screens as the 2012 Grand Slam of Darts kicked off in Wolverhampton. 32 of the biggest darting names from both the PDC and BDO are split into eight groups for the first round, with each player playing one other throughout the phase. Groups A-D kicked-off their campaigns tonight:
Group A: PDC's Mark Walsh earned his first Grand Slam victory over BDO's Tony O'Shea. The match was finely balanced at 2-2 but Walsh then went onto win 5-2.
PDC's Michael Van Gerwen cruised to a 4-0 lead over BDO's Scott Waites. But Waites managed to fight back to 4-3 before the Dutchman secured the victory.
Group B: The first whitewash of the tournament came between two BDO counterparts. Second ranked Dean Winstanley recorded the 5-0 victory over fourteenth ranked Ted Hankey.
The biggest shock of the night saw PDC's rank 71 Ian White record victory over Raymond Van Barneveld. White finished third in the wilcard qualifiers and only made into the tournament after Simon Whitlock's withdrawal. The match went to 4-4 before the rookie took the final leg to secure the biggest win in his career to date.
Group C: Wayne Jones is in his home town and he kicked off his tournament with a win over Grand Prix runner-up Brendan Dolan. Dolan took the opening leg but Jones went onto take the match 5-2.
PDC's 49th ranked player, Nigel Heydon, secured the second biggest shock of the night with a win over Gary Anderson. Anderson has flopped in recent televised tournaments but looked to make amends by taking the first two legs. But Heydon came back to win 5-3.
Group D: James Wade was pushed to the limit in his first match against Dave Chisnall. Wade found himself 4-3 down before managing to recover and win the match 5-4.
The other shock of the night saw Terry Jenkins lose out to Justin Pipe. Pipe stormed into a 4-0 lead before Jenkins earned a consolation with Pipe finishing the thrashing at 5-1.
Group A: PDC's Mark Walsh earned his first Grand Slam victory over BDO's Tony O'Shea. The match was finely balanced at 2-2 but Walsh then went onto win 5-2.
PDC's Michael Van Gerwen cruised to a 4-0 lead over BDO's Scott Waites. But Waites managed to fight back to 4-3 before the Dutchman secured the victory.
Group B: The first whitewash of the tournament came between two BDO counterparts. Second ranked Dean Winstanley recorded the 5-0 victory over fourteenth ranked Ted Hankey.
The biggest shock of the night saw PDC's rank 71 Ian White record victory over Raymond Van Barneveld. White finished third in the wilcard qualifiers and only made into the tournament after Simon Whitlock's withdrawal. The match went to 4-4 before the rookie took the final leg to secure the biggest win in his career to date.
Group C: Wayne Jones is in his home town and he kicked off his tournament with a win over Grand Prix runner-up Brendan Dolan. Dolan took the opening leg but Jones went onto take the match 5-2.
PDC's 49th ranked player, Nigel Heydon, secured the second biggest shock of the night with a win over Gary Anderson. Anderson has flopped in recent televised tournaments but looked to make amends by taking the first two legs. But Heydon came back to win 5-3.
Group D: James Wade was pushed to the limit in his first match against Dave Chisnall. Wade found himself 4-3 down before managing to recover and win the match 5-4.
The other shock of the night saw Terry Jenkins lose out to Justin Pipe. Pipe stormed into a 4-0 lead before Jenkins earned a consolation with Pipe finishing the thrashing at 5-1.
Non-League Sides in Second Round
With the FA Cup first round having taken place this weekend, it's good to see how many non-league teams are now just one game away from a possible huge third round tie:
AFC Totton are currently fourth in the Evostik Southern Premier division but they smashed eight past nine man Bradford Park Avenue to progress. Jonathan Davies and Mike Gosney both scored twice, Michael Charles also found the net with substitute Stefan Brown scoring a hat-trick in fifteen minutes. Adam Clayton did pull a goal back to make it 2-1 for Bradford but Totton, based in Hampshire, steam through. They will now host Bristol Rovers in the next round.
Gateshead are currently sixth in the Blue Square Premier and they saw off fellow non-leaguers Blyth Spartans. Goals from Jon Shaw and Michael Cummins secured the win. Gateshead have been rewarded with another all non-league tie at home to either Hinckley or Tamworth, a fantastic opportunity to reach the third round.
Chelmsford City sit fifth in the Blue Square south and beat struggling Blue Square Premier AFC Telford. Aiden Palmer and substitute Craig Parker made it 2-0 before David Rainford scored a brace to secure the crushing victory. They will now face Macclesfield at home in the second round.
Bath City are struggling at the bottom of the Blue Square Premier but they will bring Dagenham and Redbridge back to Twerton Park for a replay. Sean Canham got the possible upset up and running but Brian Woodall equalising to set up the replay. If they win it, they will earn a home tie against either Exeter City or Walsall.
Fleetwood Town are producing great results, sitting second in the Blue Square Premier, they secured the scalp of Wycombe to progress. Andy Mangan broke the deadlock before Richard Brodie was sent off, but it didn't matter as Jamie Vardy secured the win ten minutes from the end. They have a home tie in the next round against Yeovil Town.
Hinckley United (eighteenth in the Blue Square North) and Tamworth (eleventh in the Blue Square Premier) will meet again after a 2-2 draw. Hinckley's keeper was sent off five minutes before half-time but all four goals game within the last twelve minutes. Andre Gray put Hinckley ahead before Iyseden Christie equalised from the spot. Lloyd Kerry though he'd won the game for Hinckley two minutes from time but Tamworth equalised in injury time through Kyle Patterson. The winners will earn another all non-league tie, away to Gateshead.
Luton Town, once a mainstay in the Football League now seventh in the Blue Square Premier saw off Northampton to progress. Substitute Adam Watkins won the game with the only goal ten minutes from time. Luton will face Cheltenham at home in the second round.
Maidenhead United sit eighteenth in the Blue Square south but get the chance to travel to Aldershot after holding them to a 1-1 draw. Anthony Thomas started the possible upset after just seven minutes but substitute Michael Rankine equalised twelve minutes from time. If they win the replay they will travel to face the winners of Morecambe or Sheffield Wednesday who play today.
Stourbridge are seventh in the Evostik Southern Premier and bring struggling Plymouth back to the War Memorial Athletic Ground after a six goal thriller. Warren Feeney gave Plymouth the lead before Aaron Drake and Ryan Rowe made it 2-1 to the visitors. Carl Fletcher equalised before Sean Gebbis made it 3-2 from the spot, a decision that saw Robbie Williams sent off. Onismor Bhasera made it 3-3 with two minutes left before Conor Hourihane was also sent off in injury time.
Grimsby Town were also mainstays in the Football League once upon town, now sit sixteenth in the Blue Sqaure Premier held Port Vale to a goalless draw, if they win they'll face fellow non-leaguers Salisbury away in the second round. Redbridge (eighteenth in the Ryman Isthmian Division One North) and Oxford City (first in the Evostik Southern Premier) also played out a goalless draw and will reconvene for a replay. The winner will face an away trip to Crawley.
Salisbury City sit sixteenth since being promoted into the Blue Square South. They beat fellow non-leaguers Arlesey to progress. Dan Fitchett's opener was cancelled out by Arlesey's Stuart Sinclair. But a penalty from Jake Reid and a third from substitute Adam Kelly earned the win. They will face either Port Vale or Grimsby at home.
Sutton United currently sit second since also being promoted into the Blue Sqaure South. An only goal from Craig Watkins was enough to see off Kettering. They have been given a home tie in the second and need to see of Notts County to progress to the third round.
Cambridge United (third in the Blue Square Premier) and Wrexham (first in the Blue Square Premier) played out a 2-2 draw on Friday night. Andy Morrell's opener was cancelled out by Josh Coulson. Morrell then made it 2-1 Wrexham on the hour before Coulson equalised again in injury time to take it to a replay. The winners will face Brentford away.
Cambridge United (third in the Blue Square Premier) and Wrexham (first in the Blue Square Premier) played out a 2-2 draw on Friday night. Andy Morrell's opener was cancelled out by Josh Coulson. Morrell then made it 2-1 Wrexham on the hour before Coulson equalised again in injury time to take it to a replay. The winners will face Brentford away.
England Conquer Champions
Another star studded side played England in what looked to have been a lucrative match, yet it was just a disappointing the 'big' friendlies which have preceded it. World and European Champions Spain arrived at Wembley and, for most of it, didn't look like they were interested.
With nine of their World Cup winning starting line-up on the field and with England playing an unusual side, it seemed that Capello's men were there for the taking. But throughout the first half Spain gave away possession far too easily and too often, almost always failing to find that killer final ball. England, to their credit, defended well to keep Spain at bay but the first half just petered out.
The second half was more of the same barring a few more guilt edged chances. But the unthinkable happened as James Milner took a free-kick. Darren Bent's seemingly first touch of the game, he had started, was to head the ball onto the post, completely beating substitute keeper Pepe Reina. The ball looked to have spinning back into the goal but captain Frank Lampard made sure with his head just four minutes after the restart. From there, Spain looked to create more meaningful chances the best chance fell to Villa who smashed a clever volley onto the post. Spain were unusually modest when attacking, balls that were flashed across goal or rebounds just weren't followed up by a red shirt. England managed to hold onto the win but whether they'll gain anything other can confidence from this is hard to say.
With nine of their World Cup winning starting line-up on the field and with England playing an unusual side, it seemed that Capello's men were there for the taking. But throughout the first half Spain gave away possession far too easily and too often, almost always failing to find that killer final ball. England, to their credit, defended well to keep Spain at bay but the first half just petered out.
The second half was more of the same barring a few more guilt edged chances. But the unthinkable happened as James Milner took a free-kick. Darren Bent's seemingly first touch of the game, he had started, was to head the ball onto the post, completely beating substitute keeper Pepe Reina. The ball looked to have spinning back into the goal but captain Frank Lampard made sure with his head just four minutes after the restart. From there, Spain looked to create more meaningful chances the best chance fell to Villa who smashed a clever volley onto the post. Spain were unusually modest when attacking, balls that were flashed across goal or rebounds just weren't followed up by a red shirt. England managed to hold onto the win but whether they'll gain anything other can confidence from this is hard to say.
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