PRIESTLEY Threw Away Chance ! ! !

DENNIS PRIESTLEY is devastated after failing to qualify for the World Championship for the first time in 20 years — now he faces doing the WASHING UP!

Former world champ Priestley blew his hopes of making it to Alexandra Palace when he threw away a 4-0 lead against Joe Cullen in his last chance qualifier.
Priestley missed doubles and the youngster came back to snatch it 5-4 and went on to book his place at the event which starts on December 15.
Now Priestley fears having to do the dishes during his first Christmas at home since 1991.
He said: "I'm annoyed about missing out on the world championships and disappointed at the way I blew it.
"I truly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and that's very annoying. It sort of my sums my game up right now, I'm too inconsistent.
"On the plus side it means I get Christmas at home with my family for the first time in two decades which will be great.
"It will be very relaxing not having to think about practising six hours a day and my mind would always be on the next match.
"But the bad news I think my missus will make me do the chores this year.
"Every other year I've had an excuse to get away, but now I'll have to do the washing up and that bothers me!"
Priestley, 61, has rarely found his A game since being diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago.
After the op to remove his prostate and subsequent treatments, he found his stamina and concentration on the big stage were affected.
The Menace, who thrashed Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor in the 1991 and 1994 world finals, insists he is far from finished in the game.
He added: "Missing out on the championship was down to a major miscalculation on my part.
"I thought I was safely in the top 32 world ranking which is automatic qualification, but I wasn't so I then ended up in the last chance tournament.
"I'm also annoyed if someone drops out of the event that I'm not the next one who steps in despite the fact I'm world No33.
"I can bounce back from this, I enjoy the game and I'm still winning lots of games. The stamina isn't what it was but I'm still playing OK.
"I firmly believe I can still win a Major. It might seem far fetched, but that's how I'd love to bow out."
In yesterday's first round draw for the world championships last year's runner-up Gary Anderson was drawn against German Jyhan Artut.
Robert Thornton takes on Ian White while Huntly's John Henderson will take on three-times world champ John Part.

The Power & The Glory

Phil Taylor insists he should get a "kick up the backside" if he doesn't win the 2012 PDC World Championship.

The 15-time world champion heads to Alexandra Palace a man on a mission after failing to get beyond the quarter-final stage last time, losing 5-2 to Welshman Mark Webster.

"I'm playing well enough - if I don't win it this year then I want a kick up the back side."

However, 'The Power' is in prime form this season, including recently winning the Grand Slam of Darts title thanks to a 16-4 demolition of Gary Anderson.
Taylor will face either Haruki Muramatsu of Japan or Swede Dennis Nilsson, who is a former contestant in the strongman competitions, in his opening match of what he hopes will be a highly-successful festive period.
"There are some tough draws there but I'm really looking forward to playing in the World Championship," he told Sky Sports NewsHD.
"That's the pinnacle of our careers. Whoever you play you've got a tough game, so it doesn't make a lot of difference."

Warming up

The 51-year-old will warm up, quite literally, for the tournament with a trip to his villa in Tenerife.
"I'm going to get ready for the Players Championship, then obviously get ready for the World Championship," he continued.
"That's the big one. I've got a couple of weeks now where I can prepare properly.
"I'm playing well enough - if I don't win it this year then I want a kick up the back side.
"It's the best one you can win. You can forget every other tournament, even though they are just as hard to win, because the World Championship just has that ring to it."
The action kicks off on December 15 and runs until January 2, with breaks for Christmas and New Year. The schedule does mean the players can't fully enter into the festive celebrations, though Taylor insists that's just part of the job.
"It doesn't matter. It's our living," he added. "It's a great pay day. If you win £200,000 you can have Christmas Day every day for the next six months."

Same pressure

It is Adrian Lewis, not Taylor, who will be defending the crown this time around, though 'Jackpot' is adamant that being reigning champion doesn't heap any extra pressure on his broad shoulders.
"It's just another tournament for me, though it's the biggest tournament," he said. "I think everybody is under the same pressure - everybody wants to be up there to win."
Lewis - who toppled Scotland's Anderson 7-5 in the 2011 final - will begin his bid to retain the title against funeral director Nigel Heydon.
"He's a very good player - he played well at the Grand Slam, beating Gary Anderson, so he's going to be no mug," he admitted.
"But, at the end of the day, I'll be ready for it. I'm really looking forward to it."

Lewis To Play Heydon

Adrian Lewis will start his title defence against fellow Englishman Nigel Heydon at the PDC World Championship.

Lewis stormed to his maiden world crown last year and returns to Alexandra Palace as the second seed behind his former mentor Phil Taylor.
Heydon, a funeral director from Leamington Spa, lost in the first round on his one previous World Championship appearance.
Taylor, a 15-time world champion, has been drawn against Japan's Haruki Muramatsu or former strongman contestant Dennis Nilsson from Sweden in his opener.

The Stoke veteran is in the same quarter as both Raymond van Barnenveld and Paul Nicholson, who could meet in the last 16 before a potential showdown with Taylor for the winner.
Third seed James Wade will take on Per Laursen or Petri Korte in his opening assignment, while last year's beaten finalist Gary Anderson is up against Jyhan Artut, a bar owner from Hannover.
Simon Whitlock, the fifth-seeded Australian, lines up against Dennis Smith and would meet Anderson in the quarter-final if both make it that far.
The tie of the opening round, however, sees Welshmen Mark Webster and Richie Burnett go toe-to-toe, while Kevin Painter faces a tough test against current World Under 21 champion Arron Monk.

Monk & Cullen Secure Final Places

Arron Monk and Joe Cullen have secured the final two places in the 2012 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship at Monday's PDPA Qualifier in Wigan.

The two youngsters will join 70 other players at Alexandra Palace next month for the PDC showpiece.

In the final of the qualifier, Monk (21) beat Cullen (22) 5-3 to claim a place in the first round of the World Championship, whilst Cullen will now make his second appearance at the event in the preliminary round stage.

Monk, who captured the 2011 PDC Under-21 World Championship title at Alexandra Palace, said: "It's feel great to qualify today and play against the senior players on such a big stage like Alexandra Palace.

"I was 4-1 up in the final and then things started to slip a little and Joe took the next two legs. But I held my throw in the next and I'm so pleased to have done that.
Hard work

"I felt I could go far today as I have been playing well recently. I've practised over four hours everyday for the last few weeks, and the hard work has paid off!"

But it was a day of contrasting emotions for the Monk family as Arron's father, veteran professional Colin, was knocked out of the event after losing his first round match to Chris Aubrey.

His son Arron beat Mareno Michels, Prakash Jiwa and Adrian Gray, Nick Fulwell and Chris Thompson to reach the final, while Cullen saw off John Walton, Martyn Turner, Mark Lawrence, Tony Ayres - and also former world champion Dennis Priestley in a dramatic encounter where he came from 4-0 down to win 5-4 - before falling at the final hurdle against Monk.

Former World Championship finalists Peter Manley and Kirk Shepherd and four-time semi-finalist Wayne Mardle will not be playing in London after crashing out, while other early casualties included Barrie Bates, Kevin McDine, Steve Hine, and Steve Maish, who all played on the Alexandra Palace stage 12 months ago.

Draw For The World Championships

First Round Draw Bracket
Phil Taylor (1, England) v Muramatsu/Nilsson
Mark Dudbridge (32, England) v Dave Chisnall (England)
Vincent van der Voort (16, Netherlands) v Mark Hylton (England)
Andy Hamilton (17, England) v Antonio Alcinas (Spain)
Raymond van Barneveld (8, Netherlands) v James Richardson (England)
Brendan Dolan (25, Northern Ireland) v Kim Huybrechts (Belgium)
Paul Nicholson (9, Australia) v Mensur Suljovic (Austria)
Alan Tabern (24, England) v Burger/Perez
Simon Whitlock (5, Australia) v Dennis Smith (England)
Steve Beaton (28, England) v Magnus Caris (Sweden)
Mervyn King (12, England) v Geoff Kime (Australia)
Colin Osborne (21, England) v Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
Gary Anderson (4, Scotland) v Jyhan Artut (Germany)
Steve Brown (29, England) v Petersen/de Sousa
Colin Lloyd (13, England) v Darin Young (USA)
Andy Smith (20, England) v Scott Rand (England)
Adrian Lewis (2, England) v Nigel Heydon (England)
Robert Thornton (31, Scotland) v Ian White (England)
Wayne Jones (15, England) v Barham/MacKenzie
Jamie Caven (18, England) v Roland Scholten (Netherlands)
Wes Newton (7, England) v Kurt van de Rijck (Belgium)
Justin Pipe (26, England) v Sean Reed (Australia)
Terry Jenkins (10, England) v Cullen/Ferenc
Co Stompe (23, Netherlands) v Michael Smith (England)
Mark Webster (6, Wales) v Richie Burnett (Wales)
John Part (27, Canada) v John Henderson (Scotland)
Mark Walsh (11, England) v Finnan/French
Kevin Painter (22, England) v Arron Monk (England)
James Wade (3, England) v Laursen/Korte
Peter Wright (30, England) v Jelle Klaasen (Netherlands)
Ronnie Baxter (14, England) v Steve Farmer (England)
Denis Ovens (19, England) v Munch/Choon Peng

SEEDED PLAYERS For Ladbrokes World Darts Championship

1. Phil Taylor (England)
2. Adrian Lewis (England)
3.James Wade (England)
4.Gary Anderson (Scotland)
5.Simon Whitlock (Australia)
6.Mark Webster (Wales)
7.Wes Newton (England)
8.Raymond van Barneveld (Netherlands)
9.Paul Nicholson (Australia)
10.Terry Jenkins (England)
11.Mark Walsh (England)
12.Mervyn King (England)
13.Colin Lloyd (England)
14.Ronnie Baxter (England)
15.Wayne Jones (England)
16.Vincent van der Voort (Netherlands)
17.Andy Hamilton (England)
18.Jamie Caven (England)
19.Denis Ovens (England)
20.Andy Smith (England)
21.Colin Osborne (England)
22.Kevin Painter (England)
23.Co Stompe (Netherlands)
24.Alan Tabern (England)
25.Brendan Dolan (Northern Ireland)
26.Justin Pipe (England)
27.John Part (Canada)
28.Steve Beaton (England)
29.Steve Brown (England)
30.Peter Wright (Scotland)
31.Robert Thornton (Scotland)
32.Mark Dudbridge (England)

NON-SEEDED PLAYERS
33. Dave Chisnall (England)
34. Mark Hylton (England)
35. Scott Rand (England)
36. Richie Burnett (Wales)
37. Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands)
38. John Henderson (Scotland)
39. Nigel Heydon (England)
40. Roland Scholten (Netherlands)
41. Steve Farmer (England)
42. James Richardson (England)
43. Magnus Caris (Sweden)
44. Dennis Smith (England)
45. Jelle Klaasen (Netherlands)
46. Michael Smith (England)
47. Kim Huybrechts (Belgium)
48. Ian White (England)
49. Antonio Alcinas (Spain)
50. Mensur Suljovic (Austria)
51. Jyhan Artut (Germany)
52. Kurt van de Rijk (Belgium)
53. Sean Reed (Australia)
54. Geoff Kime (Australia)
55. Darin Young (USA)
56. Arron Monk (England)
57. Connie Finnan (Republic of Ireland) or Warren French (New Zealand)
58. Haruki Muramatsu (Japan) or Dennis Nilsson (Sweden)
59. Devon Petersen (South Africa) or Jose De Souza (Portugal)
60. Joe Cullen (England) or Oliver Ferenc (Serbia)
61. Kevin Munch (Germany) or Lee Choon Peng (Malaysia)
62. Paul Barham (England) or Scott MacKenzie (Hong Kong)
63. Per Laursen (Denmark) or Petri Korte (Finland)
64. Dietmar Burger (Austria) or Christian Perez (Philippines)

GOOD LUCK TO BOTH O`SHANNONS DARTS TEAMS TONIGHT

Asian players to dominate

Phil Taylor believes players from Asia will win darts titles regularly, once they receive the sponsorship to travel in major tournaments in Europe.

The 15-time world champion told BBC Radio Stoke that the standard of darts is improving all over the world.
"They're coming through thick and fast," he said. "The only trouble is, they haven't got the money to travel.
"I've been to places like China and Malaysia and they're scary players, better than most people I have seen."
Taylor continued: "They need the sponsorship. At the moment darts is big in those countries but they're struggling to get the money to travel.
"Once they start, trust me, they will be the players that will be winning the titles."
There are only three players from outside Europe - Australian duo Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson, as well as John Part of Canada - currently inside the top 32 in the PDC Order of Merit, while India's Prakash Jiwa, at number 114, is the highest-placed Asian player.
Taylor, from Stoke-on-Trent, won the Grand Slam title for the fourth time on Sunday, beating Gary Anderson 16-4 in the final in Wolverhampton.
The 51-year-old has now set his sights on winning a 16th world title at the Alexandra Palace in December.

What A Laugh

GARY ANDERSON watched Phil Taylor hand him a thrashing and could only LAUGH.

The Berwick ace endured a crushing 16-4 defeat to The Power in Sunday's Grand Slam final in Wolverhampton.
Taylor later admitted he enjoys trying to psyche out rivals with big wins but with just a month until the World Championship Anderson says that won't work on him.
He said: "Any player from any era could have turned up on Sunday and Taylor would have still beaten them.
"I don't really care about the scoreline, it's forgotten now, I won't let it get to me in any way.
"It was just one of those nights. Everything Phil threw went in and on that sort of form he is unplayable.
"I lived with him in the opening session and actually had a couple of chances to lead at the break but the second session killed me off, he won all five legs and it was over.
"I was just stood behind him watching and laughing, he's just on a different planet sometimes.
"To be honest, I just wasn't at it last week and I ran into Phil on a night when he was all guns blazing.
"Phil won't be able to get to me psychologically. He likes to beat players before they even get on the stage but he won't get his way with me. I just laugh at him.
"I really don't care about scorelines, records or even losing. You win some, you lose some, but you learn more in defeat than in success and I have to learn the lessons from last week."
Anderson is convinced his time will come against Taylor — and that's his ultimate goal for a major success.
He added: "It was nice winning the Premier League but, no disrespect to Adrian Lewis, I'd prefer to have beaten Phil to win it.
"He's the yardstick. I want to win major titles by beating him when he's at the top, not just when he's had a bad night. He knows I'm capable of it because I beat him in the International Darts League a few years back. He played well, but I won.
"In his mind he knows I did that and perhaps that's why he was so hyped up for Sunday night's final.
"I didn't turn up and he destroyed me but I'll learn from it and come back stronger, that's for sure."

Taylor Thrives On Darts

PHIL TAYLOR claims he's a darting psychopath!

The Power destroyed Gary Anderson 16-4 to win the £100,000 Grand Slam in Wolverhampton.
It was his fifth successive major title after claiming glory in the World Matchplay, European Championship, World Grand Prix and Championship League Darts.
Taylor admits he thrives on overcoming new rivals mentally.
He said: "I'm a psychopath throwing sharp objects. That means I'm lethal!
"I just adore fresh challenges to my titles.
"I've had so many new rivals over the years and I have gradually worn them down.
"Dennis Priestley and Raymond van Barneveld have taken world titles off me, but I've ended up taking more off them.
"They are world class players and we've had some fantastic battles.
"We've got new guys like Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Paul Nicholson playing incredible darts now.
"That's what gets me out of bed in the morning. I love the threat, the contest and of course, the winning."
Taylor crushed both Lewis and Anderson in the Slam semi and final in one day but he admits he has to forget about those results with the World Championship looming.
Taylor added: "My dad drilled into me from an early age that I'm only as good as my next match.
"It was great to win the Slam. The trophy is on the mantlepiece and money in the bank, but it's finished now. The world championship is the next big one and when I get to Ally Pally I know Adrian and Gary will be gunning for me.
"That just brings out the psycho in me.
"I can't wait to beat them again."

I Didn`t Stand A Chance

GARY ANDERSON was last night given a masterclass by Phil Taylor at the Grand Slam of Darts final.

Ando was wiped out 16-4 in a stunning performance from The Power in Wolverhampton.
Berwick ace Ando led 2-1, before Taylor blitzed him with a 109.93 average taking 15 of the next 17 legs.
After Anderson took out 140 and 128 to lead 2-1, Taylor won seven successive legs to pull clear.
The Scot cut the gap to 9-4, but The Power reeled off seven more to seal the £100,000 title.
Stunned Anderson said: "I just ran out of steam and Phil steamrollered me. He was in the mood.
"It was Phil at his best and that's the level I have to reach.
"I wouldn't have beaten him with four darts per throw tonight. He was that good.
"I knew the game was up after the second and third sessions. But I won't be happy until I've won a major by beating Phil. That's when it will really count.
"I feel I've made some progress this week. But this is a good yardstick of what I need to achieve from now on."
Ando kicked off with a superb 140 checkout, and after Taylor finished 72 the Scot posted a 128 finish to lead 2-1. But Taylor stormed back with breathtaking darts to lead 7-2.
Anderson hit a 180 and double top to claim his third leg of the match, but Taylor won nine of the next 10 legs to claim the title.
Taylor dedicated his Slam win to cancer-hit commentating legend Sid Waddell. He said: "This title is for Sid who has been greatly missed since he was diagnosed.
"Sid is very much part of the darts family and we wish him well."

Taylor Takes The Title

PHIL TAYLOR won the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts title for a fourth time with a clinical 16-4 demolition of Gary Anderson at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Sunday night.

The Stoke great followed up his 16-9 semi-final triumph over Adrian Lewis earlier on Sunday with another thrilling performance, averaging 109.03 in winning back the trophy.

After Anderson took out 140 and 128 to lead 2-1, Taylor won seven successive legs to pull clear and when Anderson cut the gap to 9-4 to threaten a comeback he reeled off seven more to seal the £100,000 title.

Anderson kicked off the match with a superb 140 checkout, and after Taylor finished 72 the Scot posted a 128 finish to lead 2-1.

Taylor hit tops in the fourth before a double eight checkout broke Anderson for the first time and put him 3-2 up.

Taylor then hit a 180 in taking the sixth, having enough breathing space despite a miscount when needing 57 to return and hit tops.

Finishes of 86 on the bull, double 16 for an 11-darter which featured two 180s and a 92 checkout moved him 7-2 up before double 18 won Taylor a seventh successive leg.

Anderson hit a 180 and double top to claim his third leg of the match and end that run, and after Taylor posted tops he finished double ten to pull back to 9-4.

Taylor, though, took the next and punished misses from Anderson to move 11-4 up with an 88 checkout.

He then hit a 177 to set up double 16 and finished 81 twice in three legs to move to the brink of victory - also landing a double one checkout in the run.

Anderson landed his fifth maximum of the game as he battled to stay alive, but as Taylor wavered on the finishing line he was unable to land darts at the bull and double eight to allow the Stoke ace in on double two for his fourth Wolverhampton win.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," said Taylor, who dedicated the victory to Sky Sports commentator Sid Waddell, who is fighting bowel cancer.

"I'd forgotten how heavy this trophy was after losing it last year but it's great to be holding it again!

"Everything has come right for me this week and it all came together in the final. I wanted to out-score Gary and put him under pressure to make him miss - we say to each other 'don't miss' when we're up there and it's true because if you give him an inch he'll take a mile.

"The start was fantastic for me because to go into the first break 3-2 up was really important. He came back well at me and hits 180s for fun at times but I was so caught up in the match that, at times, I didn't even know the score!"

The victory sees Taylor win a five major title after claiming glory in the World Matchplay, European Championship, World Grand Prix and Championship League Darts since the summer, and he added: "It's a special period for me.

"I was written off earlier this year but this shows that those people were wrong. I'm going to keep trying to win everything and we've got the Players Championship and World Championship coming up, and I'm building up to Alexandra Palace now."

Anderson admitted: "Phil was brilliant and he taught me a lesson in how to play darts, he annihilated me.

"After four legs I thought I was in with a chance but that disappeared pretty quickly! The second session killed the game off and he battered me - every time I looked up he was hitting 180s.

"After I lost my first group game last Saturday I didn't think I'd make it to the final but it's done me the world of good to get this far.

"I'm happy with how I played and it's picked me up. I'll put this behind me now, move on to play in the ProTour events in Wigan and then the Players Championship and World Championship."

Final Of The Grand Slam Of Darts 8pm-10pm

FINAL GRAND SLAM OF DARTS

GARY ANDERSON - 4

PHIL TAYLOR - 16     ( PHIL TAYLOR GRAND SLAM CHAMPION  )

GARY ANDERSON 16-11 MARK WALSH

GARY ANDERSON produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Mark Walsh 16-11 and progress to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts final on Sunday afternoon.

The Scot looked set to suffer semi-final heartbreak at the Wolverhampton Civic for a third time in five years of the event when Walsh punished his misses to take a 10-6 advantage.

But Anderson, who hit 13 maximums in the match to equal the tournament record for 180s in a game, won ten of the game's final 11 legs to set up a tantalising clash with Taylor.

Anderson set the tone for the match in the game's opening leg as he began with a 180 but missed doubles to break as Walsh hit double ten to lead.

The Premier League Darts champion hit back with two more maximums in legs of 13 and 14 darts to move 2-1 up, only for Walsh to finish 80 in the fourth and then punish two misses from the Scot to hit double five to lead 3-2.

Further misses allowed Walsh in to move two legs clear on double five before he traded 180s with Anderson and then finished 102 - with his opponent waiting on 61 - to lead 5-2.

Anderson hit double four to win the eighth leg and then took out 130 to reduce the gap to 5-4 with a fine bullseye checkout as Walsh waited on 24.

Walsh regathered himself to win the tenth with a 95 finish after Anderson missed three darts at double ten, and then moved 7-4 up by hitting double ten.

Anderson landed another 180 and finished 62 to win his fifth leg, and traded maximums with Walsh as the Hertfordshire man took out double 18 for an eighth leg.

The pair both opened the next with 180s as Anderson hit tops to pull back to 8-6, but after posting his tenth maximum the Scot missed the same bed to reduce the gap to one leg as Walsh punished him to move three legs clear.

Further misses from Anderson allowed Walsh to lead 10-6 courtesy of double two, but the Scot's relentless scoring continued as he chipped away at the former UK Open finalist.

Misses at tops allowed Anderson in to win two successive legs before he hit a 75 finish to trail only 10-9 before slotting in another 180 to set up a 103 checkout as he levelled.

Walsh then burst his score on 65 in the 21st leg as Anderson finished 101 to lead for the first time since the opening exchanges.

Anderson could also have led 12-10 but missed five darts at a double before Walsh hit double 15 to level.

Anderson, though, broke with a 13-darter and then took out 85 and 70 in the next two legs as Walsh faltered, putting himself 14-11 up.

Double 16 moved Anderson a leg away from the win, and he sealed the comeback on double four.

"It was a struggle for me but I scraped home at the end," said Anderson. "Mark was hitting 180s at the right time and took his chances, and I began to wonder if it was going to be his day.

"Phil won't exactly have been shaking in his boots after seeing that but I'll have a couple of coffees and get back on the practice board to prepare for the final."

Walsh claims a career-best £25,000 in prize money in his best performance in a major since he reached the 2005 UK Open final.

"It's a disappointing but I'm proud to have shared the stage in the semi-finals with three brilliant players," said Walsh. "I was the dark horse but if I'd hit all my doubles it might have been a different story.

"Gary's a fantastic player and he turned it on at the end there. When he hits his finishes he's a very dangerous player and he deserved the victory.

"I'll take a lot of confidence from this week and it's been a great tournament for me. It's one of the best weeks of my life and I can't wait to come back in 2012."

PHIL TAYLOR 16-9 ADRIAN LEWIS

PHIL TAYLOR produced a darting masterclass to defeat Stoke rival Adrian Lewis 16-9 and win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts final.

The world number one remains on course to win his fourth Grand Slam title on Sunday night following another stunning display which left World Champion Lewis applauding his display.

Taylor averaged 107.76 in the game, but finishes of 119, 111 and 108 proved crucial in keeping Lewis at bay as he swept into the final.

Lewis opened the game well by hitting a 180 in the first leg, but Taylor replied in kind as he hit a 13-darter which he followed with a 12-dart finished, including a second maximum and an 89 finish to break.

A second 180 from Lewis gave him the chance to break back in the third, but he missed two darts at double 18 as Taylor pinned 87 on the bull for a 3-0 lead.

Lewis finally got off the mark in the fourth leg, although he missed double 12 for a break in the fifth before Taylor landed double 16 for a 4-1 cushion.

The World Champion took out a brilliant ten-darter to win the sixth, although the leg was technically a nine-darter with one bounce-out as he hit a 180, 120, 177 and double 12.

After trading the next two legs with Lewis, Taylor punished a missed bull from his younger opponent - for a 167 checkout - to hit tops before landing the same bed to break throw in 12 darts and lead 7-3.

Taylor posted another maximum in the next, but when he missed two darts at double 12 Lewis stepped in to follow a 174 score with a fine 131 checkout to break in 12 darts before he notched his fifth maximum in a 13-dart finish to halve the deficit.

Taylor hit a 180 to set up an 84 finish in the 13th as he moved 8-5 up, but Lewis replied with another maximum and tops to win his sixth leg of the contest.

Lewis also left 24 with a superb 177 in the next as he sought to cut the gap to one leg, but in perhaps the game's most crucial moment Taylor finished 119 on tops to deny him and take a 9-6 lead into the break.

He returned with legs of 11 and 12 darts to break throw in a run of three more legs in taking a 12-6 cushion to pull away from Lewis, who finished 70 for the 19th leg.

Taylor then won three more in a row, finishing 108, 80 and 111 to move one leg away from a place in the final.

Lewis hit a 180 and finished 145 to hit back and took out 74 to pull back to 15-9 and threaten a comeback.

Lewis then landed his ninth maximum of the contest to threaten a further fightback, but Taylor replied in kind to leave 24 and finished double 12 for a 13-dart finish which sealed victory.

"It was a brilliant game," said Taylor "We went blow for blow and you don't see those type of games too often.

"Adrian doesn't give in and I had to keep hitting him hard and not miss. I had to take out my doubles and the 119 finish probably won me the game.

"I'll chill out and relax and when I go up for the final my mindset will be the same as it was against Adrian - I don't want to miss a thing."

Lewis admitted: "I was pushing hard early on and at 4-1 down at the first break I'd had chances.

"He took out some massive finishes - I hit the 177 to leave 24 and he took out the 119, and what a shot that was.

"It hurt me and I came back and he did it again on a couple of occasions That's why he's 15-time World Champion.

"It was a brilliant game and the ten-darter with the bounce-out was nice - but not quite enough!"

Grand Slam of Darts Semi-Finals Sunday November 20

Sunday November 20 (2.30pm)
Phil Taylor 16 v 9 Adrian Lewis
Mark Walsh 11 v 16 Gary Anderson 

Best of 31 legs

PHIL TAYLOR 16-7 PAUL NICHOLSON

PHIL TAYLOR'S quest to regain the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts title continued as he swept aside Paul Nicholson 16-7 to power into Sunday's semi-finals at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Taylor never looked troubled after taking leads of 3-0 and 8-1 against Nicholson, who was unable to find the form which had seen him defeat the world number one in June's UK Open.

Nicholson had won the pre-match bullseye but handed Taylor the throw in an attempt to win an immediate break, which initially looked set to pay off when he opened with a 180 only to then miss five darts to take the opening leg as Taylor hit double ten to hold.

Taylor then broke with a superb 11-darter, which featured a 180 of his own, before moving 3-0 up courtesy of double 16.

Nicholson hit his second maximum of the game in taking the fourth on double five, landing a pressure third dart after Taylor had hit a 177 to leave 24, but it was the Stoke ace who struck the next blow.

He hit a 180 in a 14-darter to enter the first break 4-1 up and followed that with a 174 score in a 13-dart finish which he ended on double top.

Finishes of double 16 and tops moved Taylor 7-1 up before two misses from Nicholson allowed him in to pull further clear on double five.

Taylor posted another 180 in the next leg, but missed his chance to lead by eight legs when Nicholson stepped in to land double 16.

A 14-darter gave Taylor a 9-2 cushion before Nicholson produced his best spell of the game to win three successive legs, following up a double top finish with a pair of 14-dart checkouts in pulling back to 9-5.

Taylor, though, replied in the same manner with a treble burst of his own, twice hitting double six and once landing double 16 in restoring his advantage at 12-5.

Nicholson hit back with double 16, but Taylor took out 80 and then finished 88 on the bull before a 13-darter, which featured two 180s and a double 16 checkout, moved him to the brink of victory.

Nicholson hit his fourth 180 of the game in an 11-dart finish to hit back, but it was only delaying the inevitable as Taylor posted a ninth maximum and hit double 16 for a 13-darter to complete the triumph.

"It was a good game and I really enjoyed that," said Taylor. "Paul's got a lot of bottle and he kept coming back at me, even though he wasn't playing as well as he can.

"I'm over the moon to still be in the running and it would be special to win this title back on Sunday.

"It will be a hard day but I'm really looking forward to playing Adrian in the semi-finals because he's having a good tournament so far and getting back to his best."

Nicholson admitted: "The week as a whole has been good but tonight didn't go to plan, unfortunately it wasn't my time.

"I still enjoyed the game and I've learned a lot this week, which I can take on now to the Players Championship Finals and World Championship next month."

ADRIAN LEWIS 16-5 MARK WEBSTER

ADRIAN LEWIS stormed into the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals with a 16-5 win over Mark Webster at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Saturday night.

The PDC World Champion's best-ever run in the Grand Slam of Darts continued as he progressed to the last four courtesy of a clinical victory, as he hit 62 percent of his chances at a double.

Lewis failed to hit a 180 until the game's ninth leg, which sparked a run which saw him crucially win eight legs out of nine to pull away from 5-3 to lead 13-4.

Webster took out 108 to threaten a fightback, but unlike John Part 24 hours earlier was unable to cause Lewis any headaches as the Stoke ace won three in a row to seal the win.

"I switched off when I got ahead against John Part on Friday but I learned my lesson and didn't ease up this time," said Lewis.

"I started a bit slowly with my scoring but I was hitting my doubles and I kept Mark under pressure. My manager Keith Deller told me to knuckle down and I came out focused and firing.

"I know I'm in good form and as long as my finishing is good I know that I'll hit the scores. My finishing hasn't let me down and I feel confident, and there's no reason why I can't go on to win the tournament."

After Lewis edged the opener, Webster hit a 180 in levelling before the World Champion landed the bull for a 95 checkout in the third.

Lewis then missed the bull in the fourth as Webster levelled on tops, but the world number two took out 104 and a superb 152 to lead 4-2 before punishing misses from the Welshman to take out 80 for a three-leg cushion.

Tops gave Webster the eighth, but Lewis opened the next with his first maximum of the contest as he took out an 11-darter to lead 6-3.

He broke twice in the next three legs and then hit tops for a 13-dart leg to complete a run of five in a row as he moved 10-3 up, although Webster hit back with a 12-dart finish courtesy of an 88 checkout.

Lewis replied with three successive 14-dart finishes to move 13-4 up, before Webster defied another 180 from his opponent to take out 108 to take his fifth leg.

That would be his last chance at a double, as Lewis followed another 14-darter with a 91 finish as he moved 15-5 up, and he sealed victory in style with a 128 checkout.

"I'm disappointed with the scoreline and maybe it didn't reflect the game, but I missed too many doubles early on and Adrian punished me," said Webster.

"I've got to take the positives out of this week and it's another quarter-final appearance for me in a major tournament. I'm ambitious but I've got to be patient too because I'm still learning."

Grand Slam of Darts 1/4 finals - Evening Session - 7pm-11pm

Evening Session - 7pm-11pm

Mark Webster 5 v 16 Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor 16 v 7 Paul Nicholson

GARY ANDERSON 16-12 TERRY JENKINS

GARY ANDERSON held off Terry Jenkins' fightback to win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals on Saturday afternoon.

The Scot hit ten 180s in another heavy-scoring display, although he was made to sweat as Jenkins threatened a comeback when he came from 13-7 behind to trail just 15-12.

Anderson, though, hit double ten to finally secure his triumph and a place in the last four of the Grand Slam for the third time in five years of the event.

Jenkins had defied a 180 from Anderson to take the game's opening leg before the Scot levelled on tops and hit further maximums in the next two to break throw and then lead 3-1.

A fourth 180 followed in leg five, but Jenkins replied in kind and took out double top for a 14-darter to hit back.

He then took out 110 to break and double ten to lead 4-3 as Anderson stuttered, although he replied superbly with legs of 12 and 13 darts to wrestle back the lead.

Anderson missed three darts to win the tenth as Jenkins levelled, and after hitting double ten to break for a 6-5 lead was again punished as he missed seven darts at a double before his opponent hit double three.

Anderson, though, hit top gear to reel off the next four legs in effortless fashion, hitting three 13-dart finishes and a 14-darter to move 10-6 up.

Jenkins hit a 180 and a 78 finish to slow his charge, but Anderson replied with another 14-dart leg, a 128 checkout to break throw and double five for a 13-7 cushion.

Tops gave Jenkins his eighth leg and, after Anderson hit a 180 in a 13-darter, the pair traded maximums in the next as the 2008 runner-up cut the gap to 14-9.

Anderson hit double top in the next to move one leg away from the win, but Jenkins landed in the same bed in the next and punished a missed double 14 for the match in pulling back to 15-11.

Anderson also missed the bull for victory in the next as Jenkins hit tops, but Anderson landed three 140s to pull clear in leg 28 and landed double ten to secure his semi-final berth.

"I'm relieved to have got through that," said Anderson. "Terry's best form is returning and he kept coming back at me, so it was nice to get the winning leg eventually.

"I knew there were a lot of 140s and 180s from me but the doubles are the main thing and I missed too many. I thought I was going to blow it at the end and started panicking, but I had a good winning leg."

Anderson now takes on Mark Walsh in Sunday's semi-finals, and he said: "Mark's playing well so it should be a good game. His form has been steady throughout the week and he's done really well to get this far."

Jenkins said: "I let Gary get into a lead and it was always going to be a big ask to pull it back. I came good at the end but wish I'd played like that in the middle of the game.

"I'm happy with how I've played this week since losing in my first game, and I know my form's coming good so I'll look to take that forward from here."

MARK WALSH 16-14 TED HANKEY

MARK WALSH won through to only the second televised semi-final of his career with a thrilling 16-14 win over battling Ted Hankey at the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

The Hertfordshire ace, whose only similar success in a televised major came when he reached the 2005 UK Open final, continued a superb debut at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall with a clinical defeat of the two-time World Champion.

Walsh led 8-3 and 15-9 in the race to 16 legs before Hankey took five straight legs to threaten an incredible comeback, finding his range on the doubles which had deserted him earlier in the contest.

Walsh missed five match darts as the tension mounted, but he regained his composure to finish 90 for a place in Sunday's semi-finals, where he meets Gary Anderson or Terry Jenkins.

"At 15-10 I thought the game would be over soon and then he started coming back," admitted Walsh.

"I started to doubt myself and I thought I'd thrown it away, but he missed his chance and I took the 90 out."

Although Hankey took the game's opening leg, he missed two early darts at a double in a taste of the finishing problems he would suffer throughout the game.

Walsh hit a 174 before levelling on double top in the second, and stepped in to punish Hankey's misses in the next two to move 3-1 up courtesy of double four and double ten.

Walsh also landed a 180 in the fifth leg, but Hankey checked out 101 to cut the gap to 3-2, and after sharing the next two it was the Hertfordshire thrower who took command by winning four successive legs.

Hankey missed doubles to win three of them as his woes on double top and ten continued, with Walsh capitalising to move 8-3 up.

Hankey won the 12th, following up a 180 with a double top finish, and also landed a maximum in the next only to see Walsh follow up his earlier 180 with tops.

Walsh then finished 122 to move 10-4 up, and he bettered that with a 124 checkout after Hankey landed double 12 to move 11-5 up.

The next six legs were shared as Walsh moved two away from the win at 14-8, before a miss at tops from Walsh saw Hankey hit double ten to reduce the gap to five legs.

Walsh, though, hit a 180 and stepped in following a missed double ten from the Telford thrower to hit tops and move to the brink of victory - only for Hankey to spring to life.

A pair of double ten finishes won Hankey the next two legs as he fought back, and after trading 180s with Walsh he took out double two to reduce the gap to 15-12.

He posted another 180 in a 14-darter to take the next as Walsh missed tops for a 120 checkout and the match - and the drama continued as Hankey took a fifth successive leg in thrilling fashion.

Walsh opened with seven perfect darts but hit a three instead of treble 19 as his bid for a nine-darter went begging, and then after leaving 24 he missed two darts at double 12 and one at double six as Hankey posted double eight to keep the match alive at 15-14.

Walsh's double trouble continued when he left 90 in the next, landing treble 20 but missing double 15 and then bursting his score - but Hankey crucially missed three darts at double 16 and he returned to finish the combination at the second time of asking to take the win.

Hankey admitted: "I missed an awful lot of doubles early on and I was always chasing the game.

"It didn't seem to go for me early on but I'm happy. I played well enough and it just wasn't good enough on the day, but I reached the quarter-finals and enjoyed the week.

"Mark played great, he was superb and I wish him the best of luck in the semis."

Grand Slam of Darts 1/4 finals - Afternoon Session - 2pm-6pm

Afternoon Session - 2pm-6pm - first to 16
Quarter-Finals
Ted Hankey 14 v 16 Mark Walsh
Gary Anderson 16 v 12  Terry Jenkins

Taylor Eases Past Newton

Phil Taylor crushed Wes Newton 10-3 on Friday night to set up a quarter-final date with Paul Nicholson at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Taylor, the 15-times world champion, was in sublime form, opening with an 11-dart leg against the throw on the way to a 4-0 lead.

World number seven Newton, who had won just one of 18 previous meetings between the pair, did at least get on the board in the fifth leg.
But Taylor was in cruise control and eased away to victory, finishing with an average of 112 and a 71 per cent success rate on his doubles.
"I think tomorrow is going to be a cracker, me against Paul," Taylor told Sky Sports afterwards.
"He's a good character and great for the game. I do actually like Paul.
"The things he has said... It's just bravado. He is creating an image for himself and I think he will get a lot of stick tomorrow, and some support as well."

Comeback

In the evening's opening match at the Wolverhampton Civic Centre, Nicholson came from behind to beat Steve Beaton 10-8.
The Newcastle-born Australian found himself 6-3 down as Beaton, cheered on by a partisan crowd, dominated the opening exchanges.
But Nicholson hit an 82 checkout to reduce his deficit to two heading into the break, the start of a run of six straight legs.
He stumbled with the winning line in sight, Beaton closing the gap from 9-6 to 9-8 before Nicholson closed out the victory in the 18th leg.
The all-Welsh battle between Mark Webster and his mentor Martyn Phillips went the way of Webster by a 10-8 scoreline, although it was not entirely plain sailing.
Webster trailed 3-0 and 8-5 but, helped by missed doubles from Phillips, reeled off five legs in a row to turn things round just in time.
Webster will face Adrian Lewis in the last eight after the reigning world champion held off a spirited fightback from John Part.
Lewis looked to be cruising as he moved to within one leg of victory at 9-3.
But Canadian Part battled his way back to 9-8 before Lewis finally closed out another close contest.

ADRIAN LEWIS 10-8 JOHN PART

ADRIAN LEWIS held off a thrilling fightback from John Part to win through to the quarter-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts for the first time with a 10-8 victory.

The reigning PDC World Champion looked set to cruise into the last eight when he took a 9-3 lead, only for the Canadian great to battle back with five successive legs in pulling back to within a leg.

Lewis will now take on former Lakeside Champion Mark Webster in the quarter-finals on Saturday evening, and admitted: "I took my foot off the gas when I got to 9-3 and I got away with it in the end.

"I'm still learning and to be honest at 9-3 I should have finished John off, but he showed why he is three-time World Champion. I knew I had one more good leg in me and fortunately it came out."

Lewis made a fine start with a 13-dart finish and also broke in the second leg before posting double five for a 3-0 lead.

Part took out 104 in the fourth to win his first leg, but paid for missed doubles in the next as Lewis hit back to finish double ten with his third dart for a 4-1 advantage at the first break.

Lewis then finished 109 and 72 to win the next two legs - with the latter coming despite Part hitting two 180s - before the Canadian took the eighth to pull back to 6-2.

Lewis edged towards victory by winning three of the next four legs courtesy of two 14-darters and a 13-dart finish, with Part hitting a 180 and a 96 checkout in reply.

Double ten from Part saw him begin his fightback in pulling back to 9-4, and when he landed double 16 and tops Lewis began to show his nerves.

Part took out double 17 to pull back to 9-7, and when Lewis was unable to convert a chance at tops the Canadian reduced the gap to one leg courtesy of double seven.

Lewis, though, hit four scores of 100 or more to edge away in the 18th leg, and finished double 12 with his third dart to end a dramatic contest.

"It's frustrating for me because I never got into my rhythm but I didn't give up," said Part. "I was determined to play like a World Champion and I fought all the way.

"It was almost a miracle story and I got close to Adrian - but not close enough."

PHIL TAYLOR 10-3 WES NEWTON

PHIL TAYLOR stormed into the quarter-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with a sensational display to defeat Wes Newton 10-3, averaging 112.37 in the process.

Taylor produced the best individual performance of the tournament so far, being matched for 180s by Newton as the pair shared eight but finishing 71 percent of his 14 chances at a double and ending the game with his highest ever Grand Slam match average.

The average also eclipsed James Wade's 111.03 which he hit during the 2008 tournament against Denis Ovens as Taylor set up a tantalising clash with Paul Nicholson on Saturday night.

Taylor looked in top form from the start, hitting a 180 with his second throw and taking the opening leg with a 96 finish for an 11-darter.

He finished 65 on tops for the second leg and double ten to win the third against the throw in 12 darts before landing a 116 checkout to move four legs clear.

Taylor was also waiting on a finish in the fifth, but Newton posted a 180 and double top to get off the mark.

The pair traded 14-darters in the next two legs before Taylor finished double 12 for a 13-dart finish as he moved 6-2 up and edged towards the win.

Newton replied with a third maximum and double 16 to win his third leg of the game in the ninth, but Taylor restored his advantage with double 16 for another 13-darter to lead 7-3.

He finished 50 to win the next and an 11-darter - his second of the contest, despite a 180 from Newton - moved Taylor to the brink of victory which he sealed in 14 darts in the next leg.

"It's a brilliant win for me but I didn't expect the score to be so comfortable," said Taylor. "Wes usually starts really well against me and I thought this would be the same, and when I went 4-0 up I suddenly got really nervous.

"I calmed down again and am pleased with how I played. It will be a cracking quarter-final against Paul Nicholson, because he's playing well and we'll both be up for it.

"Paul's a great character, I like him and he's great for the game."

MARK WEBSTER 10-8 MARTIN PHILLIPS

MARK WEBSTER won five legs without reply to take a 10-8 victory over Martin Phillips in their all-Welsh second round clash at the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

The left-handers produced another exciting contest at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, with Phillips taking leads of 3-0 and 8-5 before Webster hit his straps late on to move into the quarter-finals.

Phillips capitalised when Webster started slowly, perhaps showing nerves against his former mentor on the Welsh scene from Webster's early days in the sport.

Double top gave Phillips the opening leg before broke on double nine and took out 84 on the bull to lead 3-0.

Webster got off the mark in the third, hitting a 180 and finishing 81 for a 12-dart leg before posting tops to win a second leg and checking out 58 to level.

Phillips took out tops to win the seventh, and stole the eighth for a 5-3 lead when Webster hit two 180s but missed double 12 and his opponent finished 100 with two double tops.

Double 11 saw Webster break back, and he levelled on double five before being punished for misses as Phillips edged the next three legs to lead once more, moving 8-5 up.

Webster, though, stopped the rot in the 14th leg by hitting a 180 and double ten after Phillips missed the bull for a 161 finish, and when he landed double six in the next to reduce the gap to 8-7 the comeback was alive.

Webster hit his fifth maximum and double ten to level before landing the same bed to move 9-8 up and lead for the first time, before tops for a 15-darter saw him complete the triumph.

"I probably got out of jail there but I'm really glad to get through," said Webster. "It was a battle and I was relieved to get the game over.

"If you want to win a tournament you have to win ugly sometimes and I did that. I missed too many doubles but they were on the wires and there's not too much I need to change.

"I'm looking forward to the quarter-finals and it's good to be in the last eight again, because I'm doing that consistently now in the majors."

PAUL NICHOLSON 10-8 STEVE BEATON

PAUL NICHOLSON staged a superb fightback to win through to his first William Hill Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final with a 10-8 triumph over Steve Beaton.

The Geordie's progression at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall continued with a gutsy display as he hit back from 2-0 and 6-3 down to see off Beaton.

The former World Champion dominated the first half of the contest, which included a brilliant 141 checkout, but could not stop a surge from Nicholson, who took six successive legs to set up the victory.

Beaton opened the game with a 14-dart finish and took out 80 to break in the second leg, after Nicholson had missed four darts to level.

Nicholson posted double eight to get off the mark in leg three, and squared the game on double ten before Beaton won the next on double five.

Nicholson finished 76 for the sixth leg before Beaton took the next three to pull clear, sparking the run with a 141 checkout of treble 17, bull and double top before he also finished 63 to break and double nine in moving 6-3 up.

The run was ended in the tenth leg as Nicholson finished a key 82 on tops with Beaton waiting on 40 as he cut the gap to 6-4, and when the 47-year-old missed two darts at double 11 in the next he pulled back further by finishing double four.

The duo traded 180s in the next before Nicholson took out 88 for a 12-darter to square the match, and double 16 for a fourth successive leg put him ahead for the first time in the contest.

Nicholson posted his second 180 of the game in the next to leave eight, and stepped in to hit double four after Beaton missed two darts at double 12, before a fine 121 checkout saw him pull away at 9-6.

Beaton kept the game alive by winning the next leg in 13 darts, setting up double top with a 165 score before hitting a 180 and double five to reduce the gap to one leg.

Nicholson, though, opened the 18th leg with his third maximum of the game, and took out double eight for a 14-darter to secure his last eight spot.

"I'm chuffed to be through," said Nicholson. "It was a very hard game but it was what I expected because Steve's a fine player and he brought the best out of me with his performance.

"The 82 I hit in the tenth leg was enormous, probably as big as my 144 against Magnus Caris in the group stage, because if he had gone 7-3 up I probably wouldn't have been able to get back from that against a player of Steve's class.

"I keep doing it the hard way but I showed that I've got a lot of fight in me and I love these games."

Grand Slam of Darts Friday November 18th Fixtures

Paul Nicholson 10 v 8 Steve Beaton
Mark Webster 10 v 8 Martin Phillips
Phil Taylor 10 v 3 Wes Newton
Adrian Lewis 10 v 8 John Part

Anderson Demolishes James Wade

Gary Anderson delivered a darting masterclass to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts at the expense of James Wade.

The reigning Premier League champion blew 2010 runner-up Wade away with a superb 10-3 victory - a result which earns Anderson a last eight meeting with Terry Jenkins.
Two-time semi-finalist Anderson reeled off seven successive legs after Wade, who started with a 122 checkout, had sped into an early 2-0 lead.

Thursday results

Dean Winstanley 9-10 Mark Walsh
Michael van Gerwen 9-10 Ted Hankey
Gary Anderson 10-3 James Wade
Terry Jenkins 10-8 Wayne Jones

'The Machine' briefly stopped the rot by taking the 10th leg, however that merely delayed the inevitable as Anderson closed out an emphatic victory on double six.
Speaking to Sky Sports HD1 after the match, Anderson said: "I'm getting there. I really do love it here. My heart's not in the game at the moment but I'm fighting through it.

Thrilling

"My doubles are usually fine but it's just on TV that I miss a few. My 180s helped me out there. James is a class act but he didn't play well tonight."
Jenkins sealed a last eight date with Anderson and maintained his fine record at the event with a battling 10-8 victory over local favourite Wayne Jones.
'The Bull' has now reached the quarter-final stage in all five visits to the Wolverhampton Civic Hall, however he was made to dig very deep against Jones.
'The Wanderer' missed two darts for a 9-7 lead and Jenkins made him pay by levelling on top 10 before successive double tops sealed the win.
Mark Walsh became the first player to reach the quarter-finals after he edged out BDO opponent Dean Winstanley in a thrilling opening match of the night.
Lakeside semi-finalist Winstanley came into the contest as one of only four unbeaten players at the event and will be rueing a missed opportunity after he squandered five darts to win the match as he went down 10-9.
Swinton thrower Winstanley maintained his fine form with an early 92 checkout to break and move 3-1 ahead, but Walsh hit back clinically, reeling off five successive legs to motor clear.
But the BDO player fought back again, producing a sparkling 136 finish to reduce the arrears to 8-6 before moving ahead with another classy checkout.

Drama

Winstanley missed three darts at the match in the 18th leg and two more in the decider and those arrows proved costly as Walsh stepped in to take out double 18 and progress.
His quarter-final opponent was later confirmed as Ted Hankey after 'The Count' held his nerve in a final leg shootout against Michael van Gerwen.
In a contest low on quality but high on drama, Hankey overcame two bounce outs in the deciding leg before taking out 100 with two darts to progress.
Speaking afterwards, Hankey, who lost his opening match of the tournament 5-0 to Winstanley, said: "That was unbelievable. I'm so used to the crowd booing me but tonight they were chanting 'Super Ted'!
"It was a tough game and Michael played superb but I got away with it tonight."

TERRY JENKINS 10-8 WAYNE JONES

TERRY JENKINS won four successive legs to hit back from 8-6 down and win through to the last eight of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with a 10-8 defeat of home favourite Wayne Jones.

Jenkins maintained his record of reaching at least the last eight in every year since the Grand Slam was introduced in 2007 with a gutsy display.

Jones led 3-0 before being pegged back, and restored his advantage to move within two legs of victory only to see the Ledbury ace reel off four superb legs to snatch a quarter-final spot.

Jones made an ideal start in front of his home crowd at the Wolves Civic, posting double 18 to break throw in the opening leg - punishing three misses from Jenkins - before landing a 13-darter to double his advantage.

He then finished 122 to move 3-0 up before Jenkins fired in a 180 and tops to get off the mark with a 13-dart finish in reply.

Another double top finish saw Jenkins tak the fith leg, and after Jones took out double seven to lead 4-2 it was the 2008 runner-up who took out 40 and 76 to square the game.

Jones hit 180s in winning legs of 14 and 13 darts to move 6-4 up, with Jenkins taking out 78 to hit back in the 11th only to see the home hope win the next with ease courtesy of an 81 checkout.

Double six saw Jenkins pull back to 7-5, but he was unable to take advantage when - after the pair traded 180s - Jones missed three doubles, seeing two darts of his own miss at double 19 to allow his opponent back in on double six to lead 8-6.

Another 13-dart finish from Jenkins saw him cut the gap to 8-7, and when Jones again faltered on double 12 and six he then hit double ten to level.

Double top pushed Jenkins 9-8 up after he had hit a fourth 180 of the contest, and he went on to secure the victory on tops after Jones was unable to close out a 104 finish.

"That was a battle," said Jenkins. "Wayne's the local chap and I knew it would be hard to play him, but I had to blank out the crowd and I managed to do that.

"Wayne didn't miss a lot in the first few legs and got an edge on me, but I broke him at the right time.

"I'm chuffed to be in the quarter-finals again and I'll look forward to having a good game with him on Saturday because Gary's a great player."

Jones admitted: "I'm disappointed. I hit too many 60 scores during the game and double 12 let me down a bit too, there were too many poor shots.

"Sometimes it doesn't happen for you but it's my own fault. I felt good but it didn't happen for me and although the crowd were fabulous I wish I'd given them more to cheer."

GARY ANDERSON 10-3 JAMES WADE

GARY ANDERSON powered into the quarter-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts, hitting nine 180s in a brilliant 10-3 defeat of 2010 runner-up James Wade.

Wade led 2-0 early on before the Scot turned on the style with a heavy-scoring display as he won ten of the next 11 legs to win through to the last eight once again in Wolverhampton.

He now plays Terry Jenkins on Saturday in a bid for a third semi-final in five years of the tournament, and said: "My form's building gradually and I'm getting closer to my best.

"I'm improving and my scoring was great in this game, but if I can hit my doubles I could be a danger!"

The Scot opened slowly as Wade burst out of the blocks, hitting a 180 and winning the opening leg with a 122 checkout for a 12-darter and then finishing 76 to win the second.

He was left waiting on a two-dart finish in the third when Anderson landed double five to break, before the Premier League Darts champion took out 80 and double six to lead 3-2, hitting his first 180 of the game in leg five.

A second successive 14-darter moved him 4-2 up, and he took out double ten to win the seventh before kicking off the next with back-to-back 180s.

He also hit a seventh treble 20 only to see his dart at treble 19 miss, and although he missed the chance of a nine-darter he took the leg in 11 darts to move 6-2 up.

Anderson hit another 180, his sixth in five legs, before taking out 81 on double 13 to move five legs clear only for Wade to produce a sparkling 13-dart leg to end the Scot's run of seven straight legs.

Anderson, though, regained his cushion in style by hitting another 180 and a 100 finish for a 12-darter which he bettered with another 11-dart leg in the next to move one away from victory at 9-3.

A ninth maximum of the game pushed him clear of Wade, who hit back with three tons but missed four darts at double 19 and Anderson hit double six to seal his quarter-final spot.

"The 180s really helped me and I was glad they came out," added Anderson. "James is a class act but he didn't quite show it tonight and I took advantage."

TED HANKEY 10-9 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

TED HANKEY won through a see-saw battle with Michael van Gerwen to reach the quarter-finals of the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts with a dramatic 10-9 victory.

The young Dutchman looked set to cause an upset when he took leads of 2-0 and 7-5 against the two-time Lakeside Champion, but Hankey produced some fine darts to hit back and lead 9-8.

Van Gerwen forced a decider with a 13-dart finish, but was unable to break in the final leg before Hankey took out 100 in two darts for a famous win.

Hankey now plays Mark Walsh in Saturday's quarter-finals, having turned around the Wolverhampton Civic Hall crowd to end the contest hearing his name cheered following a fine contest.

"I've had a bit of a rough time with the crowd in previous years but it was superb to hear them singing "Super Ted" - in fact it was hard to concentrate!" said Hankey.

"They created a great atmosphere and we both rose to that. Michael played superbly but he gave me a couple of chances and I took them. I didn't start well but it came together in the end."

Van Gerwen made a superb start to win the opening leg against the throw with a 13-darter - setting up double 16 with a 177 score - and then doubled his lead with a 76 checkout despite a 180 from Hankey.

Hankey got off the mark in the third with a 14-dart checkout, and punished three missed doubles from van Gerwen to level before posting double five for a 3-2 lead.

Van Gerwen levelled on double top and then finished 81 to break in 12 darts and 108 to move 5-3 up.

Hankey landed a 180 and took out 84 for a 12-darter in reply, but van Gerwen won two of the next three on double top to lead 7-5.

The Telford-based star finished 80 to take the 13th leg, and levelled the game in a dramatic next leg, with van Gerwen missing the bull, two darts at double eight and one dart at double four before Hankey posted double one to square the contest.

Hankey then checked out 78 for a 14-darter to regain the lead, only to narrowly miss the bull in the next as van Gerwen took out double nine to pull back to eight-all.

Hankey hit hit fifth 180 of the match in another 14-darter as he pushed one leg away from victory, but van Gerwen responded in style to win the 18th in 13 darts to force a deciding leg.

The Dutchman held the early advantage as Hankey suffered two bounce-outs, but van Gerwen saw his opening dart for a 164 finish suffer the same fate to allow his opponent in on 100, and Hankey made no mistake with a two-darter for victory and a quarter-final place against Mark Walsh.

"Saturday will be a different game against Mark," added Hankey. "He's a great player and the format's a little bit longer again, and I'm looking forward to it."

Van Gerwen admitted: "I missed too many doubles and gave too many legs away in the end. I've played well but I'm disappointed to lose this game.

"I'll go away and build up now for the World Championship because I'm feeling good about my game at the moment."

MARK WALSH 10-9 DEAN WINSTANLEY

MARK WALSH edged out Dean Winstanley in a thrilling deciding leg to win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals with a 10-9 triumph.

The debutant pair produced the game of the tournament so far in a high-quality contest, with Walsh coming from 3-1 down to lead 6-3 at one stage.

Winstanley - who ended the game with an average of 104.55 - battled back to lead 9-8 but missed five darts at doubles to win the remaining two legs as Walsh firstly forced a decider before edging to victory.

After Walsh had won the game's opening leg, Winstanley took the next three by finishing double top, hitting an 11-darter which featured a 177 and an 87 checkout to break and a 92 bull finish to lead 3-1.

Winstanley also landed a 180 in the fifth leg, but missed two darts at tops for a fourth successive leg and Walsh powered in a 138 checkout to begin his resurgence.

The former UK Open finalist then finished 96, 60 and 82 - on the bull - to lead 5-3 and saw double ten push him three legs clear with five in a row.

He also missed double 12 in the tenth as Winstanley hit back on double ten, and after Walsh posted tops to lead 7-4 the duo traded double 12 finishes before the Lakeside Championship finalist sparked his own revival with a 138 checkout, the second of the match.

He then landed six perfect darts with back-to-back maximums in the 15th, which he won in 13 darts before levelling the game at eight-all on double eight.

The pair traded maximums in the next as Winstanley wrestled back the lead on double top for a 12-darter, moving a leg away from victory at 9-8.

However, he missed the bull for a 130 checkout and two further match darts as Walsh took out double ten to level and send the match into a final-leg decider.

The pair traded 140s with their opening visit before Winstanley landed a 180, but he would see two darts at double top land on the wire to allow Walsh in, and he posted double 18 to win a superb contest.

"That was a great game to be involved in, a real rollercoaster," said Walsh. "The five legs I took in a row turned the game at the time but I made it hard work for myself after that.

"Seems like I'm trying to entertain the crowd with close games but I don't mean to! I never gave up and it paid off."

Winstanley had overcome World Champions Ted Hankey and Raymond van Barneveld during the group stage, and admitted: "It's been my first time in the Grand Slam of Darts and I've loved every minute of it.

"It was a brilliant match with Mark and I'm as proud as punch to have played so well. The average was fantastic but that doesn't win you the game, and unfortunately I missed my chance and Mark took his at the end."

Grand Slam of Darts Thursday November 17 th Fixtures

7pm-11pm
Dean Winstanley 9 v 10 Mark Walsh
Michael van Gerwen 9 v 10 Ted Hankey
Gary Anderson 10 v 3 James Wade
Terry Jenkins 10 v 8 Wayne Jones