Wade secures play-off spot
2007 World Matchplay champion through to the knockout stages
Last updated: 21st April 2008
Wade: Play-off place secured
A 14-darter from James Wade saw him book his place in the Premier League play-offs.
The 2007 World Matchplay champion was forced to fight all the way against Peter Manley, however he rattled off three legs on the bounce to make sure of his place in the knock out stages.
There was little to separate the two rivals as they exchanged legs throughout an enthralling encounter.
However Wade kept his cool to come from 6-5 to record an 8-6 victory with his 14-dart finish in the deciding leg leaving him clear at the top.
"It is unbelievable. I got away with that game," he told Sky Sports. "Neither me nor Peter played well."
An average of 112 saw Phil Taylor secure his place in the play-offs, with the Power crushing world champion John Part 8-3.
Part had taken the first two legs however that was as good as it got for the Canadian as Taylor moved through the gears.
Taylor's qualification for the last four completes a superb turnaround after his stuttering start to the competition.
Terry Jenkins and Wayne Mardle kept alive their respective places for the play-offs with a battling 7-7 draw.
Pressure
Both players struggled with the doubles as the pressure told - and in truth Jenkins and Mardle know that they needed the two points to strengthen their charge for a place in the last four.
Jenkins told Sky Sports: "It still depends on the last two games, it is so close.
"There is a lot of pressure on the last five or six players and it could still go anyway.
"I'd be a liar if said I wasn't feeling the pressure out there."
Jenkins had won the opening leg to lead 1-0, however that was the last time he was in control until the business-end of the match when he finally settled to move 6-5 and 7-6 in front.
However Mardle, who three times had a two-leg cushion, deservedly kept his nerve for a share of the spoils.
Basics
An 11-darter from Adrian Lewis was not enough to save the Jackpot from an 8-4 defeat to Raymond van Barneveld.
Van Barnevled had lead 5-1 but Lewis refused to give up and at one stage threatened a dramatic comeback, but he left himself with too much to do.
And the Dutchman put his victory, with included three bullseye shots, down to a return to basics.
"I got the old flights back," he admitted to Sky Sports..
"I have had to dig deep. These eight players are the best in the world. I have to practice a lot, I have to dig deep and I have to believe in myself.
"I have got back to the old practice board as Phil Taylor does and put the old flights back on and suddenly I got a few shots."
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Comments
David O'shea says...
I have been going to darts over the past 5 years and although I realise it's big business now I fear that the crowds no longer want to watch the darts but to sing and sometimes fight. I was at Wembley last night and at Sheffield last month and it seems that the purists are being edged out by the rowdies. Bring back darts at the Circus Tavern !!!!!!
Posted 11:02 18th April 2008
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