Machine ends Scot's dreams

Wade: clinical finishing

Third-round results:
R Baxter 16-14 A Tabern
R van Barneveld 13-11 M Walsh
J Wade 13-7 G Anderson

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James Wade produced a clinical display to ease into the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay in Blackpool with a 13-7 victory over Gary Anderson.

Wade, who ended with a three-dart average of 96, did not drop his throw once during the encounter and was always in command as his opponent was made to pay for a host of crucial missed doubles.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Raymond van Barneveld and Ronnie Baxter, although both men were pushed hard with Baxter only edging out Alan Tabern 16-14 after a dramatic tie-break.

But things were much easier for Wade who set the tone for his performance with a 12-dart first leg against Anderson.

With the Scot looking shaky early on, Wade took full advantage to pull 4-0 ahead before Anderson checked out 151 to get on the board.

But despite having chances, the 'Dream Boy' could not disrupt Wade's rhythm by breaking his throw with the Englishman taking out 70 to open up an 8-4 lead.

Anderson then missed three more at double in the next leg and Wade made him pay by landing double-top for another break which he confirmed by hitting the same double in the next to stretch his advantage to 10-4.

At 12-7, Anderson stayed alive by hitting double-five with his final dart, but it was merely delaying the inevitable and Wade brought the curtain down in fine style with a 13-darter to notch up his first competitive win over Anderson.

Thrilling

Baxter's clash with Tabern was a thrilling if at times error-strewn affair, although The Rocket looked on course for a comfortable success as he took out 108 to move 8-4 ahead.

But Tabern responded by taking four straight legs to level and then checked out 73 to edge in front for the first time at 10-9.

That became 12-10 as the St Helens thrower produced a 157 check-out - the highest of the tournament to date - to put himself within one leg of victory.

Baxter, though, refused to lie down and hit tops to force a tie-break and then pulled 13-12 and 14-13 ahead only for Tabern to peg him back each time.

But having gone 15-14 up, he held his nerve and found an 88 check-out when he needed it most to emerge triumphant.

Struggle for Barney

Van Barneveld was a long way from his best but did just enough to see off the dogged challenge of Mark Walsh.

The Dutchman spent long periods of the match shaking his head in dismay at his erratic form, despite looking well in control at 9-5.

But Walsh refused to go away and pulled level at 9-9 as he took out 110 only for van Barneveld to respond with the next two legs.

The Dutchman moved to the hill as he hit double-16, but Walsh denied him with a brave 96 check-out in the next to prolong the match.

However, Barney did the necessary in the next and closed out victory by hitting double-nine with his third and final dart.