James Wade crashes out of World Matchplay in first round
Monday 18 July 2016 11:01, UK
James Wade crashed out of the World Matchplay in the first round after a 10-5 defeat to Mervyn King in Blackpool.
The sixth seed has previously reached the final on six occasions, but he produced a lacklustre performance as King completed a convincing victory at the Winter Gardens.
But Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright are all safely through to the last-16 after they claimed opening wins on the second day of the tournament.
A wasteful display of finishing from Wade began in the very first leg as three missed darts at a double allowed King to hold throw.
The experienced King was punishing regular errors from his erratic opponent and took out 100 on double 10 to establish a 4-1 lead.
Wade was unable to close the gap, with King calmly compiling his checkouts, and the Suffolk man sunk his dart into double four to inflict an upset loss on Wade.
Second seed Anderson had no such problems as he inflicted a crushing 10-1 defeat on Alan Norris.
The Scot would only allow Norris the opening leg, hitting 10 of his 15 shots at the double in a masterful performance.
Anderson had struggled on past trips to the seaside resort, but strolled to victory on this occasion and treated the crowd to fine 139 finish.
Lewis had earlier been given a few uncomfortable moments by former BDO World Champion Mark Webster in a 10-6 win.
The Welshman held his own in the early stages, hitting double 12 to edge 5-4 in front.
But Lewis would show glimpses of his class as he reeled off four legs in a row to set up another showdown with Gerwyn Price.
Price won last year's meeting in the quarter-finals and Lewis vowed to 'turn him over'.
In the closing match, Wright comfortably pulled clear of Joe Cullen to complete a 10-5 victory.
