Webby v The Flying Scotsman
Anderson let it be known right from the off that he was still in tip top form as he flew out of the blocks with a 140 and he didn’t let up from then on. Webster wouldn’t have been too concerned when he lost the first leg to the Scot’s throw, but when he missed six darts at doubles in the second it really did look ominous for the Welshman.
It seemed like he’d kept himself in the game in the third though as he expertly took out 102 on double 11, but that was as good as it got for Webby as he failed to win a leg for the rest of the match and suffered the heaviest defeat of the competition so far.
Anderson was scoring brilliantly, but he did miss numerous darts at doubles, the problem for Webby was that he was often so far behind it didn’t matter, and on the odd occasion he did have a go at a finish he couldn’t convert.
The game was reminiscent of matches against Taylor a couple of years ago when he’d open up a lead early on and stroll to victory with his opponent crumbling under the pressure and unable to do anything about it. The way Anderson is playing at the moment you would say he is near enough unbeatable. He peppered the treble 20 throughout hitting a massive seven 180s, although his average was just below 100 which reflected the few misses at doubles.
This is one to right off for Webster as a bad week, he was playing the man at the top of the league, and he wasn’t throwing well, he’ll hopefully put It to the back of his mind and regroup for next week. Anderson just needs to keep ploughing on, and if he does keep this up he’ll have sown up the top spot in the league in no time.
The Wizard v The Machine
There wasn’t quite the quality we’ve come to expect in the second match of the night but there was certainly the entertainment as a back and forth contest eventually swung the way of the Wizard who claimed his first points of the competition and dragged himself off the bottom of the table.
It was clear from the off that the Machine was in for a tough night, if not from his opponent then certainly from the crows who were on his back from the start, and firmly behind the Australian.
The match started well with a 14-darter from the Wizard, but the second leg showed the pressure was mounting though as Wade hit double 5 with his sixth double attempt after Whitlock had missed three.
It seemed like the Wizard began to harness the positive reaction he was getting from the Belfast crowd in the next three legs though as he moved into a 4 – 1 lead, hitting all his doubles within his first three attempts. Wade wasn’t to be brushed aside though, picking up the last leg before the break, leaving it as either man’s game as they went to take a breather.
It looked like the break had been disastrous for both men as the seventh leg was a shocker with three consecutive scores being 59, 38 and 42. Wade took it against the throw, and then seemed to be right back in business with a lovely 128 finish to make it four a piece, and then a 12-darter put him in the lead for the first time.
The match was really hotting up as the Wizard left himself double 1 after hitting a 180, but took it out third go to level things up again. He then broke throw as he edged an even leg by hitting 174 to leave double 12 which he nailed first time. This put him on the hill on his own throw and he didn’t spurn the opportunity, as double 19 handed him his first points of the competition.
This could be just what the Wizard needed to kick-start his campaign and he may well now motor on up the league as his doubles finally looked more like what we expect from him. An average of just under 92 isn’t earth shattering, but we know he can do better than that, and it was enough on the night.
For Wade things are worrying, whatever is making him brilliant one week and below average the next he needs to find out and sort out. If his on-off form continues then he’ll win again next week, but few can predict what the Machine is going to produce.
Barney v Jackpot
This had the potential to be the highlight of the night as Barney hit his brilliant best form in Nottingham and Lewis was hoping to keep hold of his second place spot in the league. Two of the most natural players in the game, who both throw at an excellent pace and have both won World titles, was never likely to disappoint.
It started just as everyone had hoped too as Lewis opened up with an 11-darter followed by a 14-darter from Barney. The Dutchman then crucially broke Jackpot in the third on double ten, and this was a sign of things to come for Barney. He was looking calm, relaxed and fluent and this was bad news for the World Champion as the fourth leg went with throw to make it 3 – 1.
It took Jackpot just 14 darts to claim the fifth leg to prove he wouldn’t be brushed aside, but then narrowly missed taking out 140 to let Barney back in to lead 4- 2 at the interval.
A second break of throw from the 5-time World Champ in the seventh leg to make it 5 – 3 looked like it could be the end of Lewis, but he showed why he is current champion of the World as he stepped up and broke back with a perfect 170 finish.
Barney showed what he wasn’t about to be rattled as he remained calm and broke Lewis again to make it 6 – 3, and then capitalised and sloppy darts from Lewis to guarantee himself at least a point on double 18.
The Dutchman seemed to have it in the bag, but he missed darts at doubles in the next two legs which Lewis capitalised on, then a 13-darter from Jackpot made it 7 – 6 and the draw was on for the World Champ.
Barney remained relaxed till the death though as powerful scoring throughout the final leg saw him home 8 – 6. You might have expected this brilliant win to produce some emotion at the end of the clash at least but the man from Den Haag was stoic even after his final double eight perhaps showing that he was supremely confident of the win right from the off.
There is no doubt that Barneveld is now a strong contender for the Premier League title as he looks to be right back to his best and has been consistent on both scoring and finishing over the last two weeks.
Jackpot is certainly not out of it having lost his last two, and still looks to be playing very well, he has just been unfortunate to be on the wrong end of inspired performances from Wade and Barneveld. I still expect the World Champ to make the semis.
The Power v The Bull
The final match of the night was the test of the World Number One’s form which had been brought into great debate after week one, but was then under no question in his last outing. His performance in Belfast though silenced any doubters as he won in style again and left Jenkins floundering.
It didn’t look good early on for the Bull as he lost the second leg on his own throw with him a full 212 points behind to go 2 – 0 down. Taylor didn’t look in the mood to lose his own throw and in the blink of an eye it was 3 – 0 to the defending champion.
It wasn’t till the fourth leg that Jenkins had a shot at a double, and it was one at tops which he fell short of. The Power was on the same double himself and stepped up to make it 4 -0 , but The Bull wasn’t giving up yet as he broke back to restore some pride and get a leg on the board. Double 12 though from Taylor saw him leave the stage with a 5 – 1 lead at the break.
The first two after the interval went with throw, but that was as good as it got for The Bull as The Power surged home to take a comfortable 8 – 2 victory.
It was a bitterly disappointing performance from Terry Jenkins who could only manager an 85.6 average and was well below his best. This was the same kind of match as Anderson’s earlier in the evening. The opponent goes into the match expecting to lose, it seems, so when the inevitable starts to come to fruition then they almost give up. It’s unlike Jenkins, and it’ll be one to forget for him, but for the Power, he will be very encouraged with his form.
So…Anderson leads the pack after three weeks of scintillating action as he still maintains an 100% record at the top of the table. Barney and Taylor are 2nd and 3rd respectively with four points each and then the chasing pack are all on two.
Another great night in Belfast!
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