Nicholson proves to be an Asset for the bookies as he sends the favourites crashing out

The crowd at the Reebok were treated to a sensational day of darts yesterday which included countless highlights, but none more spectacular than Paul Nicholson's two 9-8 wins over the two favourites for the tournament Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor.  

The World Number 14 proved beyond any doubt that he isn't just about the posturing and showmanship of his walk-on and that he is indeed one of the very best players around, although he will have to do it all again as he faces off against James Wade this afternoon.


Here's the highlights of Saturday's action:

Fourth Round

Paul Nicholson 9 – 8 Gary Anderson

An incredible performance from the Geordie Aussie as he looked to be the latest to be drowning under the tidal wave of Anderson’s scoring, finding himself 5-1 down in no time.  He’s made of pretty stern stuff though and launched a sensational come back to pip The Flying Scotsman to the post.

Dave Chisnall 9 – 7 Ronnie Baxter

This was always going to be a very even match, and it proved to be so, but it was rising star Chizzy who proved he is going to be up there with the best of them in the PDC.  The former Lakeside runner-up has impressed since switching sides and is now really taking advantage of his first major TV outing on Sky, proving that he had the quality to see off a seasoned campaigner like The Rocket.

Andy Smith 9 – 8 Reece Robinson

The end of the tournament’s Cinderella story came at the hands of The Pie Man, but Reece Robinson will go home with his head held high after his performances in Bolton.  After knocking out three veterans of the circuit and nearly doing the same to a fourth, despite being heavily under the weather shows the huge potential that the teenager has.  Smith admitted he was lucky to prevail in this one, and I’m sure we’ll be lucky enough to see Robinson perform in the majors again.

Mark Webster 9 -8 Co Stompe

One of the best comebacks in recent darting history was staged by the Welshman on board two at the Reebok.  In no time at all Webby found himself 6-0 down to an in-form Stompe, but he showed that the Premier League hadn’t drained his confidence as some thought it might have and stormed back to eventually win a deciding leg and send The Matchstick crashing out.  A really landmark victory for Webster who proved that he is one of the very best in talent and mental strength.

Colin Osbourne 9 – 7 Kirk Shepherd

This really was a see-saw battle between two fairly evenly matched players and it seemed impossible to separate them for the vast majority of the contest.  It was the man formerly known as The Wizard who eventually showed the endurance to burst down the back straight and make the finishing line.  An important victory for Osbourne who has gone off the boil a bit in the last twelve months, but showed he is still one of the better performers on the circuit.

And then there were 16 who went into the evening session still dreaming of lifting the trophy, but of course eight had to leave.  Here’s the scores and a couple of the best games in more detail.

James Wade 9-7 Richie Burnett
Robert Thornton 9-7 Colin Osborne
Paul Nicholson 9-8 Phil Taylor
Wes Newton 9-1 Raymond van Barneveld
Mark Hylton 9-7 Peter Wright
Mark Webster 9-4 Andy Boulton
Denis Ovens 9-6 Andy Smith
Dave Chisnall 9-4 John Bowles

Paul Nicholson 9 – 8 Phil Taylor

After The Asset’s epic with Anderson earlier in the day, many would have doubted his ability to put in another grinding performance, especially against the great man Phil Taylor.  As it happened though, he didn’t have to produce another comeback, but instead opened up a substantial lead of his own.  The Power fought back though and had the throw in the deciding leg, which has so often seen him take the match, but he seemed to crumble under the pressure whereas Nicholson banged in a maximum on route to winning it and progressing.  Arguably the two best performances of Nicholson’s career had come within a few hours of each other, can he repeat it today?

Wes Newton 9 – 1 Raymond van Barneveld

Not the close match that we all expected from this one, but a landmark day in the career of The Warrior as he proved to the world that he is capable of not just competing with the very best, but absolutely hammering them when he’s on form.  There’s no doubt that Newton is in the form of his life, and won’t necessarily always be handing out thrashings, but he showed what he can do, and it was incredible stuff.  His scoring was very solid, but it was his finishing that was even more impressive as he never looked like missing throughout.  I still don’t quite understand his action with his head moving all over the place, but it certainly works, and long may it continue.

So it’s quarter-final time and here’s the line-up;

Denis Ovens v Mark Hylton

Two players that have had a quiet but impressive run to the last eight, whoever gets through to the semi-finals will be absolutely delighted with their performance this week.  Dennis Ovens is perhaps the least spectacular performer around, but is nonetheless very effective and will be favourite for the contest.  Mile High Mark Hylton is an impressive performer though and has made a real impact over the last year or so, and I fancy him to just pinch this one.

Robert Thornton v Mark Webster

Robert Thornton seemed to have dropped off from the upper echelons of the game over the last few months, but has stormed back in style and is looking very good again, and will provide a stern test for the Welshman.  Webster has been impressive this week though and has banished the doubts over his mental state.  Both men clearly in decent form, so I will have to go with the higher quality player, and I believe that to be Webster.

Dave Chisnall v Wes Newton

Two future champions I reckon here, but can one of them make their destiny arrive very quickly by winning tonight.  Well whoever gets through this will fancy their chances and it should be a very tight one.  Chisnall’s scoring was very impressive against Baxter, but after Newton’s performance against Barney it’s impossible not to back him for this one.

James Wade v Paul Nicholson

Clearly the pick of the draw and Nicholson will be cursing Waddell and Bristow for constantly drawing him against the top four players in the world.  The Asset will fear absolutely no one though after his performances so far and will believe he can repeat his heroics again.  Wade is an extremely dangerous opponent though, especially when he looks comfortable and confident as he has done since Thursday.  It really is too tight to call, but I think Nicholson might have just burned himself out a bit yesterday and I fancy Wade to just pinch it.