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JAMES WADE 10 – 8 John Part

James Wade won through to the second round of the World Matchplay after seeing off John Part in Blackpool.

‘The Machine’, who won the tournament in 2007, triumphed 10-8 in an exciting encounter at the Winter Gardens.

And Wade, who has also reached the final on four other occasions, admitted he was pleased to progress.

“I wasn’t at my best but winning is the important thing,” said the world number four.

“This is my favourite tournament. It’s the best in the world in my opinion so of course I want to win it.

“I should’ve made it easier for myself tonight but I know what I need to put right in the next game.”

Part took the first two legs with finishes of 98 and 70 but Wade hit back by taking out 61 to break, before his first 180 and a 64 checkout restored parity.

Part edged back infront before Wade pegged double ten to level once more but he missed three darts to increase his lead and his Canadian counterpart punished him with a 104 finish.

‘The Machine’ fired back with checkouts of 110 and 81 as he wrestled back control of the match.

And he pinned double 18 to move 6-4 ahead before Part pulled a leg back.

Wade bedded tops in each of the following two legs but ‘Darth Maple’ got back in touching distance by taking the next two.

The left-hander took out 63 to move one leg from victory. Part reduced his lead to 9-8 but Wade got the job done, nailing double 12 after a fabulous 159 set-up.

‘The Machine’ will take on either Mervyn King or Gary Anderson in the second round.

By Chris Murphy