News

James Wade performed consistently well in the first two Players Championship events of the year, showing encouraging form ahead of the 2012 Premier League.

The Machine stormed through to the semi-final of Sunday’s Spanish Darts Classic before being edged out by eventual winner Michael Smith. The world number Three also reached the last 16 of the Spanish Darts Trophy on Saturday.

Wade produced two 6-0 whitewashes en route to the last four on Sunday. He also claimed an impressive 6-1 victory over reigning Players Champion Kevin Painter.

The seven-time major winner hit a brilliant 161 finish in the semi-final, but was unable to see off in-form youngster Smith, who won 6-4 before beating Justin Pipe in the final.

The Machine will now focus his attention on preparing for the opening night of the Premier League in Manchester on Thursday 9^th February.

By Chris Murphy

World number three James Wade is sponsoring exciting prospect Chris Aubrey for 2012, enabling the youngster to compete as a full time professional.

MODUS are pleased to provide management for the 20 year old, who is currently ranked seventh on the PDC Youth Tour. He has enormous potential and is one of the brightest young talents in darts.

Aubrey hopes to emulate the success of his sponsor who has won seven major titles, making him the second most successful player in the history of the PDC.

Aubrey said: “It means the world to me to be sponsored by James. For somebody of his calibre to think that highly of me is a fantastic feeling. I am over the moon about it. It means everything to be sponsored these days and I’m very happy to be managed by MODUS. It is a brilliant reward for a good year and I want to go out and play well and do everybody proud.

“Having this kind of support spurs me on even more and I think I can achieve as much as anybody else. My aim this year is to win a youth title and qualify for some more major tournaments, hopefully including the World Championship. I can’t thank James and MODUS enough because this deal will give me the freedom to fulfil my ambitions.”

By Chris Murphy

James Wade moved a step closer to winning his first Ladbrokes World Championship title after beating John Part in an amazing sudden-death leg at the Alexandra Palace.

The Machine produced a stunning performance under no end of pressure from the three-time world champion, hitting five checkouts of over a hundred to win the quarter final clash.

With the players inseparable after eight sets and eight legs, Wade held his nerve to win a tense final leg. He won the bull to take the darts and hit 81 followed by a 140 to move closer to victory. Part kept up the pressure with a 174 to leave 128, but missed his second treble. The Machine kept his cool and hit 85 in two darts to win the battle and book his place in the semi-finals.

Wade hit double ten to hold his throw in the opening leg before grabbing an early break of throw by hitting double top. The seven-time major winner then found the double twenty bed again to win a third leg on the spin and take the first set.

Part got a leg on the board before Wade took out 48 to level. Darth Maple held again but the world number three hit back with his first 180 followed by a fine 82 finish to square up the set. Part had to pull out a wonderful 167 checkout to hold his throw, pulling the match level.

Wade hit double ten to take the lead in the third set and then produced a tidy 65 finish to break his opponent’s throw. The UK Open winner then wrapped up the set, hitting double ten to regain his advantage.

The Machine then put on a sensational show to win set four, hitting a brilliant 108 finish against the throw. He followed that up with his second maximum before producing another fabulous checkout, this time 140. He then hit double top again to open up a three one lead.

Wade continued to finish clinically when he took out 103 to edge ahead in the fifth set. Part held his throw to level before The Machine took out 84 in two darts to do the same. He then just missed the Bull for a 126 finish before the Canadian won the next two legs to win the set.

Part held his throw in the first leg of the sixth set before taking out 116 to break again and double his lead. Darth Maple then took out 75 to level the match.

Wade stopped the rot by hitting double top to hold his throw before his opponent did the same. The Machine hammered home another maximum before taking out 82 under pressure to edge back in front. Darth Maple held again and Wade responded with his fifth 180 but was unable to prevent Part breaking his throw to go ahead in the match for the first time.

With Part needing to keep hold of is throw in the eighth set to win the match, Wade hit double hit ten to grab a crucial break.  He then took out 81 to double his lead with a fantastic twelve dart leg. The Canadian held his throw to pull a leg back but The Machine found double top again to restore parity and force a deciding set.

Wade hit double five under extreme pressure to hold his throw in the first leg of the decider before Part levelled. The Machine kept his composure under pressure again, hitting double two to edge back in front. Darth Maple held his throw again, meaning either player needed to win by two clear legs.

Wade forced himself in front in the tie breaker by hitting the tournament’s 500^th 180, followed by a magnificent 124 checkout on the bull. The Canadian pulled level again by holding his throw before breaking to leave himself throwing for the match. The Machine kept his title dream alive with another big finish, taking out 108 to pull himself level. He then produced back to back 180’s to go back in front with a phenomenal twelve dart leg. Part hit double top to hold his throw and force the sudden death leg, which The Machine won on double top to reach the final four

Wade will play either Adrian Lewis or Terry Jenkins on Sunday evening for a place in the final.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade remains on course to become World Champion for the first time after cruising past Steve Farmer to reach the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.

The 28 year old has already won most major titles, and he moved a step closer to adding the biggest of them all to his impressive roll of honour by winning in straight sets for the second consecutive game.

The Machine got the ball rolling by hitting double five and then pounced on a bizarre miscount from Farmer; The Train hit 180 when he had 176 left, before Wade set up double top and hit it for an early break of throw. The UK Open champion then hit double ten to wrap up the first set.

Farmer hit double sixteen to get a leg on the board before Wade hit back with a tidy 96 checkout. The Machine hit a 180 before taking out 70 in two darts to break the throw. He then hit double ten once again to seal a two set advantage.

Wade just missed double top for a 120 finish, allowing Farmer to sneak a break of throw. Farmer then held to edge closer to pulling a set back, but Wade hit double top in both of the next two legs to derail The Train’s charge. The six-time major champion then hit double two to take the third set.

Farmer won the first two legs of set four to go within one leg of winning a set again. Wade hit straight back once more, hitting double eight for an instant break of throw, before hitting his third 180 on his way to levelling the set. The Machine finished the job in style by hitting a brilliant 116 checkout to book his place in the last eight.

Wade will continue his pursuit of the title when he meets former World Champion John Part in tomorrow’s quarter-final.

By Chris Murphy

James Wade produced an impressive performance, as he beat former World Champion Jelle Klaasen in straight sets to move a step closer to winning the elusive Ladbrokes World Championship title.

The Machine scored well and showed some ruthless finishing, especially on double ten, to book his place in round three.

Wade held his throw comfortably in the opening leg and his first maximum helped him grab a break of throw straight after. His second 180 soon followed as he wrapped up the first set, hitting double ten to win each leg.

The Machine continued his perfect success rate on that double, grabbing a break of throw and then holding, hitting the same bed both times. Klaasen got a leg on the board before Wade hit double top to take set two.

Wade was unlucky to miss double 16 for a 146 checkout before Klaasen got a break of throw in the first leg of set three. The former BDO World Champion then hit double eight to double his lead. The Machine hit back with another perfect dart at double ten before hitting double top for a break of throw. He completed a comeback in the set, hitting double ten yet again to take a three set lead.

The UK Open winner hit double top to grab and early break in the fourth set, before another maximum followed by a 46 checkout left him within a leg of round three. The Matador held his throw, but he was only delaying the inevitable as Wade produced a brilliant eleven dart leg to keep his title hunt on course.

His third round match will be played on Thursday December 29^th.

By Chris Murphy

Wade earned a deserved victory over Steve Brown, while Webster disposed of top seed Justin Pipe in a dramatic affair.

Both players are back in action in the quarter finals on Sunday, when one of them could pick up the trophy.

James Wade 8 – 6 Steve Brown

James Wade progressed into the last eight of the Players Championship with victory over Steve ‘The Bomber’ Brown.

The UK Open winner showed only glimpses of his brilliant best, but still had too much for his opponent.

Wade was as deadly as ever on double ten to take the first leg, but Brown hit back, taking out 64 to win the second.

The next leg again went with the throw, as Wade put himself back in front. He then grabbed an early break, hitting double top to open up a two leg lead.

The Machine hit his first 180 in leg five, and went on to win it with a nice 106 checkout as he threatened to run away with it.

Wade almost took out a spectacular 170 in the next leg, just missing the bull, before Brown hit double ten to get his self back into the game.

Brown then managed to break back to reduce Wade’s lead to a single leg, but The Machine pulled off a stunning 142 finish to open the gap once more.

Wade’s lead quickly increased to 6-3 with a 60 checkout, before Brown hit double one to pull a leg back.

Wade then produced a leg of real quality, as he finished on double 12 in just a dozen darts. Brown earned a stay of execution when he hit double top to take the twelfth leg.

The Bomber threatened to make it more than just that by breaking the throw in the next leg, but Wade inflicted his punishment by breaking straight back to secure a fairly comfortable win.

Wade faces Scott Rand in Sunday afternoon’s quarter final.

Mark Webster 8 – 7 Justin Pipe

Mark Webster held his nerve to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against number one seed Justin Pipe.

Webster, seemingly undeterred by his opponent’s unusually slow style, won a nail-biting last leg decider and progressed into the quarter finals.

Webster suffered an early setback when Pipe broke his throw in the opening leg, but he took out 80 to break straight back.

Webster successfully returned to double ten to win the third leg before Pipe levelled things up.

The Welshman edged ahead again, holding his throw to take leg five before Pipe restored parity. It was Pipe who got the break, hitting bull to take a 4-3 lead.

Pipe then hit double 18 to open up a two leg lead for the first time, but Webster bounced back by taking out 64 to win the ninth leg.

Webster then inflicted a big blow on his opponent, a former boxer, by hitting eight perfect darts against the throw. He just missed out on a stunning nine dart finish, but cleaned up to level the score.

The world number six hit double top to win the next leg, but was unlucky to bust his score by hitting the wrong double when going for a break of throw before Pipe took out 101 to square the score at six all.

Webster missed four darts at double six allowing Pipe to break and leave himself throwing for the match.

Pipe then missed four darts at doubles and Webster duly punished him, hitting double five with the last dart in his hand.

In a tense last leg, Pipe missed two more darts for the match and Webster took out 60 to ensure that it was the Spider who claimed eight legs.

Webster will face Dave Chisnall in the quarter finals on Sunday afternoon.