Category: Featured
JAMES WADE 16 – 13 Michael van Gerwen
James Wade sealed his place in a sixth semi-final in seven visits to Blackpool with a 16-13 triumph over Michael van Gerwen in a high quality encounter in the Betfair World Matchplay.
Lawrence Lustig/PDC
‘The Machine’, who is chasing his eighth major title, set up a last four clash against Terry Jenkins after being pushed hard by his opponent in a match where neither player’s average dropped below 100 from the off.
“Michael fought hard there,” said Wade, who won the tournament in 2007.
“He’s back to playing some of the best darts he’s ever played but I’ve been practising hard and it is starting to show in patches.
“I’m looking forward to playing Terry tomorrow. I know that we will both just go up there and play darts and may the best man win.”
Wade started the strongest, hitting double ten to take the first leg before breaking with a brilliant 116 checkout in the second, which included his first maximum.
van Gerwen broke straight back before ‘The Machine’ reeled off five consecutive legs in business like fashion, hitting two more maximums along the way.
‘Mighty Mike’ stuck in his first 180 as he pulled it back to 7-3, only for Wade to win the next two legs, holding with a sensational 146 checkout, before another 180 helped him break the Dutchman’s throw once again.
van Gerwen managed to break back, cutting Wade’s lead to 9-4 but the world number three restored his six leg lead with a seventh succesful shot at double ten.
Former World Master van Gerwen grabbed the games’ fourth consecutive break of throw, taking out 25, to leave the second session five legs behind.
The Dutchman, who had hit a nine-darter 48 hours earlier, went off with his fourth 180 in the 16th leg but ‘The Machine’ took out another fabulous shot with 122 on the bull.
van Gerwen took out 24 and then 65 to reduce Wade’s lead to 11-7, despite the 2007 winner hitting his fifth 180.
‘Mighty Mike’ levelled up the maximum count before hitting double 16 to move within three legs of Wade with a break.
The 23-year-old won a fourth leg on the spin, hitting double five before Wade made it 12-9 with a 12 dart leg.
van Gerwen hit double 16 to peg back ‘The Machine’ again, before grabbing a seemingly crucial break of throw with a fantastic 88 outshot on the bull.
Wade ensured he kept daylight between them, taking out 72 to break straight back, before a neat 86 finish put him three legs clear at 14-11.
van Gerwen kept himself in it with a 13 darter, bere Wade’s ninth maximum helped to move him within a leg of victory.
The Dutchman held to keep the pressure on but Wade clinched his place in the semi-finals with a brilliant 71 checkout, finishing on double ten.
By Chris Murphy
JAMES WADE 13 – 4 Mark Walsh
James Wade produced a polished performance to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Betfair World Matchplay with a 13-4 victory over Mark Walsh at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
The 2007 winner and three times runner-up dominated proceedings from start finish, as he set up a mouth-watering last eight clash with Michael van Gerwen.
“It felt really good for the first ten legs,” said Wade, who averaged just shy of 100 en route to victory.
“I drifted away a bit towards the end but if there was ever a time to have bad patch, I’d rather have it at 10-1.
“I did alright tonight though and I’m looking forward to playing Michael on Friday now.
“He’s a young lad full of confidence. Good luck to him but I’ll be out to do a job again.”
Wade hit 180s in each of the first two legs, which he won, going out on five to hold his throw and 28 to break.
Walsh announced himself in the match with a 121 checkout to break back immediatley but ‘The Machine’ went up a gear and took the next eight legs consecutively, hitting brilliant finishes of 158 and 140 along the way.
Walsh pulled a leg back before Wade’s fourth maximim helped him on the way to an 11-2 lead.
Both players held throw in the next three legs to leave the world number three throwing for the match at 12-4.
He completed the job in style, hitting his fifth maximum before hitting double ten to progress into the second round.
By Chris Murphy
Enjoy at night at the darts in style at the VIP EXPERIENCE,Tonbridge Oct 20.
JAMES WADE 10 – 5 Richie Burnett
James Wade progressed into the second round of the Betfair World Matchplay with a convincing victory over Richie Burnett.
Lawrence Lustig/PDC
The 2007 champion, who has reached four finals in six attempts at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, saw off the in-form Welshman 10-5 with a solid display.
“I was very focused because I know how well Richie has been playing,” said Wade, who will now face Mark Walsh on Wednesday.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have thought about that because I know what I can do, but I love the place, the tournament and the format and I’m looking forward to playing Mark in the next round.
“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and I’m sure I can do well here again.”
‘The Machine’ made a strong start, posting double top to win the first two legs, before extending his lead to 3-0 on double ten.
Burnett hit double six to pull a leg back but Wade restore his three-leg cushion when he found the same bed.
He continued to dominate proceedings after the break, hitting double top to break the Burnett throw again and take a 5-1 lead.
The world number three won the seventh leg on double ten, before hitting double top for another break.
Wade held to go 8-1 in front before ‘The Prince of Wales’ picked up a second leg.
Burnett added a third with a break of throw, which ‘The Machine’ responded to in style, hitting his first maximum of the match before taking out 52 on double ten to return the favour and move within a leg of victory.
The pair exchanged 180’s in the the 15th leg, as Burnett took another leg against the throw before holding to make it 9-5, granting himself a stay of execution.
‘The Machine’ finished the job off though, taking out 83 on double top to book his place in round two.
By Chris Murphy
Enjoy at night at the darts in style at the VIP EXPERIENCE,Tonbridge Oct 20.
James Wade is hoping to make some more memories in the 2012 Betfair World Matchplay, as he goes in pursuit of his eighth PDC major title at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
The world number three has reached the final of the prestigious tournament four times since 2006, winning it once, and aims to build on his success in the seaside town. 
“I have some fantastic memories of the place and I love the tournament,” said Wade, the 2007 winner. “I really began to make my mark as a professional darts player in Blackpool. It was the first major I won so it is a special place for me.”
‘The Machine’ has experienced mixed fortunes so far this year. He reached the semi-finals of both the Ladbrokes World Championship and the McCoy’s Premier League before his hopes of defending his Speedy Services UK Open crown were ended in the third round last month.
But Wade, the PDC’s second most succesful player after Phil Taylor, is confident in his ability and hopes to hit top form when he faces Welshman Richie Burnett on Sunday in the first round.
He said: “I’m sure that I can do very well in this tournament and there is no reason why I can’t go all the way if I’m at the top of my game, but I have to win the first match first and foremost.
“Richie is a very good player, who has shown a bit of form recently so I am expecting a good battle but I’m used to that and I have shown time and time again that I can win these battles.
“Every game is going to be difficult. You can only take it one game at I time and confidence only comes with wins but I know that when I’m playing well, I can beat anyone.”
“I was disappointed not to go further in the UK Open, but the big tournaments come thick and fast at this time of year, and this is my chance to bounce back, and I have proved on many occasions I can do that.”
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
A Milestone for Champions
- · The Money Shop celebrates 500th store with Ronnie O’Sullivan, James Wade and Simon Whitlock
The Money Shop is preparing to give customers a sporting welcome during the opening of its 500th UK store at 215 Telford Shopping Centre, in Thetford Chase, Telford, on Tuesday June 26, 2012.
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Store staff will be joined by snooker world champion Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan and darts aces, world number three James Wade and world number six Simon Whitlock, to officially mark the opening of the financial services company’s 500th store.
The players will be at the store from 2pm where members of the public will have the chance to meet Ronnie and play against Professional Darts Corporation players Simon and James in a challenge for the chance to win a set of branded darts.
To mark the 500th store milestone, the first ten people to score a bullseye will receive a cash prize* and the highest scorer on the day will win £500.
Headed by store manager Kate Wall, the new Money Shop store will offer professional short-term financial solutions, including payday loans, pawnbroking, cash for gold, pre-paid cash cards and Western Union money transfers. The store will also offer a range of holiday money products and services including foreign exchange and holiday cash cards.
Kate said: “It’s a going to be a fantastic day with lots going on in-store and a great opportunity for our customers to meet some of the stars from the world of darts and snooker. We hope the celebrations will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about The Money Shop.”
Andrew Bryan, marketing director, UK, The Money Shop, said: “We are delighted to be opening our 500th store in Telford. Reaching 500 stores is a huge milestone for us so it is fitting that we’re celebrating with not just one but three sporting pros and we hope that it will be a fun day for everyone.
“Managing finances is important at any time, but is especially hard in the current climate. The new store in Telford will offer a range of convenient short-term financial solutions including unsecured short-term loans, cheque cashing, secured pawnbroking loans, money transfer, foreign exchange, Titanium Cashplus prepaid Mastercard, and gold buying services.”
The Money Shop is a leading member of the Consumer Finance Association, which operates to maintain high standards of responsible lending across the short-term credit industry, and is licensed and regulated by the Office of Fair Trading.
James Wade
Raymond van Barneveld
Simon Whitlock
Mark Webster
with special guest Andy Fordham
Charlton Athletic FC
The Valley
Floyd Road
London
SE7 8BL
Ticket Breakdown (Non Corporate)
VIP £60 – via www.dartshop.tv – Click HERE for tickets
- Front of house Seating
- Meet and greet with players
- VIP buffet
- Waitress service all night from 7pm at reserved tables on the floor of the arena as close to the action as you can get.
- Photo opportunity
- Souvenir Programme
Gold – £38 – Call 0871 2261 905
- Front of house Seating
- Waitress service all night from 7pm
- Programme
Silver- £28 – Call 0871 2261 905
- General Admission
- Unreserved seating
Corporate Tables Also Available – Call 08450 180 180
James Wade faces Colin Lloyd on Friday evening after booking his place in the third round of the UK Open following a high quality encounter against Stephen Bunting at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
The world number three battled hard to see off his impressive opponent in a last leg decider.
Bunting took the first leg, before Wade hit double ten to draw level.
‘The Machine’ hit double twelve to grab a break of throw but Bunting restored parity when he hit double top in leg four.
Bunting then held his throw to move within a leg of beating the defending champion.
Wade hit double top to set up a deciding leg, which he won on double ten after his opponent missed three darts at double nineteen.
By Chris Murphy
James Wade is aiming to successfully defend his Speedy Services UK Open title when the tournament, known as the ‘FA Cup of Darts’, begins on Thursday.
The world number three is bidding for a hat-trick of titles, after beating Wez Newton in the final to claim the £40,000 first prize last year.
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
“It’s a completely different challenge to the Premier League and any other major event that we do,” said the seven time major winner.
“I know people say they only take one game at a time but that’s literally all you can do because you’ve no idea who you’ll play in the next round if you get through.
“It’s not like the Premier League or, for example, the World Matchplay in that sense, but that adds to the excitement for me.
“I’m fortunate enough to have won twice in Bolton and it would be fantastic to do it again, but I know I’ll have a tough weekend ahead of me.”
Wade’s second round game will be against either former quarter-finalist Mark Lawrence or one of three amatuer qualifiers, who will battle it out in the preliminary and first rounds earlier in the evening.
“I still don’t know who I’ll be playing on Thursday night, and they’ll have played twice already so that adds to the challenge,” added Wade.
“It’s a short format, the first to four, so I’ll have to be ready because there’s no time to get settled in. I’ve just got to go out there and do a job.”
By Chris Murphy
JAMES WADE 6 – 8 Phil Taylor
James Wade produced a fantastic performance in the Play-Offs of the McCoy’s Premier League, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Phil Taylor reaching the final.
Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC
Wade gave ‘The Power’ an almighty scare, pushing his opponent all the way, but a brilliant 149 checkout against the throw in the penultimate leg of the match was effectively the difference, in a high quality affair at London’s O2.
Wade settled in quickly, as he held his throw with a twelve-dart leg, but ‘The Power’ took out 112 to level up.
‘The Machine’ edged back in front by taking out 104 in ruthless fashion, before Taylor hit double eight to restore parity.
Wade hit his first 180 in the fifth leg and Taylor responded in kind. ‘The Machine’ then narrowly missed the bullseye for a 161 checkout, but tidied up the remaining 25 to restore his lead.
The world number three grabbed a potentially crucial break of throw before the break, hitting his second maximum in the process.
Taylor broke back immediately after the interval, before holding to tie the match at four legs each.
Wade missed double 18 by no more than the width of the wire, before the world number one hit double five to break.
With Taylor leading for the first time in the match, Wade piled on the pressure by hitting another maximum against the throw, but Taylor managed to hold after both players missed darts at their double.
‘The Machine’ hammered home his fourth 180 in leg eleven, before hitting double twelve to cut the deficit to a single leg.
Wade just missed the bull again, this time for a spectacular 164 checkout, but he hit trusty double ten to grab what looked like being a vital break of throw.
Taylor took out a brilliant 149 finish on Wade’s throw to leave himself throwing for the match, before hitting double top to progress to the final.
By Chris Murphy
James Wade could be crowned as McCoy’s Premier League Champion for the second time, when the competition’s Play-Offs take place at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday evening, and ‘The Machine’ says he will be ready to face Phil Taylor in the semi-final.
Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC
Wade takes on Taylor in a repeat of the historic 2010 final, when two nine-darters from ‘The Power’ were the deciding factor in the match.
The last-four clash sees the PDC’s two most successful players go head to head, with Wade gunning for an eighth televised title on the night.
“I’ve got to win two games now but it’s not as simple as that because I’m playing Phil in the semis,” said Wade, the world number three. “Hopefully I’ll win the first one and then we’ll see what happens.
“I think it’s quite clear that Phil does something special against me and prepares perhaps even a little bit differently.
“If I can beat him in the semi-finals then hopefully I’ll have a good game in the final – but I’ve got to try and beat Phil first. I’m being positive about it and not frightened by playing him.”
15-time World Champion Taylor admitted that Wade is always one of his toughest opponents.
“Against James, you know you’re in for a good game,” ‘The Power told the PDC website. “The time I beat him in the final, I nearly hit three nine-darters and only won 10-8.
“He’s such a good player that he’s predictable and you know you’re in for a tough fight, so you might as well just relax and get on with it.”
By Chris Murphy
See James Wade in action in Grimsby on Friday 1st June / Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 2nd June
