Andy ‘The Hammer’ Hamilton put the nail in Kim Huybrechts coffin as the Belgian was dumped out of the Ladbrokes World Darts Championships at the hands of the Stoke ace.

Hamilton took an early lead and never looked in danger as he wrapped up a 5-2 win, Hamilton will now play Aussie Simon Whitlock for a place in Mondays final after his demolishion of favorite Gary Anderson 5-1

In the second quarter final James Wade took an early lead 3-1 against John Part but vital misses and inspired finishing from the 3 times former champion brought the game back to 3-3, the match reached extra-ordinary peaks and dererved to go to a tie breaker, Part left tops after 12 darts but Wade who won the bull left 85 and took out the shot in 2 Darts for a semi-final spot.

In that Semi-Final he will play the current World Champion Adrian Lewis who made hard work of Terry Jenkins, at 3-0 it all looked over but Lewis’s standard dropped and Jenkins fought back to 3-3 before Lewis moved back into gear to get to the finishing line.

Ladbrokes World Championships
Quarter-Finals
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session (2pm)
Andy Hamilton 5-2 Kim Huybrechts
John Part 4-5 James Wade (Sudden Death)

Evening Session (7.30pm)
Simon Whitlock 5-1 Gary Anderson
Adrian Lewis 5-3 Terry Jenkins
Best of nine sets

Semi-Final Line Up – Sunday 1st January 2012

Simon Whitlock v Andy Hamilton

Adrian Lewis v James Wade (Best of 11 Sets)

ANDY HAMILTON 5-2 KIM HUYBRECHTS (3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1) ANDY HAMILTON reached his second World Championship semi-final courtesy of a 5-2 victory against Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in the first quarter-final of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship. The Stoke ace produced a fine display to reach the last four, which included eleven 180s and a three-dart average over 102. Hamilton took early command by taking the first two sets before Huybrechts won the third without reply, to get back into the contest. The number 17 seed pulled away again by taking the next two sets to lead 4-1. But Huybrechts kept fighting by taking the sixth set to stay in the hunt.

However, Hamilton, who last competed in a World Championship semi-final in 2007, took the seventh set, with the aid of three maximums to end Huybrechts spirited challenge. “I played a good game again today and I still feel incredibly focused and relaxed,” said Hamilton, who will now face either Simon Whitlock or Gary Anderson, for a place in the final on January 2. “It’s been a childhood dream to win this title, and I have visions of picking it up on Monday night.” “If I keep producing the good averages that I have achieved in my previous couple of matches then I have nothing to worry about.” Hamilton, who overcame Dave Chisnall in the third round, with a two-dart 98 finish to take the first leg before Huybechts landed double three to win the second.

The Stoke ace broke Huybrechts’ throw for the second time in the set with a 100 checkout, and a 13-darter in the fourth leg, gave Hamilton the first set. Both players held throw at the start of the second set, before Huybrechts won the third leg against the darts with an 84 finish, completed on double 11. Hamilton hit back immediately with a 14-dart finish in the fourth leg, and a 180 from the 2007 World Championship semi-finalist, followed by a 67 finish, secured a two-sets lead.

Huybrechts, who defeated Paul Nicholson with a fine display, to reach this stage, won the first leg of set three after Hamilton was guilty of wasting several chances at doubles. The Belgian then hit double eight to claim the second, and took the next with the aid of two maximums to win the set and reduce the deficit to 2-1. Huybrechts took his fourth leg in a row, by converting an 84 finish, to take the first leg of the fourth set, before Hamilton hit double 10 to level.

Hamilton then hit a two-dart 80 finish, to take the third leg, and then won the set in style with a superb 122 checkout, to restore his two-sets advantage. Hamilton broke throw at the start of the fifth set by hitting double eight, after Huybrechts was off-target with a dart at bullseye, for a 167 checkout. The second leg also fell the way of the Stoke thrower before firing in two 180s in the next, followed by an 84 finish to move 4-1 ahead. Both players hit maximums in the first leg of set six, but Huybrechts won it against the darts, with a 128 checkout, and then hit double 20 to take the second.

Hamilton hit double 16 to take the third leg but Huybrechts took out 62 to win the set and reduce the deficit to 4-2. Hamilton started set seven in positive fashion, as recorded checkouts of 110 and 96 to move a leg away from victory. Huybrechts hit double top at the first time of asking to win the third, only for Hamilton to fire another maximum, before taking out an 84 finish to triumph. After the match Huybrechts said: “These last couple of weeks have been a great experience for me. It’s the biggest achievement of career to date and I am extremely happy, despite today’s loss.”

“Andy was the better player today. He’s had some tough games and deserves to go a long way in this competition. “I hope to be back on the big stages again very soon. I have new sponsors  and I be playing the whole circuit for the next two years, so I hope to improve, and who know’s, possibly go further in this event.”

 

Andy Hamilton	5-2	Kim Huybrechts
38	100+	36
15	140+	16
11	180s	4
34.01	Ave 1	30.57
102.04	Ave 3	91.72
122, 110, 100	High Finish	128
8	Legs Against Throw	5
16/35 - 46%	Finishing – %	11/24 – 46%

JAMES WADE 5-4 JOHN PART (Sudden Death) (3-0, 2-3, 3-0, 3-0, 2-3, 0-3, 2-3, 3-1, 6-5) JAMES WADE came out on top against John Part in one of the greatest games ever seen in PDC World Championship history with a 5-4 triumph in the quarter-finals. The match was a repeat of their classic quarter-final encounter back in 2008, which Part won 5-4, before going on to claim his third World title.

Wade led the match 3-1 in the early stages, taking nine of the first eleven legs of the match, to establish early control. However, Wade missed a chance to move 4-1 ahead, and the three-time World Champion threw superb darts to take the next three sets and lead 4-3. Wade won the eighth set before taking a dramatic deciding set in a sudden-death shoot-out, which was won with an 85 finish, to reach the World Championship semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

“The 85 finish was fantastic, and I’m delighted to have hit that treble 15 under pressure, to leave the opportunity at double top,” said a delighted Wade, who will now face either Adrian Lewis or Terry Jenkins. “I had a great start to the match and felt like I had established control. But before I knew it, John was 4-3 ahead and I was struggling. “But I did recover from that setback and I’m delighted to be in with a chance of becoming World Champion.”

Wade, who had dropped just one set in his previous three matches, made a quickfire start to the game by taking the first set without reply. The seven-time major champion hit double 10 at the first attempt to take the opening leg, and followed that by breaking throw in the second. Wade took the third leg to claim the set before Part managed to get off the mark at the start of set two, by landing double top to hold throw. Wade hit double top to claim the second leg, but missed two darts at the same double in the next, which Part nicked on double five.

The world number three hit an 82 finish to win the fourth leg before the Canadian ace hit a fantastic 167 checkout, to level the match. Wade won the first leg of set three on double 10 and then claimed the second against the darts, by taking out 65. The Aldershot star then produced a confident 13-dart finish, which was completed by hitting double 10, for the second time in three legs, to lead 2-1. Wade made an excellent start to the third set by taking out finishes of 108 and 140 to claim the opening two legs.

Wade continued the high standard by landing double top at the first attempt, to win his sixth leg in a row and move 3-1 ahead. Wade, who won the UK Open back in June, hit a 103 finish to take the first leg of set five, before Part landed double 10 in the next, to win his first leg in eight. Wade took out 84 to win the third leg, but missed a dart at bullseye to take the set in the next, which Part won on double 10. The deciding leg saw Part hold his nerve to convert a 97 finish, landing double top with a pressure third dart, while Wade was waiting on the same double.

The Canadian made an excellent start to the sixth set by taking the first leg and then hit a 116 checkout, capitalising two missed darts at double 10 from Wade. Part kept up the momentum by taking out 75 to win the set, and leave the match finely balanced at three sets all. The opening two legs of the seventh set where shared after both players hit double top. Wade then won the third with an 82 finish, which included a  maximum.

Part hit a 180 of his own in the process of taking the fourth leg, before a dramatic deciding set saw both players miss a dart at double for the set, before Part returned to hit tops, to lead the match for the first time. Wade made a good start to the eighth set by taking the opening two legs, which included an 81 finish in the second. Part hit double top to win the third, but the Canadian missed two darts at double 16 in the fourth, and Wade took the chance to hit double top to send the match into a deciding set.

Wade missed two darts at doubles to win the opening leg, but Part missed one chance at double 16, allowing Wade to return and hit double five. Part hit double 16 to claim the second before a tense third leg saw Part miss four chances to break throw and Wade hit double two to nick it. Part hit back-to-back maximums in the process of taking the fourth leg, before Wade hit a fantastic 124 checkout to win the fifth.

The sixth leg saw Wade agonisingly off-target with two darts to win the match, and Part kept his composure to hit double two. The Canadian secured a vital break of throw by taking out 64, only for Wade to hit-back superbly and take the eighth leg with a 108 finish. Wade fired in back-to-back 180s in a 12-darter to move a leg away from the match, but Part hit double top at the first attempt to force a sudden-death shoot-out.

Wade won the advantage of throw but consistent scoring from the Canadian saw him 40 after 12-darts thrown. However, Wade, stepped up to take out 85 in two-darts to end an enthralling contest to seal a place in the last four. “It was a great standard from both of us, said Part. “I live to play games like this and I give great credit to James for the way he played. “Without question, this is the greatest game I’ve ever lost!”

John Part	4-5	James Wade
42	100+	62
26	140+	31
9	180s	9
30.88	Ave 1	31.64
92.64	Ave 3	94.92
167, 116	High Finish	140, 124, 108×2, 103
4	Legs Against Throw	6
18/46 – 39%	Finishing – %	24/54 - 44%

GARY ANDERSON 1-5 SIMON WHITLOCK (1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0, 3-2) SIMON WHITLOCK reached the semi-finals of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship with a fine 5-1 victory against Gary Anderson. Whitlock, who came into the tournament unfancied to take the title, after coming into the event still hampered by a broken ankle, sustained at the end of October.

Anderson won the first set of the match, but twenty-nine missed darts at doubles, proved costly for the Scotsman, as Whitlock claimed the next five sets to win the match. “I’ve got belief in myself at the moment, and I’m not letting my ankle problem be a handicap to me,” said Whitlock, who is looking to play in his second World Championship final in the space of three years.

“I think Gary struggled with the pace of the game a little, because I was having take more time with my throw, because of the injury. “Andy Hamilton will be a tough opponent in the semi-finals. He playing some fantastic darts at the moment, and he seems to thrive under pressure.” Anderson hit a maximum in the process of taking the first leg of the match before Whitlock levelled, by taking the second on double top.

The Premier League Champion, who beat Colin Lloyd in the previous round, hit a 151 checkout to take the third leg and landed double five in the next, to establish an early advantage. Whitlock, who was taken to a final set by Michael van Gerwen in his last match, hit double 18 to take the opening leg of set two, and after both players traded 180s in the next, Whitlock took out a fabulous 121 checkout, on the bullseye.

Anderson broke his opponent’s throw in the third leg, by landing double top with his last dart, and then won the fourth in 13-darts. Whitlock held advantage of throw in the deciding leg and he made that count with an accurate attempt at double four, to take the set and level the match. The
start of set three saw Anderson miss five chances to win it, but Whitlock missed four of his own, allowing Anderson to return and hit
double one.

Whitlock hit double top to take the second and third also fell the way of the Aussie, and he took out 74 in two-darts, after Anderson wasted five darts at doubles. Anderson missed a dart at bullseye in the fourth leg, and Whitlock landed double eight to seal the set, and lead the match 2-1. Whitlock hit two maximums in the process of taking the first leg of the fourth set and then hit double 16 with his first dart to take the second.

Anderson broke back with a 14-dart finish to win the third, and then hit double top to win the fourth leg, before Whitlock kicked-off the fifth with a 180. That maximum pushed the 2010 runner-up to a finish first, and he hit double seven to take the set and move two-sets clear of Anderson.

Whitlock capitalised on two more missed darts at doubles from his opponent to make a winning start to the fifth set, before Anderson hit a 177 at the start of the second leg. The Scotsman was first to a finish, but a missed dart at double top was punished by Whitlock, courtesy of an 81 finish. That put the Australian in command of the set, and an accurate attempt at double 10 in the third leg, put Whitlock 4-1 ahead, and a set away from the semi-finals.

Anderson took the opening two legs of the sixth set with finishes of 68 and 76, before Whitlock hit a 14-dart finish to take the third. The fourth leg saw Anderson off-target with five chances to win the set, and Whitlock hit double two with his last dart to take it. Anderson hit a 180 in the fifth leg, but a missed dart at tops proved expensive as Whitlock landed double eight to secure the match.

 

Simon Whitlock	5-1	Gary Anderson
35	100+	30
13	140+	19
8	180s	6
31.75	Ave 1	31.10
95.24	Ave 3	93.29
121	High Finish	151
6	Legs Against Throw	4
16/38 – 42%	Finishing – %	10/39 – 26%

ADRIAN LEWIS 5-3 TERRY JENKINS (3-1, 3-1,  3-0, 1-3, 2-3, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1) ADRIAN LEWIS remains on course to defend his World Championship title after overcoming the challenge of Terry Jenkins with a 5-3 victory in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Ladbrokes World Darts Championship.

Lewis romped into a three sets lead, losing just two legs in the process. But Jenkins fought-back to take the next three sets and leave the match finely balanced. However, Lewis managed to win six of the next eight legs to win the match, and end Jenkins hopes of claiming a first major title. “I had to dig really deep to pull that off,” admitted Lewis. “I lost my way during the middle of the match, but I pulled myself together and got the job done, which I’m delighted with.”

Lewis, who now faces James Wade for a place in the final added: “James does have a very good record against me. But he has never won a World Championship and I have, so that gives me the advantage, when we face-off on Sunday.” Lewis, who enjoyed a straight-sets victory against Wayne Jones in the last 16, started the match in excellent fashion, by taking first two legs with finishes of 89 and 101.

Jenkins managed to take the third leg on double top, after Lewis missed bullseye for the set, but the Stoke star made no mistake in the next, as he recorded a 71 finish, to take the set. The second set began with Jenkins hitting double top, before Lewis left a chance of hitting a nine-dart finish, after kicking-off the second with back-to-back 180s.

Hopes of achieving that feat for the second time in successive years at Alexandra Palace where ended, when the seventh attempt at the treble 20, was off-target. Lewis managed to hit double four with his last dart to win the leg, and then won the third against the darts for a 2-1 lead. Jenkins hit a maximum in the fourth leg, but it was not enough to win the leg, as Lewis landed double 10 with his third dart, to take a two-sets lead.

The defending champion’s high standard continued into the third set as he hit a 13-dart finish to take the first leg, followed a clinical 76 finish to take the second. Lewis then hit double 18 to win the third set without reply, and then took out an 87 finish to claim his sixth leg in a row. Jenkins
stopped the rot to hit a 117 finish to win just his third leg of the match, and the Ledbury man then recorded a 124 checkout in the next.

Lewis was off-target with a dart at bullseye to take the fourth set and Jenkins managed to hit double five, to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Lewis won the opening two legs of set five, which included a 136 in the second, to break his opponent’s throw. Lewis hit a 180 in the third leg but a missed dart at double top for the set, allowed Jenkins to nick the leg, as he landed double 12.

Jenkins then hit double 15 to win the fourth leg against the darts, and he took the fifth leg by hitting double 10 to edge closer to Lewis. Jenkins made a positive start to set six by taking the first leg, after Lewis was off-target with two chances at doubles. The tenth seed hit double top at the first time of asking, to take his fifth leg in a row, and then won the set in style, with a two-dart 100 checkout to level the match.

The seventh set started in sensational fashion, as players kicked-off with 180s. Lewis managed to take it on double five, to win his first leg in seven. Jenkins won the second in 13-darts, but missed a chance to break throw in the third as he missed a dart at tops for 104 checkout. Lewis hit double 10 to win it and then hit double eight at the first attempt to take the set and lead 4-3, after Jenkins crucially missed three darts at double top.

Jenkins won the first leg of the eighth set, courtesy of accurate dart at double 10 after Lewis missed two chances for a break of throw. Lewis took the second by hitting double top with his first dart, and then won the third leg on tops again, to move a leg away from the match. Jenkins missed four chances to force a deciding leg, and Lewis made his opponent by hitting a two-dart 90 finish, to seal the match in style.

Adrian Lewis	5-3	Terry Jenkins
36	100+	34
23	140+	27
11	180s	5
30.80	Ave 1	30.73
92.41	Ave 3	92.19
136, 101	High Finish	117, 100
8	Legs Against Throw	4
	Finishing – %