LADBROKES.COM PDC DARTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2005

Commentary by Andy Fairclough

Another great year for the PDC World Championships sponsored this time by Ladbrokes.com at the close nit and smoky Circus Tavern in Purfleet. The 32 top ranked players were joined by sixteen qualifiers from around the world and the tournament had it all. Drama, quality darts and quite a bit of squabbling in the playing fraternity. None of this would stop "The Power" Phil Taylor from claiming an incredible 12th world championship win though this year he didn't sail through free of controversy.

A preliminary round kicked things off on Boxing Day and a chance to look at 8 international qualifiers and 8 qualifiers from the PDPA (Professional Dart Players Association). London's own Scotsman Jason Clark kicked things off with a straightforward 3-0 win over Matsunaga from Japan. The Japanese man took it to 2 legs apiece in the third set but watch out for players from Japan and China in the future as the sport grows in Asia year on year.

Chinese qualifier Tang Yun was also brushed aside 3-0 by an assured Canadian, Gerry Convery who averaged around 90 in this match. Much more was to be heard about Convery before the week was out.

Barbadian Anthony Forde ran another Canadian John Verwey close but the deciding set went to the latter. Then came fancied American Darin Young against unknown Dutchman Josephus Schenk. Darts as you are probably aware is huge in Holland but even those who follow the sport over there were scratching their heads in mystery about this qualifier. Not for much longer though. It went to a deciding set but to be fair it always looked like Schenk just had the edge. A spectacular 142 checkout near the beginning of the second set showed the potential of this young Dutchman.

Most anticipated of these preliminary matches was Mark "Top Banana" Holden against hotly tipped (by me at least) James Wade. Holden had taken almost a year out of the game due to a severe bout of dartitis (inability to release the dart) and had actually given his darts away at one point. Incredibly Holden showed the form of his life throwing to a standard only hinted at before he was hit by the ailment. Holden raced 2-0 ahead averaging an incredible 98.24 while his opponent was way back with an 81.0 average. Holden won through 3-0 averaging around 94.0 in the end and Wade (still only 21) will have to wait for another year. Holden said afterwards, "Darts has been my life for 25 years. Last year was embarrassing - so there was unfinished business for this year."

Mark Landers bear Alan Reynolds 3-2 in a disappointing match and Midlander Wayne Jones beat Australian qualifier Barry Jouannet 3-0. Andy Hamilton also proved too much for "Tommo" Mark Thomson racking up a 3-0 win.

ROUND TWO

Round two featured those ranked 25-32 in the PDC taking on those who won through the boxing day matches.

First up and Dutchman Josephus Schenk continued his impressive form (particularly on doubles) as he beat Alan Caves 3-0. Much fancied Lancastrian Wes Newton was brushed aside 3-0 by Gerry Convery who set up a mouthwatering all Canadian affair against John Part for the next round.

Mark Holden continued to look good and averaging in the 90's again as he beat Simon Whatley 3-0, while Peter Evison bounced back from a string of disappointing performances in 2004 to beat Mark Landers 3-0.

Former world champion Keith Deller started well against Wayne Jones but soon faded as Jones won 3-1. Andy Hamilton beat Mick Manning 3-0 averaging around 95.0 and Chris Mason's class was too much for Jason Clark, 3-1.

Legendary John Lowe against Canadian John Verwey went all the way to a tie-break. Verwey seemed to just hold the initiative but everytime Lowe looked finished he seemed to hit a 180. As commentator Sid Waddell said, "Like a Phoenix with asbestos wings... Lowe rises!" However the Canadian won the decider during the tie-break and booked his place in the third round.

LAST 32

The top 24 of the PDC entered the competition at the last 32 stage and a disastrous start for Alan Warriner. He forgot to pack his darts and a lengthy journey back up North to fetch them combined with virtually no sleep gave Paul Williams an easy 4-1 victory.

Mark Holden's journey back to big time darts stalled as he faced "The Heat" Denis Ovens. Holden didn't replicate his form of the first two rounds and there was barely a "boosh" in sight as Ovens swept to a 4-1 win. Impressive stuff from the underrated Ovens who averaged between 97 and 100 throughout the contest.

Mark Dudbridge had a tough time against a rejuvenated Ritchie Burnett, who at times during the past 12 months has shown glimpses of the form that took him to his World Championship win. It was a close game but a decisive 141 checkout gave Dudbridge a 3 sets to 2 lead. Though Burnett came back again to 3-3, Dudbridge again took out a big finish (136) to lead 2-0 in the deciding set. 4-4 in the end to Dudbridge who said afterwards, "I want to go at least one better than last year. The semi-finals at least. I will get there."

Was Roland Scholten against Jamie Harvey going to be a classic rematch of their epic in the Blackpool World Matchplay, where Harvey won through against the odds? Sadly not. This was a more business as usual performance from Scholten and despite Harvey taking the lead twice early doors, the Dutchman was solid and won through with consistency 4-2.

Wayne Mardle hadn't had too much success on television since his appearance in the Desert Classic final in the summer and rising star Mark Walsh would be a tough opponent. Indeed Walshie took a 2 sets to 0 lead even though he was only averaging 86.0. Mardle though found his game and showed his true talent as he came back to win 4 sets on the trot and the match 4-2.

Colin Lloyd steamrollered past Canadian John Verwey 4-1 for his place in the last 16 and to be fair John Part didn't have too much trouble disposing of his fellow countryman Gerry Convery by the same score.

One of the matches of the tournament kicked off Wednesday's play as Dave Askew played one of his best ever televised games against Chris Mason. Tightly fought at 3-3 the game was anyones. In the deciding set Mason showed flamboyance as he checked out 100 with a 20, D20, D20 to take a 2-1 lead. A 4 sets to 3 victory for Mason.

Dennis Priestley started well against Lionel Sams taking a 2-0 lead. "The Menace" faded slightly but on the day Sams had nothing in his armoury to really fight back. 4-1 to Priestley.

There had been a "hoo-hah" in the press between Andy Jenkins and Peter Evison but those in the know gave a sly nod and a wink about the supposed grudge match. Unfortunately it was little more than a practice session for Andy Jenkins in probably the most one-sided match of the tournament, 4-0.

Bob Anderson discovered Dennis Smith many years ago and coerced him onto the darts circuit. As the two friends met it was the veteran and former World Champ Anderson who found the early form going 2-0 up. Smiffy came back with a set but really Anderson's cushion was never under threat throughout the match which went 4-2 to Anderson.

Surprise of the week was undoubtedly Dutchman Josephus Schenk. Particularly as he took out the fancied Peter Manley by 4 sets to 2.

Then it was the turn of "The Power" to make his first appearance of the week and yet another whipping for Alex Roy at Taylor's hands. 4-0 to Phil Taylor with an average of over 102.

Kevin Painter had an early test against Wayne Jones with the latter taking a 2 sets to 1 lead. A disappointing performance overall from "The Artist" but he did enough to come back and win 4 sets to 2.

The "last 32" matches were wound up with Ronnie Baxter beating Terry Jenkins 4-2 and qualifier Andy Hamilton beating Steve Beaton 4-2.

LAST 16

Paul Williams may have listened to the advice of the Sky commentators who during the year were puzzled as to why he chose to throw from around 8 feet when his darts appeared to frequently drop short of the T20. Well the rejuvenated Williams was certainly playing up close to the Oche in his match against Wayne Mardle and it almost paid off with "Hawaii 501" scraping through 4-3 despite a plethora of missed doubles. Of his recent inconsistency Mardle said afterwards, "The crowd pulled me through. It's a lack of consistency. It's either 167 finishes or 3 missed darts at a double."

Denis Ovens booked his first ever quarter-final place in a World Championship courtesy of a solid 4-2 win over Roland Scholten. After a slow start with the match tied at 2 sets apiece, Ovens found some of the form he showed in his match against Mark Holden to win through 4-2. Perhaps the highlight of the match came at the end of the fourth leg in the 6th set. Ovens was on a 121 finish and with his final dart needed the bull to check out. There must have been a full 15 second pause before he released the dart - straight into the Bullseye!

A moment of Classic Sid Waddell during ( I think) Ovens/Scholten : "Taylor's shadow looms over this (tournament) like Dracula's over Transylvania!!"

Colin Lloyd against Chris Mason was always going to be a cracker and it didn't disappoint. Lloyd took the first set and a good standard was set with his 97 average to Mason's 91. The match swung round though thanks to a bout of impeccable finishing by Mason. He went 3 sets to 1 up and his checkout percentage was an incredible 81%. It didn't last unfortunately and Lloyd showed all his class to come back and win 4-3.

John Part played quite well against Mark Dudbridge but didn't deliver enough to really worry a much more on song "Flash". 4-2 to Dudbridge with an average of 96.30 (Part 91.67). Dudbridge said afterwards, "I was a lot more relaxed and focussed than in my first match. I know how to prepare now and try and stay focussed."

Phil Taylor didn't really have too much trouble with Dennis Priestley despite a competent performance by the Yorkshireman. 4-0 once again to "The Power".

Kevin Painter and Andy Jenkins was another match too close to call. Jenkins led in sets twice during the match (1-0 and 3-2) but a determined Painter carved out a 4-3 victory to face the prospect of meeting Taylor for a rerun of last year's final in the quarter-finals. "There's a thin line between winning and losing. It's first to five sets and Phil knows I'm going to give him a tough match."

Ronnie Baxter led 2-0 against Bob Anderson and it looked like he was booking his place in the quarter-finals. But under great pressure Anderson clawed the match back to win 4 sets on the trot and with them the match. "I never ever give up while there's a chance. It's not getting harder (as he gets older), I'm getting better. I'm playing better now than when I won the Embassy."

Andy Hamilton continued to impress as he put out Josephus Schenk 4-1 and he booked the last place in the quarter-finals.

QUARTER FINALS

Colin Lloyd against Wayne Mardle was a rematch from the previous year where Mardle was the victor despite a bout of 'flu. With Lloyd the reigning World Grand Prix champion and World ranked number 1, this year he was very much favourite going into the match, particularly as Mardle hadn't had a particularly good run in the second half of 2005. Lloyd came out of the traps in the 1st set with a 122 checkout and then a 164 to take the set. Mardle came back to 1-1 before Lloyd took 3 sets in a row to lead 4-1 in the first to 5 contest. Mardle clawed back to a level game and for the first time in the match he led at 3-2 in the final set with just one more leg needed. It wasn't to be and Lloyd levelled the match. Mardle then had an incredible 8 perfect darts before skimming the wire of the D18 for a missed 9 darter. Unbelievably Lloyd stole ahead yet again but Mardle never gave up and he persevered to take the tense match. Afterwards Mardle said, "I felt I deserved to win that game, even when I was 4-1 down."

How do you follow that? With "The Heat" against "Flash". Against the odds, Ovens went into a 2 sets to 1 lead before Dudbridge found his form. At 4 sets to 2 Dudbridge then seemed to be cruising but he missed a vital six darts for the match. Ovens took the set but perhaps that was the kick Dudbridge needed as in in 8th set he checked out an 11 dart leg  and a 104 finish. 5-3 and a deserved semi-final place for the Bristolian.

Phil Taylor was in no mood for Kevin Painter and during a match that was obviously hurting "The Artist", he raced to a 4-0 lead averaging a little over 96. Painter hadn't given up and he checked out a maximum 170 to take the next leg and ultimately the set. Too little too late as "The Power" took his 5th set and the match with a Bullseye finish. There were harsh words between the two as they left the stage and Taylor didn't turn up for his post match interview as the argument continued backstage.

"The Hammer" Andy Hamilton started well against Bob Anderson averaging an incredible 112.5 as he won the 1st set. This couldn't be maintained however as the vastly experienced Anderson came back to win 5-1.

SEMI-FINALS

Mark Dudbridge against Wayne Mardle was the battle of the young pretenders but it was a match that Mardle was always fighting to get back into. Dudbridge has shown that he is such a good front runner that once he has built a healthy lead that he can normally afford a few missed darts at a double and still win a match. He did it many a time in Blackpool and also in his quarter final against Denis Ovens. Dudbridge went ahead 2-0 and really Mardle never got closer than a set behind from that point. 6-4 to Dudbridge and his second televised final in a year.

Despite some impressive scoring from Bob Anderson he couldn't find those elusive doubles and Phil Taylor ultimately cruised to a 5-1 win with a low (by his standards) 93.6 average.

THE FINAL

For the second time in three televised tournaments it was Taylor and Dudbridge in the final. In Blackpool Dudbridge admitted that it was his lack of previous experience of playing Taylor that made him fall short in the match and he was determined to do better when he got his next opportunity. Do better he did. Taylor took the first set before some crisp finishing from Dudbridge gave him a 2-1 lead. Taylor took the next two and then Dudbridge levelled the game at 3-3. Taylor stayed rock steady at around a 97.5 average and this was enough to take the next 3 sets and effectively put Dudbridge right up against the wall. All credit to "Flash" for digging in and taking the next set. In the 11th set Dudbridge had the throw but Taylor broke and took the 1st leg. Dudbridge broke straight back  but Taylor broke again with a 104 checkout. That was the impetus needed and the match followed 7-4 to Taylor and with it an incredible 12th World Title. Taylor continues to set unearthly records in Darts which probably will never be broken while Dudbridge got the reward of a place in Sky Sports newest tournament - The Premier Darts League. But that's another story...

text copyright to Andy Fairclough/Superstars of Darts

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