Darts: Jenkins denied by unfancied Mardle

WAYNE Mardle silenced a partisan Edinburgh crowd with a stunning 160 check-out to grab a 7-7 draw with Ledbury’s Terry Jenkins in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts.

Mardle claimed his first point of the season with a dramatic fightback after finding himself playing both Jenkins and the Scottish crowd.

Mardle had knocked out Scotland’s Robert Thornton in the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship six weeks ago and found himself in the unusual position of Jenkins being the crowd favourite.

The 2007 Premier League runner-up looked set to condemn Mardle to a second successive loss, only for a 160 check-out in the deciding leg to grab him a point.

"I got the better of Robert in the World Championship but the crowd got their own back tonight!" said Mardle.

"It’s unusual and I didn’t react well at the start. When it was nip and tuck I was OK and to get a point at this stage is great because I usually lose my first four games!"

Jenkins punished a slow start from Mardle to take the first leg, only for Mardle to take out finishes of 88 and 89, on the bullseye, to move 2-1 up.

Jenkins won the next three, including a 14-darter against the throw, to move clear at 4-2 before Mardle, aided by legs of 14 and 13 darts of his own after hitting two maximums, pulled back level.

A fourth 180 of the game from Jenkins helped him to a 13-darter in taking a 6-5 lead, only for Mardle to take out 107 to break back.

Double top in the penultimate leg gave Jenkins a 7-6 lead but he missed two darts for victory on double 18 in the decider - allowing Mardle back in to power home his 160 finish.

Story By: Worcester News