Massive night at the business end of the Lakesdie – Day 6

Gulliver keeps sights on 9th World title…

Winmau’s defending and eight-time champion Trina Gulliver booked her place in the Women’s World Final, brushing aside the potential of Irina Armstrong by 2 sets to 0, and continuing her incredible record of appearing in every Women’s Final. A strong first leg from “The Golden Girl” rattled Armstrong into action, but it was not enough as Gulliver took control, taking the next two legs without reply and move into the lead. With the first two legs of the second set going with the darts, Gulliver broke in the third leg, and then missed Double 18 for a magnificent match-winning 147 in the next, before wrapping up her win on her next return to the board. “I have got to improve my darts to retain the title this week, that was hard work” admitted Gulliver shortly after. “You never really know which Irina will turn up until you get into the match. I threw a few lazy darts and could not get into the right rhythm”.

Adams rushes into the semis…

Reigning Men’s Champion Martin Adams became the first man into the 2011 World Championships Semi-Finals, as he halted Ross Smith’s dream run at the Lakeside. Adams produced some fine darts throughout the match, but “Smudger” from Kent had his moments, in an absorbing encounter. Adams however proved merciless at the crucial times throughout: after taking the first set he broke Smith with a 101 check with Smith waiting, and then in edged the third set in taking a 3-1 lead at the break. Adams was keen to finish the game as soon as possible after the break, as finishes of 161 and a second 121 finish of the game helped him to a 4-1 lead, and he then left Smith heartbroken as he stole the match in the fifth leg of the sixth set with a 116 finish with Smith waiting to pounce. “I had a little bit of a wobble in that game and started to try too hard and my dart started wandering into the treble one, mused Adams to BBC’S Colin Murray. “Ross is a great young player with great talent. I want to do what Eric Bristow - my idol, who inspired me – did and repeat his three on a spin, which he achieved between 1984 and 1986”.

Phillips comeback sends the Lakeside barmy…

Veteran Welshman Martin Phillips produced a remarkable comeback from 3-1 down against Gary Robson to edge a thrilling ninth set tie-break – and to set up a tantalising repeat of last year’s semi-final against Martin Adams. The momentum was solely with Robson in the first half, as he produced clinical darts to punish the Welshman, Phillips relieved to take 1 set into the break courtesy of a fifth leg decider in the third set. After the break, a massive 66 finish from Phillips in the fifth leg of the fifth set meant that the comeback was on, and those sentiments were proved right as he squared things up at 3-3, and then moved one set away in the next, with Robson visibly jaded, particularly at the latter end of the legs. However, he pulled himself together to whitewash the eighth, and with legs going with the darts in the decider to force a tiebreak, Phillips was in his element as a stunning 164 finish held his throw in the fifth, and a 180 in the next ensured he wrapped up victory over the Northumberland star. “Deep down I think I can do it”, he declared.

“The match with Gary was a battle. The way he started I was struggling to keep up but I did as I always do, just plodded on. I will not give up until the game is over.”

Edwards makes it a double to set up rematch with Gulliver

Last year’s finalist Rhian Edwards made it a great night for the Welsh, whitewashing number 2 seed Deta Hedman with some inspired patches of darts. She started the match perfectly, scoring three Treble 20’s with her first three darts, but her range was lost on the doubles before finally getting off the mark. However she found her form on the doubles as she checked out the first set on a 121 on the bull. A below-par Hedman had no response in the second set as Edwards worked her way down the next three legs, to leave Deta having to come back another day. "I was very happy with that game apart from my doubles. I was definitely more relaxed”, the Glamorgan “A” player said. “I am so thrilled for Martin, myself and Welsh darts."

Tonight’s fixtures:

18.30: Stephen Bunting (Eng) v Dean Winstanley (Eng)
20.00: Jan Dekker (Neth) v Garry Thompson (Eng)
21.30: Womens Final: Trina Gulliver (Eng, 1) v Rhian Edwards (Wal)