PAINTER SEES OFF LEWIS AS WRIGHT, PIPE & DOLAN CLAIM BETVICTOR WORLD DARTS MATCHPLAY WINS
KEVIN PAINTER held off BetVictor World Matchplay debutant Jamie Lewis with a 10-7 first round win on Sunday afternoon, as Justin Pipe, Peter Wright and Brendan Dolan joined him in picking up victories at the Winter Gardens.
Painter booked his place in the second round against Simon Whitlock on Tuesday with a strong display against the Welsh youngster, who competed well on his first appearance in Blackpool.
Lewis took the game^s opening leg, but Painter took five of the next six - hitting a 164 checkout in the process - as he took command of the contest.
The 21-year-old, who reached the final of the recent Gibraltar Darts Trophy to qualify for the World Matchplay, pulled back to trail just 6-5 at one stage, taking out a nerveless 104 for a 12-darter in one leg, but Painter landed a fifth 180 of the game as he sealed victory.
"I^m pleased to get through," said Painter. "I expected Jamie to play well and he did, and a couple of times I felt like I had him and he crept back and won a couple of legs, and he made me work hard for it.
"It^s great experience for him and it shows the standard of the young lads coming through - I^m 46 now and he^s the standard we^ve got to put up with!
"It will be good to be back in the next round and I^d love to stay here all week. I^ve been playing okay this year and I^m looking forward to playing Simon Whitlock."
World number nine Justin Pipe progressed to a second round clash with Raymond van Barneveld by defeating Mark Webster 10-4, as the Welshman limped throughout the game after tearing ankle ligaments recently playing five-a-side football.
Webster took out 101 as he led 2-0 and the left-hander was also 3-2 up before Pipe won eight of the next nine legs to sweep to victory with an impressive average of 99.24.
"Mark gave it his all and showed because he played really well and showed that for all the talk of his ankle injury, you throw with your hands not your feet!" said Pipe. "Rather than feel sorry for him, I had to go up there and do a job.
"There^s no friends up there and your fighting for your family, and I took advantage. I^m hitting a lovely bit of form again and I can move on prepare for playing Raymond van Barneveld.
"It would be great to beat him and reach another quarter-final in the World Matchplay, but it^s going to be tough."
Kim Huybrechts became the first seeded player to be knocked out of this year^s World Matchplay as he went down 10-4 to Peter Wright, a UK Open semi-finalist last month who continues to impress on the big stage.
The pair shared the game^s first six legs before Wright took two crucial breaks of throw in a four-leg burst which put him 7-3 up.
Belgian ace Huybrechts hit back in leg 11, but Wright landed a 13-darter to regain his edge and took the next two legs to progress to play either Michael van Gerwen or Colin Lloyd.
"I^m very happy with that," said Wright. "Kim^s been in great form and it was always going to be a tough game.
"Getting that first break was so important and I knew I had to break him when I did because the game could have gone all the way. I^ll have to improve in the second round because whoever I play out of Michael van Gerwen and Colin Lloyd will be tough.
"They^re both champions and I know what I^ll have to do because they^re great players."
Northern Ireland^s Brendan Dolan picked up his first World Matchplay win with a narrow 10-8 defeat of former World Champion Steve Beaton in the afternoon session^s other game.
Beaton led 3-1 and 5-2 before Dolan won five successive legs to turn the game on its head and move 7-5 up.
The Warwickshire thrower hit back to level, but crucially missed a dart at tops on the 17th leg as Dolan broke to move 9-8 up before he landed a 180 and double eight to seal victory.
"It was a very tough game and it was nip-and-tuck all the way," said Dolan. "Neither of us got into our flow or the way we wanted to play and it was a battle, so it^s nice to come through and win when you^re not at your best.
"To win like that against an experienced former World Champion like Steve Beaton can only do my confidence the world of good. There was nothing between us and I^m glad to get through it.
"Last year I came here and got beaten by Andy Hamilton in the first round, but every player comes here to win it. It^s the 32 players who are the best at the minute, but I^ve got a lot of confidence in myself and I know I^ve got a chance of winning this."
The first round continues on Sunday evening, with reigning champion Phil Taylor beginning his bid for a 14th World Matchplay title against debutant Stuart Kellett.
Number two seed Michael van Gerwen takes on 2005 champion Colin Lloyd, Mervyn King faces Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall meets Paul Nicholson.
BetVictor World Matchplay
First Round
Sunday July 21
First Round
Afternoon Session
Justin Pipe (9) 10-4 Mark Webster
Kevin Painter (12) 10-7 Jamie Lewis
Kim Huybrechts (15) 4-10 Peter Wright
Brendan Dolan (14) 10-8 Steve Beaton
Evening Session (7pm)
Mervyn King (13) v Gary Anderson
Dave Chisnall (10) v Paul Nicholson
Phil Taylor (1) v Stuart Kellett
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Colin Lloyd
Match Information
Justin Pipe v Mark Webster
0-0 - Mark Webster wins the bull and will throw first, with the Welshman playing through the pain of injured ankle ligaments suffered playing football.
0-1 - Webster lands tops to take the game^s opening leg.
0-2 - The Welsh ace opens with a 180 and takes out a 12-darter with a 101 finish to break throw.
1-2 - Pipe opens with a 180, and although he misses double 14 for a 121 finish, he returns to land double seven.
2-2 - Pipe wires tops for a 160 checkout, but again returns to win the leg, hitting tops.
2-3 - Pipe lands a 180, but Webster regains the lead by taking out 76 on the bull.
3-3 - Pipe hits his third 180 of the game to leave 24, and double 12 sees him level.
4-3 - The number nine seed posts his fourth maximum, and finishes 68 on double 14 to move ahead for the first time.
5-3 - Webster replies with a maximum, but can only watch on as Pipe takes out 78 on double six to win a third successive leg.
6-3 - Pipe moves three legs clear by landing double 12, moving his average above 100.
7-3 - Pipe adds another maximum, before double six wins him a fifth straight leg.
8-3 - Pipe posts double three to move two legs away from the win.
9-3 - Double two sees Pipe move to the brink of victory.
9-4 - Webster opens with a 180, and when Pipe misses the bull for a 123 finish to take victory, the Welshman hits tops to win his first leg in eight and keep the match alive.
10-4 - Pipe hits his sixth 180, and finishes 80 on tops to seal the win.
Kevin Painter v Jamie Lewis
0-0 - Kevin Painter wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 - Painter misses four darts at doubles to win the opening leg, and Lewis capitalises to break throw on tops.
1-1 - Painter levels by taking out 96 on double 18.
2-1 - Painter moves ahead by hitting double 12.
2-2 - Double four sees Lewis level the game.
3-2 - Painter edges back ahead by landing double ten with his third dart.
4-2 - Lewis misses the bull to finish 127, and Painter hits the middle double to complete a superb 164 checkout as he breaks throw.
5-2 - Painter opens with a 180, and finishes 80 on tops to move three legs clear.
5-3 - Painter lands another maximum, but misses two darts at double 16 and Lewis posts double eight to hit back.
6-3 - Painter hits a 180 for a third successive leg, and double three sees him regain his three-leg lead.
6-4 - Lewis replies with his first maximum of the game, and finishes double four to remain in touch with the former Players Champion.
6-5 - Lewis lands his second 180, and though Painter replies with a maximum of his own, the youngster holds his nerve with a 104 checkout to break.
7-5 - Painter breaks back by landing double four with his third dart.
8-5 - Painter pulls clear in the leg, but misses the bull to finish 170 and two further darts at double 12 and six, but after Lewis leaves himself 40, returns to land double three with his third dart to sneak the leg.
8-6 - Lewis adds his third 180 of the game, and finishes 72 on tops to stay in the hunt.
9-6 - Painter^s third dart again comes to his rescue, as he finishes tops with his final dart to move to the brink of victory.
9-7 - Lewis keeps his hopes alive by landing double eight.
10-7 - Lewis lands a 180, but Painter replies with his fifth of the game before landing double ten to seal the win.
Kim Huybrechts v Peter Wright
0-0 - Peter Wright wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 - Double 16 sees Wright take the opening leg.
1-1 - Wright misses his chance to double his lead, and Huybrechts steps in to level.
1-2 - Wright finishes 85 to move back ahead.
2-2 - Double nine sees Huybrechts hold throw to level.
2-3 - Wright finishes double eight for a 14-darter to regain his edge.
3-3 - Huybrechts again levels to deny Wright the chance to break throw.
3-4 - Wright lands double nine with his third dart to edge back in front.
3-5 - Wright fires in his first 180 of the game, and when Huybrechts misses double top and ten, the Lowestoft ace finishes double eight to break for the first time.
3-6 - Wright lands double eight once more to move three legs clear.
3-7 - Wright misses double 18 and double eight, but Huybrechts is unable to land tops and the UK Open semi-finalist finishes double four to move four legs clear with another break.
4-7 - Huybrechts wins his first leg in five by taking out 62 on double 16.
4-8 - The Belgian misses tops and Wright, who opened the leg with a 180, hits the same bed to regain his four-leg lead.
4-9 - Huybrechts hits his first 180 of the game and then hits three treble 18s to leave 16 - but misses two darts at double eight and one at double four to allow Wright in on double five to move to the brink of victory.
4-10 - Wright completes a fine win by taking out tops for a 13-darter.
Brendan Dolan v Steve Beaton
0-0 - Steve Beaton wins the bull and throws first.
1-0 - Dolan breaks throw in the opening leg by taking out 112.
1-1 - Beaton hits back immediately by finishing 118.
1-2 - Dolan misses three darts to win the leg - across two visits - and Beaton returns to hit double eight.
1-3 - Beaton breaks again by finishing 76 on double 18.
2-3 - Dolan hits back with a second break of throw, taking out 72 on tops.
2-4 - Beaton breaks throw for a third time in the game, hitting double 16 at the first time of asking.
2-5 - Beaton hits double top to move three legs clear of the former World Grand Prix finalist.
3-5 - Double 16 sees Dolan hit back.
4-5 - Beaton misses the bull for a 124 finish, and Dolan returns to land double four to take out 61.
5-5 - Dolan levels the game by winning a third successive leg, landing double 16.
6-5 - Dolan regains the lead by taking out 88 on double 14.
7-5 - Dolan hits the game^s first 180, and lands double eight with his third dart to move two legs up.
7-6 - Beaton wins his first leg in six to hit back, taking out 117 on tops.
7-7 - Beaton is first to a double, and lands double eight to level the contest with a break of throw.
8-7 - Dolan hits a 177 to leave 24, and lands double 12 to regain the lead.
8-8 - Beaton levels again by taking out 76 on tops.
9-8 - Beaton misses tops to move back ahead, and Dolan finishes 48 on double 16 to move a leg away from the win.
10-8 - Dolan lands a timely 180, and though he initially misses the bull for a 121 finish, he returns to land double eight to seal victory.
Painter booked his place in the second round against Simon Whitlock on Tuesday with a strong display against the Welsh youngster, who competed well on his first appearance in Blackpool.
Lewis took the game^s opening leg, but Painter took five of the next six - hitting a 164 checkout in the process - as he took command of the contest.
The 21-year-old, who reached the final of the recent Gibraltar Darts Trophy to qualify for the World Matchplay, pulled back to trail just 6-5 at one stage, taking out a nerveless 104 for a 12-darter in one leg, but Painter landed a fifth 180 of the game as he sealed victory.
"I^m pleased to get through," said Painter. "I expected Jamie to play well and he did, and a couple of times I felt like I had him and he crept back and won a couple of legs, and he made me work hard for it.
"It^s great experience for him and it shows the standard of the young lads coming through - I^m 46 now and he^s the standard we^ve got to put up with!
"It will be good to be back in the next round and I^d love to stay here all week. I^ve been playing okay this year and I^m looking forward to playing Simon Whitlock."
World number nine Justin Pipe progressed to a second round clash with Raymond van Barneveld by defeating Mark Webster 10-4, as the Welshman limped throughout the game after tearing ankle ligaments recently playing five-a-side football.
Webster took out 101 as he led 2-0 and the left-hander was also 3-2 up before Pipe won eight of the next nine legs to sweep to victory with an impressive average of 99.24.
"Mark gave it his all and showed because he played really well and showed that for all the talk of his ankle injury, you throw with your hands not your feet!" said Pipe. "Rather than feel sorry for him, I had to go up there and do a job.
"There^s no friends up there and your fighting for your family, and I took advantage. I^m hitting a lovely bit of form again and I can move on prepare for playing Raymond van Barneveld.
"It would be great to beat him and reach another quarter-final in the World Matchplay, but it^s going to be tough."
Kim Huybrechts became the first seeded player to be knocked out of this year^s World Matchplay as he went down 10-4 to Peter Wright, a UK Open semi-finalist last month who continues to impress on the big stage.
The pair shared the game^s first six legs before Wright took two crucial breaks of throw in a four-leg burst which put him 7-3 up.
Belgian ace Huybrechts hit back in leg 11, but Wright landed a 13-darter to regain his edge and took the next two legs to progress to play either Michael van Gerwen or Colin Lloyd.
"I^m very happy with that," said Wright. "Kim^s been in great form and it was always going to be a tough game.
"Getting that first break was so important and I knew I had to break him when I did because the game could have gone all the way. I^ll have to improve in the second round because whoever I play out of Michael van Gerwen and Colin Lloyd will be tough.
"They^re both champions and I know what I^ll have to do because they^re great players."
Northern Ireland^s Brendan Dolan picked up his first World Matchplay win with a narrow 10-8 defeat of former World Champion Steve Beaton in the afternoon session^s other game.
Beaton led 3-1 and 5-2 before Dolan won five successive legs to turn the game on its head and move 7-5 up.
The Warwickshire thrower hit back to level, but crucially missed a dart at tops on the 17th leg as Dolan broke to move 9-8 up before he landed a 180 and double eight to seal victory.
"It was a very tough game and it was nip-and-tuck all the way," said Dolan. "Neither of us got into our flow or the way we wanted to play and it was a battle, so it^s nice to come through and win when you^re not at your best.
"To win like that against an experienced former World Champion like Steve Beaton can only do my confidence the world of good. There was nothing between us and I^m glad to get through it.
"Last year I came here and got beaten by Andy Hamilton in the first round, but every player comes here to win it. It^s the 32 players who are the best at the minute, but I^ve got a lot of confidence in myself and I know I^ve got a chance of winning this."
The first round continues on Sunday evening, with reigning champion Phil Taylor beginning his bid for a 14th World Matchplay title against debutant Stuart Kellett.
Number two seed Michael van Gerwen takes on 2005 champion Colin Lloyd, Mervyn King faces Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall meets Paul Nicholson.
BetVictor World Matchplay
First Round
Sunday July 21
First Round
Afternoon Session
Justin Pipe (9) 10-4 Mark Webster
Kevin Painter (12) 10-7 Jamie Lewis
Kim Huybrechts (15) 4-10 Peter Wright
Brendan Dolan (14) 10-8 Steve Beaton
Evening Session (7pm)
Mervyn King (13) v Gary Anderson
Dave Chisnall (10) v Paul Nicholson
Phil Taylor (1) v Stuart Kellett
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Colin Lloyd
Match Information
Justin Pipe v Mark Webster
0-0 - Mark Webster wins the bull and will throw first, with the Welshman playing through the pain of injured ankle ligaments suffered playing football.
0-1 - Webster lands tops to take the game^s opening leg.
0-2 - The Welsh ace opens with a 180 and takes out a 12-darter with a 101 finish to break throw.
1-2 - Pipe opens with a 180, and although he misses double 14 for a 121 finish, he returns to land double seven.
2-2 - Pipe wires tops for a 160 checkout, but again returns to win the leg, hitting tops.
2-3 - Pipe lands a 180, but Webster regains the lead by taking out 76 on the bull.
3-3 - Pipe hits his third 180 of the game to leave 24, and double 12 sees him level.
4-3 - The number nine seed posts his fourth maximum, and finishes 68 on double 14 to move ahead for the first time.
5-3 - Webster replies with a maximum, but can only watch on as Pipe takes out 78 on double six to win a third successive leg.
6-3 - Pipe moves three legs clear by landing double 12, moving his average above 100.
7-3 - Pipe adds another maximum, before double six wins him a fifth straight leg.
8-3 - Pipe posts double three to move two legs away from the win.
9-3 - Double two sees Pipe move to the brink of victory.
9-4 - Webster opens with a 180, and when Pipe misses the bull for a 123 finish to take victory, the Welshman hits tops to win his first leg in eight and keep the match alive.
10-4 - Pipe hits his sixth 180, and finishes 80 on tops to seal the win.
Kevin Painter v Jamie Lewis
0-0 - Kevin Painter wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 - Painter misses four darts at doubles to win the opening leg, and Lewis capitalises to break throw on tops.
1-1 - Painter levels by taking out 96 on double 18.
2-1 - Painter moves ahead by hitting double 12.
2-2 - Double four sees Lewis level the game.
3-2 - Painter edges back ahead by landing double ten with his third dart.
4-2 - Lewis misses the bull to finish 127, and Painter hits the middle double to complete a superb 164 checkout as he breaks throw.
5-2 - Painter opens with a 180, and finishes 80 on tops to move three legs clear.
5-3 - Painter lands another maximum, but misses two darts at double 16 and Lewis posts double eight to hit back.
6-3 - Painter hits a 180 for a third successive leg, and double three sees him regain his three-leg lead.
6-4 - Lewis replies with his first maximum of the game, and finishes double four to remain in touch with the former Players Champion.
6-5 - Lewis lands his second 180, and though Painter replies with a maximum of his own, the youngster holds his nerve with a 104 checkout to break.
7-5 - Painter breaks back by landing double four with his third dart.
8-5 - Painter pulls clear in the leg, but misses the bull to finish 170 and two further darts at double 12 and six, but after Lewis leaves himself 40, returns to land double three with his third dart to sneak the leg.
8-6 - Lewis adds his third 180 of the game, and finishes 72 on tops to stay in the hunt.
9-6 - Painter^s third dart again comes to his rescue, as he finishes tops with his final dart to move to the brink of victory.
9-7 - Lewis keeps his hopes alive by landing double eight.
10-7 - Lewis lands a 180, but Painter replies with his fifth of the game before landing double ten to seal the win.
Kim Huybrechts v Peter Wright
0-0 - Peter Wright wins the bull and throws first.
0-1 - Double 16 sees Wright take the opening leg.
1-1 - Wright misses his chance to double his lead, and Huybrechts steps in to level.
1-2 - Wright finishes 85 to move back ahead.
2-2 - Double nine sees Huybrechts hold throw to level.
2-3 - Wright finishes double eight for a 14-darter to regain his edge.
3-3 - Huybrechts again levels to deny Wright the chance to break throw.
3-4 - Wright lands double nine with his third dart to edge back in front.
3-5 - Wright fires in his first 180 of the game, and when Huybrechts misses double top and ten, the Lowestoft ace finishes double eight to break for the first time.
3-6 - Wright lands double eight once more to move three legs clear.
3-7 - Wright misses double 18 and double eight, but Huybrechts is unable to land tops and the UK Open semi-finalist finishes double four to move four legs clear with another break.
4-7 - Huybrechts wins his first leg in five by taking out 62 on double 16.
4-8 - The Belgian misses tops and Wright, who opened the leg with a 180, hits the same bed to regain his four-leg lead.
4-9 - Huybrechts hits his first 180 of the game and then hits three treble 18s to leave 16 - but misses two darts at double eight and one at double four to allow Wright in on double five to move to the brink of victory.
4-10 - Wright completes a fine win by taking out tops for a 13-darter.
Brendan Dolan v Steve Beaton
0-0 - Steve Beaton wins the bull and throws first.
1-0 - Dolan breaks throw in the opening leg by taking out 112.
1-1 - Beaton hits back immediately by finishing 118.
1-2 - Dolan misses three darts to win the leg - across two visits - and Beaton returns to hit double eight.
1-3 - Beaton breaks again by finishing 76 on double 18.
2-3 - Dolan hits back with a second break of throw, taking out 72 on tops.
2-4 - Beaton breaks throw for a third time in the game, hitting double 16 at the first time of asking.
2-5 - Beaton hits double top to move three legs clear of the former World Grand Prix finalist.
3-5 - Double 16 sees Dolan hit back.
4-5 - Beaton misses the bull for a 124 finish, and Dolan returns to land double four to take out 61.
5-5 - Dolan levels the game by winning a third successive leg, landing double 16.
6-5 - Dolan regains the lead by taking out 88 on double 14.
7-5 - Dolan hits the game^s first 180, and lands double eight with his third dart to move two legs up.
7-6 - Beaton wins his first leg in six to hit back, taking out 117 on tops.
7-7 - Beaton is first to a double, and lands double eight to level the contest with a break of throw.
8-7 - Dolan hits a 177 to leave 24, and lands double 12 to regain the lead.
8-8 - Beaton levels again by taking out 76 on tops.
9-8 - Beaton misses tops to move back ahead, and Dolan finishes 48 on double 16 to move a leg away from the win.
10-8 - Dolan lands a timely 180, and though he initially misses the bull for a 121 finish, he returns to land double eight to seal victory.