WEBSTER SINKS JAWS IN BLACKPOOL BATTLE

(from www.markwebster.tv)

MARK WEBSTER 10 – 6 Colin Lloyd

Mark Webster booked his place in the second round of the Betfair World Matchplay, triumphing 10-6 over 2005 champion Colin Lloyd at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

  The former World Champion showed plenty of fight, taking out clinical finishes at crucial times to reach the last 16, where he will meet Andy Hamilton on Thursday night.

“It was a battle tonight, but a battle that I won,”said Webster, who hit four 180′s en route to victory.

“I wasn’t pretty but it’s a win and that’s all that matters.

“Lloydy has been in form of late and that deserted him at times tonight but I managed to hold it together and hopefully that is the victory I needed.

“It’s a big confidence boost and I’ll make sure that I’m ready for another big battle in the next round.

“There is only a place between myself and Andy in the rankings, so it should be a great game, but a game I know I can win.”

All of the first four legs were won against the throw and ‘Spider’ was the first to hold after he kicked off leg five with a 180 before hitting double six.

Webster then began to pull away, taking out a brilliant 110 checkout for a break of throw before posting double ten to go 5-2 in front.

Lloyd pulled a leg back before The Welshman hit double top to restore a three leg lead, which ‘Jaws’ cut by taking out an audacious 140 finish with treble 20 and two double tops’.

Webster produced a tidy 94 checkout to move 7-4 ahead before Lloyd held after ‘Spider’ had just missed out on a 120 checkout.

The 2011 Players Championship finalist hit his fourth maximum to kick off the 13th leg, which he won in 13 darts.

He then took out a fantastic 116 checkout for another break of throw, to move within a leg of victory.

Lloyd took out 96 to stay in the match but Webster finished him off in the next leg, breaking with a 62 checkout to get the job done and move into the second round.

By Chris Murphy