A first ever World Championship semi-final for Terry Jenkins and a case of so near, but yet so far for Wes Newton, while Adrian Lewis looked in prime form, as he demolished Vincent van der Voort.
The all Unicorn showdown between Newton and Jenkins turned into an Ally Pally classic, but the Fleetwood star will be kicking himself all the way home for not reaching the semi-finals.
He had an amazing chance and in the end two deciding legs in sets four and five were the big difference between the two….Wes missed 15 darts in all to win those sets and take command of the quarter-final. ‘The Bull’ pinched them and they were crucial, crucial moments!
An hour-and-three-quarters of darting drama, which so nearly ended in a tie-break!
It was that close.
Wes was devastated afterwards and in stark contrast, Jenkins was elated.
“Those two deciding legs were massive,” he said. “They could have gone either way and I know how Wes is feeling, because I have been there.”
Jenkins added: “I knew it was going to be tough, so I was prepared for the match to go all the way.”
Jenkins is always mentioned for being the bridesmaid of darts – having lost seven ‘Major’ Finals!
“I definitely don’t get the credit I deserve, but that drives me on. I know if I can just win one, then I will win more! The World Championship would be the perfect place to start!”
There were no hints about the drama to come when Jenkins won the opening set in three legs and Newton replied in kind in the second….in fact Newton won six legs out of seven to take a 2-1 lead in sets!
The only leg for Jenkins came courtesy of a terrific 158 check-out, but Newton replied with a 12 darter and won the third set, taking out 124. At his stage, he looked to be in control.
Then came half-an-hour of pure theatre….the fourth set was a huge turning point. Newton missed NINE darts for a 3 sets to 1 advantage and Jenkins, who missed six of his own, finally pinched it on D5.
But that’s only half the story, because exactly the same thing happened in the next set!
This time it was Jenkins turn to miss nine darts for the set! Newton missed six more, before ‘The Bull’ won it on D10.
Fair play to Newton, who raced through the next set without reply and it was three apiece. It was a real nail-biter now and you could possibly forgive Jenkins for thinking he may have blown it in set seven….he missed three darts to win it in another decider and D10 from Newton edged him back in front.
We then saw Terry Jenkins’ first ever 170 finish on TV and what a time to do it! It helped him break the Newton throw and level the match again after eight fantastic sets.
So, it all came down to one set of darts….Jenkins went two legs clear but credit again to Newton for fighting back after the Ledbury man had missed one dart at ‘tops’ for the match.
‘The Warrior’ was a battler! He broke the Jenkins throw but more double trouble cost him to take the match into a tie-break. He missed three more at D20 and Jenkins didn’t and he was celebrating his semi-final spot!
Lewis looked in irresistible form against the conqueror of Simon Whitlock, hitting 13x180s and averaging just about 100!
The Unicorn star, who has surely secured himself a Premier league spot with this display, will now face either Taylor or Webster in the semi-finals.
“I still think you haven’t seen the best of Adrian Lewis yet!” he said. “I haven’t got out of second or third gear yet but I know I will have to in the semi-finals.”
“But overall, I have to be thrilled,” he added.
He was two sets in front in less than 15 minutes – winning both sets on D18….Van der Voort was enduring a nightmare on his finishing. He had chances but hit only twice from 21 attempts at that stage in the game.
By the end of the third set, Lewis had nailed seven 180s but a courageous 80 check-out won it in a deciding leg for the Dutchman.
Lewis raced to a 3-1 lead, winning the next in 11, 12 and 13, including a 108 finish! And he made it 4-1 soon after with an 87 check-out….Van der Voort managed to win the next set, but there was no stopping the Unicorn man.
A 13thx180, a 14 darter on D8 and it was job done! Is this the year that Lewis will finally fulfil his huge potential? We shall see!
But a first ever World Championship semi-final was no more than Lewis deserved.
Quarter-Final results:
Wes Newton 4-5 Terry Jenkins
Adrian Lewis 5-2 Vincent van der Voort
On New Year’s Day night, two massive matches…..Barney takes on Gary Anderson, while Phil Taylor faces Mark Webster.
There’ll be news on both those quarter-finals right here on the Unicorn website.
By STUART PYKE at the Alexandra Palace
Photos coutesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC