Job done!
Now it’s onto the serious business and the Premier League semi-finals for Adrian Lewis after he claimed the point he needed in a thriller against Gary Anderson.
And it is an all Unicorn semi-final line-up at Wembley as Lewis takes on Phil Taylor, while Anderson faces Raymond van Barneveld.
Taylor rounded off the league stage with a 13th straight win – demolishing Simon Whitlock 8-3.
But what a match between Lewis and Anderson….they always seem to produce crackers and this was no exception at the Metro Arena in Newcastle!
The World Champion meant business as he chased down that semi-final spot….the crucial break came in the fourth leg after Anderson missed six darts at doubles and when he raced into a 5-2 lead, it looked like there was no way back for the Scot.
But what a comeback from Anderson….some sensational darts, as he reeled off five consecutive legs, including a 10 darter and an 11 dart leg and from that position, he really should have won the match.
He was on a roll, but double-trouble got him in the end, as he missed three darts to win the match 8-5….Lewis stepped in to hold his throw and then produced his best leg of the match to get the precious draw…yet another 180 and an 11 darter and it was 7-7.
“There was a bit of pressure,” Lewis said. “But I did what I needed to do and that’s all that matters. It should be a cracking semi-final!”
Lewis, who is a big Stoke fan, is now hoping for a Wembley double. “It would be a big shock if we can beat Man City in the FA Cup Final and I guess it would be a shock if I beat Phil. But I have done it before and there is no reason why I can’t do it again!”
Anderson took his tally of 180s to 68…..a Premier League record!
“I perhaps should have won, but was pleased with the way I battled. I owe Barney in the semi-finals and I will be ready for Wembley,” he said.
Taylor averaged 101 in his comfortable win over Whitlock…..nothing spectacular needed but 13 wins out of 14 tells you that he is the man to beat at Wembley.
And he can’t wait for the semi-final against Lewis!
“There will be a bit of an edge….he is the World Champion, I’m an ex-World Champion. He beat me at the O2 on the opening night of the Premier League. There is a lot to play for – the title, the money and bragging rights! It will be a fantastic match,” said Taylor.
The match itself was over as a contest as Taylor raced into a 7-1 lead….the Aussie did manage to pull back two legs, but it was never going to be enough.
Taylor hit four 180s and a typical Taylor finish…..95 on the bull. But at the moment, you have to say it is difficult to see past another Taylor Premier League title, but we shall see!
So Barney heads into his semi-final showdown with Anderson on the back of another victory, but he was far from impressed with his performance.
The Dutchman beat Mark Webster 8-4 to pip Anderson for second spot ahead of the play-offs.
“I will have to play a lot better than that at Wembley,” admitted Barneveld. “My finishing wasn’t up to scratch, but I have beaten Gary twice in the Premier League, so I know what I need to do!”
The result was never really in doubt, despite the Welshman taking out 109 to win the first leg after two missed Barney doubles.
Barney replied with a 107 and then 82 and despite not firing on all cylinders, he didn’t have to move out of second gear.
From 4-2 at the break, he seized control with a couple of maximums and won it on D5 with his sixth match dart.
In the end, James Wade was just one win shy of the play-offs, but he gave it a real go in the second half of this year’s Premier League, with only one defeat (to Taylor) in his final six matches.
And he was impressive again – a convincing 8-4 winner against Terry Jenkins – a result which means ‘The Bull’ finishes in 7th spot after winning only three of his 14 games.
But there was no stopping Wade in the all Unicorn clash…..from the moment he raced into a 4-1 lead, there was no coming back for an out-of-sorts Jenkins, who missed a stack of doubles.
Wade averaged 94 to Jenkins’ 89 and there were four 180s for ‘The Machine’ including two in the opening leg!
He followed that up with a brilliant 170 check-out (his second of the 2011 PL) and next came finishes of 142 and 104 as he opened up a 5-2 advantage….it was impressive stuff!
Jenkins managed to pull a couple of legs back, but Wade was well worth his win.
“It is disappointing to miss out on the play-offs, but I left myself too much to do after a poor start. My game is starting to come good again though, and I can look forward to the UK Open in Bolton in a more confident frame of mind,” Wade said.
Newcastle week 14 results:
James Wade 8-4 Terry Jenkins
Mark Webster 4-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 7-7 Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor 8-3 Simon Whitlock
Final league table:
1 – Phil Taylor 26pts
2 – Raymond van Barneveld 18pts
3 – Gary Anderson 17pts
4 – Adrian Lewis 14pts
5 – James Wade 13pts (£32,500 prize money)
6 – Simon Whitlock 11pts (£30,000)
7 – Terry Jenkins 8pts (£27,500)
8 – Mark Webster 5pts (£25,000)
Semi-Finals at Wembley (May 19):
Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson
Phil Taylor v Adrian Lewis
By STUART PYKE
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC