The Team Unicorn duo of James Wade and Phil Taylor remain on course to meet in the World Matchplay Final for the fourth time in seven years!
Wade won a thriller against Michael van Gerwen, while Taylor won a titanic tungsten tussle against Andy Hamilton.
So, it’s Wade against Terry Jenkins in an all Unicorn semi-final, while Taylor plays Ronnie Baxter.
And Taylor’s win, combined with Adrian Lewis’ defeat to Terry Jenkins, means that ‘The Power’ will keep his World No.1 spot at the end of the tournament.
“Andy played superbly, so I had to hit him hard when I got the chance.” He said.
“I went back to my old darts,” he revealed. “Unicorn make me some brilliant darts and the Uniboffin has put me right, but I felt I perhaps need some more practice with the new ones!”
It was an amazing start in the Hamilton/Taylor clash.....five sensational legs of darts! Hamilton took the first two legs in 12 and 14 darts, thanks to a 180, 177 and 110 finish.
The only thing ‘The Hammer’ did wrong was to miss the bull for a 91 check-out and 3-0 lead.....Taylor responded and how! He took out 126 on the bull, followed by 127 on the bull, then with Hamilton waiting on D6 after a third maximum, ‘The Power’ finished 82 to hit the front.
Both players were on the very top of their games!
Taylor appeared to take control when he edged out to 7-4 with the help of two 12 darters, but crucially he missed three darts for 8-4 and Hamilton hit back, with the help of three more 180s, to take three of the next four legs and it was 8-7 in favour of ‘The Power’ with both players averaging 104 after 15 legs!
It really was relentless....top tungsten! Taylor hit a fourth maximum to break to a 10-7 lead but Hamilton struck back immediately with a 124 finish on the bull.....in fact Hamilton took his 180 tally to 10 as he kept pace with Taylor, getting himself to within a leg at 9-10.
Bit by bit though, Taylor chipped away at ‘The Hammer’ and bit by bit, he ground his Unicorn stablemate down, winning four straight legs to make it 14-9. Hamilton refused to go quietly and an incredible 12th 180, followed by a 108 check-out made it 14-10.
It was a brave effort from Andrew Hamilton, but after missing one dart at D16 for a 16-10 victory, Taylor saved the best for last – a fabulous 170 finish to win the match 16-11
For James Wade – a remarkable 6th semi-final in seven years at the Matchplay!
It was relentless from ‘The Machine’ against the young Dutchman, who was appearing in his first ‘Major’ PDC ranking quarter-final.
From two legs apiece, Wade reeled off five consecutive legs to carve out a 7-2 advantage after hitting three maximums and a 116 finish.....but he was lethal on D10, hurting Van Gerwen time and time again.
He banged in a brilliant 146 out and at one stage had hit D10 seven times in 10 attempts.....at 11-5 he was totally in charge, but back came Van Gerwen with a brilliant run of his own! It was fantastic to watch!
The Dutch star won five of the next six legs....and 88 on the bull brought him to within one leg of Wade....leg 24 was crucial because ‘Mighty Mike’ missed D6 for 12-12 and Wade took it.
He followed it with an 11 darter and refused to wilt...a 9th 180 took him to the verge of victory and a 71 finish on his favourite D10 clinched a great victory.
“Boy, that was tough,” he admitted. “He put me under the pressure but I produced it when I needed to and there is no reason why I can’t get through to the final again!”
Both players deserve a lot of credit, maintaining three figure averages over 29 legs......Wade 102.54 to Van Gerwen’s 100.56
In the afternoon session, Terry Jenkins was at his ‘bullish’ best as he saw off Adrian Lewis 16-12.....the Unicorn star hit ten 180s and never trailed in the match.
The highlight saw ‘The Bull’ hit back-to-back 301s to win consecutive legs with 180s followed by 121 check-outs on the bull.
It will be his third WMP semi-final on Saturday as he continues his quest for that illusive first ‘Major’ title.
Ronnie Baxter reached his 6th Matchplay semi-final thanks to a convincing 16-11 victory over Justin Pipe.
Friday quarter-finals:
Phil Taylor 16-11 Andy Hamilton
James Wade 16-13 Michael van Gerwen
Adrian Lewis 12-16 Terry Jenkins
Justin Pipe 11-16 Ronnie Baxter
Saturday semi-finals: (best of 33 legs)
Terry Jenkins v James Wade
Phil Taylor v Ronnie Baxter
By STUART PYKE at the World Matchplay
Photos courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC