Raymond van Barneveld electrified the Winter Gardens last night with his fifth televised nine-darter. Sunday sees round one continue with former champion James Wade entering the fray.
Andy Hamilton v Co Stompe
It was 2006 when Andy Hamilton debuted as a relative unknown in Blackpool and took out some of the biggest names in the sport in reaching the semi finals of that year’s competition. He eventually went down 17-11 to eventual winner Phil Taylor and ‘The Hammer’ will no doubt be happy with a similar showing this time out after a couple of barren years by the sea. Michael van Gerwen & Gary Anderson have ensured that the former publican has been reduced to being nothing more than a spectator in recent years with consecutive first round exits. His 2010 on tour has been more productive than most with five tour semi finals and a further two runner up spots to his name. He also produced a 101 average in a decent run at the UK Open in June despite losing out to Anderson at the quarter final stage. A general 8/13 is available about ‘The Hammer’ taking his place in round two. To do that he must take out enigmatic Dutchman Co Stompe. We never quite know what to expect from ‘The Matchstick’ – who made his Matchplay debut in 2009 with a 10-7 defeat against Adrian Lewis. He has been pulsating at Alexandra Palace for the last two years then flattered to deceive elsewhere on the box and has failed to make it past round one in the majority of his appearances since his switch from the BDO. Stompe, who took his first PDC Pro Tour title in Las Vegas three weeks ago, is 11/8 with Skybet.
Adrian Lewis v Mark Webster
Adrian Lewis has signalled his intent to challenge for major honours in 2010 as he looks to finally escape from former mentor Phil Taylor’s shadow. There are signs that he may well be getting there with no less than ten televised 100+ averages since December. He has also notched an impressive 117 180s in that period (22 matches) and is a short priced 2/7 to hit more than opponent Mark Webster tonight. ‘Jackpot’ produced one of the most memorable moments in Matchplay history three years ago in ending Raymond van Barneveld’s quest for a grand slam with a 16-14 victory at the quarter finals. The two are on course to meet again at that stage and Lewis should have few problems in moving one step closer to that scenario tonight. Mark Webster makes his Matchplay debut after a tricky 18 months on the PDC tour. Since his third place finish at January’s World Championship, Webster has struggled on the floor and has been a first round loser on seven occasions. He was also on the receiving end of a 9-6 defeat to Tony Eccles at the UK Open, and should he not improve tonight, he may well be steamrollered by one of the most exciting players in world darts. We strongly fancy ‘Jackpot’ to progress with a fair bit in hand; he’s 4/5 giving away a 2.5 start leg start.
James Wade v Andy Smith
Looking for a fourth World Matchplay final in six years, world number three James Wade arrives at the Winter Gardens with a plum draw. It’s fair to say that the 2007 Champion has not quite reached the heights of the eleven months which saw him take three major titles but he has developed the knack of getting over the line when not quite at his brilliant best. We last seen ‘The Machine’ on the box being turned over as the 1/12 favourite and averaging just 90 in his surprise UK Open quarter final defeat against Tony Ayres. In truth, Wade may not have to average much more than that in order to make the second round here as he takes on Andy Smith and is a best price 1/6 to do so. ‘The Pieman’ enters his fifth World Matchplay having fallen at the first hurdle in each of his bids so far. The latter of those saw the PDC number 27 average 95 in a 10-5 defeat to Alan Tabern – one of only two occasions that he has averaged 90 or above on the UK TV screens. His 2010 form is also below average. In 28 Pro Tour events, Smith has reached the last eight on just three occasions and is seriously up against it on stage tonight. Bearing in mind that Wade may well be back in the players room with plenty to spare, the 8/11 on under 7.5 180s may be of interest.
Alan Tabern v Wes Newton
Perhaps the tightest encounter of Sunday evening could be the last one on stage between Alan Tabern & Wes Newton. Tabern was last seen on the box in January, going down to Andy Hamilton in the Players Championship Finals which followed a classic at Alexandra Palace with Mark Dudbridge in which ‘The Saint’ narrowly lost out in. In that match, Tabern notched an impressive 11 180s and when firing is certainly not found wanting on the 60 bed. Blue Square make him 7/4 to outscore Newton, despite being as short as even money elsewhere. The St Helens man faces a struggle in defending his winnings on the PDC Order of Merit over the coming months in order to maintain his place in the world’s top 16 and one of those looking to leapfrog him is Fleetwood’s Wes Newton. Newton has been one of the leading lights of the circuit over the past twelve months with April’s Players Championship win in Wigan his second on tour. He has also been present at the last eight stage at both televised majors in 2010 and at 10/11 the pair, Newton is probably the value especially with the expected local support. In those two quarter final defeats on TV, (both played over very similar formats to that of tonight) ‘Av It’ hit just two and three 180s and given Tabern’s prowess in this area, we will be gobbling up the 7/4.
Verdict
Adrian Lewis (-2.5) to beat Mark Webster at 4/5 (Stan James)
Alan Tabern to hit more 180s than Wes Newton at 7/4 (Blue Square)
