SIMON WHITLOCK 7 – 4 James Wade
Simon Whitlock kept his McCoy’s Premier League play-off hopes alive with a crucial victory over James Wade in Liverpool on Thursday evening.
‘The Wizard’ is threatening to complete a remarkable comeback from the jaws of relegation to potential glory after sealing his fourth win in his last five games since surviving elimination.
The Australian faces two games on the final week of league action in Newcastle next week and is confident of completing his late assault on the top four.
“I’m really happy to still be in with a chance and I believe I can do it,” said Whitlock, who hit four ton-plus finishes in the win.
“I almost went out of the tournament but since then I’ve dug in and I’m playing great darts.
“I’m starting to get the results that I think I deserve and there is no reason why I can’t sneak into the top four.”
Whitlock won the first leg in style, taking out a brilliant 130 finish on the bull to break Wade’s throw.
He then doubled his lead before Wade took out 83 to halve hit after ‘The Wizard’ had missed a dart to make it 3-0.
The Australian ace took the next leg with another fine finish, this time 126, but he missed two darts to win the fifth leg, allowing ‘The Machine’ to make it 3-2.
Whitlock produced a neat 108 finish to edge further ahead but Wade pegged double ten to reduce the deficit once more.
‘The Wizard’ took the next two legs as he took control of the match and assured himself of at least a draw. But he missed two darts to seal victory, allowing Wade to take the tenth leg before Whitlock finished with a flourish, taking out 116 to stay in semi-final contention.
The Hampshire-based star will take on Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld in Newcastle next Thursday, where a couple of wins could see him reach the play-offs for the second year running.
By Chris Murphy
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