SIMON WHITLOCK 10 – 1 Ronnie Baxter

Simon Whitlock produced a sensational display of darts as he demolished Ronnie Baxter with a 10-1 victory to reach the last eight of the Players Championship Finals.

‘The Wizard’ entertained a delighted crowd at Butlins, Minehead as he put on an exhibition of heavy scoring and fantastic finishing in his second round triumph on Saturday evening.

Whitlock averaged almost 110 and hit a magnificent 170 checkout as he moved into the quarter-finals.

“That’s my best performance on TV,” said Whitlock, who recently won his first PDC major title, the European Championship.

“I’d lost to Ronnie a couple of times on TV so I was very focused.

“I’ve been playing very well the last few months and been very solid so I’m feeling good and confidence is high.

“Winning the first major was massive for me and my belief.

“I’ve been putting a lot of practise in and it’s making all the difference.”

‘The Wizard’ got off the mark on double top before pegging double twelve for a break of throw.

Whitlock pinned tops for another break and his first 180 helped him race into a 4-0 lead.

Baxter pulled a leg back but the Australian brilliantly produced back to back eleven dart finishes to go 6-1 in front.

The number two seed pinned double eight to move further ahead before a fabulous 122 checkout on the bull gave him another break of throw.

‘The Wizard’ then produced a moment a pure magic with a sensational 170 checkout, which moved him within a leg of victory.

He wrapped up a wonderful win, hitting double six to set up a quarter-final tie with Gary Anderson.

By Chris Murphy

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

SIMON WHITLOCK 6 –  3 Jamie Caven

Simon Whitlock booked his place in the last 16 of the Players Championship Finals at Butlins, Minhead with a 6-3 triumph over Jamie Caven on Friday night.

The reigning European Champion won each of the last three legs to claim a deserved first round victory.

Whitlock bedded double 16 to take the first leg before hitting his first 180 in the second.

That maximum couldn’t prevent Caven from levelling up but ‘The Wizard’ pinned double ten to reclaim the lead.

The Australian ace hammered home his second maximum in leg four but was again unable to break his opponent’s throw.

Whitlock hit double ten to nudge himself into a 3-2 lead but ‘Jabba’ squared up once more.

‘The Wizard’  held again before finally breaking Caven’s throw with a neat 52 checkout.

And the number two seed sealed the win in style, taking out a fabulous 111 finish to set up a second round tie against Ronnie Baxter.

By Chris Murphy

8th December 2012

Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade
Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen
Co Stompe
Andy Jenkins
Arron Monk
Ted Hankey
Rod Harrington as VIP Host

Doors Open 6pm – Event Starts 7:30pm

Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
Clarence Parade
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO5 3ST

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·Buffet
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Includes access to the after show party!

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* Plus Booking fee

SIMON WHITLOCK 5 – 4 Kevin Painter

Simon Whitlock made it two wins out of two at the 2012 William Hill Grand Slam of Darts when ‘The Wizard’ came out on top in a close encounter with Kevin Painter on Sunday evening.

The recently crowned European Champion, who has also won the Dutch Darts Masters and two Pro Tour events in the last couple of months, triumphed 5-4 against Painter to move two points clear at the top of Group C.

“I scraped through there and I’m over the moon to win that one,” said Whitlock, who will face Dean Winstanley in his final group game on Tuesday evening.

“The last couple of months have been fantastic. I’m in good form but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

“I’m not safe yet and I’ll be going all out to win my next match.”

Whitlock pinned tops to take the opening leg, after setting it up with his first maximum.

‘The Wizard’ then took out 96 to break Painter’s throw but ‘The Artist’ hit straight back with a 103 finish.

Painter levelled up before Whitlock bedded double 15 to edge back in front, only for the reigning Players Champion to make it three legs apiece.

‘The Wizard’ hammered home his second 180 before hitting double 16 to win the seventh leg.

Painter pegged it back to 4-4 with a 116 finish to force a decider.

Whitlock, throwing first in the final leg, opened with a 180 and closed out the match, sinking double four after his opponent had missed a dart for the win.

By Chris Murphy

Book tickets to see some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Carlsberg Masters, Birmingham on Friday December 7.

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

SIMON WHITLOCK 5 – 2 James Hubbard

Simon Whitlock claimed a 5-2 victory over James Hubbard in his first group match at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.

‘The Wizard’ went came out on top in a competitive match, which saw the pair share five 180s.

“Getting a win under my belt is a great start,” said Whitlock, the European Champion, who will face Kevin Painter on Sunday evening.

“It is very important to win the first game in this tournament.

“James is a great player. I practise with him sometimes and I’m very proud of him so I’m pleased with that result.

“Kevin is always tough to play and we always have good games but hopefully I can get the better of him.”

Whitlock won the first leg, hitting double four after both players had missed attempts at doubles.

Hubbard hit back with a 180 and just missed the bull for a 121 checkout, but he found the double twelve bed to level up proceedings.

The PDC Unicorn World Youth Champion hit his second maximum before Whitlock pinned double top to move back ahead.

‘The Wizard’ hit double ten to go 3-1 in front, before his first 180 helped him increase his advantage.

Hubbard took out 93 on double sixteen to break the Australian’s throw but Whitlock’s second maximum helped him break back immediately.

Hubbard responded with his third 180 but Whitlock hit double four to take the two points.

By Chris Murphy

Book tickets to see some of the world’s top darts players in action at The Carlsberg Masters, Birmingham on Friday December 7.

Images courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC