A Milestone for Champions

• · The Money Shop celebrates 500^th store with Ronnie O’Sullivan, James Wade and Simon Whitlock

The Money Shop is preparing to give customers a sporting welcome during the opening of its 500^th UK store at 215 Telford Shopping Centre, in Thetford Chase, Telford, on Tuesday June 26, 2012.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Store staff will be joined by snooker world champion Ronnie “The Rocket” O’Sullivan and darts aces, world number three James Wade and world number six Simon Whitlock, to officially mark the opening of the financial services company’s 500^th store.

The players will be at the store from 2pm where members of the public will have the chance to meet Ronnie and play against Professional Darts Corporation players Simon and James in a challenge for the chance to win a set of branded darts.

To mark the 500^th store milestone, the first ten people to score a bullseye will receive a cash prize* and the highest scorer on the day will win £500.

Headed by store manager Kate Wall, the new Money Shop store will offer professional short-term financial solutions, including payday loans, pawnbroking, cash for gold, pre-paid cash cards and Western Union money transfers. The store will also offer a range of holiday money products and services including foreign exchange and holiday cash cards.

Kate said: “It’s a going to be a fantastic day with lots going on in-store and a great opportunity for our customers to meet some of the stars from the world of darts and snooker. We hope the celebrations will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about The Money Shop.”

Andrew Bryan, marketing director, UK, The Money Shop, said: “We are delighted to be opening our 500^th store in Telford. Reaching 500 stores is a huge milestone for us so it is fitting that we’re celebrating with not just one but three sporting pros and we hope that it will be a fun day for everyone.

“Managing finances is important at any time, but is especially hard in the current climate. The new store in Telford will offer a range of convenient short-term financial solutions including unsecured short-term loans, cheque cashing, secured pawnbroking loans, money transfer, foreign exchange, Titanium Cashplus prepaid Mastercard, and gold buying services.”

The Money Shop is a leading member of the Consumer Finance Association, which operates to maintain high standards of responsible lending across the short-term credit industry, and is licensed and regulated by the Office of Fair Trading.

James Wade

Raymond van Barneveld

Simon Whitlock

Mark Webster

with special guest Andy Fordham

Charlton Athletic FC

The Valley
Floyd Road
London
SE7 8BL

Ticket Breakdown (Non Corporate)

VIP £60 – via www.dartshop.tv – Click HERE for tickets

• Front of house Seating
• Meet and greet with players
• VIP buffet
• Waitress service all night from 7pm at reserved tables on the floor of the arena as close to the action as you can get.
• Photo opportunity
• Souvenir Programme

Gold – £38 – Call 0871 2261 905

• Front of house Seating
• Waitress service all night from 7pm
• Programme

Silver- £28 – Call 0871 2261 905

• General Admission
• Unreserved seating

Corporate Tables Also Available – Call 08450 180 180

SIMON WHITLOCK  9 – 5 JUSTIN PIPE

Simon Whitlock made it through to the last 16 of the Speedy Services UK Open with an impressive 9-5 success over Justin Pipe on Saturday afternoon.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’, who has made a semi-final and two finals in TV tournaments so far this year, outscored his much-fancied opponent at Bolton’s Reebok Arena.

“Justin is one of the hardest players to play,” said Whitlock, who averaged over 95. “I just did enough to win and I’m really pleased to have beaten him.

“I feel good about myself and hopefully I can get a rhythmn going. I’m here to win and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t even turn up.”

Whitlock broke the Pipe throw in the opening leg, before holding to double his lead.

Pipe held his throw before ‘The Wizard’ did the same, hitting a 124 checkout to restore his advantage.

‘The Force’ pulled it back to 3-2 before breaking back to level the match.

The ‘Wizard’ broke back immediately though, cleaning up 25 after a heavy scoring leg, before Pipe restored parity once again.

The run of breaks continued as Australian ace Whitlock edged back in front, before holding his throw to go 6-4 up.

The beared to be feared then clinched another break of throw and closed in on victory by holding.

Pipe kept his chances alive by hitting double 18, but Whitlock took out 86 to clinch victory and book his place in the last 16.

By Chris Murphy

See four of the world’s top professional darts players, including ‘The Wizard’, go head to head in the Charlton Masters on Thursday 19 July.

Simon Whitlock was denied a double comeback in the McCoy’s Premier League Play-offs, after the Australian, who hit a nine-dart finish in his semi-final triumph over Andy Hamilton, was denied victory by Phil Taylor in the final.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ came back from 4-1 down to win 8-6 in his last four clash with ‘The Hammer’, in which he produced a moment of pure magic, when he achieved the fabulous feat of a perfect leg, sending the O2 Arena’s 10,000 strong crowd into raptures.

Whitlock looked like he might produce an even more remarkable turnaround when he won five consecutive legs, to draw level with ‘The Power’ after trailing 7-2 in the final. But Taylor halted Whitlock’s charge and won the last three legs to take the coveted crown.

“It’s a bit disappointing in the end,” said Whitlock, who will now turn his attentions to next month’s UK Open in his quest for a first PDC major title.

“I had a shot to go 8-7 up but Phil deserved to win. I’ve had a fantastic Premier League season. Phil is a worthy champion.”

Taylor, who was crowned Premier League champion for the sixth time, hailed the performance of his opponent.

He said: “Simon came back at me. He’s a real fighter. I hit him has hard as I could but he kept coming back and hitting me harder. It was a very hard final to win.”

By Chris Murphy

See Simon Whitlock  in action in Grimsby on Friday 1st June / Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday 2nd June

SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 6 Andy Hamilton

Simon Whitlock hit a sensational nine-dart finish in an 8-6 victory over Andy Hamilton, as ‘The Wizard’ booked his place in the McCoy’s Premier League final and moved a step closer to clinching his first PDC major title.

Photo: Lawerence Lustig/PDC

‘The Wizard’ was one nil down when he produced a perfect leg, hitting two maximums before taking out 141 with treble 20, treble 15, double 18.

The Australian ace went on to defeat Hamilton, despite trailing his opponent 4-1 after his nine-darter.

“That was a fantastic match. Andy has had a fantastic year,” said Whitlock, who was beaten by ‘The Hammer’ in the semi-finals of the World Championship in January.

“I’m over the moon to win the match. I had to throw a nine-darter to beat him; he’s always brilliant against me.

“I’m delighted to be in the final of what has probably been the best Premier League ever.”

Having won the bull in the practice room, ‘The Wizard’ threw first, but he was broken by a neat 130 checkout from Hamilton.

‘The Hammer’ opened the next leg with the first 180 of the match, before Whitlock responded in amazing style, breaking back with his spectacular nine-darter.

Hamilton hit double 16 to edge back in front, before holding for the first time to double his lead.

The 2012 Ladbrokes World Championship finalist then made it four out of four on the doubles, as he moved three legs in front.

‘The Wizard’ slotted in his third 180 before hitting double top for a crucial break of throw, as both players went into the break with a one hundred percent record on doubles.

The Australian hit double ten to win the seventh leg, but Hamilton held his throw to go 5-3 ahead.

Whitlock punished Hamilton for missed doubles, when he hit double six to take a crucial leg, reducing the deficit to a solitary leg once again.

‘The Hammer’ restored a two-leg cushion, with another tidy finish, this time taking out 110 in three darts.

Whitlock responded by quickly closing the gap once more, hitting his fourth maximum, before finishing 84 in audacious style, going bull and double 17.

‘The Wizard’ then hit double top to grab a vital break of throw and tie the match at six legs a piece.

Hamilton had two darts to retake the lead before Whitlock stepped in to hit double nine, and take the lead for the first time in the match.

The 2010 semi-finalist ensured he would go at least one step further this time, as he took out 76 to book his place in the final.

By Chris Murphy