SIMON WHITLOCK 7 – 3 Andy Hamilton
Simon Whitlock’s bid to reach the McCoy’s Premier League play-gathered momentum at Dublin’s O2, where he defeated Andy Hamilton on Thursday evening.
Whitlock claimed victory for the second consecutive week since surviving the threat of elimination from the tournament.
‘The Wizard’, who reached the final last year, moved on to ten points to boost his chances of a late surge into the top four after a 7-3 success.
“I needed to win again and it’s getting interesting now,” said Whitlock, who won a UK Open qualifier at the weekend.
“I believe one-hundred-per-cent that I can make it into the top four and that is carrying me through.
“I think I’m going to need 15 or 16 points at least and the last two wins have given me a chance of getting them.”
Whitlock bedded double four to take the opening leg but Hamilton hit back with an eleven darter.
‘The Wizard’ missed five darts at doubles, allowing ‘The Hammer’ to snatch a break of throw in the third leg but Whitlock crucially broke back immediately.
The Australian ace took 52 to edge ahead before slotting in his first maximum as he broke his opponent’s throw to move into a 4-2 lead.
He then took a fourth leg on the spin when he pinned double ten but Hamilton pulled a leg back when he found the same bed.
‘The Wizard’ made sure he wouldn’t be beaten by pinning double eight and he sealed a vital victory on double top.
Whitlock faces a double header against Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in Birmingham next Thursday.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
