Simon Whitlock earned a brilliant victory on night six of the McCoy’s Premier League on Thursday evening as he prevailed in a thrilling battle with James Wade in Manchester.
Whitlock triumphed 7-4 in an excellent encounter, in which both players hit three finishes of over 100, including a maximum 170 checkout from Wade.
The victory puts ‘The Wizard’ on six points from as many matches and, with two players facing relegation after week nine, he admitted that it could be of vital of importance.
“It was a brilliant match and an important win,” said the Australian thrower.
“I knew that I’d have to play great darts to beat James and it proved to be the case.
“He produced some class finishes and I had to deal with that and take some decent shots out myself.
“I felt I had to get at least a point tonight so it’s a huge win and I’ll have to play my best game again next week to beat Andy Hamilton, but that’s the Premier League for you!”
Whitlock bedded double ten to hold his throw in the opening leg before Wade levelled with the aid of his first 180.
‘The Machine’ then brought the house down with a sensational maximum finish of 170 for a break of throw.
But Whitlock responded with an audacious 100 checkout as he finished the combination with two double tops.
A fine 103 finish from Wade gave the left-hander a 3-2 lead but ‘The Wizard’ pegged tops for the fourth consecutive break of throw.
The Australian then followed his first 180 with a neat 81 checkout as he moved into a 4-3 lead with a 12 dart leg.
And another sharp finish, this time 101, put Whitlock in control.
He made it three legs on the spin and mad sure of at least a draw with an 81 checkout before kicking off the tenth leg with his second maximum.
Wade produced another sensational finish to keep the match alive, taking out 144 after Whitlock had missed three match darts.
But ‘The Wizard’ finished the job in style as he took out 120 to take the two points.
Whitlock faces Andy Hamilton in Cardiff next Thursday