SIMON WHITLOCK 8 – 4 JAMES WADE
Simon Whitlock went top of the McCoy’s Premier League table after producing a strong performance to beat world number three James Wade.
‘The Wizard’ won all of the first seven legs before Wade launched a mini-revival, winning four on the spin but his charge was halted by Whitlock, who eventually won 8-4 in Aberdeen.
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Whitlock hit a 180 and then double 16 to take the first leg before checking out 90 against the throw to double his lead. ‘The Wizard’ hit another maximum before taking out 80 to open up a three nil lead after Wade had just missed the bull for a 128 finish.
The Australian broke Wade’s throw again to race four legs clear and it quickly became five when he took out 66. ‘The Machine’ hit his first maximum in the sixth leg but Whitlock responded with his third before hitting double top to increase his lead to six legs going into the break.
The world number five hit double eight to make it seven nil before Wade finally got a leg on the board. He then took out 64 to break Whitlock’s throw before hitting double ten to reduce the deficit to four legs.
Both players hit maximums in what could have been the final leg. Wade hit double ten to break the throw though, keeping the match alive. ‘The Wizard’ wrapped up the win in the next leg by hitting tops to go top of the table.
Whitlock will be looking to continue his good form in Belfast next week when he takes on Kevin Painter. Wade faces defending champion Gary Anderson.
By Chris Murphy