Новости Unicorn

Incredibly, six of the World’s top ten players wilted in the Vegas heat, to leave the Unicorn star odds-on with the bookies to claim the crown at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

‘The Power’ handed out a tough darting lesson to his Unicorn protégé Adrian Lewis – thrashing the Stoke youngster 6 legs to nil. But Colin Lloyd and Kevin Painter were on the end of disappointing defeats.

Lloyd was humbled 6-1 by Chris Mason, as his poor run of form in major tournaments continued. The same can be said for Painter. The Unicorn contender, who of course not so long ago was one leg away from becoming World Champion, was well below par as he lost 6-4 to Andrew Hamilton.

John Part produced a gritty display to dispose of the number three seed Ronnie Baxter but the Canadian has been forced to hand back his lucky trousers! Part split his pants just before the start of the match and had to borrow a pair from Raymond Van Barneveld! He handed them back to Barney after his victory and went off to spend some of his prize money on a new pair or two!

Part’s reward is a big match with Roland Scholten in the 2nd Round. The Dutchman beat Bob Anderson – but only after the Team Unicorn veteran had missed several great opportunities. The Part/Scholten clash will bring back memories of the 2004 UK Open Final, which the Dutchman won.

Taylor will take on Andy Jenkins, while Unicorn’s 2003 Desert Classic Champion Peter Manley faces the in-form Dennis Priestley. Manley celebrates his 2nd wedding anniversary to wife Crissy on Sunday – the day of the final – and is hoping that will be a lucky omen for him in the tournament.

The other big names to crash out were Wayne Mardle and Mark Dudbridge, as the qualifiers had a field day!

1st round results:

Darin Young 2-6 Raymond Van Barneveld
Colin Lloyd 1-6 Chris Mason
Ronnie Baxter 3-6 John Part
Phil Taylor 6-0 Adrian Lewis
Peter Manley 6-4 Steve Beaton
Roland Scholten 6-4 Bob Anderson
Ray Carver 3-6 Mick McGowan
Dennis Priestley 6-2 Dennis Smith
Andy Jenkins 6-3 Andy Smith
Kevin Painter 4-6 Andy Hamilton
Wayne Mardle 3-6 Wes Newton
Mark Dudbridge 2-6 Barrie Bates
Gerry Convery 2-6 John Magowan
Brad Wethington 3-6 Matt Clark
Denis Ovens 2-6 Steven Smith
Terry Jenkins 6-1 Bill Davis

2nd Round draw and order of play (best of 5 sets, 5 legs per set)

Peter Manley v Dennis Priestley
John Part v Roland Scholten
Phil Taylor v Andy Jenkins
Raymond Van Barneveld v Steven Smith
John Magowan v Chris Mason
Mick McGowan v Wes Newton
Barrie Bates v Terry Jenkins
Matt Clark v Andy Hamilton

BY STUART PYKE