Unbelievably Unicorn stars Phil Taylor and Peter Manley will clash head-on in the 4th Round of the UK Open at Bolton. The draw – made by Sky Sports’ Helen Chamberlain – has thrown up some cracking ties on Saturday at The Reebok. James Wade – the number two seed – will face former UK Open Champion Roland Scholten in arguably the match of the round….and there is a mouth-watering all Team Unicorn clash between Adrian Lewis and last year’s runner-up Barrie Bates.
Defending UK Open Champion Raymond Van Barneveld starts his defence against John MaGowan, Chris Mason takes on Mervyn King and Tony Eccles plays Michael Van Gerwen in some of the other stand out ties.
The full draw follows but ON the oche………….
John Part was forced to work hard for his place in the last 64 of the event – beating Kevin Dowling 8-5. The Canadian looked to be in cruise control when he led 5-1 with a 100 average and 67 per cent check-out rate, before Dowling came storming back – enjoying his moment on the big stage.
He shocked Part by winning five of the next six legs…..the twice World Champion woke up and closed the match out 8-5. He was pleased with the run out and time to get used to the searing heat on the Reebok stage.
“The heat was draining,” he said. “It was very very hot out there. It is a great relief to survive, because Kevin played really well. But I am playing well at the moment and I enjoy this event, so let’s see what Saturday brings!”
‘The Limestone Cowboy’ was sadly riding out of the UK Open. Bob Anderson came into the event at the 3rd Round stage but was sent packing by Irishman Brendan Dolan in the last match on the main stage. The match started shortly before midnight and from 2-2, Dolan took control and raced to an 8-3 win.
There was huge disappointment for both Kirk Shepherd and Michael Barnard in the 2nd Round. Barnard was disgusted with his performance, as he lost 8-4 to one-time UK Open semi-finalist Paul Williams. The Unicorn player was 3-1 up but the Bolton man came good to end Barnard’s hopes.
For Shepherd, it was a case of what might have been. He lost a last leg thriller to American Roger Carter.
The Unicorn youngster was 2-0 up, then 4-2 in front. The 10th leg proved to be crucial, when Shepherd missed four darts for a 6-4 lead and Carter took the leg. The former American No.1 went 6-5 up, only for Shepherd to storm back with a 13-darter. The pair traded legs to take the match to the decider.
Carter threw first and missed two darts to win to give Shepherd his chance but he missed double 18 and double 9 and the American nailed double 5 to take the match 8-7.
Robbie Green won his 2nd Round clash with ease…..The Liverpudlian beating Ian Wise 8-3 and he continued his good form, with an 8-5 victory over Lionel Sams to reach Round Four and guarantee himself at least £1,000 in prize money.
Elsewhere, Dutch stars Michael Van Gerwen and Jelle Klaasen both booked their tickets into the 4th Round…..Van Gerwen, beat Andrew Coulter and Dave Ladley, while Klaasen was too good for Tony Martin.
4th Round draw (Unicorn players in capitals):
KEVIN PAINTER v Nigel Birch
BY STUART PYKE
