Новости Unicorn

Both looked in scintillating form as they booked places in the quarter-finals, where ‘The Power’ will take on his old adversary Dennis Priestley, while Barney must face Andrew Hamilton – who beat the Dutch star in the World Matchplay qualifiers just three weeks ago.

Unicorn star John Part – who is looking something like again – will start Friday’s play against Terry Jenkins and Chris Mason takes on Wes Newton.

Taylor fired out a warning that he is in no mood to give up his Desert Classic crown with a demolition job on Andy Jenkins. The World number six raised his game but had no answer to the latest Power surge. Unicorn’s 13 times World Champion blitzed the board, with seven 180s and an average of 104. Jenkins won just one leg in the match.

It was good to see Part producing the goods again on the big stage, as the Canadian celebrated his 40th birthday with a 3 sets to nil victory over Roland Scholten. He won all three sets 3-2 but the finishing was the big difference, as Part gained some revenge for his defeat to Scholten in the 2004 UK Open Final.

Essex youngster Steven Smith pushed Barney all the way and the 3-0 scoreline only tells half the story. Barneveld was forced to pull out all the stops, with three ton plus finishes and an end average of 102. Smith is hoping his performance in Vegas this week will help to land him a sponsor, so he can play the circuit. On this evidence, he certainly has the talent.

Chris Mason displayed a touch of flair and maturity, as he outplayed 65-year-old Irishman John Magowan and Wes Newton was too consistent for Mick McGowan. This year’s UK Open finalist Barrie Bates couldn’t handle Terry Jenkins, as temperatures soared at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.

The quarter-finalists are now guaranteed £3,500 and 16 world ranking points but it is the big prize they are all chasing on Sunday night.

Taylor remains the favourite but he will no doubt be thinking back to last July in Blackpool, when Priestley so nearly beat him at the World Matchplay. The Power prevailed 15 legs to 13. It could be quite a contest in Vegas. Priestley accounted for Unicorn’s Peter Manley in the 2nd round on Thursday. ‘One Dart’ failing to finish and ‘The Menace’ cashed in on countless Manley missed doubles.

2nd Round results (sets):

Peter Manley 1-3 Dennis Priestley
John Part 3-0 Roland Scholten
Phil Taylor 3-0 Andy Jenkins
Raymond Van Barneveld 3-0 Steven Smith
John Magowan 0-3 Chris Mason
Mick McGowan 1-3 Wes Newton
Barrie Bates 1-3 Terry Jenkins
Matt Clark 0-3 Andrew Hamilton

Quarter-final draw and order of play:

Terry Jenkins v John Part
Andrew Hamilton v Raymond Van Barneveld
Phil Taylor v Dennis Priestley
Chris Mason v Wes Newton

BY STUART PYKE