Cliff Lazarenko inflicted the first Betfred.com League of Legends defeat on Dave Whitcombe with a 7-4 win at the Rivermead Leisure Complex in Reading.
Whitcombe, successful in his opening three contests, had lost his 100% record in Batley two weeks earlier and was leapfrogged by Bob Anderson at the top of the table as he met with this reverse.
After the opening two legs were shared, 'Big Cliff' was the one who moved into overdrive and stormed into a 5-3 advantage.
The Kent publican pulled one back, but the Wellingborough professional took out a superb 114 checkout on double top to restore his two-leg cushion and then clinched his win on double 10.
"We both got bogged down at times but neither of us gave up," said Lazarenko. "I'm well chuffed to have ground out a result after not the greatest game.
"In the 10th leg Dave hit a 180 to leave a small shot out and then I hit the 114 finish and that was the crunch. You will have seen the way I reacted on stage and that was a little bit special.
"If we had both played well I would have taken a draw and considered it a great result. But I'm very pleased with the way it's turned out."
Cowboy conquers Deller
Bob Anderson's 7-3 victory against Keith Deller ensured each of the eight players still has a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals night at Purfleet's Circus Tavern on August 22.
The 'Limestone Cowboy' was riding high again following his 6-6 draw with Dave Whitcombe last time out in Batley which left him frustrated with the way he had played.
This time, however, the West Country professional raised his game and again demonstrated why he is the odds-on favourite with the sponsors for the title.
"What I didn't do in Batley I did tonight," said the 60-year-old from Clevedon. "I took my chances this time and that was the only difference. For the last two weeks I've been doing some real knuckle-bleeding practice on the doubles.
"Keith had chances and he missed them and you can't do that in this game. You have to kill or be killed. He certainly could have won the first leg.
"I know what you have to do to win in this game. I've been at it for 30 years and I think I showed that tonight."
Lowe on a high at last
John Lowe finally struck top form in the Betfred.com League of Legends as he recorded a crushing 7-2 triumph against Bobby George.
'Old Stoneface' had lost his first four matches and was rock bottom of the league, but salvaged his reputation with easily his best performance in the event so far.
It was a showing that would have beaten all but a handful of players in any organisation as Lowe recorded three 180s and finally found his fluency on the doubles that had eluded him before turning up in Reading.
"The difference tonight was probably pride," said the Chesterfield veteran. "I knew the only way I could keep alive my hopes in the competition was to win.
"I've been playing brilliantly in exhibitions and maybe I've been making too many excuses in the League of Legends instead of just telling myself to play the game like I know I can do.
"Bobby let me play well and I was actually a bit disappointed in the end because I thought I could play even better! I hit a few 41s and but for that my average would have been a lot higher."
Tiger edges out buoyant Bristow
Peter Evison just got the better of a revitalised Eric Bristow to win 7-5 and close in on a semi-final place.
The 'Fen Tiger' recovered from 2-0 down after Bristow showed some of the old magic, scoring two 140s in the opening leg and then checking out on 82 before Evison took out 100 to reduce his deficit.
At 3-3 Bristow gave the crowd even more to cheer by hitting a 180 and although he lost that leg and the next, there was still fight left in the 'Crafty Cockney' as he hit double 10 to make it 5-4 and another maximum in leg 11 as he stayed in it at 6-5.
But Evison scored heavier in the decider and a 64 checkout secured his success.
"Something told me it would be a hard game tonight," said the 44-year-old former World Masters champion from West Drayton. "Eric came up trumps, he played very well and that's why I had been apprehensive all day.
"You should never write Eric off, that's why he is a legend. I was always worried and he could have got a draw out of it. There was a lot of pressure on me as it's my local venue and I looked around and saw a lot of people I know.
"But in terms of qualification the job is never done until it's done. When someone tells me I've qualified then the job's done. I want to win my next two matches and if I do, I'm there."
Bristow was encouraged by his improved display and said: "I'm gutted to have lost, but I enjoyed it and played some of my best darts. I just wish I could have gone 4-2 up and really I should have."
by Jon Wilde 04/08/2008 BACK TO TOP ^ |
