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PAUL NICHOLSON 5-4 GARY
ANDERSON
AUSTRALIAN Paul Nicholson won an enthralling encounter against last year's
semi-finalist Gary Anderson at the Wolverhampton Civic.
Nicholson, making his first TV appearance made a flying start, hitting a maximum
with his first three darts and following that with a 140 checkout to take the
lead.
He led the match 4-2 before Anderson pegged back to force a final leg before the
Australian came through.
He doubled his lead but the Scotsman quickly hit back to level the match at 2-2,
hitting a 170 checkout in the fourth leg.
In the fifth leg Anderson allowed Nicholson to regain the lead after he missed
six darts at doubles.
Nicholson then restored his two leg advantage hitting his second maximum of the
game in the process.
Anderson won the seventh leg with a 71 finish and he then levelled at 4-4 after
Nicholson missed five opportunities to win the match.
In the deciding-leg Anderson had the throw but Nicholson grabbed the advantage
when he hit two 140s.
But as the tension grew Anderson clawed his way back and had a dart at double
sixteen for victory. But he was unable to convert and Nicholson landed double
ten to record a famous win.
DARRYL FITTON 5-2 PAUL NICHOLSON
DARRYL FITTON powered past Paul Nicholson 5-2 to put one foot into the second
round of the PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts.
Fitton's second successive win in the event means he needs only to avoid defeat
to Gary Anderson on Tuesday night to ensure his last 16 place.
The Stockport star averaged 97 in an impressive display, hitting five 180s and
missing only two darts at a double in the seven legs.
Nicholson had opened with a victory over Anderson, and shared a tight first four
legs before Fitton pulled clear for the win.
The Australian number one had his chance in leg three, but missed two darts for
a 2-1 lead before Fitton took out double four.
Fitton landed a 180 in the fourth, but a superb 103 checkout saw Nicholson level
- only to see it bettered by a 117 finish from the Englishman.
Double 12 saw Fitton break throw, and a sensational 11-darter ensured his
victory, with scores of 180, 140 and 135 followed by double 18.
"I'm very pleased with the win but I was a little erratic," said Fitton. "I was
hitting the 180s and my finishes but need to polish up my scoring in between."
Nicholson added: "I think I played better than my first game but Darryl was far
too good.
"I have to defeat Kevin Painter in my last game and I'm a big admirer of his.
He's a heavy scorer and I know I'll have to take my chances."
KEVIN PAINTER 5-4 PAUL NICHOLSON
KEVIN PAINTER ended his PartyPoker.com Grand Slam of Darts campaign with a
final-leg win over Paul Nicholson.
Painter had only pride to play for in his final league game, and came from 3-1
down to claim victory over the Australian number one.
Nicholson started superbly, with legs of 15, 15 and 14 darts helping him into a
3-1 cushion before a 12-darter from Painter kick-started his challenge.
Misses at double top and ten from Nicholson in the sixth allowed Painter to
level with a two-dart 78 finish, only for a missed double top to cost him the
seventh.
Painter took a 12-darter for the eighth to send the match into a decider, with
two misses at double 16 giving Nicholson a chance.
But the English-born Australian missed at the same bed, and double eight gave
Painter the win.
"I played well for the first time this week and though it's good to finish with
a win, I'm disappointed to be out.
"The first game against Darryl Fitton cost me and in a way I regret changing my
darts before that game to try a new set, which back-fired.
"Paul has played some great darts and it's a shame for him that he won't go
through."
Nicholson needed to win 5-0 to force a nine-dart shoot-out with Gary Anderson,
and admitted: "It was hard to keep my focus after Kevin won a leg.
"I wanted to go through but wasn't good enough and Kevin deserved the win. I can
look forward to playing in the PDC World Championship now next month."
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