Phil Taylor was defeated by James Wade as both progressed (Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Grand Slam of Darts: Phil Taylor reaches knockout stages despite losing to James Wade

Darts

Wed November 15, 2017 · 7y ago

Phil Taylor progressed to the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts despite losing to James Wade while Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Raymond van Barneveld and Daryl Gurney enjoyed commanding victories.

Taylor's progression into the knockout stages of his last Grand Slam of Darts before retirement was sealed before he even threw a dart, as Robbie Green suffered a surprising 5-3 defeat at the hands of already-eliminated Peter Machin of the BDO.

The Power, who survived four missed darts to beat Green on Sunday and make it two victories out of two, could therefore afford to lose his final match against James Wade, with the Machine needing a win to join him.

And that's exactly what happened as the six-time champion (9/1 for glory with Sky Bet) was well below his best, averaging just under 85 and missing 11 darts at doubles in a 5-3 defeat.

Wade, the 2016 and 2010 runner-up, was hardly in much better form himself as he only managed five of his 17 double attempts and averaged 90, so he too must improve ahead of a clash with in-form Group D winner Daryl Gurney, who thrashed Darren Webster 5-1 to maintain his perfect record.

The World Grand Prix champion's finishing has been superb so far in Wolverhampton, missing only eight attempts at doubles in his three matches, including three tonight, while he also fired in four 180s to put his latest opponent to the sword.

That heavy defeat thrust the Demolition Man into a 'Nine Dart Shoot-Out' at the end of the night with Mark Webster for the right to face Taylor in the last 16 after the latter's 5-2 loss against Danny Noppert meant the duo were tied on points and leg difference in a three-way tie for second (click here for tables).

And it was Norwich's Darren Webster who sneaked through by scoring 301 with his nine darts, throwing a treble 19 with his last to beat his namesake by just three points.

Michael van Gerwen made it three wins out of three as he averaged over 108 in a 5-2 victory over Joe Murnan, who propped up Group A without a point.

The two-time defending champion and Sky Bet's Price Boosted 4/5 tournament favourite, who had already qualified for the last 16, found himself level at 2-2 as Murnan showed early resistance including a superb 119 checkout but then kicked on in emphatic fashion to ensure he topped the group.

MVG's highlight was a stylish 135 checkout - going bullseye, treble 19, double 14 - while he ended the match with a 12-darter.

The impressive Rob Cross secured second spot with a 5-2 triumph over the BDO's Ross Montgomery, although his average of 105.76, which was boosted by three 180s and a 164 checkout, would have been even higher had it not been for nine missed attempts at doubles.

The former electrician, who missed a match dart in a thrilling 5-4 defeat to MVG on Sunday, is enjoying a stellar debut season on the PDC circuit having won four Players Championship titles while he also reached a maiden televised final at the recent European Championship.

In Group B, Gerwyn Price capitulated in a 5-1 defeat against the already-eliminated Jamie Hughes of the BDO - and the heavy scoreline meant the also crashed out before the last game of the night.

Second-placed Steve Lennon, who thrashed Hughes 5-0 on Sunday following his loss to Price 24 hours earlier, was now assured qualification for the last 16 on his event debut as his leg difference was guaranteed to be better than the Welshman regardless of his result against Raymond van Barneveld.

This is good news for followers of Chris Hammer's pre-tournament tips, with Lennon backed at 5/1 to qualify for the knockout stages.

As it turned out, Barney thrilled the crowed with a 160 checkout and averaged 98 in a comfortable 5-2 victory which means he tops the group with a perfect record and will next play Cross, with Lennon facing van Gerwen.

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