Day 12 darts review: Taylor crashes out, Wright outlasts Chisnall
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 30, 2015
Day 12 evening session reaction
- Wright edged Chisnall in a see-saw epic where both deserved to go through
- Norris came through match against Webster with relative ease
- Klaasen faces Chuck next after edging 16-time champ Taylor
Fans witness yet another night of darting delight
Just like the incredible night before, day 12 saw a session that boasted multiple world champions and top quality stars, but the best of them all Phil Taylor joined world number one Michael van Gerwen in crashing out after losing a thriller with Jelle Klaasen.
However, it was the session opener, between Peter Wright and Dave Chisnall, that will go down in the archives as one of the best battles in history and somehow arguably even topped the extraordinary Raymond van Barneveld v Mighty Mike match the previous evening.
In the other fixture on the night, two former BDO World Darts Championship finalists went head-to-head, as 2014 runner-up Alan Norris saw off 2008 champion Webster.
Peter Wright 4-3 Dave Chisnall (2-3, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 6-4)
This was one of the toughest ties to call before the evening, between perhaps two of the best players yet to win a major title, and it certainly lived up to the epic final clash the night before.
Chizzy has had the upper hand in recent meetings, but Snakebite was first to draw blood as he took out an 11-darter against the throw in the first leg, though Chisnall broke back and claimed the opening set.
Maximums Man Chizzy let Wright straight back into it after the break, as he somehow missed three darts at double 18 that all seemingly touched the wrong side of the wire, and the Scot went on to level the scores.
This see-saw battle was now in full swing, and Chisnall made sure that the pendulum swung his way in the third set as claiming it to nil too after finishing with a sensational 160 checkout.
MORE high quality arra's at the palace! Check out @ChizzyChisnall's 160. #WHDarts
https://t.co/86r9Bo5F68
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2015
Once more, the sets went on throw as Snakebite wiggled his way to two apiece, before Chizzy went one head again in the first-to-four duel.
The Englishman, and slight outsider before the clash, gained a crucial break in the sixth set, but Wright hung on to bite back and set up an enthralling decider.
This is beyond darts … thank you @davechizz and @snakebitewright #LoveTheDarts
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 30, 2015
Chisnall started off the final set with a whopping 143 checkout, and perhaps looked slightly more on the front foot throughout, despite both boasting similar outstanding stats. But once more the Scot went ahead and was even on throw for the match before Chizzy somehow broke back.
Wright’s crucial moment came in the seventh leg of the final set, taking out a thrilling 124 checkout, and although there was drama and breaks by both again he eventually held on to end a remarkable showdown.
WHAT A MATCH! We are being totally spoilt this year! Wright beats Chisnall! LIVE on Sky Sports Darts #LoveTheDarts https://t.co/aZ39FvcFzu
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 30, 2015
In the end there had to be a winner, and these two really could have gone on all night, with both having numerous chances to go through. Double world champ Adrian Lewis now stands in the way of Wright in the quarters.
Alan Norris 4-1 Mark Webster (3-2, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1)
It’s always difficult to follow an epic, and in fairness this game did underwhelm in comparison, but who can really blame the crowd and players who were no doubt worn out just watching the previous match.
Norris wouldn’t have cared, though, as this win would have finally pushed him way up the rankings after only gradually making his way up since crossing over from the BDO earlier this year.
Ally Pally debut… Pressure? What pressure! Norris into the quarters! #LoveTheDarts LIVE on Sky Sports Darts! https://t.co/ELdva1SIbU
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 30, 2015
Chuck had to grind out his first two sets, but Webster put up a fight as he ran away with the third. That didn’t bother Norris, however, and he took the last two sets to book himself with the winner of the next duel.
Phil Taylor 3-4 Jelle Klaasen (2-3, 3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-2, 2-4)
There was big pressure on 16-time world champ Taylor coming into this match against in-form 2006 BDO winner Klaasen, as critics had written him off after shaky victories over Keita Ono and Kevin Painter.
The Power as always was keen to prove to everyone that he was not yet done, and perhaps played his best darts of the tournament up to that point in the opening set, but it was The Cobra who snatched it.
A more jovial and seemingly relaxed Taylor, who would no doubt have been delighted that new nemesis Van Gerwen crashed out, replied immediately and in style by taking the next set without loss.
All-time great Taylor looked back to his best at times, but that only inspired Klaasen on and the Dutchman went on to take advantage of missed doubles by The Power to go 2-1 up. Taylor was very lucky to level the scores after the next set, though, as he nearly allowed The Cobra to capitalise again.
Klaasen took the next with ease to go one set from a famous victory, and broke early too, but The Power was not going to go down without a fight and bit straight back on his way to equalising again.
A noticeably relieved but exhausted Taylor started in style in the decider, by breaking throw with a 126 checkout (finishing on bull) and to go in front for the first time in the match.
The Power went two legs up and even had a shot to win on 20 against his throw, but knew he would be back and have the advantage in the next. But, on a night of yet more darting drama, you just couldn’t predict anything, and The Cobra did of course level up.
Klaasen shuts down The Power! LIVE on Sky Sports Darts #LoveTheDarts https://t.co/ByxzcWtaE7 https://t.co/UI3b7BS1zz
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 30, 2015
Taylor knew he would have been very lucky to win the match, and in the end couldn’t complain as he was outclassed by Klaasen despite playing some greats darts himself. What a night!
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