WHITLOCK MAINTAINS PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS TITLE CHALLENGE

Whitlock moved up to fourth on five points as he defeated World Champion Adrian Lewis 8-4 in a heavy-scoring contest, hitting eight 180s to the Stoke star^s seven.

Lewis shared the first four legs, but saw Whitlock run away with the game by winning six of the next eight.

"It felt really good tonight, I was aggressive and I enjoyed it," said Whitlock. "I don^t get too many wins over Adrian but I took my chances, so it^s a fantastic win."

Match Report

SIMON WHITLOCK 8-4 ADRIAN LEWIS
SIMON WHITLOCK picked up his second victory of the McCoy^s Premier League Darts season with an 8-4 win over Adrian Lewis which leaves the winless World Champion bottom of the league table.

The pair hit 15 180s between them in a high-scoring encounter, but Whitlock^s stronger finishing saw him take six of the game^s final eight legs as Lewis fell to a second successive defeat.

The World Champion began well, kicking off the match with a 180 only to see Whitlock finish 118 for the opening leg.

Both players hit maximums in the second, which Lewis won in 14 darts on double 14 before he was denied a chance at a finish in the third following another 180 when Whitlock took out tops.

Whitlock then hit back-to-back maximums in the fourth to leave 24, but Lewis followed up his fourth 180 in as many legs by finishing 74 to level at two-all.

However, Lewis saw his chance to break slip away in leg five, and Whitlock pouned to hit double eight before breaking on double ten in the sixth to lead 4-2.

Lewis broke back in the seventh, following six missed doubles from the Australian, and hit a 180 in the next, only to see Whitlock finish 68 to lead 5-3.

Whitlock then hit a 180 in a 13-darter to take leg nine, and the pair traded 180s in the tenth as the world number five punished two misses from Lewis to take out 61 and move 7-3 up.

The pair both landed their seventh 180s of the match in the next, as Lewis punished three missed match darts from the Australian by landing double four, but he could only watch on as Whitlock posted another maximum and double 16 to close out the win.

"It felt really good tonight, I was aggressive and I enjoyed it," said Whitlock. "I had a 105 average last week and played fantastic against Phil, and I played well again.

"I don^t get too many wins over Adrian but I took my chances, so it^s a fantastic win."

Leg-By-Leg
1-0 - Lewis opens up with a 180 and also hits a 134 but Whitlock finishes 118 on double 19 to hold throw.
1-1 - The pair trade 180s before Lewis finishes double 14 to win the second.
2-1 - Lewis hits another maximum, but Whitlock lands tops at the first time of asking to win his second leg.
2-2 - Lewis lands a 180, with Whitlock replying with two successive maximums only to be denied a dart at 24 when Lewis takes out 74 on double eight - the pair have hit seven 180s in the opening four legs!
3-2 - Whitlock lands double eight to take the fifth.
4-2 - Lewis misses double seven for a 93 finish, and Whitlock takes the first break of the game on double ten.
4-3 - Whitlock is punished for six missed doubles as Lewis finishes double ten to break back.
5-3 - Lewis hits a 180 and leaves 48, but Whitlock takes out 68 on double 16 to break again and regain his two-leg lead.
6-3 - Whitlock takes a key ninth on double top to pull away.
7-3 - Both players hit their sixth 180s of the game, but Lewis misses two darts to win the leg on double 18 and nine, and Whitlock finishes 61 to ensure at least a point.
7-4 - The pair again trade maximums, with Lewis missing darts at double eight and four before Whitlock wastes three match darts to allow the World Champion back on double four.
8-4 - Whitlock hits his eighth 180 of the game, and seals victory on double 16.

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