LAS VEGAS DESERT CLASSIC III 30 June-4 July 2004

Report by Andy Fairclough

It was "Viva Las Vegas!" as for the third time the PDC and Sky Sports descended on the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada for what has become the biggest and only televised event on the North American darting calendar.

Coverage of the last 16 onwards was broadcast live by Sky Sports and some big improvements to the tournament this year. Firstly the layout of the playing hall was much better. It was a lot brighter and more glitzy, far better suited to the atmosphere of being in Las Vegas. Also the crowds were a lot bigger this year which shows that the event is really making its mark in the USA.

Onto the darts...

ROUND ONE

Featured the last 32 and was not televised. Phil Taylor had the highest average in the best of 3 sets matches of 100.6 and coverage began live on Sky Sports with Round Two, the last 16 on Thursday 1st July.

ROUND TWO

First on the Oche was arguably one of the most fancied matches - Kevin Painter against Peter Manley. Painter squeezed through round one admitting that he was only victorious because opponent James Wade didn't take his chances. Manley was erratic in the first set which went to Painter. Then there was no stopping 'The Artist' who beat Manley 3-0 courtesy of a 143, 124 and 102 checkout and an average of 94.5.

Next up was Ronnie Baxter who said that his last 32 match against Steve Beaton he hadn't expected to win so convincingly. He was playing 'The Heat' Denis Ovens who is always hard to beat. Baxter played convincingly against Ovens and won through 3-2.

Last American in the tournament Darin Young said that his victory against Lionel Sams in the last 32 was 'very exciting.' However the last 16 brought him a different challenge altogether against bouncing Hawaii 501 - Wayne Mardle. The flamboyant star won the first two sets although he was pushed by Young. The third set though saw Mardle coast through to victory. After the match Young said that although he was World Soft Tip Darts Champion, "this was the real deal." We'll see Young again as he has qualified for the World Championships at Purfleet. On the other hand, Mardle said he was ready for anyone, including Phil Taylor. "I've had enough of getting beat by him, I'm sick of it", he said.

John Part had a comfortable win against Adrian Gray and in the early stages of the match he was averaging 111.33. It was a 3-0 win for Part who also checked out a 161 and a 164.

Then came 'the needle' as Phil Taylor took on Alan Warriner. The 'Ice Man' started well going 2 legs up only for Taylor to tie the first set at 2-2 before Warriner took the deciding leg. Taylor moved up a gear and Warriner slacked off allowing 'The Power' to go ahead 2-1. The fourth set began with Taylor checking out a 147 and Warriner then came back to life to make it a leg each. That was the end of his challenge though as Taylor took the next two legs and the match. At the climax the viewing audience was graced with a gem from Sid Waddell : "Taylor's ready for the 'coup de grace' which is French for cut the grass."

After the match Taylor was asked about his motivation for continued success. "I'm enjoying it and it's the fear of getting beaten. You have to do your practice hours on the board."

Match of the round was surprisingly Steve Coote against Andy Jenkins. Jenkins won the first set with a storming 106.5 average, but the Bolton fireman came back to tie the match at a set each. By this point Coote was averaging 100.87 and Jenkins 101.94. Both players complemented each others styles perfectly leading to continued high scores and Jenkins checked out a 156 to go 2 sets to 1 up. Coote brought it back to 2-2 with both players still averaging in three figures. By this point it was PDC newcomer but seasoned pro Coote who had the extra gallon in his tank and he won the decider 3 legs to 0. Both players finished with averages just under 100 and this match will be remembered for a long time.

Richie Burnett gained confidence against an occasionally wayward Dennis Priestley with the Welshman hitting 180s for fun. He hit a 117 checkout to tie the match at a set all and then it was no looking back as Burnett won 3-1.

Final match of the day saw Dennis Smith beat Canadian qualifier Gerry Convery 3-1.

ROUND THREE - QUARTER FINALS

I don't think many expected Richie Burnett to play as well as he did against John Part. His form over the past few years has been disappointing. However the Welshman looked his most focussed for a long time and indeed he never wilted during the match. In the first set Burnett tied the game at 2 legs a piece courtesy of a neat 137 checkout. Part however took the decider to lead 1 set to 0. It was neck and neck and by one leg each in the second set, both players were averaging 94.0. Part took the set and seemed to be cruising at 2 legs to 0 with only one more to take for the match (Part was averaging 97.0 at this point). Burnett though, dug deep and took the next 3 legs and the set. By this point 'The Prince Of Wales' had the higher average of 95.0 while the Canadian had slipped back to a 92.0 three dart score. Part once again performed when he needed to though and came off the stage a 3 sets to 1 winner.

"Dazzling entertainment" was my mental note to remember the fast paced clash between "Rocket" Ronnie Baxter and Wayne Mardle. It was the Vegas loving Hawaii 501 who took the first set with a 101.0 average against Baxter's 94.30. Some tactics were then employed as Mardle appeared to slow his game, which although it affected his own accuracy, appeared to affect Baxter's even more. Fairly smooth sailing from then on for Wayne Mardle who won 3 sets to 0. Controversial in his interview after the match, Mardle made his feelings known about Phil Taylor, "I want to smash his a**** in the final."

Steve Coote played well against Phil Taylor but 'The Power' had the extra edge. After Taylor took the deciding fifth leg for the first set, he had by his standards a low average of 93.5, compared to Coote's 90.0. Coote took advantage in set two and was 2 legs to 1 up, but Taylor stormed back and won the set with a particularly impressive fifth leg. No trouble for Taylor in set 3 and he won the match 3-0.

Dennis Smith had been suffering from toothache throughout the tournament and combined with an in-form Kevin Painter was too much for 'Smiffy'. Painter achieved his 3 sets to 1 win without much coming back from his opponent.

SEMI FINALS

Into the semis and no one could call which way John Part against Wayne Mardle would go. However Part who had been very solid in previous rounds particularly with his outshots fell apart against Mardle and had big 'double trouble'. Neither player was particularly playing well but in a matter of no time Mardle had a 3 sets to 0 lead in the first to 4 sets race. There was improvement from Part in the fourth set which he won, but it was too little too late as Mardle stode on to the final a 4-1 winner.

Kevin Painter against Phil Taylor was of course a replay of the 2004 world final and this match was almost as epic. Taylor took the first set with a convincing 114 checkout, before Painter brought it back to a set apiece. Both players then really clicked into gear and the match was level at 2 sets each. Taylor clicked in to overdrive and won the fifth and sixth sets and of course the match in what was a terrific game.

Afterwards the world champion said, "It's a pleasure to compete against these players. I've got my mate tomorrow! In terms of motivation there can't be anything more than the thought of playing Wayne Mardle."

THE FINAL

The final didn't disappoint one iota. Taylor stormed the first set with a 104.0 average 3 legs to 1. Set two went the same way and then Taylor began the third set with a 10 dart leg with his average now at 103.0. Mardle went 2 legs to 1 up in the third set breaking Taylor's throw. 'The Power' broke straight back following missed darts at a double from Mardle. Taylor then held his throw to go 3 sets to 0 up in this best of 11 match.

Set four started with Taylor averaging 102.44 and Mardle 92.71. Then 'Hawaii 501' began to hit back. He took the fourth set by 3 legs to 1 with a 12 dart leg for the set. Close again in the next set and Taylor checked out a 135 to go 2 legs to 1 up and then the next leg for the set and a 4 sets to 1 lead.

Mardle struck back again to make it 4 sets to 2. Taylor went 2 legs up in the seventh set avaraging 102.24 against Mardle's improving 96.18. Mardle stormed the next three legs to bring the match back to 4-3.

The Essex man wasn't finished and he tied the game at 4-4 pushing his average to 98.0 and hitting 180's and 140's for fun. Perhaps his tank had run dry though as Taylor took the deciding leg in the ninth set for a 5-4 lead, keeping his average up at 101.0. The tenth set Taylor took 3-1 and with it the match 6 sets to 4. Taylor fought to stay rock steady during the match as his averages testify and he said afterwards that it was probably the most difficult match he'd ever played in.

A terrific end to a great tournament with the best final anyone could have wished for. Those who had prematurely written off 'The Power' were left eating humble pie....

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