Darts Federation of Australia

TONY DAVID CRASHES OUT OF EMBASSY

Ritchie Davies produced the performance of the week to send reigning champion Tony David crashing out of the 2003 Embassy World Championship in Frimley Green early this morning.

Wales' Ritchie Davies will face Gary Anderson in the semi-finals of the Embassy World Championship on Saturday after both players eased through in Frimley Green.

The computer engineer, and the man affectionately known as 'Lamb Chop' who lost 3-1 to David in the first round 12 months ago, produced an awesome performance to inflict a 5-0 defeat on the 'Deadly Boomerang'.

World number one David had lost the opening set in his previous two games - and he again struggled while Davies started like an express train.

The 31-year-old nailed double 10 for a 14-dart leg and followed up with a 15-darter to take the second. He then took out double 10 to clinch the first set.

The first four legs of the second were shared before Davies held his nerve to hit double 10 for a 2-0 lead.

David led 2-1 in the third, but his rival fought hard and leveled with a successful attempt at double 10.

The Queensland player was beginning to feel the pressure and missed double top.

The confidence in Davies, however, was flowing - and he capitalised to open up a three-set lead.

The qualifier also reeled off the next two legs, increasing his checkout percentage to over 47, before David responded with a 110 finish.

But the Aberdare thrower hit double 12 to take a four-set lead into the interval.

David must have been delighted with the break in play to try and regain his composure - but there was no let-up when they returned to the oche.

Davies won the first leg with an 11-dart finish before following up with an 81 checkout.

David nailed two double 20s to force another deciding leg, but Davies finished in style with a 121 checkout.

"I never thought I would have beaten him by that score," admitted Davies.

"I was just so focused when I went up there tonight.

"Tony took me out last year, so I just wanted to get one back. But I never expected to do it in that style.

"As the games were going on everything came together - my finishing and my scoring.

"I knew that Tony had started slowly in his previous two games and I thought that if I could start quickly and pressure him then I had a chance.

"But 5-0 was a bit of surprise."

David said: "Ritchie's got ability and talent - and tonight he played the better darts.

"Reflecting on the match, I didn't do a lot wrong. But it wasn't meant to be tonight."

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