Day seven of the Tempus International Darts League saw the big boys out to play amongst themselves. Most of these players have been at the top of world darts at some stage over the past few years and they again provided great entertainment to the big crowd watching in Zoetermeer’s Silverdome. Four great quarterfinal matches were played to see who would advance to the semifinals on Saturday.

Quarter Final One - Darryl Fitton v Martin Atkins

The first match of the evening was between Darryl Fitton and Martin Atkins. Atkins played a good tournament until now, beating Walton, Seyler, O’Shea and Wade on his way to the quarterfinals.

Fitton who recovered from a scare against O’Shea, lost to Barneveld in the second round, but he forced him all the way.

Now the matches go over the best of 11 sets, best of 3 legs. That is a longer distance then they were used to play until then.

Darryl “The Dazzler” Fitton raced into a 2-0 set lead, without losing one leg. Atkins raised his level and took the third set without losing a leg. Fitton needed only 24 darts for the next set to re-establish a 2 set lead.

Atkins narrowed the gap by winning the fifth set.

In the third leg of the 6th set Atkins had a sloppy start. Fitton hit three consecutive 140’s for a 12-dart leg and a 4-2 lead.

The next set saw Fitton’s fifth 180 of the match and a missed 130 in the opening leg, but on the next visit to the oche he finished the leg. The next leg went with the darts to Atkins and that was his last leg he was to win for the match.

Set seven went with the darts to Fitton in 31 darts, and he cleaned up the next set as well to take a place in the semi finals.

Another exciting and close encounter with the title defender is anticipated for his next match.

Darryl Fitton – Martin Atkins: 6 – 2
(1-2, 0-2, 2-0, 0-2, 2-0, 1-2, 1-2, 0-2)
Averages: Fitton: 31.67, Atkins: 29.22 180’s: Fitton: 5, Atkins: 2

All of the some 1200 spectators were ready for the next match. A rematch of the first round group stage. Raymond Barneveld versus James Wade. Barneveld had not drop a match up until this stage and was again the favourite for this match.

The first set all three legs were played and both players hit an 80 finish to win their own leg. A 168 score from King to put 200 away on 32 and the check after the fifth dart for a 1-0 lead in sets.

A 180 from King (pictured left) in both legs of the second set and checks of 48 and 62 to extended his lead to 2-0.

Hankey having lost to King on their previous encounters was already causing some problems. On 1-1 Hankey missed a 161 for the set, but on the next occasion the leg and set was his.

He equalised the score by winning the fourth set in straight legs, but only after missing 12 darts at the doubles in these two legs.

The next three sets went with the darts, with King hitting a 121 in the final leg of the 7th set.

King again broke his opponent when he started the third leg of set 8 with a maximum. 5-3 up and only needing one more set for the victory.

On 1 leg each, King had the first darts for the victory and a place into the semifinal. From 48 he missed with two darts at double 16, and Hankey was relieved as he was took the set to trail only one set.

Again in set 10 dramatic misses by King to win the match and again Hankey came away with the win.

Into the final set and it was now “The Count” turn to miss a break opportunity. King eventually won the opening leg and again Hankey had to throw to stay in the match. This time there was nothing he could do. On 117 himself after 12 darts, he saw King hitting a 156 for the match. (Right – King takes victory over Hankey)

As in the last time they met at the Doeland Grand Masters, King was the winner of a match between them two. Kind will meet Adams or David in the semifinal on Saturday.

Mervyn King – Ted Hankey: 6 – 5
(2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2, 2-0, 2-1, 1-2, 1-2, 2-0)
Avg: King: 30.69, Hankey: 29.30
180’s: King:10, Hankey: 3 Finishes: King: 156, 121.

The last quarterfinal was to be played between two old adversaries in Martin Adams (pictured right) and Tony David. Many will remember that famous semi final when David defeated Adams on the way to his Embassy win.

The first set all three legs were played with both players starting a little leisurely. A 116 pegout by David saw him take the first set 2 – 1.

In set two the big scores were being hit. Legs went with darts until the third leg when David with scores of 131,140,60, and 100 opened up a chance for a break. With 70 left, he pegged it clean to take a 2 – 0 lead.

Adams needed to strike back to stay in the match. He came back strongly to take the set number three 2 – 0.

Set four could have gone either way. With the set level at one leg a peace, David some bug scores heading down to the double – 140, 140,60, and 130 to leave 31. He missed his first chance to take the set leaving 8. Adams was sitting on 58. He hit the 18 but missed double top with two darts to give David another chance. David promptly stepped up to the oche and knocked in a double to take the score to 3 – 1 in sets.

Adams again needed to fight back. He did magnificently taking the next two sets pretty easily, with David going of the boil a little. Adams squaring the match up at 3 – 3.

Adams was on a roll and now it was David’s turn to stop the rot and fight back. Adams took the first leg in set seven against the darts. David was in a spot of trouble but was throwing good darts. In the second leg he scored 100,135,59,57, and 100 to have 50 left. Adams had thrown 100,55,60,85, and 125 to have 76 left. A good peg to Adams and he was now in the driving seat with a 4 – 3 lead.

Adams was full of confidence, and David was struggling to find any consistent big scores. Adams on the other hand was banging in the big scores, which included 180’s, and a clean peg on double 16 to take the first leg in set eight. Adams kept it going to take the next leg and to be just one set away from victory.

David is known for his fighting qualities, and he really had a fight on his hands now. He stepped up his game and both players were throwing everything at each other at the start of set nine. David opened the leg with 140,100,140 and 81 to leave double top. Adams had thrown 140,85,45 and 130 to have 101 left. David managed to hit his favourite double to claim the leg. Adams was not going away and again both players were hit the big scores. This time Adams was there first and captured the leg. David had to win this next leg to stay in contention. He started off with 100,140,97 and 80 to leave 84. Adams started the leg strongly but faded in the middle. Scores of 123,60,85 and 140 to have 93 left. David had to peg and snuff out any chance of Adams taking the leg and match. David pegged the 84 to remain in contention with Adams still leading 5 – 4.

Set ten and Adams with brilliant darts takes the leg comfortably. David is not nick named the “Deadly Boomerang” for nothing. Once again he had to come back to stay in the match. David throwing 140, 100,105 and 140 to leave 16. Adams was chasing hard scoring 100,85,122, but a score of 45 left him with 149 to peg if he had a shot at finishing. Not to be as David stepped up and pegged the 16 required. The third leg and again both players were hitting the big scores. This time David knocking in a 110 pegout to square up the match at 5 sets each.

The final set and David was out smartly with the big scores. He claimed the first leg. All he required now was one more leg to take an outstanding victory. Once again both players were hitting the big scores and matched each other as they came down to a finish. Adams had the first crack at the double. With 60 left he missed two darts at double top. David only needed the one chance and stepped up and pegged 46. Victory was his in yet another classic match between two great players 6 - 5.

As mentioned earlier, David defeated Adams in the semi finals on the way to his Embassy crown. Who did he defeat in the final Mervyn King, the man he plays in the semi finals at the 2004 Tempus International Darts League.

Tony David – Martin Adams: 6 - 5
(2-1, 2-1, 0-2, 2-1, 0-2, 0-2, 0-2, 0-2, 2-1, 2-1, 2-0)
Avg: David: 30.93, Adams: 32.02
180’s David 0, Adams 3 Finishes: David 116, 110