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SMITH AND LEWIS END FORDHAM FAIRYTALE IN SINGHA BEER GRAND SLAM

MICHAEL SMITH and Adrian Lewis held their nerve to end Andy Fordham's dream at the SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday night, as Michael van Gerwen and Martin Adams ended the Group Stage unbeaten.

Former Lakeside Champion Fordham had given himself a chance of qualifying for the knockout last 16 of the 400,000 pound tournament at the Wolves Civic when he defeated Wayne Jones on Sunday evening. A win over Smith in their final Group C contest could have seen Fordham's fairytale return to the big time completed - but the former World Youth Champion wrecked that dream with a brilliant display of finishing.
Smith took out 160 and 150 to win his opening two legs against Fordham and then finished 61 and 112 to take a 4-0 lead without missing a dart at a double, and though the popular Charlton thrower hit back with a brace of double eight checkouts, the St Helens youngster took a 5-2 win.

"Andy's the people's champion but I'm just so glad that I won," said Smith. "I had three big ton-plus checkouts and my finishing was great - I've shown that I'm not just a big scorer but I can finish as well. This is two years running that I've won all three group matches and I want to kick on now. I've got Dave Chisnall next and I can't wait - he's my best friend away from darts and he taught me how to play, but on that stage he's just another darts player and he's in my way!"
Fordham said: "I've absolutely loved it. I was very nervous but I've really enjoyed it and I'd love to come back. The crowd was absolutely fantastic."

Smith was joined in qualifying from Group C by Lewis, who held off the challenge of Wolverhampton's Jones to take a 5-3 victory, despite the local favourite producing his best display of the Group Stage, which included a 106 checkout.

"There was a huge amount of pressure because I knew I had to win to get through, and it was even tougher playing the local star," said Lewis. Wayne played really well and could have been 3-0 up, but luckily he let me in there and once I got ahead I managed to stay there. I've never been great in the short format so it's a relief to get through and now I'm in the groove I can look forward to the last 16. Once I get through the groups I usually do well - I've reached two semi-finals before and hopefully I can go further this week."

PDC world number one Michael van Gerwen secured unbeaten passage from Group A, picking up his third win of the round-robin phase with a 5-3 defeat of Steve West.
Van Gerwen replied to West taking the opening leg with a 116 checkout by missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish in leg two, as legs of 12 and 11 darts helped to put the Dutchman into a 3-1 lead. West hit back to level, but van Gerwen pulled away to win the next two to seal the win with an average of 105.38.

"I did what I had to do but it was hard knowing that I was already through," admitted van Gerwen. "I still had a good average and was close to a nine-darter. I'm better in long formats and I want to play well in the next games. This is a format that I like and I'm up for it, it gives me great confidence."

Kim Huybrechts joined van Gerwen in winning through Group A, with the Belgian defeating Mark Oosterhuis 5-2 as he landed a 160 checkout to deny the Dutch debutant a consolation win.

"It wasn't my best game but I did what I had to and won the game," said Huybrechts. "I feel very relaxed and focused and I'm looking forward to the next round."

Three-time Lakeside Champion Martin Adams topped Group B as he edged out Steve Beaton 5-4 to claim his third win of the Group Stage, although the former Wolverhampton semi-finalist also qualify for the second round despite the loss. Adams replied to Beaton's 117 checkout with a 118 finish and led 4-1 before being pegged back, but double top in the decider means he heads Group B and progresses to meet Huybrechts in the last 16.

"I'm very pleased to have won three out of three because I've played three great players," said Adams. "I've known Steve for many, many years and it was great to play him, he's a hard competitor still. I've seen Kim around but I don't think I've played him in a Singles game, I remember him from playing Pairs when he partnered his brother Ronny, which will be a first. There are no mugs here and you can all do it. If it comes out on the day, any player can win anything."

That result meant that Ian White's 5-1 win over Jelle Klaasen, which included checkouts of 121 and 103 as he came from a leg down to storm to victory, came in vain as he was eliminated from the event.

Peter Wright secured qualification for the second round with a 5-3 defeat of Mervyn King in their shoot-out, with the number four seed claiming the only break of throw in the game in leg seven before sealing victory.

"It was easier knowing that it was a straight shoot-out like a normal knockout tournament and I knew what I had to do," said Wright, who now plays Lewis. "My scoring wasn't great but there was a lot of respect there between us. I've still only been playing steady darts, so I can wake up in the next round and relax over a longer distance now."

The win meant that Wright tops Group D ahead of Dave Chisnall, who had qualified after his first two wins before losing out 5-1 to Scott Mitchell, as the Lakeside Champion produced a fine display to earn a consolation win.

"I knew I was out after Sunday night but everything's been great and I've really enjoyed being a part of this tournament," said Mitchell. "Fingers crossed one day I'll get to come back."

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